Meno Belly Question

[Sunswiped]

Does anyone have a meno belly that literally looks like a third trimester pregnancy belly?

That isn't very widely known is it? I mean I am small so always assumed I needed less than 2000, maybe about 1600-1700 esp getting older, but most people would be surprised if you told them they only required around 1000 cals a day. We've abided by this wisdom for so long - 1200 for weight loss etc, but maybe it isn't true for people 50+?

If you want to work out your BMR (the number of calories you use just sitting, breathing and 'existing' in a day) you can work it out. Info online. Or you can get scales that do it.
Obviously not many of us sit and do nothing all day, so we need more than 1000cals. But a BMR is a guide. A starting point.

Not on hrt.

I am currently growing my meno belly, it’s so depressing. I’m going back to intermittent fasting, drinking more water and cutting out refined carbs. The alcohol went a long time ago and helped other symptoms but not this.

I get really bad bloating and so has scans to see if anything untoward was going on in there and thankfully got the all clear.

I’ve been weight training for the past couple of months and whilst I haven’t lost any weight (I’ve stayed the same), I have increased my muscle mass and reduced my waist by 1inch. I go to a gym that has these fancy scales which measure everything, and it’s been really helpful to see the progress that’s being made internally as I hope eventually it will translate to something I can see externally!

On HRT also but not seeing this has had any effect on the meno belly. Starting serious calorie counting, detox and exercise from today due to upcoming holiday to see if that makes any difference.

Wow @RaceDays that is some serious discipline! I'm impressed.

I eat toast & fruit for breakfast, lentils/veg/rice for lunch and nuts for a snack ... but I still feel dizzy and light-headed when I cycle home at 6pm, before the biggish dinner. This has only started since I cut out sugary snacks. They must have been providing a huge chunk of calories for me each day, without me realising.

I'd hazard a guess that you aren't getting enough protein throughout the day.
Are you a veggie or vegan?
If not, could you consider having more protein for breakfast and lunch? Like eggs, full fat yoghurt, cheese, canned fish? Your portion of lentils at lunchtime isn't much.

This is my way of thinking too.

I have a healthy BMI and I have a meno belly.

I eat for good health...my gut, joints, heart and at the ripe old age of 54, I've become less interested in being super skinny anymore.

I know what's happening to my body is completely natural. I have a friend who is on the other side of the menopause and her menopause weight and belly have gone.

Equally, I don't berate myself for enjoying a chocolate bar occasionally.
Life is short.

I can categorically say that after being taken off my estrogen only HRT implants (I've had a total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy) that yes - the belly IS due to the loss of estrogen. Mine came on very fast along with a drastic sagging of my breasts. My breasts are basically now just lumps of soft fat. By 6 months off hrt, I didn't recognise myself and I actually ate less to try to compensate. Now back on HRT again but have been told because I was off it for over a year, that it may very well take a year to be back where I was before. Thanks NHS menopause clinic - I'm absolutely livid as I didn't want to stop and there was no need.

Intermittent fasting and walking really helped me lose mine
it can be swings and roundabouts tho - my boobs were a ridiculous size - I’m really short so looked like something out of a carry on film. I also had this strange thing going on where there was no definition between belly and boobs
then did the fasting etc and my belly flattened noticeably along with the boobs which then resembled balloons from a party two weekends ago lol but it suits me much better

That was my thought too. Even adding some nut butter, tofu or hummus to those meals (if you're vegan) would probably give you a boost.

@Eviebeans I also had this strange thing going on where there was no definition between belly and boobs
then did the fasting etc and my belly flattened noticeably along with the boobs which then resembled balloons from a party two weekends ago lol

You have described it perfectly! 😆

This is what I'm worried about. I wasn't on hrt through my whole perimenopause and have only been put on it because I've had blood tests to confirm I'm post menopause (due to my age, I did peri in my 30s). I now feel like I'm playing catch up to get rid of my belly. I'm losing weight but my belly is getting worse and when I've been the weight I now am before I've been a size 12, I'm now a size 16. I hate it.

Yes, you're probably right. I don't much like cheese, but on the days when I've had one of those high-protein yogurts after lunch, I usually feel better. And eggs are a good shout too

If you are vegan/veggie (and I know people are very anti-UPF but...!) a couple of cold veggie/quorn sausages sliced up could be added to your packed lunch, they can give you a bit more protein.

It is interesting to hear how little others are eating to try and keep the weight under control. I thought it was just me. 1200cal/day is about all I can do, other wise the weight piles on. I am permanently hungry. I try to fill up on veg, keep hydrated, protein and so on, but 1200cal is not a lot.

I am in no way an expert but these are things I have found when researching

Stop running. After menopause it can cause increased cortisol which increases belly fat.
Instead do a combination of brisk walking and short bursts of intense cardio. Like sprint (really fast) 20 second walk a minute or sprint 30 second walk 2 minutes. Repeat 5 times.

More intense HEAVY lifting.

Intermittent fasting. I found I had to stop eating after about 5pm. Earlier if possible. I now eat late morning and late afternoon and small meals. I have to make sure they are nutrient rich because they are small meals. Did I say small? Really small.

I have found no loss of strength in fact I'm lifting heavier than I have for a long time.

I don't run so I do skipping first a minute rest first 2 mins. Repeat it 5 times 3 x a week. And I walk an hour or two twice a week. That's all the cardio I do now.

Belly is pretty flat now. Apart from sad looking loose skin 😢 and I dint have back fat anymore.

I'm 57

I'm 57 and whatever the calculator says, I can't eat over about 1200 a day. I make sure my meals are nutrient rich because they are tiny.

Look at it logically. If you are eating say 1900 and you are gaining weight then you are taking in more energy (calories) than you are using. 🤷🏻‍♀️ whatever the calculator says.

I can't really comment on your particular diet as I don't know the answers other than if that is what you are eating and you are gaining weight then you are taking in more calories than your body is using.

@Overthemenopause

Chicken stir-fry
1tbsp soy sauce
0.5 red pepper
20g cornflour
1tsp garlic puree
1tsp ginger puree
1tbsp sesame oil
1 cup spring onions
Egg noodles

How much chicken?
What do you fry the chicken in? Usually you don't use sesame oil for frying so that's why I'm asking. Is the sesame oil used later?
How many noodles?
It sounds like the meal is basically noodles with chicken and a little red pepper.
That doesn't sound healthy.

I think meno belly is very common, but there can be more than one thing going on, so weight gain as need for calories diminishes, but for me, HRT made my stomach very bloated indeed, it was horrible, and I tried a couple of different types before deciding not to have it. Belly then went back to just being fat! Ony thing that is shifting that is more exercise, less food, and (I hate to mention it) Wegovy. I decided to make that pact with the devil after not succeeding in shifting anything for several months.

@JinglingSpringbells

We all lose up to 10% of muscle per decade, after 30, so use less energy even when sitting still (unless you're doing lots of weight building exercise.)
You are right. That's why women should be incorporating strength training as their main form of exercise. Lifting HEAVY.

This recipe served 2 people.

And yes it may seem like not a lot of vegetables because look at my whole day and the amount of fruit and vegetables id eaten through the day. I had eaten more than enough!

Fwiw this comes to 398 k/cal per serving (the recipe posted serves 2 people) of which 27g is carbs, 36 protein and 17g fat.

To break the rest of the day down

150g Skyr
80g frozen fruit
25g seeds

Is 317 k/Cal
31g carbs 23g protein 13g fat

Small avocado
1 celery stick
85g radishes
4 cherry tomatoes
5 pickled onions
100g cucumber
10g feta

414 k/cal
30g carbs 12g protein 32g fat

It is likely the carbs doing it looking at it broken down but it is all within my permitted limits.

It's not too much food nor is it unhealthy, but if you're not able to lose weight then it's more calories than your body needs (unless you actually don't need to lose weight).

The three servings of fruit you listed (breakfast and two snacks) is probably about 45 grams of sugar. Yes, fruit is "healthy", but that's still sugar and can sabotage weight loss. Try switching out some carbs and increasing your protein or swapping a fruit snack for a protein one.

It's not fun and it's not " fair", but every postmenopausal woman I know has to seriously reduce calories or she gains weight. And that's with exercise. It is what it is.
😂