Please help me work out what to do with my tummy !

[Highnone]

I have gained over a stone since menopause and HRT.

My tummy looks like I am 6 months pregnant. I posted on here a while ago about shape wear, which doesn’t hold me in at all and a poster suggested this may be due to poor core muscles.

enough is enough, I want to loose to weight and get control over my tummy again. I feel so frumpy and I know it can’t be good health wise.

so my question is what exercise is specifically good at developing your core again? I have read Pilates could be good…but any other thoughts gratefully received

I use Jessica Valant Pilates for my workouts.

Eat less and stop blaming weight gain on the menopause.

I would't and didn't touch HRT a with a barge pole so have no idea is that could be preventing you from losing weight or helps you gain weight.

I'm also post meno and put on a stone. I've now lost 11lb and it took me 6 weeks. I work out 4 times a week but that alone does nothing. I did intermittent fasting, sometimes only eating in a 2 hour window in the evening. I made sure what I ate was from all the food groups. It's not for everyone and you have to be prepared to be in some discomfort.

When you lose it you WILL lose from your stomach too. My reward was this morning when I tried on my holiday clothes.

It's pretty drastic but it's not forever. Going forward I'll hopefully be able to have a decent lunch and dinner while maintaining my weight. I used to eat crap after dinner but my rule is nothing after 7pm.

And yes I'm on HRT but I don't think that makes any difference.

I have found it harder to control my tummy since starting HRT. I’ve lost my girlish shape.

Before doing any core exercises, check if you have diastasis rectii (ab gap) you can do some damage if you do certain exercises if you have it!

I regularly eat complex carbs and have no intention of giving them up. I went into menopause at 45, and eight years later, I haven't put on weight. I'm 5'9" and 64 kg. I've always exercised and eat a healthy diet following the 80/20 rule. I gave up alcohol five years ago.

Sure its harder to lose weight during menopause , you just have to make the right choices that you can maintain

My choices have been to cut the processed foods, I home cook practically every meal we eat, upped the fruit and veg, changed from white bread and pasta to wholemeal and its now brown rice, quinoa, couscous

Sure I eat chips, home made, air fryer, I avoid crisps. I eat cake, not every day, avoid biscuits as I know a pack can go down my neck with a cuppa . Im losing around 1lb a week, some weeks I gain, some weeks I stay the same, but these are choices I can live with. Sure its taken a year to lose two stone and its taking me forever to get to a really healthy weight, but Im getting there without suffering and denying myself

Shapewear just smooths what you have, doesnt make any of it disappear

I'm a reasonable weight but post meno I've found that I tend to blow up like a balloon if I eat certain foods. I literally inflate from my rib cage to my abdomen after a some meals, when normally I'm a reasonable shape with a small waist.

I've not established all of the culprits yet, but certainly bread or any gluten containing food is one, as is anything containing much sugar. When I completely cut bread out of my diet (I don't eat other carbs like rice and pasta as I don't like them) it made a difference.

The problem with having a tummy is that it makes it very difficult to do excercises involving your core. I found Pilates almost impossible but once I’d lost some weight I was then able to get into positions the engaged my core effectively.

I forgot to mention alcohol, this is terrible for belly fat, wine and lager are the worst.

I did slimmingworld. i cant believe i lost weight as i ate so much. most of it from my belly and the main family meals were slimming world, so reducing work. It does require some planning though and attending weighings (unless you have willpower, which i dont)

I agree OP it is overwhelming the number of choices and recommendations. And quite honestly what I know would work for me I just don't think is feasible (cutting out sugar)

Try this, @inthekiddle:

https://www.academia.edu/41402504/THE_BLOOD_SUGAR_SOLUTION_10_DAY_DETOX_DIET_STARTER_KIT_The_10_Day_Detox_Diet_and_The_Blood_Sugar_Solution

Cutting out sugar is tough but it can be done - and it's life changing in terms of weight and overall health.

Low carb Diet and Pilates

I follow her

only 15 mins every evening

nearly 50yo, and I am the fittest I’ve been all my life x