Age 50 where did this tummy come from?

[Theresagiraffeinmywardrobe]

Was trying clothes on at the shop today and couldn’t believe what I saw in the mirror. I have put on so much weight around my stomach I nearly cried. I used to be size 8-10 and I knew the weight had crept on gradually but I was shocked at what I saw in the mirror. I put on a lot of weight over the last couple of years due to supporting DD in recovery from an eating disorder so we’ve eaten lots of calorific food. Fine but I need to get it under control now.
Obvious first step is to cut out alcohol. I do like a drink. At work I usually have salad or soup and bread but I do slather the bread with butter. I am partial to chocolate. I don’t exercise but like to walk. Trouble with evenings is I would happily eat something small but the family want a ‘proper dinner’ with plenty carbs. It’s 2 teen girls and due to the history with DD1 (who is recovered) I don’t want them to think I’m dieting… and DH is a runner and constantly wanting to carboload.

I know the solution is… eat fewer calories and exercise more, I just wonder if anyone has been in a similar situation and managed to lose the big belly. Any advice?

I could have written this myself! No advice but shamelessly following - sorry.

It is so much harder now than when we were younger. Good luck to you and good luck to me too x

Hello, in a similar situation.
I work out, but don’t walk enough, and eat and drink too much. Belly is massive. I know exactly what I need to do, but just have no discipline.

I think falling estrogen during menopause can contribute to increased abdominal fat , HRT may help limit this.

although for some people progesterone can also cause bloating

I cut calories during the day by OMAD so my kids don’t see me “dieting” I eat a normal dinner at night with alcohol at the weekend. Would this work for you?

I'd recommend striving for a calorie deficit, through either reducing calorie intake or increasing exercise/training, or ideally both. Apps such as My Fitness Pal are really helping for tracking this. For a realistic picture you have to be disciplined and log everything; even things that seem insignificant can add lots of calories, e.g. a glass of orange juice or a glug of cooking oil. Good luck!

You can easily cut back without the kids noticing, lose the butter at work, have a low cal healthy lunch, cut out the wine, any chocolate etc, and eat a healthy portion for dinner,

There are many people who eat very few calories, and healthy foods, and exercise as much as they can who put on lots of weight. Equally, some people eat lots and do little exercise, and have a flat stomach, so please don't judge or blame yourself. Makes me sick that people who are on steriods for serious health conditions, or have certain diseases, are looked down on and judged.

I think this is the most realistic option for me. To be really disciplined during the day and then eat ‘normal’ dinner in the evening. Cutting out the booze should be an easy first step. Was discussing DH last night we need to cut back on our booze for both health and financial reasons.

I used mounjaro to help me lose weight, but effectively that’s what I did.

i have eggs for breakfast, generally boiled, a salad with protein or a Huel shake for lunch, then a normal dinner with my family in a healthy portion size, have yoghurt and fruit as snacks, and only drink now when socialising, so every two weeks basically,

That, OP, is what used to be called 'middle-aged spread' and is now called 'meno-belly'. I never gained weight on my stomach until my late 40s, now I have to really watch what I eat and drink to keep the podge under control.

If you like a drink - yep you already know this has to go - or at least be something you only do occasionally. Alcohol is empty calories and many of them come in fizzy form, which is additionally bloating.

Salt is also your enemy - I really notice now if I eat salted nuts or crisps or anything salty that I'm really bloated.

And if you've gained weight through eating calorific food - well I can understand why you'd want to keep your DD company and that it wouldn't be good for her recovery to see you eating a salad while she had lasagna, but you need to cut back on your own calorie intake. Smaller portions, swap carbs for salad, swap white carbs for brown, etc.

Also exercise - as an example a moderate pace 5k run will burn around 400 calories - so find some exercise you love.

ETA: and go on HRT. Falling oestrogen causes body shape changes. It's not a magic bullet - you will still have to do all the above as well - but it helps. Every little helps ...

I suddenly found myself with exactly the same OP, aged 48. I'm really determined to get rid of it now so no advice, but solidarity!

i’m on HRT.

More veg and pulses and far fewer carbs has worked for me.

I love veg and pulses I just need to make sure I prep easy lunches and snacks. Sometimes it’s easier to make a cheese toastie when I’m working at home. The office is easy in a way as we have a great salad bar.

It's also a mystery to me.
I've also noticed that when I look in the mirror a strange middle-aged woman looks back, with a double chin.
She's also started putting big baggy clothes in my wardrobe.
If I catch her, I'll give her a good slap...

You’ll notice a difference just by cutting out the booze - I did Sober October and still going, and a nice bonus is I’ve lost several lbs just by cutting out a bottle a week and the poor eating that goes with it. All from my menopausal tyre 😄

This gives me hope!

What about those of us who hardly drink alcohol? I think biscuits might be my equivalent though.
It is very depressing, I started trying to cut down about a week ago- so far I’ve gained a pound…

I noticed that I started gaining fat around my belly at around 45, before it had always been flat even after two DCs. It was a big surprise to be honest, I have always had round hips but a flat belly.

I lost the wretched thing three years ago and it’s back to normal now even though I had been pregnant and had a baby in the meantime. I have had good exercise routines in place for years so it was a matter of watching my diet. It’s been three years and my abs are still visible but it does take work and self-control daily.

Lost over 16 cm from my waist from circa 86 to 70 so it definitely can be done.

I haven’t seen my abs since before I was pregnant. Feel like I’ll never see them again…

Yes…. Preparation is the key.

A cheese toastie is absolutely delicious but really spikes my blood sugar, even with wholemeal bread and salad (ie fibre). I’m not diabetic and I don’t even have prediabetes but I wore a blood sugar monitor for a couple of weeks and it was very illuminating. This response is obviously going to differ for different people. But if that happens to you too and you’re eating and going straight back to your desk, that unused blood glucose will be going straight to far stores. if you can have a short walk straight after eating, that helps.

I never thought of that. I’d usually just go straight back my desk after eating. Great tip thanks

HRT and collagen can help. Eat lots of protein and fibre and do both aerobic and strength exercises.

Good luck!