Over 40 Belly Blues

[eclectic]

Hi Ladies.
I went on South Beach and lost 20 pounds ( I had reached 175 prior to the operation). I can't fathom going on South Beach while I am riding 2-3 times a week to work.
Anyone else have the peri-menopausal metabolism and belly blues?

Lucky 13

I just got caught up on this thread- yes I am turning 50 in Dec and yes I have the belly blues. With all the exercise, crunches, scrunches and whatever else have you, I just tell people "I have a 6 pack under there somewhere! "

I started Southbeach the middle of September and I LOVE it. It is NOT low carb, Atkins is low carb. SB is somewhat for the first 2 weeks but even then if I was riding my bike longer than a hour I ate some bread before I went to keep the glycogen stores up.
SB is about keeping your glycemic levels stable (similar to a diabetic diet)
It basically cuts out sugars and processed grains.
Now my belly fat is reducing along w/ the rest of me,(fifteen lbs less to pull up a hill since the middle of september) I sleep better at night and have more energy during the day. AND have absolutely no sugar cravings which is the best part!

[mtbdarby]

I love reading your responses on this thread! My tummy magically appeared last winter at the age of 38 - and with that came almost 15 pounds. I'm still trying to find my correct attitude and love for my body and when that comes I feel my body will adjust. I stopped obsessing about how much I work out and I'm concentrating on spending time with my son and finding a balance in my life. Thanks for the great words of wisdom!

[DeniseGoldberg]

...I just want to chow after riding 10 miles to work in the morning and 10 miles home in the afternoon in Boston...especially now when it's getting cold out.

Are you eating at all before you ride? If you're not, that may be the cause of your extreme hunger.

I only commute to work by bike during the "light" months - late spring to early fall. When I do, I always eat breakfast before I leave home. And I have a light snack when I get to work. I always eat something before I leave work to ride home. And then I have a light dinner. I eat to support my activity levels, and I suspect that fueling early and eating many light meals (or almost meals) saves me from that extreme hunger.

--- Denise

[Lucky 13]

I am just thrilled to hear from y'all about this topic. It is comforting to know that this is not just my struggle but practically every athletic woman who ages...despite our best efforts to keep in shape, what we once worked in our 20's and 30's, probably won't keep us in check years later. I appreciate the rooting section telling us no matter what, stay active and bike. It really does do us good vs. flab and being out of shape.

Somebody made a comment about going on the pill to regulate periods. Here's an interesting story. Last June I went to a dermatologist to fix my adult acne..brought on by, you guest it....those lovely menopausal hormones. The Doc put me on Spironolatone, which in higher doses is used for blood pressure. But lower doses are used to control acne. Here's how it works. The drug is an anti-androgen...which in turn works on the amount of testosterone floating around. The testosterone causes the cyst like-acne in hormonally challanged women (how do you like that phrase?). So by controling the testosterone...voila, clear face. Great I thought. By August, I had to come off of it although it did clear my face up. It made me miss me period for two months (essentially thru me into menopause) and I ended up with mega breasts-looking like a fertility goddess of sorts. This was NOT good, since I was getting married in Sept and my dress no longer fit.
Fortunately, I was able to deflate with stopping the med and fit into the gown. (I found the Presta valve!)

Oh how I enjoy being a girl
My new mantra is Accept, accept, accept the changes!
Lucky

[five one]

Whoo boy, can I relate to all of your replies to this thread! I have never been a thin person. I'm short, but am big boned and have lots of muscle thanks to the riding I've been doing for over four years. I'm strong and I'm fit, but I'm also heavier than I have ever been, too. I don't own a scale, but whenever I get weighed at the doctor's office, I'm shocked at the number. The belly thing began for me about five years ago - perimenopause, followed by menopause about a year ago. I understand the "why" of it all, but admit to being a wee bit frustrated about it. I always had hips and thighs. Never a tummy. Still, I feel very fortunate that I can get out on my bike as often as I do and am not willing to forgo certain foods for fear of gaining a couple pounds. And like the rest of you, I'd rather be fit and healthy than obsess about the size of my clothes. Personally, I think we rock. I have a friend who is in her 70's and until recently, was still doing tri's. She is so alive and vibrant. I want to be like her when I grow up!

[Aint Doody]

I think what I'm hearing (and liking to hear) is accept it, but don't give up.

[trail_mommy]

Ok judging by some of the replies on here I just could be the youngest gal posting I am 26 and a Mother of 3 boys! Jared is 5.5, Dylan turns 3 onFebruary 12th and Kyle turned 1 yesterday. I am 5'9 and 160 lbs. Doesn't sound bad does it with the height *but* I was a size 18 months ppd with my first son after I weaned him and did some pilates...then pregnancy 2....got pregnant with #3 when #2 was just 13 months so I still carried some leftover baby weight. I didn't start biking until recently. I had not biked at all since I was a teenager and started hitting these MTB trails after my dh got me into it. All my weight is mainly the tummy, the hips...and breasts. I have this problem with late night eating. I'm a night owl and I tend to snack late at night. I have been riding 2-3 times a week for about 2 weeks now and doing tae bo twice a week. So far I have gained a little which I know must be muscle. I am still nursing so I know that helps my metabolism. I have lost 35 pounds since I had our third...but my target weight is 130...I hope if I keep this up I can lose the pounds. I want to be better and faster and I know losing weight will help me in my manuevering, speed and just all around...


Edited to say silly me not paying attentiong to the thread title...it's the lack of sleep I tell ya!

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi guys,
I have been following this thread and I want to add my 2 cents. I just turned 45 this month, and a few years ago I too started to notice a change. I was running and biking and hiking and still did not feel that I was in the shape I should be in. Not a huge belly, just not where I should be.

And then I rededicated myself to weight training again. Now I am not talking a huge aamount of time, or a huge amount of weight, just twice a week for 30- 40 mins. I did have to cut back on my cardio to fit it in.

Well, I have to tell you it made a huge difference in how I looked and felt. So in my case at least, to keep my engine revving and my metabolism high, I have to lft some weights. All of the cardio in the world was not doing it for me.

So for those of you out there who are not lifting, you may want to give it a try. I really do feel it will make a difference.

Ruth

[hirakukibou]

All my weight is mainly the tummy, the hips...and breasts. I have this problem with late night eating. I'm a night owl and I tend to snack late at night.

This thread is really helpful. I too carry my extra weight in my belly. I am 5' 2'' and used to weigh 220 lbs which I gained from a medication. I changed medications and the weight came off and am now 125. But the belly still persists. And like you, trailmommy, I am a night eater, sometimes binger and it is causing me to gain weight. I actually have gained 10 pounds since the end of the summer and the trend worries me. So, I know that I have to work on my compulsive eating and also at getting more exercise. I rode on average 200 miles per week in the summer months and that has dropped to half now that the weather is yucky some of the time. I do weight lift some, but could do more. I think I am going to have to break down and join the gym to get the aerobic exercise my body and mood need.

[PinkBike]

trail mommy, for being 5'9, i don't think your goal should be 130, that is way too thin. i'm 5'8, and when i was 130 (five years ago) everyone said i was too skinny, even the doctor. then menopause struck and now i'm 148 pounds.

i just can't accept this weight, my clothes still fit but they're tight and i like them loose. i can't eat any less than i do, so i'm following this thread and seeing that maybe i need to do some weight training to jumpstart my metabolism.

ladies, is that even realistic? does weight training help your metabolism? also, any other thoughts on the south beach diet? i do totally low fat right now, which has been successful for 30 years and has now failed me.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

trail mommy, for being 5'9, i don't think your goal should be 130, that is way too thin. i'm 5'8, and when i was 130 (five years ago) everyone said i was too skinny, even the doctor.

I was going to say the same thing. 5'9" and 130 pounds seems WAY too thin to be healthy. Even 140 would be very thin at that height.

[roguedog]

"Buddha Belly". I love it. I thought I was the only one who called it that!

uh... (as I shovel dinner into my mouth and having gained 5 lbs over tday (damn))

I now just called it the underbelly of success..

[KnottedYet]

trail mommy, for being 5'9, i don't think your goal should be 130, that is way too thin. i'm 5'8, and when i was 130 (five years ago) everyone said i was too skinny, even the doctor.

I'm 5'8 and 145, and I'm utterly thrilled at how lean I am! 140 would be nice, but 130 would be far too thin for me at 5'8, even though I have very "thin" bone structure.

At 5'9 I'd worry about 130. Seems like a person would have to lose a lot of muscle to get that low.

Can you try switching your food from night-time to morning? If I eat a ridiculous huge b'fast, I eat much less the rest of the day; and less over all without ever feeling hungry.

[hellosunshine]

ive just been put onto the gi diet,check it out,in theory it should sort out cravings,and help energy levels.ACCEPT,the 20 yr olds have flat stomachs,but we have a wealth of experiences and life knocks as well as that extra roll,which would you rather,and some lucky ones have kids too.,what a reward for an extra bit of blob!

[Velobambina]

I've read that having extra fat in your midsection helps protect your bones when you go thru menopause. I'll take the belly over osteoporosis any day!

Lifting weights will do wonders for you -- I'm almost 44 and have been lifting about 10 years. Heavy weights. I'm much stronger now than when I was 20 and I look better, too. Best of all, I don't have to ask my husband to pick up heavy items, open jars, etc.