Help! Menopause - my middle is getting thicker!

[Susan126]

Okay I went through menopause! I used to have a nice waist but now it's disappearing. Plus all my exercising is not helping me to lose this waist weight either. I do eat healthy. Well, I am a sugar junky. But I've tried cutting back a lot. Anyone out there have the secret to keeping their waists thin after menopause? I've heard yogurt is the elixir of waist reduction. I don't want to become my mom and aunts. All slim except their waists! No more zipper pants for them, everything elastic!

[sundial]

Don't you hate that? I noticed mine started filling out at 38. Blah! Since I started cycling hard and heavy everything has toned up well except for the middle. It's slow going but I might be able to get back down another size by Christmas, and I've been at it since last summer.

My gyne said that when people hit their 40's, their bodies go through as dramatic change as puberty. Ack!

Hang in there. You have company to share your frustrations.

[Veronica]

I'm almost 42. I've lost 3.5 inches off my waist since July when I began working with a trainer. We spend about 30 minutes twice a week targeting the abs. Then move on to some other body part for the next 30. That usually includes some stability work, which again engages the core muscles.

I've cut out a lot of sugar, mostly in what I drink, not what I eat.

I'm seeing the benefits of increased strength in everything else I do.

Veronica

[tulip]

I have not gone through that, but I've always had a thick waist. Pilates has done wonders for me.

[Crankin]

I've been in menopause for 6 years and I have not gained any weight. My abs are not as toned, but generally that is because I am not spending enough time working on the stuff that Veronica described. My waist is still small, but maybe an inch bigger.
I swear this year I will work on my core...
I do have to watch my food more. You can't be a sugar junkie. Not that I never have it, but it's rare. No soda, cookies, candy (except one piece of dark chocolate a day) or things with HFCS. I eat ice cream or dessert maybe twice a month or on other special occasions.
Weight training.

[violette]

I hit 40 this year, everyone says I'm too skinny, but I started to notice that I have "loose skin" around my waistline!! It's like I have a little spare tire. Makes me sick. I haven't changed anything in my eating habit or biking/running time.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

They say fitness walking gives you a small waist. Your torso vs. hips twist in a way that jogging doesn't do quite as much.
I can say that during the years I was waitressing in a very busy restaurant I had the most amazing tiny waist- and I sure was doing a lot of 'power walking'.

[lph]

You can tone muscles in particular parts of your body, but there's no way you can lose fat only in certain spots. No way, uh-uh, no matter how many situps you do or what those enthusiastic little twiggies in the ads say You can reduce fat all over by exercising more or eating less, and when there's less fat in the way - ta-da - those lovely abs will start peeking through again.

I was born with a thick waist like all the women in my family, and I have to really be pretty fit and almost get quite skinny before I even get a waist. I can't wait til menopause...

[Veronica]

Who said anything about losing fat in only certain spots? I only talked about the waist because that was the OP asked about.

I've lost inches all over with what I'm doing.

Veronica

[lph]

Nobody used those exact words, you certainly didn't, but it's a common misconception that some specific type of exercise will "give" you a smaller waist, or thinner thighs or whatever, when it has more to do with total fat reduction and where your body chooses to store fat.

[bmccasland]

Nobody used those exact words, you certainly didn't, but it's a common misconception that some specific type of exercise will "give" you a smaller waist, or thinner thighs or whatever, when it has more to do with total fat reduction and where your body chooses to store fat.

Don't forget the 6-pack abs... and buns of steel

My middle resembles more of drinking the 6-pack, and not just toting it around.

Ah, yes, menopause, slowing metabolisms, and all that, is such fun. I've told my doctor on more than one occasion that it isn't fair!

[Veronica]

Don't forget the 6-pack abs... and buns of steel

The 6 pack is real! I've got about a 4 pack now. It kind of reminds me of a 4 pack of Red Bulls. And I'm pretty sure my metabolism has increased since what use to satisfy me at meal time leaves me still rather hungry now.

Veronica

[Elise]

Since I started Pilates, (on machines) I have noticed a nice improvement. I have been at it since January, it does take time but in my opinion it is wonderful for the core.

[Susan126]

I think I will incorporate walking three times a week along with my biking. I do need to do some weight bearing exercise. Kill two birds with one stone? Walk for waist and bones. I'll let you know if it helps.

Oh and I have cut back my sugars too. In my drinks like Veronica. No more sugar drinks or juices. I don't eat a lot of sweets but I sure do (er did) drink a lot of sugary stuff!

Hopefully by spring I'll have a better mid profile!

[Dogmama]

There has been recent research that intervals burn more fat than endurance exercise, even when expended calories are the same. It is thought that with intervals you burn more calories after the exercise is finished.

Also, I suspect that Veronica is doing strength training (correct?) Obtaining muscle through moderately heavy lifting (8-12 reps) and maintaining muscle require more calories than maintaining fat.

When I concentrate on weight training & intervals, I always look better nekked. I love my long cycling though. It is better for my head.