09/30/2025
"How do I get rid of this stubborn meno belly?"
If youāre in perimenopause and noticing a shift in fat around your midsection, itās not in your headāand itās not about you doing anything wrong.
Itās hormonal. As estrogen declines, your body tends to store more fat in the abdominal area.
But despite what diet culture says, you canāt target belly fat. Spot-reduction is a myth, proven time and time again.
So what does the science actually say works?
ā Full-body strength training: Builds muscle, improves insulin sensitivity, and increases overall fat loss.
ā Protein-rich meals: Help preserve lean mass and support fat loss, especially during weight loss in midlife.
ā Balanced blood sugar: Avoiding spikes helps reduce fat storage.
ā Sleep + stress management: High cortisol (from poor sleep or chronic stress) increases abdominal fat storage.
Thereās no quick fix. But there is a sustainable path forwardāand it starts with education, not restriction.
If youāre ready for realistic, research-backed support, coaching that works with your life, and a plan that actually honours your changing bodyāDM me āSTRONGā and letās chat.
References:
Lovejoy, J. C., et al. (2008). Abdominal fat distribution and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women during the menopausal transition. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 88(2), 461ā465.
Kostek, M. A., et al. (2007). Subcutaneous fat alterations resulting from an upper-body resistance training program. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(2), 362ā369.
Hunter, G. R., et al. (2008). Resistance training increases total energy expenditure and free-living physical activity in older adults. Journal of Applied Physiology, 104(3), 869ā876.
Leidy, H. J., et al. (2015). The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 101(6), 1320Sā1329S.
Papanicolaou, D. A., et al. (1998). Effects of cortisol on abdominal fat and health risk. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 83(10), 3721ā3725.