Belly Fat and Hormones

Managing belly fat during midlife can be tricky because three important hormones - insulin, cortisol, and estrogen - work together to affect how your body stores fat. 

When insulin gets out of balance, your body tends to store more fat around your middle.

Stress hormone cortisol does the same thing - when you're stressed, it tells your body to hold onto belly fat. 

During midlife, estrogen levels start dropping, which can slow down your metabolism and make it easier for fat to build up around your stomach. 

But don't worry - there are ways to help balance these hormones naturally! Here are a few: 

1. Regular exercise, especially strength training and walking, helps control insulin and reduces stress. 

2. Getting enough sleep is super important too, since lack of sleep can make cortisol levels spike. Lack of sleep leads to more stress and it becomes a vicious cycle.

3. Eating protein with each meal helps you stay full and balance blood sugar, and including lots of colorful vegetables and fruits provides nutrients that support hormone balance. 

4. Try to avoid sugary foods and drinks that make insulin spike, and find ways to manage stress like yoga or meditation. Try to get outside daily to let your eyes see the sun and just breathe in fresh air. 

Remember that some belly fat is totally normal during midlife - it's your body's natural response to hormonal changes. Stop trying to look like you did in your 20s & 30s and rock this new midlife body with confidence.

Focus on healthy habits rather than quick fixes and be patient with your body as it adjusts to these changes. Like I always say…your body is not Amazon Prime…It's not going to show up tomorrow. But with hard work and healthy habits it will come, be patient and don't give up.