The real reason the scales aren’t budging
Struggling with stubborn body fat over 40? This could be what’s holding you back.
I had the same conversation with three different women, all in their 40s, over the last few weeks. Each one was telling me how her husband had done Dry January and had lost a load of weight, but they’d done the same and hadn’t dropped a single blimmin’ pound.
I think so many of us can relate to this. You decide to cut back on everything "fun," and it feels like just looking at a croissant adds an inch to your waistline, whereas your male partner (and teenage kids, don’t get me started on how much they can pack away 🙄!) seem to be constantly eating, but never change shape.
It's infuriating, and honestly? It's not just in your head.
Here's the hard truth: if you’re in your 40s or beyond, your body has changed. While your husband's physiology is likely still chugging along like a (fairly!) well-oiled machine, perimenopause throws a spanner into the works for us. We need a different approach now, and yes, it's frustratingly unfair, but that’s life sometimes and rather than sit here complaining about it, let’s look at what we can do, because I am all about putting us back in the driving seat in midlife and not being a victim!
Forget the quick fixes. It’s not as simple as just about cutting out the booze anymore. It's about understanding the complex interplay of hormones, stress, and metabolism that comes with this stage of life.
And if I had to pick one thing to focus on first? It’s a tough one as, believe it or not, there’s quite a few levers we can pull. But before anything else, I think it's this: your stress levels.
Think about it: running on fumes, juggling a million responsibilities, and feeling constantly overwhelmed? Your body's going to cling to every pound for dear life. It's in survival mode and when our stress hormones (particularly cortisol) is high, this downregulates our oestrogen and progesterone (which are already on the wonk 🥴) and puts our bodies into fat storage mode. Argh.
I know, I know. "Just relax" is easier said than done and I know it isn’t that simple. We're all busy. But tackling stress isn't just about weight loss. It's about:
Better sleep: (Finally!)
Reduced perimenopause symptoms: (Hallelujah!)
Saying goodbye to the 3 PM biscuit cravings: (Yes, please!)
And ultimately, rediscovering your joy: (You deserve it!)
This is exactly where we start in my online programme, The Perimenopause Reboot. It's like a reset button for your body, helping you navigate this stage with more ease and less stress.
If you’re ready to stop fighting your body and start working with it, this can absolutely be done. When you become the expert on your own body, you can tap into what’s actually going to work for you, rather than wasting time darting off down blind alleys trying every little tip you see on Instagram (and I say this as someone who’s been there herself). Feeling like your body is on your side and getting that trust back again… well, it’s priceless.
If you want to know more about the Perimenopause Reboot, you can get on the waitlist and find out more here.