Anonymous wrote:This is OP - In retrospect I think it has been *too* important to me to keep my shape (and weigh the same I did in highschool) - Even if I gained 5 more pounds I would still be in proportion. I just don't want to gain 20 pounds. And I need to exercise more for sure.

So you need to be told to exercise more, when you know for sure you don’t exercise enough?

I’ve always had a belly, even at my thinnest…guess I will have a big ol’ gut lol.

We’re all gonna die, who cares

I'm finding it hard. I vacillate between f it eat whatever you want, and I hate being overweight because I feel terrible.

Anonymous wrote:It's not great, and really hard to get rid of. I've gained 10 pounds since my last period 3.5 years ago, and it feels like all of it is in my belly and love handles. Previously, i always had a small waist and a flat stomach. I've tried to lose the weight, but it doesn't come off very easily.

If it makes you feel better, research has shown that the longest living people tend to be those who maintain a healthy weight through adulthood and then become overweight in their 50s-60s-70s. It's a good thing to have a little extra padding in your older years.

Thank you for this bit of info - I will try and be more tolerant of the extra pounds. Don't want to spend the next few decades dieting so my old pants still fit.

It's not great, and really hard to get rid of. I've gained 10 pounds since my last period 3.5 years ago, and it feels like all of it is in my belly and love handles. Previously, i always had a small waist and a flat stomach. I've tried to lose the weight, but it doesn't come off very easily.

If it makes you feel better, research has shown that the longest living people tend to be those who maintain a healthy weight through adulthood and then become overweight in their 50s-60s-70s. It's a good thing to have a little extra padding in your older years.

Anonymous wrote:Omg. Abs. Ab workout.

Don't forget your transverse abdominals and psoas muscle.

In my case, very hard to keep the waistline.

I always had a flat belly but I'm 52yrs old (in menopause) 5.4" 138lbs now and most of my extra weight it's in my belly area... Ugh!

I have horrible muffin top.

Every body is different. My mom (81) has stayed very low weight, but she eats very little and what she eats is very healthy — and still exercises daily.

I’m 53 and built like my mom. Even though my weight went up 15 lbs in menopause, I still have a flat stomach. It all went to my boobs and thighs. I haven’t been exercising like I should this past year and with teens we have a lot of snacks around the house! Hard for me to resist.

My older sisters gained size all in their midsections despite still being very thin.

This is OP - In retrospect I think it has been *too* important to me to keep my shape (and weigh the same I did in highschool) - Even if I gained 5 more pounds I would still be in proportion. I just don't want to gain 20 pounds. And I need to exercise more for sure.

Yeah just embrace it. It’s very few women (and celebrities don’t count) who can maintain the same body shape.

You can work HARD to stay at the same weight, but it’s just fact that our bodies redistribute body fat at this point in life.

I also experienced the cravings and my appetite went through the roof and I fought it but short of I guess going on a GLP-1, my willpower only lasted so long. I changed my mindset that I would aim for healthy vs. body size. I exercise now to feel good and to keep muscle and bone as I approach 60 rather than to stay slim. I eat healthy meals but have my treat(s) every day.

Omg. Abs. Ab workout.

^glutes and an workouts!

Do you exercise?

If you want to stay slim you will have to adjust your diet but that doesn't have to mean salads only. It means paying attention to total calories.

And you have to exercise because it's the only way to combat the shift in body composition. I do gluten and an workouts 3-4 days a week, in addition to cardio 3 days and 2 days of heavy lifting.

You’ve been slim for 53 years. It’s time to enjoy food now

Age 53, still get periods, on low dose HRT for five years (150 progesterone, estrodial/DHEA cream and Estrogen suppositories)... According to blood work, hormones levels indicate very close to menopause.

I've always been slim with a flat stomach and narrow waist. My body is transforming into "old lady" with thickening waist and redistribution of fat. And I'm getting very hungry, TBH. Craving things I used to easily avoid: ice cream, sub sandwiches, etc. I've only gained 5 pounds (so far) but my body shape is definitely changing.

Question: Do I just buy new pants and accept old lady body, or can I get back to my former slimness? I want to be able to enjoy life and not be eating salads for the next few decades.