Even when i weighed 105 up into my 40s I had a round-ish tummy. Now in my 50s and 20 pounds heavier it is all in my belly. Everything else is the same as when i was younger. I work out everyday -- core- oriented but still all-around -- but the belly simply will not go away. I noticed every single female in my biological family is shaped this way, no matter how thin we were prior to 50.

So, I am incredibly healthy, strong, and taut -- with a round belly! Enjoy life and move on.

There is a relationship between lack of estrogen production and insulin...essentially, estrogen is no longer protecting you from the fat-storage properties of insulin. So eating the same thing you ate10 years ago, exactly the same, will result in you storing more of it as fat now. And consequently having less energy to burn, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to lose weight but I've noticed other older women with skinny arms and legs with weight in the waist. I don't want to look like that. I've always had a nice bikini bod but now look heavier around the middle.

Once your body stops producing estrogen, fat accrues more in the belly.

I'm almost 53. My period stopped close to three years ago. I used to be an exercise nut. Now I walk for an hour 3-5 times a week and on bad days use the treadmill or bike. I use weights, but I'm not obsessed over them.

I will say that while I'm trying to get back into pilates and yoga, planks are the best things ever! It's the core that gets weak and flabby, but the planks will strengthen the muscles around the middle. I can hold one for 2 minutes now, but I built up - going from 30 seconds to a minute and building from there.

Sadly, I am no Christie Brinkley, OP, but I do think that core exercises are the way to go for women our age.

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to lose weight but I've noticed other older women with skinny arms and legs with weight in the waist. I don't want to look like that. I've always had a nice bikini bod but now look heavier around the middle.

Once your body stops producing estrogen, fat accrues more in the belly.

Anonymous wrote:Tummy tuck please

So helpful. Because everyone on DCUM has disposable income to burn on elective surgery.

Anonymous wrote:Genetics play a big role. I have a flat stomach, but t's not like I do crunches. My problem area (to me) are my thighs--II need to tone.

Agreed. At 50 mine is pretty flat, but even when I was a teenager weighing 100lbs I had cellulite on my ass.

I will say once I got my bowels more regular again I found less bloating meant any fat on the belly is pushed out less.

Genetics play a big role. I have a flat stomach, but t's not like I do crunches. My problem area (to me) are my thighs--II need to tone.

I'm trying to lose weight but I've noticed other older women with skinny arms and legs with weight in the waist. I don't want to look like that. I've always had a nice bikini bod but now look heavier around the middle.

Tummy tuck please

Anonymous wrote:Not bloating, but due to weight gain.

Won't weight loss remedy the problem?

Anonymous wrote:I think once you hit menopause, it’s really hard.

This has been my experience. My hips used to always be the consideration when I bought clothes. Now it’s whether it fits my waist. Nothing seems to help that. My weight just redistributed.

I think once you hit menopause, it’s really hard.

Not bloating, but due to weight gain.

Can you tell if it's bloating versus weight gain? If it's bloating, then seeing a functional nutritionist could help.

Have any ladies been able to get or maintain a flat stomach after age 50? Please let me know how. I had it with relatively little effort but suddenly I've lost it. Dieting and exercising but need encouragement from someone who's there.