From Belly Fat to Flat Belly | Women in Menopause 

It's never too late! If you've been hearing that menopause causes this or that, or experiencing it, it simply means we need to change what we do, not that we can't optimal health and energy!

I’m 57…. Up until 10 years ago I was always between 115-125 pounds at 5’5”. Then I go injured at work and lost my job and had 4 surgeries … gained 50 pounds. I got serious to get back in shape 3 months ago. I’ve lost 20 pounds. I’d be happy to be around 135 now. It’s so much harder now. 😱

Really helpful. I now understand why I have been storing more fat while exercising incorrectly. At 65, I don’t want to give up.

I watched your TEDtalk and was so excited by what you said. (I’m in my 50s and have many pounds to lose.) I’m thrilled to find your Flipping50 channel on RU-vid. Thank you, thank you for educating ‘we women of a certain age.’ 🤓🤓🤓

From what I'm hearing you say now that I'm in ovarian failure I need to drop my HIIT classes addiction and drop my philosophy of "if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing. "

Brilliant information! I'm a menopause weight loss coach and love to see other people sharing what they know too xx

Thank you for this information. I’m 64 and my belly just arrived one day expecting a warm welcome. I now know I need to completely revamp my workout routine. This belly is gonna be kicked to the curb…in a low impact kind of way.

I am so glad I found your channel! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for…someone who knows about the cortisol, rest, food, exercise, hormones…BEST CHANNEL EVER!!! Great information!!! Thank you Debra Atkinson!!❤

Thanks for spelling it out Debra. I am starting to feel like I understand this now and can make a change. I match the profile of so many commenters that I had to chuckle and wanted to shout, ME too!! I appreciate your time and energy making this all understandable and feel doable. I'm an active gal too(runner of 3 marathons/6 halves+ hike,backpack,kayak,sup) but had a slowdown during COVID and then I discovered I was post menopausal in 2021. It was like a switch just flipped in me and I started feeling soft. When the belly appeared I thought I should just run more again so last year I did the thing and signed up for three half marathons. Then I discovered strength training in January. No more long race sign ups for me! I'm trying to figure out the balance between getting mileage in for training and weight lifting to muscle fatigue...at least until the races are done. It's been a challenge of exhaustion and learning but at least 1 race is over. I like the 3 steps you lay out but here's my question...is there a way to balance weight training with running about 15-20 miles/week AND tone up? Because I'm feeling stronger but don't see any visible changes. Thank you!

You say everything I wanna hear, And I am going to do your exercises, Because I’m a 68-year-old that was doing core exercises and unfortunately my pants are getting tighter and my weight is going up not down. Hopefully because this is targeted for women over 50 this will work for me. Unfortunately I really don’t even have the extra $49 to join the club so I will find what I can as far as your exercises on RU-vid.😊

Restore before more! I love that! Thank you for this great video.

Such a reasonable explanation! And so helpful. Thank you!

what you said about face is true. My dermatologist used to say "when you get older it's your butt or your face - choose." So losing weight from the belly likely will be overall fat loss - hence, we might like flat belly but now sallow face.

I've been working with a naturopathic doctor this past year. What is shared on here is Very Solid instruction and advise. I'm post menopausal, always been active and loved exercise. I totally made the exercise and eating mistakes she's mentioned as I was approaching and fully into menopause. Our minds are a tough thing to deal with. We are so programmed into thinking that what's worked for us in our 20s, 30s, and even 40s is going to in our 50s and beyond. I did the total opposite than I should have been doing thinking I was going to beat aging. I increased the exercising. Exercised hard at minimum 6 days a week. I could say if only I'd known this before but I know myself and I'm not sure I'd believed my body would tell in me. I'm one who has to experience it before I really get it. This past year has been hard to make the changes in my eating, the way I view exercise, and the way I exercise. Listen up ladies, because she knows what she's talking about. 🙌💝

Flipping 50, absolutely the best comprehensive information for the menopausal and post-M women about the importance of recovery periods, shorter workouts and variety so that the cortisol is inhibited!!! Thank you!!!!

Very helpful , 20 minutes works great to fit in my day. Thank you

I am a guy have been using your exercises for batwings which are years old,to see you now you look amazing my dear

It’s so hard not to exercise vigorously daily. I feel so good. But am stalled with weight loss. 🤨 am approaching 60 years old and never felt so good.

As always, spot on! Concise and relevant information. You really drive the points home and inspire. :-) You go girl! Thank you!

Thank you so much for your high quality input and guidance. I'm going to hop over to your website next and look at a program that is good for me. So appreciated!

I can’t release the belly fat and so tired of dealing with it. I can take 2 big ole handfuls of Poochie fat in my belly. AND then if I’m not careful I bloat on top of it. Im continually checking off what foods effect me. I take probiotics, I fast, I eat a very low sugar no processed food diet. I walk 10k steps a day, I’ve started strength training again. I can dress to disguise my body comp and most people would say “you look great!” But I’m easily 25 lbs over my ideal. I often hear stress increases Cortisol. The advice to “lower stress” to decrease Cortisol is doubly frustrating. Stress is a constant part of life. But I press on … 😢

Great advice ……. less is often more after 50 for sure ……

Always helpful hints & tips. thank you.

I have been looking and waiting to hear what is the best way to get healthy after 50. Thank you! Great information!!

Love your dog❣️. Very informative. This is happening to me. 67 and huge gut - a bit of external and internal. 20 lbs overweight - almost all belly fat.

Now I know why I have been gaining so much weight! Too much stress. Thanks for this informative video. Strength training it is!

Thank You!

Love this vid, the energy of it, and the delivery!

Last year I was really ill I lost so much weight , since December 2020 I slowly gained weight eating what I had previously ate - Porridge for breakfast , home made veg soup for dinner and a healthy tea . No food after tea other than a apple . I have put in so much weight I cannot lose . I am peri menopausal I can’t have HRT due to health issues so I bought progesterone cream that I thought would be helpful . That’s done very little for me so I guess I’ll try oestrogen cream . I think my problem is hormonal - anyone else the same ?

Hey Debra I love that your information is geared to women in and around 50! You know what we are dealing with - aging parents and young adult children! I am post menopause, turning 60 next month and noticing that I now have more lower abdominal fat. How do I tell if it is an internal problem or an external one as you mentioned? For the last 2 months I do strength training 2 times a week and interval train 2 times a week and walk on the other days. I am hoping to see a difference soon. I see more tone ! Suggestions?

Love this and you for speaking on this topic ❤

You have such great advice- thank you !

Power walks while I play a meditation on my phone. Low carb anti inflammatory diet. One coffee a day, second one is decaf. Fiber, lots of water. I’m 55 and my knees feel better now than ever. Keep moving! Have sex! ❤️

Debra! Good information! I have a hard time taking rest days. I think it's because of the distance running over the years. I have a very addictive behavior when it comes to fitness. The stomach issue you talked about in the beginning of the video sounds like me. Flat stomach in the morning then by late afternoon I feel 3 months pregnant.

So true about the weight loss showing in the face I once worked for a plastic surgeon who said to me when you get older you can choose a bit of weight and a younger fatter looking face or weigh less and your face will look older! At the time I was like that can't be..... He was right unless you can afford and want fillers but that still leaves the issue of osteoporosis for slim Caucasian women where the risk is higher 🙏

This was great! Thank you.

This is such a important subject so many women suffer from this well done Debra

Fantastic video ...very helpful

Great information! Thanks !

Thank you so much for this info...I will try to heed your advise....

Thank you

Im 53 . I have always been thin and. A perfact body ..but now. After medapouse . Im so flabby and belly fat back fat. .im so up set. Ive bern trying everything to. Get rid if this fat . How do I get rid of this fat .I've done everything the smoothie diet . I work out every day .and im im not loosing . Help me . What do I do? Its like 50 hit and my body.Fell apart . I couldceat candy. Nit wirk out and look great now. I dont eat. I can't sleep . Im tired and so. Fat. Its depressing me so badly

Very sensible info

Thank you 😊is it possible to tighten loose skin on the tummy 😊

Thank you!

Sooo nice! Ty.

I just became totally allergic to cheese of all things! When I turned 60, I started producing mass amounts of mucus, coughing it up whenever I ate it! Crazy!

I'm not understanding how to put all this together. Should I only workout 2 days a week and include HIIT along with strength on those days? I want to participate in biking events so how would I train for that only 2 days a week? I really want to figure out the best way to exercise. I'll be 60 in February.

i see your baby behind you! he or she is adorable:)

I am a 61 year old woman body builder. My Cortisol levels are increasing because my belly if bloating and expanding, frustrating. What a change this is for me. I do have stress in my life and I know my Cortisol level is high. As a bodybuilder I have always focused on good diet ( fruits, veg, chicken, water and rare sugar ). Any tips for me?

Hey there! I am 46, and was a speed skater. I'd like to get back to fitness and race and do marathons AND keep doing it thru menopause into my 50's or beyond. I have a great trainer, am working on my diet, mindset and sleep. In your experience do menopausal athletes need hormone replacement or can I do it au-natural? Thanks so much!

SO very helpful!! Thank you

Great advice

Mind was sudden but I have given up. Just turn 70 and some what active, I started back swimming in July after pandemic. I gain do much wait during this time no mater what I did. I hope this will help.

Some of us have been thrusted into menopause through surgical menopause....No gradual about that!....Along with no thyroid and have hashimoto's. Inflammation seems to be my middle name....lol Sleep??? What is that??

How important is weight training with dumbbells during menopause? I'm considering buying a dumbbell set. 5,10,15,20 25 dumbbells

When do you get to the point in thus video? ❤❤

Hi, I’ve just watched your video on engaging your core. I’ve had back surgery x 3 and have been disabled for 23 years. I have also had a full hysterectomy 5 years ago and since then I have put on 2 stone and have a pouch where I was stitched. It really upsets me because I don’t look nice in clothes or naked. What can I do exercise wise to lose this pouch whilst protecting my back? I would really appreciate your advice x

Thanks for this info I’m 55 now and I’ve been in menospause for over a year now However last November 2020 I was fit and exercised now I do same amount of exercise but I was eating too much sweets My belly does bloat and stays hard and I feel like it’s filled up with helium I do add coconut cream to my coffee since it has healthy fats and it’s good for my brain health but prob not good for my gut ? I do have Sibo so is that why it won’t go down ? Ugh 😩 Can you add a link to videos to help with the bloat and teas or supplements to reduce the bloat How do I keep the good coconut fats and avocado fats that I need so I don’t get dementia caused by low fat diets

Are you on any hormone replacement therapy?

Could you please comment on the research on calorie restriction and wellness & longevity

Can I get a exercise plan that includes all 3 of the topics you listed in what every woman needs to know about weight training? Can you do a plan made specifically for me?

Hi Debra, good information. Have been watching your videos on strength training. Is spinning a good idea after menopause ? Is it strength training ?

CAN we train belly every day?? And rest saturday and sunday??

I am a diabetic and can't do interval training, I get light-headed. I am 59 and when I was in my 40's I could do this, I was into Running, Zumba, Kick Boxing, etc. But now I am unable to do HITT. I go to the gym, strength training, rowing machine, treadmill walking, etc but the belly is still there. I eat healthy as well. Any other suggestions?

So... quick question. How much exercise is too much in your 60s? Would an hour of water aerobics and walking a mile be overdoing it do you think? thx

Thank you for the info..im in that situation where my tummy just got bigger in the past year. I'm 46. I also had 2 c-sections years ago so that's not helping. I'll go back to strength training and eating healthy cos I see the tummy and I get annoyed hahah

What kind of tests do I request for checking to see where my gut health is?

Off topic but what watch are you wearing? I’m so used to a running watch. Need to change and find something for lifting

Are there exercises to strengthen my bladder

I had 4 large babies. First 10 lb 2 ounce, 4th 11 lb 8 ounce aged 37. I have a lose low slung skin and have even consulted a surgeon to have apronectomy. It’s not huge, but I can’t wear nice high leg underwear. I was quoted £7,500 6 years ago. Obviously couldn’t afford it. Any ideas please. I’m 65. 160 pounds and 5 feet 8.

How many days a week with dumbbells? Twice or three times?

What is the link for your ted talk?

Hi I am new here :) what is HIIT ? DROP A LINE please I'm intrigued ☺️

Is straight training good to lose weight??

Can I avoid floor exercise

Estrogen levels are fine, I actually have low testosterone levels and because I'm a woman, there's not alot of good solutions because doctors don't think testosterone matters for women. Well, it's derailed my life! Suggestions?

I appreciate this video very much as I have just started weight training at home @ 64. How do I space my days of workout? I heard you say, Monday and Thursday, not Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That being said, what is the next day? Sunday? Sundays are out for me, so can you tell me what days would be good for me? Also, what is "Walking Beans"? I've never heard of that being born and raised in NYC.

Love the info tired of hearing about Covid. We should be taking care of our self of the same when we have Covid as the same when it’s not around. We should always eat good we should always train we should always be in our best shape Covid has nothing to do with it. Other than adding stress but hearing about it in the news and every place you go we need to stop talking about Covid. No offense just every time I hear that word Enough already. Love the rest of it

If the media and politicians didn’t tell you we were in Covid-19, would you even know it existed? If your answer is no, ask why are you playing along with the hysteria.