You may have reached a time in your life when you've struggled with the rolls of fat collecting around your waist. You exercise occasionally, eat right when you can and practice every technique you know of on weight loss, but still that stubborn fat accumulates more and more each year.
So here you are frustrated at the moments you hate most, trying to squeeze into your favourite clothes, only to throw your hands up in the air and wanting to give up!
There are Six Hormones that are at fault in this middle fatty weight gain!
Here's how each of the hormones contribute to the middle age bulge!
These hormones are produced in the ovaries in women.
When you age estrogen and progesterone levels naturally decline, causing a bit of havoc for your body.
Fat around the middle is one the signs.
When your body drops in estrogen it tries to make up for the loss by increasing fat cells, fat cells produce estrogen.
Your body needs estrogen and what better way for the body to get estrogen then from the food you eat. When you eat your body knows what to do to get what it wants!
Lower levels of progesterone make you look fatter!
The decrease in progesterone causes your cells in our body to hold water, so you experience bloating and look and feel like you're fatter.
Every time you have a stressful moment adrenal glands in your body spurt out cortisol. We stress far too much, having our adrenal glands tired and worn out!
Every time you stress about the little things, your body reacts like it's a major stress.
Cortisol is responsible for raising your blood sugar and insulin levels and it urgently sends messages to refuel to compensate.
and this alters the way we would normally store fat, because fat continually collects to your waist.
The truth is cortisol is responsible for your fright or flight response, and is your survival instinct, instead now it's working against you for weight loss.
This hormone is released by the pancreas and regulates our sugar levels.
Your body controls this increase by releasing insulin into our system.
If your body is overtaxed with sugary foods, excess insulin is released and your body has no choice but to convert the food you eat to stored fat.
Responsible for weight gain and fat around your middle.
During the menopausal stages of your life androgen rises because of falling estrogen and testosterone hormone levels.
This action sends messages to send fat to your mid section.
One of the main purposes of the androgen is to convert it into the female hormone estrogen and male hormone testosterone.
Testosterone levels tend to drop off during the middle age stages.
The more muscle you have the faster your metabolism.
and the less you store fat.
To fight the bulge around the middle it's recommended you combine a weekly consistent exercise program, develop permanent healthy eating habits and add a good stress management program.
What things do you do to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
Gill Fisher is Ultra Marathoner, a passionate runner, a motivator and coach for new runners.
Thank you, Gill Fisher, for your role of being a guest blogger here. Show your appreciate by commenting below in the comment section.
A series of studies conducted at Texas A&M University in 1987 confirmed the nutritional benefits of NeoLife Tre-en-en Grain Concentrates.
Animals on a Tre-en-en diet displayed greater cardiovascular development indicating the larger animals were not "fatter" but instead were more fully developed.
Tre-en-en fed animals utilized nutrients from food more efficiently. They had higher energy levels and were better prepared to handle stress.
​Unique synergistic blend of herbs for women; supports optimal health, comfort, calmness, and vitality. Feminine Herbal Complex helped me with hot flashes during menopause.
Unique synergistic blend of herbs for men; supports masculine vitality and healthy prostate function. Masculine Herbal Complex is very benefical for men's aging related issues.
What great information. I didn't appreciate just how much impact hormones could be having on my body as it goes through a midlife change. Thank you!
Midlife has so many great benefits. Its another life changing experience that should be a time of enjoyment and fullfillment. Yet that is when we are sometimes hit with unexpected changes in our health that need to be addressed. Its almost like being a teenager again only all those hormones are going crazy in a different way. Proper nutrition and exercise will make a huge impact on how well you can tame them.
Great article. I never had an issue with belly fat till after I gave birth to my son. No matter how many sit up I do I can't seem to get rid of the stuborn fat middle. I cut back on my sugar intake but it seems like I gained even more weight. Why do you think that is?
Your problem with the belly fat could have to do with hormones. Or you may need to do a combo of exercise that includes cardio along with the situps. I suggest a program like T-Tapp that works on strengthening your core and also increasing your metabolism. Also did you replace the sugar with other high calorie food? Are you getting adequate protein? That is also important.
Feel free to contact me and we can go over your current diet and perhaps some things you might need to change.
Getting rid of belly fat can be a challenge but it can be done.
Great information! I agree that a balanced diet and exercise are important in order to avoid this issue.
Yes, Ashley. A balanced diet and exercise are very important in getting a handle on stubborn fat in the middle.
Eating right, supplementing, and exercise are all important factors in our health.
That's our job, Katrina. To provide you with new useful information.
Keep on taking care of your health.
Very informational! I think you hit a huge bit with stress management. Stress can affect so much and its effects can appear in random ways. I try to get out and walk (or at the very least just be outside) 5~ times a week. Just getting ouside seems to reduce stress.
Yes, stress can play a huge factor in our health. My husband has heart issues as a result of not managing the stress in his life in a healthy manner. It can really catch up with you. You are smart to get out of the house and walk as much as possible. I love walking. It is a great way to reduce stress.
Thanks for all of this great information. As I get closer to 40 I realize the importance of good nutrition and superfoods to help the body work more efficiently!
It is true that we usually start to realize the importance of good nutrition and eating healthy as the years pass. The earlier we start taking care of our bodies and giving them the proper tools the better they will perform for us in later years. I am so thankful I was introduced to NeoLife when I was in my early 40's. It has really given me a boost through all the way to a healthy age 70.
Wonderful information, Gilly! I haven't seen an explanation this clear … on this specific topic … before. (And thanks, Pat, for bringing Gilly to us!) BTW, a question: what foods can we eat to increase estrogen levels?
Thank you Sharon, I love working with Pat!
Natural foods such as yams, apples, alfalfa, beets, oats, pomegranates, beans, potatoes, soya beans, chickpeas, cucumbers and carrots to name a few. Some of these foods have phytoestrogens that help reduce the effects of menopause symptoms. Here is an interesting article about estrogen producing foods. http://www.livestrong.com/article/83849-foods-contain-phytoestrogen/ Some people really notice the difference and begin to feel better when they eat these foods!
Thanks for your question about foods that can increase estrogen. Gilly did a wonderful job of answering your question. I do want to add a little note.
The very first product NeoLife developed was Tre-en-en. It is a grain oil supplement with the essential oils from wheat, rice, and soy. One of the fascinating results of this supplement is that it assists the body in balancing hormones. Most of those essential oils are processed out of our grains and legumes. I believe that is one of the missing links in our modern diets. We not only want to increase estrogen but balance all the other hormones. That is critical to our long term health.
I know you are quite aware of your food choices and how they affect your health but you might want to consider supplementing with the Tre-en-en.
Thanks for your nice comment and I agree that Gilly does an amazing job of bring great info to us.
Great article! Thanks for sharing with us! I have the opposite problem. I try to have some more kilos. Some people think that I am lucky, but it is because I have Crohn disease.
Thank you Caroline. I'm sorry about you having to deal with Crohn's Disease, it's not easy I bet 🙁 Foods must be a trial and error depending on how bad inflammation is. Following a healthy high protein and calorie diet will help you move closer to a normal weight. You probably already know this 🙂 take care!
People like you who need to gain weight probably are more frustrated than those who need to lose weight. Crohn's Disease is an auto immune problem that affects the intestinal tract. You probably know that. I just wanted you to know that I know what it is. My suggestion is that you work with supplements to soothe the digestive tract and then start working on rebuilding the immunne system so it is functioning more normal.
Please contact me so we can get you started on a program to give you relief and healing.
Wow! A complete lesson on estrogen, I can remember my biology class! Lol! Thank you for explaining it so well.
Informative article! Thanks for exposing the culprits behind the middle age middle. I'm using this time to change the way I eat – greatly reducing sugar carbs, eating mindfully, and stepping up activity.
It was good to know the reasons for that stubborn fat in the middle, we forget that with the age everything changes in our body, and that we need to eat health and move our body much more than before. I'm glad that I return to walk everyday recently, it's interesting that the difficult part is the first step, after that, we even miss the daily walk.
This is well thought out breakdown of a complicated subject. Thanks!
Fascinating info about hormones and weight gain. Thankfully, weight has never been a problem. But I watch so many suffer. Exercise and less stress definitely make a big difference. So does making wise choices and avoiding sweets and too many fatty foods. Great post.
I was just commenting today that despite my 30lb recent weight loss, I still have that bulging stomach below my waist. Just had blood work done and #s are good and I know I need to move my body. I definitely sit too much at computer or beading table and intend to stretch every morning and walk/move/up/down stairs- something daily. Thanks for reminder.
Thank you for giving us the information necessary to deal with some of these concerns!
This is such a helpful article to understand why some have that collection of fat around the tummy. I used to call mine a muffin top! It definitely was due to hormones, menopause and stress eating. I have it under control now. It takes a healthy diet, exercise and getting rid of as much stress as possible. Thanks for inviting Gill as your guest blogger.
It's great to hear you have everything under control. It takes understanding what to do.
Gill is doing a super job of guest blogging for me. I love it.
Great guest post! It just shows that time and time again that it's all about the diet and how you approach your diet. Do it nice and slow and everything else will work itself out. Thanks for the great post!
Yes, I am thrilled to have Gill guest blog for me occasionally. She does a super job. I'm so thankful for being able to help share her wisdom.
Thanks for the great article! It provides tons of great information which many of us, such as myself, can definitely use!
Happy to provide good helpful info.
Pat, Thanks for this wonderful article that describes how hormones affect the collection of fat around our middles, I always wondered about that. My middle got round and then I got diabetes. Thanks for your great information!
Yes, hormones affect so many functions of our body and especially fat around the middle. Fat around the mid section is definitely a sign of being at risk of developing diabetes. You might want to consider trying the NeoLife Shakes. I just heard a testimony from our last convention about a young man who had Type I Diabetes. He went on our NeoLife Shake and for the first time in his life, he was able to keep his blood sugar level. He was thrilled. If is works for a Type I Diabetic, it is for sure going to work for a Type II Diabetic.
Thanks, Gill, for identifying the culprits behind my fatty middle! I never used to have trouble with fat until menopause hit. Do you recommend a progesterone cream? I've taken it off and on, but I'm not sure I've seen results from it. I think I need to focus on exercise… which for me has been hard to stay accountable to…. sigh…. Your article, though, brings me 'round to the basics – thanks!
Like you, menopause was a bit of a challenge for me. I did try the progesterone cream but did not seem to have success with it. For me, the answer was in exercise and eating healthy. I had to really watch portion sizes, breads & desserts. Also I would have hated to have tried to go through menopause without my NeoLife Supplements, particularly the NeoLife Shake, Tre-en-en and Feminine Herbal Complex. I also took Vitamin E and Calcium with magnesium and vitamin D. Staying accountable is sometimes one of the most difficult tasks of staying on track with exercise and eating healthy.
Perhaps Gill has other suggestions?
Until next connection… stay on track!
Having had so many major health issues in my life, I believe that my hormones had been off for a long time before I understood how to supplement them with healthy lifestyle and food choices, plus exploring bio-identical hormones. What a difference this has made for me, although long periods of illness have definitely contributed to adrenal fatigue and higher than normal cortisol levels. Walking and eating a very healthy organic diet have been at the foundation of now maintaining my health and my weight. Great post that explains and outlines key factors to understand our complex hormonal system. Once you understand, you can make the necessary changes to live your life with optimal well-being.
It is so sad that many people, like yourself, have to go through major health issues to get to the bottom of hormone imbalances. Doctors are getting better at recognizing some of those issues but their solutions are typically throwing a prescription at them. I am so glad you have found answers in a more natural way and have found the right lifestyle and food choices and hormones to address your problems. Adrenal fatigue is such a serious problem that is also not addressed properly for most people who are experiencing it. I am so happy I became educated about it when I was in my 40's.
NeoLife Tre-en-en has helped so many people avoid and/or overcome aderal fatigue. I'm so thankful I have it to offer as a solid base supplement.
Thanks for sharing what all of these hormones do to your body. It certainly helps us to understand more about our bodies as we age. Keeping the weight off as we age can be very challenging and the more we know the better we are suited for success.
Yes, Meryl, it certainly helps us to manage our health when we have a better understanding of our hormones and how they may be affecting our health. I know I definitely had a greater challenge with my weight during my 50's and especially 60's. I've worked through those issues and learned what I personally need to do to manage my weight.
Thanks for your comment. It's always good to hear from someone in the know.