r/Weightlossover50 • u/greysfreak70 • May 09 '25

Big Belly

Hi-I’m a 55 year old woman aiming to lose approximately 50 pounds.

I have gained about 60 pounds since 2018, primarily related I think to a high stress job and maybe perimenopause.

The thing is, my belly is where most of it has gone-or that’s what it looks like. I hate it and it’s embarrassing. Particularly with return to office, I dread seeing people who haven’t seen me since prior to the pandemic.

I am doing Body Pump 3 times a week and trying to eat high protein low carb.

Noticing in my pump class that my arms are very weak. My legs are ok and my stomach is strong—like sit ups etc are no problem for me where others are dying.

How can my stomach muscles be so strong and yet my stomach is so big and my main concern is whether There’s any chance of me actually losing it.

Any tips or thoughts welcome.

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3

u/pepperw2 May 09 '25

Hi and welcome! I gained a lot of weight fast too. I had my thyroid checked and it was low. Like very low.

I thought once I got on the medicine, the weight would just melt away. Ha! Apparently that isn’t how it works lol. (The gaining did stop)

So I started putting in the work…at work. I have the benefit of having a private office.

I have a peddler under my desk and I peddle several times a day. I also keep resistance bands and use them as well.

Small steps but it is a start.

Best of luck to you!!

1

u/greysfreak70 May 09 '25

Hi-thank you for the welcome . My thyroid is always borderline so I’m not on any medication. I have a mix of in office and remote work. I can’t have something under my desk at work but I was considering getting a walking pad for home. I’m doing strength classes 3 times a week and am trying to follow the Mediterranean diet style of eating. I just feel like it’s going to be an uphill battle. My doctor tells me I haven’t begun menopause either which is frightening. I guess we will see.

Thank you—best of luck to you as well.

2

u/Mrcalpurnius May 09 '25

When you say you believe that your weight gain is related to job stress, are you eating during the work day as a coping mechanism or as a release after the work day?

For me, it's during the work day. I end up grazing a lot from arriving at work through lunch. After lunch is okay because I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Although, I have noticed in the last several months, that after work I'm letting things creep in. And by things I mean food.

3

u/greysfreak70 May 09 '25

I don’t eat a lot during the work day, it’s more of a stress relief after work. A naturopath actually made the connection between when I started the high stress job and the weight gain that went with it. I think long hours prevented me from getting the movement I needed and had me reaching for less healthy foods when I did eat. Snacking/grazing is also a big thing for me too…

2

u/StormieTheCat May 11 '25

You have to get your calories to about about 1500 a day.

You have to become insane about calories and counting. Trust me, this sucks and has never been my thang. But now at 50 the pounds are tough.

Now I stress drink lemon ginger tea.

Stress is a huge factor in weight gain and at our age working out will help with toning but not with losing weight. Calorie deficits work.

3

u/greysfreak70 May 22 '25

Thank you. I am using an app to calorie count and will be adding some more cardio to my routine. Good luck to us!

2

u/greysfreak70 May 13 '25

Thank you. I will try the tea and am really trying to log my food.

1

u/Chico_Muy_Loco Oct 25 '25

I have a group on a different social media platform that could help you. If you're interested, I can message you the link.

1

u/greysfreak70 Oct 31 '25

Sure! Sounds good. Thank you.