156 | Doing More Cardio but Gaining Belly Fat After 40? Here’s Why

If you feel like you’re working out more than ever but gaining belly fat after 40, you’re not imagining it — and the problem may not be your diet. It may be too much cardio. In this episode, Lara explains why doing more running, HIIT, spinning, or long workouts can actually slow your metabolism during perimenopause and menopause, leading to fatigue, stubborn belly fat, increased cortisol, and weight gain even when you’re eating healthy. Many women over 40 were taught that fat loss comes from burning more calories. But as hormones change, your body becomes more sensitive to stress, recovery takes longer, and too much cardio can push your body into fat-storage mode instead of fat-burning mode. You’ll learn how shifts in estrogen, progesterone, insulin sensitivity, and muscle mass affect metabolism after 40, and why strength training, recovery, and proper nutrition become more important than high-intensity workouts. This episode explains why workouts that worked in your 20s and 30s may stop working in perimenopause, and what to do instead if you want to lose weight, reduce belly fat, and improve energy without burning yourself out. In this episode: Why too much cardio can increase belly fat after 40 How perimenopause affects metabolism and fat storage The connection between cortisol, stress, and weight gain Why muscle loss slows metabolism during menopause How insulin resistance makes fat loss harder after 40 The best types of exercise for women in perimenopause How to support your metabolism without over-exercising If you’ve been struggling with weight gain, low energy, bloating, or stubborn belly fat in your 40s or 50s, this episode will help you understand what your body needs now — and why working harder isn’t always the answer. Small metabolic changes can make a big difference when you support your hormones the right way. Ready to take the next step? Here’s how you can plug in: ✨ Step 1: Join my FREE community of like-minded women: nutritionherway.com/community 🌸 Step 2: Connect with me on Instagram  🔥 Step 3: Learn more about my signature program, Metabolic Mastery For Women Over 40: nutritionherway.com/mm Would love to see you there! In health, Lara Frendjian, RHN