Being over 50, I can relate and tell you only what is working for me. But don't be too hard on yourself because aging is a natural process and we all will get slightly more fat storage in our mid-section. I still wear a two-piece and don't feel self conscious. Natural progesterone and estradiol cream to help with the hormonal shifts and I've recently stopped drinking wine - it's been over three weeks now and I think I've lost at least a couple of inches in my belly (didn't measure before but I can tell by how my clothes are fitting). Both hormones and alcohol can wreak havoc on your hormones according to what I've read, which are directly related to belly fat. Oh yes, pro-biotics are something else I've added (capsules in the refrigerated section of the health food or grocery store). Good gut bacteria helps burn fuel efficiently.
I also have reduced my food intake considerably and have started eating only about 2 or 3 oz of protein most of the time, instead of 6 or 8 ozs. I've always eaten a lot of veggies and was vegetarian for years. Now I eat chicken, eggs, seafood and sometimes grass fed beef. I try to eat yams instead of regular potatoes. I've giving up non-stick pans (again) as I think the chemicals disrupt the hormones. I don't care too much for sugary things so nothing to give up there. I stick to high quality (local bakery bought or home baked) whole grains as much as possible.
I try not to snack much as I don't really have a blood sugar problem as long as I eat three good nutritious meals a day. If I get hungry in between I try to snack on a small handful of nuts/seeds, some celery or radish, or maybe an apple.
I find that I have to eat about 1/2 or 2/3 of what DH eats or I won't lose weight so I serve our meals accordingly - and yes he kids me about it. I've also been juicing for the occasional "fast" dinner once or twice a week and sometimes for a snack.
I'm 5'6" and weigh between135-140 when I go to my doctor (no scale at home). I've been trying to keep my calories to about 1500 a day and I seem to be losing weight at this level. I'd like to get back down to 130 by the end of the year. I may have to reduce the calories just ever so slightly to get there. Say, 1400 a day. Which is completely manageable with plenty of veggies, berries and lean protein.
I also work out with weights a couple times a week (heavy enough to be difficult to get through 10 reps), and I hike about 40 mins. on hilly terrain a couple times a week (more if I can). Muscle burns more calories even when you are resting.
So there - much longer than I should have written.
