Why Your Belly Fat Isn’t About Calories - It’s About Cortisol
You’re not doing anything wrong - but your body is changing!
If you’re a woman over 35, trying to shift stubborn belly fat by eating less, doing more cardio, and cutting every “bad” thing from your plate… but still nothing is changing - it’s not because you’re failing.
The real problem? Your body is responding to stress, not your intake of calories.
Let’s break down why that matters (and what to do instead).
The Calorie Myth: Why “Eat Less, Move More” Isn’t Working
You’ve heard it a million times: “Just eat in a calorie deficit.”
But here’s the truth most programs ignore: not all calories are created or processed equally - especially if we are under stress.
When your body is in a constant state of fight-or-flight (hello, motherhood, deadlines, and 5 hours of sleep), your cortisol levels stay elevated. That stress hormone directly influences where your body stores fat - and guess what its favourite spot is?
Around your middle.
Meet Cortisol: The Silent Saboteur
Cortisol isn’t the enemy - it’s a survival tool. But when it stays high for too long, it becomes a silent blocker for fat loss.
Here’s how:
It increases appetite (especially cravings for sugar and carbs)
It slows digestion and metabolism
It encourages fat storage (specifically visceral belly fat)
It disrupts sleep - which makes everything worse
In short: if your cortisol is high, your belly fat isn’t budging - no matter how “perfectly” you eat.
Why Traditional Diets Make It Worse
Calorie restriction, high-intensity workouts, and skipping meals might seem like “discipline” - but your body reads them as stress.
And guess what that does?
Triggers even more cortisol.
That’s why women in this season of life feel like they’re “doing everything right” and still gaining weight. Traditional fat loss advice was not built for your body, your hormones, or your life.
✅ What Actually Works: Safety, Not Struggle
The key to reducing belly fat in perimenopause isn’t more punishment. It’s creating safety in your body.
Here’s what that looks like:
Balanced meals with protein, fat, and fibre
Strength training that builds muscle
Deep rest and real recovery (even if it’s 10 minutes)
Regulating your nervous system - not ignoring it
This isn’t about eating perfectly. It’s about helping your body feel safe enough to let go of stored fat.
💡 Bottom Line: You’re Not Broken - You’re Just in a New Season
Belly fat after 35 isn’t a personal failure. It’s a biological response to a life that’s constantly “on.”
But the good news? You can work with your body - not against it - and still get results that last.
And it starts with understanding that this isn’t about cutting more calories…
It’s about cutting the stress response that’s keeping your body stuck.
💬 Ready to stop guessing and start seeing real change?
Transform with Tess helps women over 35 lose belly fat without burnout - by working with their hormones, not against them. We combine metabolism-supporting habits, sustainable nutrition, and behaviour change techniques to help you kick your goals.
🔗 Join Transform With Tess Today for only $39/month (USD). —> Heres the Link