Why I Stopped Running More and Finally Lost the Belly Weight

Can I be honest with you about something I wish someone had told me a few years ago?

When I started noticing weight creeping around my middle during perimenopause, I did what had always worked before—I ran more. I pushed harder. I figured I just needed to work off the extra. But nothing happened. Actually, it got worse. And I was exhausted.

It wasn’t until I learned about cortisol—our body’s stress hormone—that everything started to make sense.

Here’s the Simple Version

During perimenopause, our hormones are shifting, and our bodies become much more sensitive to stress—including the stress of intense exercise. When cortisol stays elevated (from a busy life, poor sleep, overdoing workouts, or all of the above), the body’s response is to hold onto weight right around the middle. It’s not your fault. It’s biology.

Pushing harder can actually signal your body to cling to that weight even more. I was literally working against myself.

What I Do Now

I completely changed my approach, and it made all the difference. Now I do cardio just 3 days a week—nothing crazy. I do some light weight training, which has been a game changer for how I feel and look. And I walk. A lot. Walking is genuinely one of the best things you can do for your body at this stage of life—it moves you without stressing you out.

I also started taking stress seriously as part of my health routine. Rest is not laziness. Protecting your sleep, slowing down, and being gentle with yourself—these things actually help your body let go of that stubborn weight.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

I recently watched an incredible conversation on Chef AJ Live with an expert who spoke about exactly this, and it just reaffirmed everything I’ve experienced firsthand. This is real, it’s common, and there is a way through it—without burning yourself out.

Have you been through something similar? Are you in perimenopause and feeling like no matter what you do, nothing is working? Drop a comment below—I read every single one, and I’d love to hear what’s been going on for you.