Ask Elle
Straight answers to the questions women 35+ ask us most. Perimenopause, belly fat, strength, food and energy. Every question here came from a real conversation with a woman just like you.
I always start strong and fall off by week 3. How do I stick with it this time?
Because week 3 is when the excitement wears off and real life comes back. Most plans are built for your best week, so one busy stretch or one off weekend turns into "I'll start again Monday." What ...
Read more
I know what to eat and how to work out. I just don't do it. Do I actually need a coach?
If knowing were enough, you'd already be there. Most of the women we coach could teach a class on protein and strength training. What they were missing was a plan built for their real week and some...
Read moreBrowse every answer by topic
Perimenopause and your body
- Why am I gaining belly fat in perimenopause when nothing about my diet or workouts changed?
- Why is my stomach the only thing growing, and why am I bloated by every afternoon?
- Is stress and cortisol why I can't lose belly fat?
- Why am I exhausted all the time even when I sleep 8 hours?
- I wake up at 2am every night. Is this perimenopause, and what actually helps?
- Why am I heavier, hungrier and weaker the week before my period?
- My doctor says my bloodwork is normal and it's "just perimenopause." So why do I keep gaining?
- I'm already on HRT and still gaining. What am I missing?
- I was thin my whole life. Why is my body changing at 45 when nothing I do works?
- Everyone says I look thin but I feel soft. What is "skinny fat" and how do I fix it?
- I'm post-menopausal and feel weaker and softer every year. Is it too late to build muscle?
- There's so much conflicting advice about perimenopause and fat loss. Who do I actually believe?
Food and nutrition
- Do I have to count calories, weigh my food or track macros to lose fat after 40?
- Do I have to cut carbs to lose fat after 40?
- How much protein does a woman in perimenopause need, and do I have to use protein powder?
- I'm vegetarian, pescatarian or keep kosher. Can I get enough protein to do this?
- I'm sick of chicken. How do I hit my protein without eating the same thing every day?
- Am I eating too little? I barely eat and still can't lose fat.
- I eat clean all day and then raid the pantry at 8pm. Why, and how do I stop?
- Is intermittent fasting good for women in perimenopause? I'm never hungry in the morning.
- Should I eat before a morning workout, or is it better to train on an empty stomach?
- Can I still drink wine, eat with my family and keep my favourite foods and still lose fat?
- How do I eat out at restaurants and still lose fat?
- Should I take creatine in perimenopause?
- I can lose the fat, I just can't keep it off. What am I doing wrong?
- Can I still drink coffee in perimenopause, and what can I put in it?
- Why do I crash at 3 or 4 p.m. and snack until dinner? What should I eat instead?
- Do I have to cook separate meals for my family? Nobody wants to eat what I'm eating.
- I hate cooking and I'm wiped out by dinnertime. Can I still eat for fat loss?
- What's the best protein powder for women over 40? Whey bothers my stomach.
- How much water should I drink in perimenopause, and do I need electrolytes?
Strength training and exercise
- I work out 4 to 5 times a week and eat healthy. Why isn't anything changing?
- I run or spin every day. Why am I not losing fat, and is cardio making it worse?
- Will lifting weights make me "bulky" at 45?
- I've never lifted weights and I'm scared I'm doing it wrong. Can I really do this at home?
- What equipment do I need to strength train at home, and can I do the workouts at my gym instead?
- How many days a week should a woman over 40 strength train, and how long should workouts be?
- Do I have to quit my fitness classes or my trainer to do strength training?
- I have a bad knee, shoulder or back. Can I still strength train at 45?
- I'm so sore after strength training. Is that normal, and should I still work out?
- Does working out at night wreck my sleep and fat loss?
- How do I know if I'm lifting heavy enough, and when should I go heavier?
- I can't do a single push-up. Can I still do the program, and how do I build up?
- How do I tone my arms and get rid of back fat? Can I target one spot?
- How many steps a day do I need for fat loss? Is 10,000 real?
GLP-1 medications
- I'm tempted by Ozempic. Will I lose muscle, and what happens when I stop?
- I'm on Ozempic or Zepbound. How do I keep my muscle and not end up with "Ozempic face"?
Staying consistent
- I always start strong and fall off by week 3. How do I stick with it this time?
- I'm on track all week, then the weekend (or the cottage) undoes it. How do I stop starting over every Monday?
- What if I get sick or miss a week of workouts? Do I have to start over?
- I have a vacation coming up. How do I not undo all my progress while I travel?
- The scale hasn't moved but my clothes fit differently. Am I actually making progress?
- Should I start now, or wait until after the holidays (or my trip)?
- How do I handle family and friends who comment on what I eat or keep pushing food and drinks?
- How do I get through Thanksgiving dinner (and the holidays) without undoing my progress?
- Do I have to take before and after photos?
Coaching with Forty Forward
- Is One-on-One Coaching Worth It?
- I know what to eat and how to work out. I just don't do it. Do I actually need a coach?
- I've tried everything and nothing has worked. Why would this be any different for me?
- How is this different from the nutritionist, trainer or program I already did?
- Is Forty Forward legit? Are Chris and Elle real people, and who actually coaches me?
- How much time does this actually take? I'm already stretched thin and I travel.
- How fast will I see results, and what's realistic in 8 weeks?
- I have 50 pounds to lose. Is an 8-week program even worth it for me?
- What happens after the 8 weeks? Will I just slide back?
- Can my husband or a friend do the program with me?
- Why isn't Forty Forward cheap, and what do I actually get?