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.
My doctor says my bloodwork is normal and it's "just perimenopause." So why do I keep gaining?
Because normal bloodwork rules out a lot, but it doesn't explain everything happening in perimenopause. In our experience, shifting hormones, muscle loss, under-eating and poor sleep can all add up...
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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?