"I'm barely eating, but the scale keeps climbing. Is it my hormones, my metabolism, or something else?"
If you're struggling with perimenopause weight gain, especially stubborn belly fat, you're not alone. It's one of the most common concerns women share with us, and there are a lot of opinions about what really causes it.
Online health coach Aram Grigorian is back for another conversation with Andrea Donsky, and this time they're tackling a big question: Is weight gain during perimenopause and menopause really all about hormones?
Aram has spent 17 years coaching women over 40, and he shares his perspective on why calorie intake, nutrition, and lifestyle habits still matter when it comes to losing weight. They also discuss how hormonal changes can affect appetite, fat distribution, and body composition.
Andrea brings her own experiences and menopause research to the conversation, exploring insulin resistance, changes in metabolism, poor sleep, fatigue, and the challenges of exercising when you're already exhausted. She also opens up about her years of weighing and tracking every bite of food and how that affected her relationship with eating.
Together, they explore why losing weight after 40 can feel so challenging, the role of GLP-1 medications, how to manage food noise, and practical ways to make healthy eating easier.
They don't agree on everything, and that's what makes this such an interesting conversation! You'll hear different perspectives, plenty of thought-provoking moments, and practical tips you can take away.
What You'll Learn
- Why hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can contribute to increased belly fat
- How calorie intake, muscle mass, and metabolism influence weight loss after 40
- Why we may underestimate how much we're eating, even when we're trying to eat healthy
- What food noise is and strategies for managing it without GLP-1 medications
- How insulin resistance, poor sleep, and fatigue can affect weight management
- Aram's step-by-step approach to fat loss for women over 40
- How ingredient prepping can make healthy eating easier without spending hours cooking
Content note: This episode contains strong language and a brief discussion of online harassment and past suicidal thoughts. If you need support, call or text 988 in Canada or the US.
Episode Chapters:
1:24 Is Perimenopause or Menopause Causing Your Weight Gain?
6:47 Aram Responds to His Viral Menopause Weight Loss Video
15:21 How to Spot Misleading Menopause and Weight Loss Advice Online
22:12 Why Belly Fat Increases During Perimenopause and Menopause
26:31 Calorie Deficits, GLP-1 Medications, and Menopause Weight Loss
29:18 Why "Eat Less and Exercise More" Can Be Frustrating Advice
33:22 Are You Eating More Calories Than You Think?
36:09 How to Manage Food Noise Without GLP-1 Medications
43:53 Muscle Mass, Metabolism, and Weight Gain After 40
49:30 Insulin Resistance, Poor Sleep, Fatigue, and Perimenopause Weight Gain
1:02:45 Aram's Approach to Weight Loss for Women Over 40
1:10:36 Food Tracking, Hidden Calories, and Using AI to Track Meals
1:16:21 Meal Timing, Eating Carbs at Night, and Blood Sugar Balance
1:21:40 Weight Watchers, Food Tracking, and Our Relationship with Food
1:23:40 Easy Meal Prep Tips for Busy Women Over 40
1:32:10 What to Do When Your Doctor Dismisses Your Menopause Symptoms
1:33:19 Aram's Final Thoughts and Where to Find Him
Connect and Learn More
Follow Aram Grigorian on Instagram: @4weeks2thebeach
Listen to Aram's first appearance, Episode #200: This Works Better Than Trying to Control Your Hormones
Andrea's egg cooker (affiliate link): Dash Deluxe Rapid Egg Cooker
Help us advance menopause research: Take our new research survey, Perimenopause & Menopause Across Ethnicities.
Aram's views are his own. This podcast is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.
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