“How do I get rid of stubborn belly fat?” This question is one of the most common ones I get asked as a personal trainer for women over 55. The question is typically followed by a request for a focus on core exercises. But there is SO much more to getting rid of belly fat than core exercises. Let’s uncover the 5 mistakes women over 55 need to avoid when it comes to getting rid of belly fat.
Mistake #1: Too Much Sugar Is Sneaking Up on You!
Losing belly fat can feel impossible for women over 55. We often blame our hormones and metabolism. But are you really taking an honest look at how many grams of sugar you consume each day? Too much refined sugar parks itself right in our abdomen, which is one of the most dangerous areas to hold fat. Fat in the abdomen can be visceral fat that is around your organs and is linked to heart disease, a higher risk of cancer, and inflammation.
Track your grams of sugar per day and strive for 25 grams or less per day. Natural sugars from fruits and vegetables are less harmful especially balanced by the fiber level, but you should still keep an eye on your total grams of sugar. Use a Free App like MyFitnessPal to track your nutrients, not just calories, for a few days to see where you fall and what changes you can make.
Read more: Best Fitness Apps for Women Over 60.
Mistake #2: Wine Belly: Alcohol Is Keeping the Pounds in Your Midsection
It’s relaxing to have a glass of wine in the evening. Sometimes that glass is never-ending and bottomless; too much wine or alcohol is often paired with less than healthy choices of snacks and the portions are neverending. Add in a few events out with friends during the week and before you know it, you’ve had alcohol more days than you realized.
Research studies abound showing that moderate alcohol consumption is linked to belly fat, and also visceral fat around the organs that we talked about above. Consciously choose the days you are going to have a glass and enjoy!
Swap in a fresh sparkling water spritzer or an herbal tea to fill the desire to relax and unwind. Drink plenty of water and avoid salty snacks during happy hour, as they make you feel thirstier. Share your goals with your partner and friends so they can support you instead of nudging you towards less than desirable decisions.
Mistake #3: You Are Stress and Emotional Eating
You are feeling stressed out, angry, frustrated, sad, or emotional but instead of leaning into your emotions, you lean into the pantry, fridge, and freezer to munch away your frustrations. Emotional and stress eating feels helpful in the moment, but never feels good later on. And it’s one of the most common reasons we veer from our nutritious foods. We don’t reach for an apple or a banana when we are stress eating. We reach for cupcakes, ice cream, and crunchy snacks to drown out our sorrows.
Take the time right now to come up with a short list of healthier alternatives for the next time you are stressed: take a walk, journal, call a friend, try some affirming self talk, furiously air drum, breathe, make a cup of tea, or be with your true emotions. Remind yourself when you are in the thick of it, that you aren’t hungry, remind yourself the actual emotion you are feeling and then try to be with it and pick an activity from the list to help you through it. Imagine the amount of calories, sugar, and fat you could save from your midline.
Mistake #4: You Are ONLY Counting Calories
When you think about going on a diet or trying to lose weight, often the first thought is to reduce carbs and cut your calories. This builds a mindset of restriction and lack and will be hard to keep up with.
Cutting your calories too low will actually cause your metabolic rate to slow down, reducing the number of calories you burn each day. Instead of restricting your calories, focus on fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to feel healthy and strong.
Strive for lots of vegetables and fruits to give your body plenty of fiber, at least 25-35 grams per day, add beans, quinoa, lentils, and lean meats for protein, at least 75-100 grams of protein per day, and lots of greens for calcium, vit D, and nuts and seeds for healthy fats, 50 grams per day and magnesium, and whole grains for complex carbs, 100-180 per day. Try tracking your food for a few days to see which nutrients are lacking in your diet and what foods you could add to improve your nutrition.
Mistake #5: Your Only Exercise Is Walking
One of the biggest mistakes women over 55 make with regards to belly fat is walking as the only form of exercise. While walking should be a part of your exercise plan, you need to add strength training to your routine at least 2-3 times a week to build your strength, endurance, and metabolism. With consistent strength training, your body’s metabolism can improve, increasing the amount of calories you burn each day, not just during your workouts but all day. Strength training also helps to build muscles to protect your joints and keep you strong for the activities of life you enjoy and the things you need to do!
Read more: Why I Weight Train as an Older Woman: My Journey to Strength in My 50s and Beyond.
Following section updated by Sixty & Me.
FAQ: Belly Fat After 55
Can I spot-reduce belly fat with core exercises?
No. Core work strengthens muscles under the fat but doesn’t selectively burn belly fat. Pair total-body strength training, daily movement, and nutrition changes to reduce overall body fat.
How much sugar should I aim for each day?
Keep added sugar around 25 g per day or less. Read labels. Sugar hides in sauces, yogurt, cereal, and “healthy” snack bars. Whole fruit is fine; its fiber blunts blood sugar spikes.
Is alcohol really linked to belly fat?
Yes. Even moderate intake can raise abdominal and visceral fat. Choose your drinking days ahead of time, pause after one serving, and swap in sparkling water, kombucha, or herbal tea on non-drinking days.
I walk a lot. Why isn’t my waist changing?
Walking is great for health, but it’s often not enough for body-composition change. Add 2–3 strength sessions/week that hit legs, back, chest, glutes, and core. Progress weights or reps over time.
Do hormones after menopause make belly fat inevitable?
Hormonal changes shift fat storage toward the abdomen, but it’s not a done deal. Consistent strength training, adequate protein, fiber, sleep, and stress management help counteract that shift. Discuss HRT or other options with your healthcare provider if symptoms are significant.
Do I need to cut out carbs to lose belly fat?
No. Prioritize quality and portions. Choose oats, quinoa, legumes, potatoes, and whole-grain breads. Pair carbs with protein and fiber to steady blood sugar and improve satiety.
If you need help, my webinar Design Your Belly-Fat Busting Workout Plan can help you learn the best exercise routine and schedule to burn belly fat. Sign up here: https://vitalityfitnwell.com/BFBWP-Workshop.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you have a problem with belly fat? What have you done about it to this point? Has it worked? Which of the mistakes mentioned above has hindered your belly fat progress?
