Episode 19: "Why am I gaining weight if I'm not eating more?"

Are you eating the same foods you've always eaten but still gaining weight during perimenopause or menopause? Girl... join the club! In this episode of Menopause HQ: Hot, Tired, and Hormonal, Angela Black and Family Nurse Practitioner Latalya Louis explain why menopause weight gain happens, why fat seems to settle around your stomach, and why the diets that used to work may not work anymore. Learn how declining estrogen affects your metabolism, muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, appetite, sleep, and stress hormones—and why these changes can make weight management feel frustrating, even when you're doing everything "right." In this episode, we discuss: Why menopause changes where your body stores fat The connection between estrogen and metabolism Why belly fat increases during menopause The role of cortisol and chronic stress in weight gain Why eating less isn't always the answer How protein and strength training can help Healthy, realistic strategies for managing menopausal weight gain Common myths about menopause and weight loss If you've been blaming yourself because the scale keeps going up, this episode will help you understand what's really happening inside your body—and what you can do to support your health during this stage of life. Listen now and share this episode with a friend who's wondering why her body suddenly feels so different. About Us: Menopause HQ is a company dedicated to helping women understand their bodies, advocate for themselves, and navigate perimenopause and post-menopause with confidence. The podcast is co-hosted by Angela Black, MPH and LaTalya Louis, APRN, FNP-C. LaTalya is an expert in women’s hormonal health. New episodes drop weekly! Links: Podcast website (Get your Listener Starter Kit here): https://www.themenopausehq.com/podcast New here? Start with a FREE Preview of our Menopause Symptom Tracker: https://www.themenopausehq.com Shop T-shirts and Fun Menopause Merchandise: https://www.themenopausehq.com/shop Contact Angela: [email protected] Contact LaTalya Louis, FNP at The Final Flow Menopause and More: https://www.thefinalflowmenopause.com Contact LaTalya by phone: 706-407-6970 Get a 6 Month Menopause Symptom Journal Tracker: https://www.themenopausehq.com/journal Find a doctor in your area who is trained in menopause here: https://www.menopause.org - (Click on “patient education”) Connect With Us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q... Instagram:   / menopause.hq   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@menopausehq?_... Pinterest:   / menopausehq   YouTube:    / @menopausehq   Support This Podcast: Producing this podcast requires time, research, editing, hosting fees, and ongoing educational resources. If this podcast is helping you understand your body, advocate for yourself, or just feel less alone, and you’d like to support the work we’re doing, you can contribute through: Zelle: [email protected] CashApp: $menopausehq Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs.