If you’ve been running on a treadmill, riding a spin bike or doing endless cardio classes in the hope of finally losing that stubborn belly fat after 50—this is for you.

For decades, women have been told more cardio is the key to weight loss. When belly fat starts creeping on in menopause, the natural reaction is to do even more—more miles, more spin classes, more hours on the elliptical.

But here’s the truth—too much cardio is actually making it harder for you to lose belly fat.

Let me break it down and talk about what really works after 50.

Cardio has its place but when it comes to fat loss after 50, especially in menopause, too much cardio backfires. The reason? Stress and cortisol.

When you do long-duration cardio—especially at high intensity—it spikes cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone. And when cortisol is elevated for long periods, it signals the body to store fat—particularly in the belly. Why? Because your body perceives stress as a threat and holding onto fat is a survival mechanism.

Too much cardio equals chronically elevated cortisol and that equals increased belly fat storage.

If you’ve ever noticed that despite all your efforts, your midsection feels more bloated and softer instead of leaner and more toned, that’s cortisol at work. The problem with relying on cardio alone is:

1. It breaks down muscle – After 50, you’re already........

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