Why Women Gain Belly Fat During Menopause (And What Actually Helps) | Misty Cey

Why do so many women gain belly fat during menopause, even when they believe they're eating and exercising exactly as they did before? In this episode of the Strong After 50 Podcast, I speak with registered dietitian, personal trainer, and menopause nutrition specialist Misty Cey about what's really happening to women's bodies during menopause—and what they can do about it. Misty has over 25 years of experience as a dietitian and has personally experienced severe menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and debilitating sleep problems. We discuss: Why fat distribution changes during menopause Why women may gain weight without noticing changes in their habits How poor sleep affects hunger, calorie intake, and physical activity Whether menopause requires a different approach to fat loss Why protein becomes increasingly important with age How much protein women over 50 actually need Why strength training is so important during menopause What nutrition can realistically do for hot flashes and night sweats The surprising research on beer and menopausal symptoms How to evaluate menopause supplements and hormone-balancing claims Whether creatine is worth considering after 50 Chapters: 0:00 Introduction to Misty Cey 1:58 Misty's Personal Menopause Experience 4:44 Most Common Menopause Frustrations 5:44 Why Women Gain Weight During Menopause 8:26 How Small Calorie Changes Add Up 9:38 The Role of Spontaneous Movement and Muscle Loss 10:44 Does Menopause Change the Rules of Fat Loss? 12:07 The Thermic Effect of Food Explained 14:14 How Much Protein Do Women Over 50 Need? 16:39 Protein Requirements as We Age 17:52 Why Sleep Comes Before Diet and Exercise 20:06 Can Nutrition Reduce Hot Flashes and Night Sweats? 21:16 Surprising Research on Beer and Menopause 22:56 How to Evaluate Menopause Supplements 25:47 The Five Foundations of Healthy Aging 27:06 Third-Party Testing vs. Supplement Effectiveness 28:02 Creatine for Women Over 50 29:08 How to Contact Misty Cey *Connect with Misty Cey:* Website: https://rysnutrition.com Misty offers virtual and in-person nutrition consultations and accepts insurance for eligible US clients. Subscribe to Strong After 50 for evidence-based conversations about fitness, nutrition, healthy aging, and managing chronic conditions. How healthy are your habits after 50? Take my FREE 2-minute Strong After 50 Assessment to get your Strong After 50 Score, discover where you have the greatest opportunities for improvement, and learn what to focus on first. https://www.FitnessSolutionsPlus.ca/S...