Cullen Nutrition Simplified: Eating healthy and working out but still gaining weight in your 40s?

Is weight creeping up—even though you're eating healthy and working out?

You feel like giving up because no matter what you do, nothing changes. You look at old photos, and it’s upsetting. This is so frustrating.

You wonder, What am I doing wrong? Why does it feel like my body is working against me?

Here’s the thing—it’s not you. You’re not alone. Many women in their 40s notice weight creeping on, and it has little to do with willpower or effort. Instead, it’s the sneaky shifts that come with Perimenopause.

Here’s what might be going on:

🔸 Metabolism Slows Down
As we age, we naturally burn fewer calories. Eating the same way you always have? Now it leads to weight gain.

🔸 Hormonal Shifts
Dropping estrogen levels shift fat storage to the belly—cue the “meno-belly.” Even with healthy habits, these changes make it harder to keep the weight off.

🔸 Loss of Muscle Mass
Muscle starts to decline unless we actively maintain it. Less muscle = fewer calories burned, which makes weight gain more likely.

🔸 Insulin Sensitivity Drops
Hormonal changes affect how your body manages blood sugar, leading to more fat storage—especially around the midsection.

🔸 More Stress, More Cortisol
Perimenopause can bring extra stress, and cortisol (the stress hormone) encourages fat to stick around, especially on the waistline.

🔸 Poor Sleep
Hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia mess with sleep. Poor sleep disrupts hunger hormones, driving cravings and increasing appetite.

If this feels familiar, just know: It’s not your fault, and you’re not alone.

Want to know what you can do about it? Read my latest blog - https://cullennutritionsimplified.com/6-surprising-reasons-youre-gaining-weight-in-your-40s/.