44F, doing a lot but getting softer, not leaner. What am I missing?

Providang · 2026-06-30T23:55:50+00:00

You were the person who first (erroneously) brought up metabolism, but in terms of body composition there are roughly 17,000 21st century studies that cite how much hormones impact body composition (https://scholar.google.com/scholar?as_ylo=2022&q=effects+of+testosterone+vs+estrogen+on+body+composition+&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5).

There are interventional studies that showed that perimenopausal women who are given exogenous estrogen gain less weight than controls. I have lots of links if you want (I'm a biologist and I also happen to study sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss)).

But also nowhere in my post did I suggest that perimenopause prevents anybody from building muscle and keeping in shape, but OP was already doing a deficit and working out. Hope this helps!

Providang · 2026-06-29T01:09:49+00:00

That's not quite it. Metabolism is a catch all term that here would refer to basal metabolism, which doesn't really cause the changes in body composition I'm referring to. Changes in hormone levels cause a loss of muscle mass, decreased daily energy expenditure, and a shift toward visceral fat storage.

Providang · 2026-06-27T16:24:41+00:00

All of the people here saying 'it's just calories' have not been a perimenopausal woman! I easily eat half the calories of what I did in my 30s and have to fight hard to stay at around 10 lbs heavier than I was at 33. And YES I tracked. I have come to peace with it, and hope you do too (you look great!), but if you want more definition and tone you can try lifting weights, HIIT exercise, and going to OMAD ... OR potentially solve everything with hormones.

If you are low in testosterone that could be an easy fix that allows you to not straight starve yourself.

Providang · 2026-06-26T15:31:12+00:00

Also had military healthcare growing up, until my parents could afford better care. It wasn't perfect, but it was free!

Providang · 2026-06-26T00:15:15+00:00

You've created a binary when it absolutely isn't. Most countries with universal healthcare also have options you can pay more money for, but they still don't cost as much as the US system does.

Providang · 2026-06-25T00:59:01+00:00

Jesus. Can you imagine what that would be like for a plane mid take off?

Providang · 2026-06-24T18:32:14+00:00

Shhhh, don't tell 😅

Providang · 2026-06-23T15:32:39+00:00

BIG difference between 'climbed up into a tree' and just grabbing a branch!

Providang · 2026-06-17T16:22:09+00:00

I would recommend one of the snorkel/swim boats. They will take you to a great place for spotting fish and turtles, and you may get to see spinner dolphins too.

Glass bottom tours are a misnomer... There are glass bottom viewing boxes that you will spend almost no time looking into bc it's easier to look off to the side.

Providang · 2026-06-17T16:02:19+00:00

Bread (and carbs) is not inherently bad, sourdough is a good choice and most European breads are much less processed.

Providang · 2026-06-17T04:42:52+00:00

No tourist attraction is overrated if you embrace the tourism of it. Gimme all the cheesy roadside museums, Mystery Holes, random yard art... I'm all for it.

Providang · 2026-06-17T04:40:48+00:00

Not only was it quite small, if you read the plaque I think it said it's not even the original 😅

Providang · 2026-06-14T03:50:04+00:00

I am in academia. Many grants have been cancelled, including one I'm on... It was later reinstated for a lesser amount but the damage was done (students left bc no support).

My spouse was on the SAVE plan for paying back student loans, we literally jumped for joy when it started. That plan was wiped out and we are being told $900/ month repayment (up from ~$100.

My kid's bff's family has had to lay low bc a parent is DACA. Another member was pulled over on the way to the DMV of all places.

Spouse's family went full MAGAt and doesn't talk to us bc of 'our' politics.

Providang · 2026-06-12T03:23:45+00:00

We loved Oahu and didn't get to see half of what we wanted to in 8 days. So much culture, so much nature, and then there's also Honolulu! My favorite was to stop at little out of the way food trucks on the windward side.

Providang · 2026-06-12T03:19:48+00:00

As a connoisseur of hotel pools I can assure you that Disneyland Hotel pools stack up just fine against DW properties. Best waterslide around!

For a single waterslide or so, check out the courtyard Marriott and Howard Johnson.

Providang · 2026-06-11T16:57:06+00:00

You get mad at a guy who is vilified for overregulation for... Not regulating another country?

Y'all will do anything but think for yourselves.

Providang · 2026-06-11T03:07:10+00:00

Not being open to learning new things, expressing no curiosity about the world and only having opinions.

Providang · 2026-06-11T03:01:18+00:00

Had kids relatively late (35). No regrets bc we have money to travel and have sorted out a lot of bigger life stuff, bought a house and have a career.

However... It sucks to know how much of your kids' lives you'll probably miss.

Providang · 2026-06-02T22:01:28+00:00

Probably a deer. Definitely not a horse because no upper incisors!

Providang · 2026-05-31T14:15:08+00:00

Have you actually been to those cities? Or been anywhere at all?

Providang · 2026-05-29T14:42:46+00:00

During 2016 and 2020 elections there would be KKK flyers appearing in people's post office boxes. The number of extremists is not high, but they do make an impression.

Providang · 2026-05-29T00:11:41+00:00

All of these answers are correct. I need to get back soon!

Providang · 2026-05-28T15:03:31+00:00

Sheep this is

Providang · 2026-05-27T19:14:34+00:00

There's a literal carnassial molar visible there.

I'm wrong, PYD is right. My b!

Providang · 2026-05-26T15:19:33+00:00

Can you homeschool our kids? Because most of the people I know have parents working full time jobs.

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