Ladies, let’s talk about the thing we all pretend we don’t notice until we try to zip up last year’s jeans—belly fat. It sneaks up on us like a toxic ex who just won’t quit. But before you start swearing off carbs and signing up for boot camp, let’s break down what’s actually going on. Because, spoiler alert: the more you stress about belly fat, the more it sticks around.

Ladies, let’s talk about it. One day, you’re eating pizza at 10 p.m. with no consequences, and the next, looking at a croissant makes your jeans tight. Welcome to life over 40! But fear not—we’re about to break down how protein, carbs, and healthy fats can help you lose weight, feel amazing, and keep you from wanting to throw your scale out the window.