Ep 149: 4 Surprising Ways to Lose That Midlife Belly Fat with Megan Dahlman

Are you grappling with persistent belly fat? Are the hormonal shifts typically experienced by women over 40 posing challenges to your fitness journey? Today, Philip ( @witsandweights ) speaks with fitness expert Megan Dahlman, the sought-after trainer for women over 40 who want to feel their physical best for years to come. We discuss the fun yet frustrating topic of belly fat in women over 40, including the physiological and hormonal changes that affect belly fat and common myths about it, plus 4 surprising, evidence-based strategies for fat loss. With a degree in Exercise Science and as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Megan has an uncanny ability to take complicated aspects of your body and make them simple, doable, and actually sustainable. Through her top 1% podcast, Self Care Simplified, and online training programs and courses, Megan genuinely cares about every woman she interacts with and coaches. Her mission is to empower every woman to feel strong, pain-free, and body-confident, regardless of age. Get an EXCLUSIVE bonus interview with Megan on the 6 BEST core exercises for women of all stages of life & 3 exercises to avoid if you have a weak core Today, you’ll learn all about: 2:34 Her philosophy on building muscle 6:31 The gap between the general population and athletes 8:41 Why belly fat is talked about so much 14:32 Hormonal changes during peri and postmenopause on belly fat 17:57 Science behind belly fat accumulation in women over 40 19:55 Belly fat myths 23:48 Sleep and its relation to cortisol and inflammation 26:09 Stress management and the importance of saying "no" 30:20 Nutrition for reducing belly fat 35:02 Tracking and how to eat 39:54 Strength training versus cardio for muscle building 43:31 One question Megan wished Philip had asked her 47:53 Learn more about Megan and her work Episode resources: Self Care Simplified podcast @megandahlman on IG 5-day Core Tune Up : FREE program that safely strengthens your tired, flabby core muscles and restores proper function to your entire midsection! Support the show 📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN ). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance. 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram