Eating More to Lose Fat

It might sound counterintuitive, but increasing my calories is what finally helped me lose fat. When I noticed my body changing, I did what most women do, eating less, trying to be “good,” and hoping consistency would eventually pay off. But despite the effort, nothing really changed.

So I researched and tried something different. For 6 weeks, I increased my calorie intake by around 600 calories per day. More food, not less and yes, I was nervous.

Why eating less stops working in midlife

One of the biggest shifts in midlife is that your body no longer responds the same way it used to.

You might be:

• Eating less than before

• Trying to stay consistent

• Making “healthy” choices

But still feeling:

• Stuck with weight loss

• Low in energy

• Frustrated by lack of progress

This is often because your body is under-fuelled, not over-consuming. Years of dieting, busy lifestyles, and inconsistent eating patterns can lead to:

• Reduced energy availability

• Increased hunger later in the day

• Poor recovery from exercise

• Lower metabolic output

At this point, eating less simply doesn’t create the result you’re looking for.

What happened when I increased my calories

Once I started fuelling my body properly, everything began to shift, fat loss finally started to happen. I lost inches and weight without feeling deprived.

When your body is consistently under-fuelled, it can hold onto fat more tightly. Once it feels supported and nourished, it becomes more responsive.

My strength and body composition improved and with more energy available, my workouts became more effective.

I could:

• Train with more intensity

• Recover better

• Build and maintain muscle

This is particularly important in midlife, where muscle plays a key role in metabolism and body composition. Your energy, sleep and mood will improve which is one of the biggest changes.

I experienced:

• More stable energy

• Better quality sleep

• Improved mood and patience

These are strong indicators that your body is getting what it needs.

Do you need to eat more to lose weight in midlife?

A calorie deficit is still required for fat loss, of course, but that doesn’t always mean eating less than you currently are.

In many cases, it means:

• Eating more consistently

• Fuelling earlier in the day

• Increasing intake to support your body

From there, your body becomes far more responsive.

What to focus on instead

If you feel stuck, shift your focus away from restriction and towards support.

Start with:

• Regular meals across the day

• Including protein in each meal

• Avoiding long periods of under-eating

These simple changes can have a significant impact.

Final thought

Midlife isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing things differently.

Once you start meeting your body’s needs properly, that’s when results begin to happen.

Ready to take the next step?

If you want help putting this into practice:

💬 Comment “ENERGY” on my Instagram
and I’ll send you my guide to help you kick-start fat loss without feeling exhausted or deprived.

Ciao for now! Ex