Your Out-of-Whack Hormones Might Be the Reason You Can't Lose Belly Fat

You work out most days of the week and eat healthy meals as much as you can, yet the scale shows you're gaining—not losing—weight, so what gives? Excess weight around your waistline can be the hardest to lose. But before you beat yourself up over not doing enough crunches at the gym, consider this: As we get older, even a slight disruption in our hormone levels can cause stubborn belly fat to stick.

In fact, research suggests that postmenopausal women on hormonal replacement therapy have lower levels of belly fat than those that aren't. Before you rush to your doctor to get a prescription for your hormonal belly, there are natural ways to readjust your levels. Reducing sugar intake, eliminating processed foods from your diet, and avoiding things like dairy, alcohol, and caffeine can all help reset your blood sugar and insulin levels.

So, how do you know if those love handles are a few extra pounds from bingeing on pizza and wine, or a larger issue? Here are five signs your hormones may be to blame.

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