You started HRT. You’re training consistently. You’re doing everything right and the belly fat is still there. You’re not imagining it. You’re not failing. You’re missing one crucial piece. Here’s the science — simplified. In perimenopause your estrogen levels fluctuate wildly. Your liver processes that excess estrogen and sends it to your digestive system to be eliminated. But if your gut is inflamed- if you’re not eating enough fiber- that processed estrogen doesn’t leave your body. It gets reabsorbed back into your bloodstream. And recirculated estrogen? It stores directly as belly fat. It drives bloating. It disrupts sleep. It amplifies every symptom you’re already fighting. HRT balances your estrogen input. But fiber controls what your body does with it after. Without enough fiber your digestive system cannot complete the process. It’s like draining a bathtub with the plug still in. What actually moves the needle: → 25-35g of fiber daily minimum → Diverse plant foods to redu...