Could the drinks you had this summer be showing up around your waistline now? The summer has passed, but Bermuda still loves a party. That means more social gatherings, dinners out, and perhaps more wine and cocktails.

If your stomach feels softer, more bloated or harder to lean out, it may not be because you have stopped exercising or “lost your discipline.”

Alcohol could be playing a bigger role than you realise, particularly as you move through your forties, fifties and beyond.

Alcohol is certainly not the only cause of abdominal fat. Genetics, hormones, stress, sleep, food choices, activity levels, muscle mass and protein intake all matter. However, alcohol can influence several of these factors at once.

Your body prioritises alcohol

When you drink, your body makes processing the alcohol a priority. While it does this, fat burning temporarily slows, making it easier for excess calories from drinks and food to contribute to weight gain over time.

This does not mean everything you eat alongside a drink is automatically stored as fat. However, the calories from alcohol, mixers and accompanying food can quickly create a surplus. Alcohol contains seven calories per gram and provides little nutritional value.

Midlife changes the picture

As oestrogen levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, the body may naturally begin storing more fat around the abdomen rather than the hips and thighs. This can happen even without a dramatic change on the scale.

Alcohol does not cause menopause, but regular drinking may make its effects more difficult to manage. It can affect cortisol, blood-sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity, all of which are connected to appetite, energy and fat storage.

Now, this doesn’t mean that having one drink automatically turns into belly fat. But when drinking becomes frequent, especially alongside hormonal changes and everyday stress, it can make belly fat easier to gain and much more stubborn to lose.

Then there Is the next day

Sometimes, it’s not just the drink, it’s what follows. Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but it can interfere with the quality of your sleep. Then, the next day, you wake up tired, hungrier and more likely to reach for quick, easy foods. You may not have the energy to give your best during your workout or you may skip it altogether.

Repeated regularly, that cycle can make a noticeable difference around the waistline.

Awareness, not restriction

This is not about feeling guilty for enjoying our holidays or parties or swearing off alcohol for ever. It is simply about recognising that what is in your glass may be affecting more than your calorie intake.

If you feel stuck, try reducing alcohol for two to four weeks. Drink less frequently, alternate drinks with water or replace some with alcohol-free options. At the same time, prioritise protein, strength training, fibre, hydration and sleep.

You may notice less bloating, better energy, fewer cravings and, over time, a difference in your waistline.

Belly fat is not a punishment, and it is rarely caused by one habit. But if you are doing many of the “right” things and still struggling, it may be worth taking an honest, but judgment-free look at what is in your glass.

Conquer your waistline and B-Active For Life!

• Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Look for B. ActiveForLife on Facebook