Mary, high cortisol levels will cause the extra weight to center around your middle, have you had that checked? Also, there is the menopause angle
! EAT MORE, frequently that is. When you don't eat enough or skip meals it signals your body to store fat and slow your metabolism. I don't have much room to talk here because, I get busy and skip meals, sometimes I just have no appetite. My hubby is constantly harping on me to eat at least 3 meals a day; 5 is best. I KNOW all of this very well and I give this advice to others as well but, well; I actually forget to eat sometimes.
My husband sais "It takes a special kind of stupid, to FORGET to eat." Several years back while I was weight training, I could eat 5 meals a day easy...Now, Um, it's more like 1 or 2. Catch up with ya later....Peace...Erin