Are You There, Midlife? | Perimenopause, Weight Loss, Fatigue, Brain Fog, Hormone Imbalance, Balance Hormones Naturally

• 103 | How Everyday Stress Stalls Weight Loss in Perimenopause (and What to Do About It) [What I Wish I Knew Series]

  Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Most midlife women think they’re “managing” their stress… but that’s only because we’ve gotten used to feeling overwhelmed. The reality? We’re running on cortisol autopilot—multitasking, under-sleeping, and juggling 47 tabs in our brain—while our hormones are quietly freaking out in the background. According to the American Psychological Association, more than half of us ages 35 to 55 report chronic stress symptoms like trouble sleeping, unexplained fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, and yes, even weight gain—even though we don’t feel stressed day to day. And chronically elevated cortisol has been directly linked to increased abdominal fat, blood sugar swings, and weight that refuses to budge in perimenopause. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how everyday stress can silently stall weight loss in perimenopause—plus my 10-minute morning reset to calm your cortisol and get the scale moving again. In this episode, I‘ll address your most commonly asked questions, including: ✅ Why can’t I lose weight in perimenopause even when I’m eating healthy? ✅ How does stress cause weight gain during perimenopause? ✅ Why am I gaining weight even though I don’t feel stressed? ✅ What are signs my cortisol is too high in perimenopause? ✅ What morning habits help reduce cortisol? ✅ How do I know if cortisol is stalling my weight loss?   If you’ve ever wondered why the scale won’t budge—and why nothing you’re doing seems to work—this episode finally connects the dots between stress, cortisol, and stubborn fat. — “WHAT I WISH I KNEW AT 40” SERIES 101 | The Clean-Eating Trap: 5 Surprising Foods That Can Wreck Your Metabolism in Perimenopause [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/350c50 100 | Perimenopause Weight Gain? The #1 Hormone Imbalance That Makes Losing Weight Feel Impossible [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/34aa7c 99 | What Your Perimenopause Blood Tests Mean—& How to Actually Interpret Them [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/345ce3 98 | When “Normal” Labs Lie: What Doctors Miss About Hormones in Perimenopause & Menopause [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/3419f8 97 | When Anxiety, Anger, or Depression Is a Hormone Imbalance in Disguise [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/33d3f1 96 | 5 Perimenopause Symptoms I Ignored at 40…And Why You Shouldn’t [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz FREE RESOURCES: Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips I don’t share anywhere else!: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/ Tired of Tossing and Turning? Grab my FREE “Better Sleep After 40” Supplement Cheat Sheet: https://monicalanetopete.kit.com/sleepbetter — *Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

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• 102 | No, You’re Not Crazy—It’s Your Hormones! (Your Top Perimenopause Questions Answered)

  Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Ever wondered if what you’re feeling isn’t “normal”… it’s hormonal? According to emerging midlife health research, hormone shifts in our late 30s and 40s can start years before full-blown perimenopause—affecting everything from our sleep and mood to body odor, belly fat, and energy.  Yet most women never get a real explanation for what’s happening in our bodies…until we’re already in the thick of it. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a really candid conversation I had recently with one of my podcast besties, Joy Johnson of The Journey To Becoming Podcast—where we get into all the crazy midlife symptoms no one prepares us for (and what’s actually driving them beneath the surface.) In this episode, we discuss your most commonly asked questions, including: ✅ What can women do in their 30s and early 40s to set their hormones up for success before perimenopause hits? ✅ What are the worst foods for hormone imbalance (and why do they hit harder in midlife)? ✅ How does hormonal birth control impact our natural hormonal production? ✅ What is the best exercise for weight loss and hormone balance in perimenopause? ✅ What sugars have the least effect on blood sugar and metabolism? ✅ How important is protein and how much should I be eating? ✅ Is weight gain and fat gain inevitable in perimenopause? If you’ve ever wondered what you can do now to make perimenopause easier later, this conversation gives you the clarity you’ve been craving—plus practical, science-backed tips to start implementing today! — FREE RESOURCES: Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips I don’t share anywhere else!: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/ Tired of Tossing and Turning? Grab my FREE “Better Sleep After 40” Supplement Cheat Sheet: https://monicalanetopete.kit.com/sleepbetter The Journey To Becoming Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-journey-to-becoming-christian-living-personal/id1732582914

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• 101 | The Clean-Eating Trap: 5 Surprising Foods That Can Wreck Your Metabolism in Perimenopause [What I Wish I Knew Series]

  Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Eighty to ninety percent of the women I talk to tell me they’re “eating clean.” The problem?  They’re following the same “healthy” diet that worked for their 30-year-old metabolism…and hormones. According to a 2022 study in the Journal of Midlife Health, nearly seven in ten women in perimenopause who report “eating clean” still show elevated inflammation markers—one of the biggest drivers of sluggish metabolism and stubborn weight gain. In today’s episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on five so-called “healthy” foods that might be secretly slowing down your metabolism…and why the very foods you thought were helping you lose weight might actually be keeping the scale stuck. In this episode, I‘ll address your most commonly asked questions, including ✅ What foods slow down metabolism in perimenopause? ✅ Is soy good for your hormones in midlife? ✅ Which is better for your blood sugar: pure cane sugar or agave? ✅ How does inflammation contribute to weight gain in perimenopause? ✅ Can eating more whole grains help me lose weight after 40? ✅ What are some sneaky sources of sugar hiding in a “clean” diet? ✅ Why can’t I lose weight even though I’m eating healthy? If you’ve ever wondered why your “healthy” diet seems to be working against you, this episode will show you what’s really keeping your metabolism stuck. — “WHAT I WISH I KNEW AT 40” SERIES 100 | Perimenopause Weight Gain? The #1 Hormone Imbalance That Makes Losing Weight Feel Impossible [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/34aa7c 99 | What Your Perimenopause Blood Tests Mean—& How to Actually Interpret Them [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/345ce3 98 | When “Normal” Labs Lie: What Doctors Miss About Hormones in Perimenopause & Menopause [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/3419f8 97 | When Anxiety, Anger, or Depression Is a Hormone Imbalance in Disguise [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/33d3f1 96 | 5 Perimenopause Symptoms I Ignored at 40…And Why You Shouldn’t [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz --- FREE RESOURCES: Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips I don’t share anywhere else!: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/ Tired of Tossing and Turning? Grab my FREE “Better Sleep After 40” Supplement Cheat Sheet: https://monicalanetopete.kit.com/sleepbetter — *Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

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• 100 | Perimenopause Weight Gain? The #1 Hormone Imbalance That Makes Losing Weight Feel Impossible

  Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Are you eating WAY less and working out WAY more…but the scale just kept going up..and up…and up? 😨 Welcome to midlife!:< According to the North American Menopause Society, nearly 90% of us experience unwanted weight gain during perimenopause—even when our diet and exercise routine have NOT changed! In today’s episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on why “eat less, move more” no longer moves the needle in perimenopause—and what’s really happening behind the scenes when your weight won’t budge. In this episode, I‘ll address your most commonly asked questions, including ✅ Why can’t I lose weight after 40? ✅ How does perimenopause affect weight loss? ✅ Could hormones be the reason my weight won’t budge? ✅ What is estrogen dominance — and can I have it even if my estrogen is low? ✅ What hormones affect metabolism in perimenopause? ✅ Why am I suddenly gaining fat in new places? ✅ How does inflammation contribute to weight gain in perimenopause? ✅ What is insulin resistance — and what causes it in midlife? If you’ve ever asked, “Why am I gaining weight when my diet and exercise haven’t changed?”—this episode finally explains what’s hijacking your metabolism—and the hormones behind the hold-up. — NEXT STEPS: Get your energy back, balance your mood, and move the scale on stubborn weight gain! Apply for my Master Your Midlife Hormones program: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow — “WHAT I WISH I KNEW AT 40” SERIES 99 | What Your Perimenopause Blood Tests Mean—& How to Actually Interpret Them [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/345ce3 98 | When “Normal” Labs Lie: What Doctors Miss About Hormones in Perimenopause & Menopause [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/3419f8 97 | When Anxiety, Anger, or Depression Is a Hormone Imbalance in Disguise [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/33d3f1 96 | 5 Perimenopause Symptoms I Ignored at 40…And Why You Shouldn’t [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz RESOURCES: Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips I don’t share anywhere else!: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/ Tired of Tossing and Turning? Grab my FREE “Better Sleep After 40” Supplement Cheat Sheet: https://monicalanetopete.kit.com/sleepbetter Record a Question to Be Answered on the Pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife — *Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

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• 99 | What Your Perimenopause Blood Tests Mean—& How to Actually Interpret Them [What I Wish I Knew Series]

  Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz If you’ve ever logged into your patient portal, opened up your lab results, and thought, “Great… but what am I even looking at?”—you’re not alone. According to a Gennev survey, two-thirds of midlife women say their doctors never explain what their hormone numbers actually mean. In today’s episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on how to interpret your perimenopause blood tests, including which hormones to test, and how the timing, type of test, and phase of your cycle can completely impact the results. In this episode, I‘ll address your most commonly asked questions, including: ✅ What hormones should women check during perimenopause? ✅ Is there a best time or day to get hormones tested? ✅ What’s the best way to test hormones — blood, saliva, or urine? ✅ What’s the difference between “normal” vs “optimal hormone levels”? ✅ What do my hormone test results mean? ✅ What should I do if my doctor won’t order hormone tests? If you’ve ever asked, “Why is my hormone bloodwork 'normal' when I feel terrible?”—this episode connects the dots between your symptoms and your lab results. — NEXT STEPS: Reboot your energy, balance your mood, and move the scale on stubborn weight gain! Apply for my Master Your Midlife Hormones program: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow — “WHAT I WISH I KNEW AT 40” SERIES 98 | When “Normal” Labs Lie: What Doctors Miss About Hormones in Perimenopause & Menopause [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/3419f8 97 | When Anxiety, Anger, or Depression Is a Hormone Imbalance in Disguise [What I Wish I Knew Series]: https://pod.fo/e/33d3f1 96 | 5 Perimenopause Symptoms I Ignored at 40…And Why You Shouldn’t [What I Wish I Knew Series: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz RESOURCES: Do You Have A Hormone Imbalance? Take my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips I don’t share anywhere else!: https://areyoutheremidlife.com/ Tired of Tossing and Turning? Grab my FREE “Better Sleep After 40” Supplement Cheat Sheet: https://monicalanetopete.kit.com/sleepbetter Record a Question to Be Answered on the Pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AreYouThereMidlife — *Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

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