Why Perimenopause Is The Best Time To Start Supporting Your Hormones

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Welcome to the Pivot

Hey friend. If you’ve been wondering what’s going on with your energy, your weight, your sleep, or your emotions lately—and you’re somewhere in your late 30s, 40s, or even early 50s—let me whisper something to you:

You’re not crazy. You’re not broken. And you’re not alone.

What you’re feeling? It’s hormones. More specifically, it’s perimenopause—the body’s beautiful, frustrating, confusing transition into menopause. Most of us had no clue this was coming. No one pulled us aside and said, “Hey, heads up—your jeans might start getting tight, your sleep may tank, and that quick weight loss trick you used in your 20s? Yeah, it stops working.”

But here’s the good news: this season is not a problem. It’s an invitation.

And what you do now—how you choose to care for your changing body—can either set you up to thrive in your 50s and beyond or make it a whole lot harder to bounce back later.

The Real Signs of Hormonal Imbalance (and Why They’re Not Your Fault)

I talk to women all the time who are shocked to learn that perimenopause can start as early as 35. But symptoms sneak in: waking up at 3 AM, crashing hard mid-afternoon, clothes fitting tighter even though nothing’s changed, and this underlying feeling of “I just don’t feel like myself anymore.”

And listen, this is not about being lazy or lacking willpower. It’s about shifting hormones—estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, cortisol, insulin—that start playing by new rules.

Here’s what’s often happening:

• Estrogen is declining, affecting your brain, mood, and fat storage
  
• Progesterone (your feel-good hormone) is dropping, creating anxiety and insomnia
  
• Cortisol and blood sugar are spiking due to unmanaged stress and imbalanced meals
  
• Muscle loss is accelerating, slowing your metabolism and making weight loss harder
  
  

None of this is your fault—but it is your responsibility. And you’re not powerless. In fact, you have more control than you’ve been led to believe.

Reframe Perimenopause: It’s Not a Problem—It’s a Wake-Up Call

This season isn’t a setback. It’s a setup. Perimenopause is your body's way of saying: “Hey girl, I need a little more support now. I need you to pay attention.”

You get to choose—will you wait until you’re in the pit of burnout, depression, or severe hormone imbalance like I did? Or will you start now?

I waited until 48 and trust me, the climb out of that hole was slow. It involved hormone therapy, supplements, saying “no” to people, and learning how to nourish—not punish—my body. I had to become the protein police. I had to stop restricting. I had to stop “shoulding” all over myself.

Start now. Start with one thing. Say yes to you.

Your Midlife Fat-Loss Strategy Starts with Nourishment, Not Restriction

Trim Healthy Wisdom has been my lifeline—not just for weight loss, but for healing and hormone support. In perimenopause, your strategy needs to evolve. You can’t out-diet or out-hustle your hormones. But you can support them.

Here’s how I teach it:

1. Prioritize protein (25–30g per meal)

Protein helps preserve your muscle, stabilize your blood sugar, reduce cravings, and support estrogen metabolism. Become a protein nerd. It’s worth it.

2. Balance your fuels (E, S, and FP)

Trim Healthy Mama’s fuel separation method helps prevent blood sugar spikes and keeps insulin (the fat storage hormone) in check. Your metabolism will thank you.

3. Eat anti-inflammatory, hormone-supportive foods

Think leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, berries, beans, sweet potatoes, cultured foods, and fermented soy. These heal your gut, detox your estrogen, and reduce inflammation.

4. Ditch the restriction mindset

This is not about “no.” It’s about “what supports me best right now?” The all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work anymore. Trade punishment for partnership.

5. Add supplements strategically

Many midlife women are deficient in Vitamin D, magnesium, B vitamins, and omega-3s. Consider working with a practitioner to test your levels and support your methylation and detox pathways.

Lifestyle Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential

What finally helped me heal was realizing that food wasn’t enough. I had to manage my stress, prioritize sleep, and reclaim time for myself. I had to say “no” more often so I could say “yes” to my healing.

Here's what that looked like:

• Creating non-negotiable rest times (hello 3 PM baths!)
  
• Asking for help instead of trying to do it all
  
• Going to bed earlier and protecting my sleep
  
• Pulling back from obligations when my energy dipped
  
• Finding practitioners who understood midlife hormones
  
• Saying “yes” to mini getaways and time with the Lord
  
  

This is what self-care really looks like: not manicures and spa days (though those are great too), but fierce, faithful ownership of your health.

What You Can Do Right Now

Here’s your quick-start list:

• Get curious, not judgmental. Start tracking your symptoms.
  
• Eat protein-centered meals (25–30g each) with balanced fuels.
  
• Add anti-inflammatory, hormone-loving foods (leafy greens, cruciferous veg, cultured foods).
  
• Support your adrenals and thyroid with smart carbs and rest.
  
• Check vitamin D, magnesium, and B vitamin levels.
  
• Start managing stress before burnout forces your hand.
  
• Say no. Often. Reclaim space for you.
  
• Write your vision. Who do you want to be in 5–10 years?
  
• Know that healing takes time—but you are not too far gone.
  
• Consider coaching support. You don’t have to do this alone.
  
  

You’re Not Behind, But You Do Need to Start

This season is tender. But it is also powerful.

If you’re feeling the nudge, that “I know I need to do something” feeling—follow it. You don’t have to overhaul your life. You just have to start. Small steps. One degree shifts. And I’d love to help.

Inside my coaching programs, I walk with women just like you—women who are confused by their changing bodies, frustrated by weight loss resistance, and ready for a new strategy rooted in nourishment, alignment, and grace.

You're not broken. You're being invited to rise.

Let’s not wait.