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Why You’re Waking Up at 3AM in Perimenopause (and What to Do About It)

Raise your hand if your sleep used to be... well, normal-ish.

You’d go to bed, sleep through (more or less), and wake up ready-ish to face the day. But now? Somewhere in your 40s, sleep flipped the script. You wake up at 3am wide-eyed, your brain is running a full-blown mental PowerPoint presentation, and you're wondering: “Is this just how it’s going to be from now on?”

Friend, I see you. I am you.

This week on the podcast, I had the absolute joy of welcoming my friend and colleague Shonda Palmer, founder of Shonda Palmer Wellness. She’s a national board-certified health and wellness coach, a mindfulness teacher, and a total powerhouse when it comes to helping women in midlife finally get the rest they need. She’s coached thousands of women using CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) — and she joined me to unpack why sleep becomes so elusive in perimenopau...

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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 Imb...

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When Your Get-Up-and-Go... Got Up and Left

Let me ask you something, friend: have you ever looked at your walking shoes, your protein shake, or even just your meal prep plan and thought, "I just don’t have it in me"?

Yeah. Me too.

And I’m not just talking about being tired—I’m talking about that whole-body, brain-fogged, soul-deep lack of drive that shows up like an unwelcome guest in perimenopause and menopause. It’s not that you don’t care. It’s that your hormones have started rewriting the rules without telling you.

Even as a certified personal trainer, Trim Healthy Mama coach, and menopause fitness specialist, I wasn’t immune. My motivation fell off a cliff. And I had to learn how to keep showing up anyway. Not perfectly. But consistently. And most of all—with grace.

So today, I want to talk to you about why this happens, what’s really going on, and how to work with your body—not against it—in this new season.

Hormones, Motivation, ...

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Why Your Liver Needs Extra Love in Midlife

If you’re in midlife and feeling like your body is just not cooperating with your weight loss goals, your energy is tanked, your digestion is off, and your skin just isn’t glowing like it used to… I want you to know: it’s not all in your head.

Your liver might just be quietly crying out for some attention. Yep, that hard-working organ tucked under your ribs is doing a ton behind the scenes — especially during perimenopause and menopause — and it's high time we showed it some love.

This post is inspired by Episode 105 of the Menopause Makeover: Menopause Liver Detox: What You Need to Know. If you haven’t listened yet, definitely pop in your earbuds after this read. 

But for now, let’s dig into what your liver actually does, why it matters so much for hormone balance and fat loss, and how you can begin to gently support it — starting today.

What Your Liver Does (and Why It’s So Important in Menopause)

Your...

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This post is sponsored by Kiaora

Curious if BHRT could help you? Check out Kiaora for a customized approach.

From Hormone Imbalance to Breakthrough: Coach KJ's Inspiring Journey with Trim Healthy Mama

If you’re a midlife woman struggling with weight loss, brain fog, and those rollercoaster hormones, grab your favorite sipper and settle in because you are not alone. Today’s post is a special one, and I can't wait for you to hear it.

I had the pleasure of chatting with my friend and fellow Trim Healthy Mama coach, KJ York. Her story is powerful, real, and full of hope. KJ’s journey from battling food addiction and hormone imbalance to finding freedom and purpose is one you need to hear. She opens up about her struggles, her faith, and the practical strategies that helped her overcome the roadblocks that so many of us face in midlife.

So if you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or just plain tired of trying to get it right—this post is for you. L...

This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

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What Supplements Can I Take to Lose Weight During Menopause?

Navigating menopause can feel like an uphill battle, especially when those extra pounds start creeping on. But, there are some game-changing supplements that can really help you manage your weight during this season of life. 

Before we dive in, remember: I’m not a doctor, so it’s crucial to check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

Why Is Menopause Linked to Weight Gain?

Menopause often brings about unwanted weight gain, particularly around the belly. On average, women can expect to gain around 10 pounds during this time. So, why does this happen? It’s all about our changing hormones.

As your estrogen levels decline, your body’s ability to metabolize glucose and maintain muscle mass takes a hit. This means your metabolism sl...

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Understanding Hormonal Changes in Midlife

Impact of Hormones on Health

Estrogen and progesterone are key players in our overall well-being. They influence how we feel, how we sleep, how we burn fat, and so much more. When these hormone levels start to fluctuate, especially during perimenopause and menopause, it can throw everything out of balance.

The Role of Insulin and Leptin

Insulin Resistance and Its Effects

You’ve probably heard a lot about insulin resistance lately. Insulin is our fat storage hormone. When our estrogen levels drop, it can cause our insulin levels to fluctuate, which can lead to insulin resistance. This is when our bodies don't use insulin efficiently, leading to fat storage and increased risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Leptin and Appetite Regulation

Leptin is another important hormone. It lives in our fat cells and sends signals to our brain that tell us when we're full. When leptin signaling is disrupted—often du...

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Navigating perimenopause can feel like a wild roller coaster ride, right? 

The hot flashes, the mood swings, the sleepless nights—it can be a lot. Today, I want to chat about something that has been a total game-changer for me: bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). I want to share with you how BHRT can bring some much-needed relief during perimenopause and why it’s worth considering.

Understanding Perimenopause and Its Symptoms

So, what exactly is perimenopause? 

It’s that lovely transition period before menopause when our hormones start to go haywire. You might be feeling more anxious, dealing with bouts of depression, constantly exhausted, and not sleeping well. These symptoms can really mess with your daily life, and finding ways to manage them is super important.

What is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?

Bioidentical hormones are game-changing—they’re made to match the hormones ou...

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I want to talk about something that I see all the time and have personally experienced: unexplained weight gain in midlife. Many women I speak to on discovery calls are doing everything right, but still struggle with weight loss. 

One crucial factor that’s often overlooked is the thyroid. If your thyroid isn’t optimized, it can be almost impossible to lose weight, no matter how diligent you are with your diet and exercise. 

So, let's dive into why your thyroid might be the missing piece of your weight loss puzzle.

Understanding the Role of the Thyroid in Weight Gain

In midlife, our bodies undergo significant changes. Hormones start transitioning or even disappearing, and this can cause a sluggish thyroid. I was diagnosed with thyroid issues in my mid-30s, after years of chasing symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss. Many women are unaware that their thyroid might be the root c...

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Why is it so hard to lose weight for women after 40? 

There's a ton of factors contributing to this frustration, and it's important to understand what’s going on. The main culprits behind the challenge of weight loss after 40 come from various sources. 

Firstly, our metabolism undergoes changes as we age, impacting how efficiently our bodies burn calories. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations, including the decline in hormones like estrogen, directly influence our metabolism and can lead to insulin resistance and fat accumulation. Lifestyle habits also play a significant role, with factors such as inadequate sleep, dehydration, and unmanaged stress all contributing to slower weight loss. 

Despite these challenges, it's important to remember that successful weight loss after 40 is achievable.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES IN MIDLIFE

I hate to be a bearer of bad news, but as a trainer and coach for many years...