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Hormones are chemical messengers in your body. They communicate and control most of the physiological things going on. They tell your body what to do and hormones work together like an orchestra. But, when they aren’t playing well together we start to see imbalance, and things get out of harmony.

These imbalances affect all other hormones. Cortisol is your main stress hormone and it gets pretty bossy when not kept in check by other hormones. Too much cortisol steals progesterone, drives up insulin and blood sugar levels and until you get it under control will cause issues with all of your other hormones. 

The Big Four Hormones and Why They Matter

There are 4 main hormones you need to focus on to find better balance and support in your weight loss journey. 

First is cortisol, this hormone when left to run rampant is great at packing on extra belly fat, giving...

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Friend, if you're navigating through the season of menopause and finding yourself struggling with unexpected weight gain and midlife hormone symptoms, let's take a comforting pause here. Remember, this journey is a shared one, and these changes are natural. They are a testament to the remarkable adaptability of your beautiful body. Take this as a warm hug from me, a reminder that during these shifts you have the power to manage menopause and see weight loss. Together, we'll explore effective tips to manage menopause while staying on the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) plan.

Understanding Your Changing Body and Menopause Weight Loss

Menopause is not a battlefield; it's a transformative season. As estrogen levels naturally decline during this period, our bodies are predisposed to store more fat. Remember, you're not failing; you're adjusting. Embrace this season with grace and...

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Do you ever feel depressed, anxious, or guilty about food before or after eating?

Do you ever wish you could just make it through the day without having to analyze every little thing you eat and when/how you have to work out?

Do you want to avoid discouragement setting you back?

Are you ready to stop the excuses?

Then it’s time for you to get a weight loss mindset working for you. You see, most of us have a pre-established mindset full of unintentional thoughts. These thoughts are messages we get from ourselves, our family, and past experiences. Although it often feels impossible to just “think differently," sometimes making subtle changes in how you think is the KEY to skyrocketing your chances of success and giving you longer-lasting results.

So I'm going to give you seven keys to practice, to overcome self-sabotage. 

Key one: be a detective and a watcher of...

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Pearls from the Feminine Freedom Pathway Roundtable Podcast

Menopause is an important season in a woman's life, often marked by drastic changes in the body and mind. 

But, embracing a sustainable lifestyle, such as the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) plan, can turn these challenging years into a time of self-discovery, empowerment, and vibrant health. 

Let’s uncover nuggets of wisdom from a recent roundtable interview, where women in the menopausal season shared their transformative journeys with the Feminine Freedom Pathway (FFP), a 6-month weight loss coaching program.

Harnessing the Power of Kindness

Prioritizing Mental Wellbeing in Menopause

Danielle thought her struggle was not doing "enough." But over the course of her 6-month journey, she discovered the importance of self-compassion. Now she understands and uses the power of embracing...

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Hello dear friends, today I have a story that will inspire you, motivate you, and fill you with the kind of warmth that only a group of dedicated, determined, and supportive ladies can bring. Let's dive into the incredible journey of a group of women who call themselves the 'Freedom Sisters'. 

These remarkable ladies are graduates of my Feminine Freedom Pathway program, a long-term coaching plan aimed at helping women in midlife lose weight, learn to exercise, manage their hormones, and ultimately find their best midlife selves. 

But the Freedom Sisters are more than just participants; they have built an inspiring community of support and encouragement.

Why are they so special? 

The Freedom Sisters were my very first group when I launched the program. They have stuck together through thick and thin, experiencing victories, struggles,...

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In midlife, you do not want to exercise in a fasted state. 

That is the bottom line. 

As a woman, especially in menopause, you want to reduce any type of stress that can cause a rise in cortisol, which in turn causes a rise in insulin, which is a fat-storage hormone. Exercise, especially exercise in a fasted state, can be somewhat stressful. We want to work with cortisol levels. We want to work with our menopausal body and not work against it.

TIMING AND TYPE OF EXERCISE

So one of the things you really want to focus on is pre-workout fueling. 

Overall, it is best to exercise intensely, and that would be either some type of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout or a workout where you're getting your heart...

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Is hormone replacement therapy for every woman? 

Aren't there more "natural" options? 

The answer is yes, and yes. 

Some women are not good candidates for hormone replacement therapy or aren't comfortable taking it; this might be due to a lack of education about the safety and protective benefits or availability.

But that doesn't mean you can't reduce or eliminate suffering from hormonal symptoms during menopause. You still have a lot to say about how you feel by implementing four ways to treat menopause. 

But you won't get the protective benefits when you're not using bioidentical hormone therapy. Bioidentical hormone therapy can help treat menopause symptoms, providing protective benefits to you. 

Menopause is a natural biological process. It marks...

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If losing weight in your 40s were as easy as "calories in, calories out," then I would be out of a job. 

But sadly, it just isn't that easy. 

In fact, you can almost throw out every "diet" plan you've ever tried or heard about because it won't help you lose weight in midlife. In fact, it might do the opposite and cause your body to keep more weight instead. 

It's time to understand how to best support your body with nutrition during perimenopause and menopause and get tools to get through it quickly. 

Right now, you may be in your late 30s or early 40s and wondering why you're experiencing changes in your body that you never had before. You may be moody, anxious, have irregular periods, or have hot flashes. You probably find weight loss more difficult and notice your waistline expanding no matter what you do. These are all common symptoms of perimenopause. Or, you...

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Disclaimer- The contents of this guide are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. None of the recommendations, suggestions, or written information provided is intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. The information presented is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease but rather as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Jill Chmielewski, RN, BSN. You are encouraged to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional of your choosing.

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IS IT NATURAL?

What's the big deal about Hormone Replacement Therapy?

There have been a lot of myths...

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"I hate the belly fat that I have. I'm on bio-identical hormones and can't get rid of the tire. I don't want to go through surgery; I don't know what to do; please don't tell me to start running; I can't do it."

Does anyone else feel the same?

This question came from a member of my Peri/Menopause Trim Healthy Mama Community.

No, I'm not going to tell you to start running, and I'm not going to encourage you to exercise more. Or eat less. 

But there are multiple things that contribute to that spare tire/muffin top you are seeing. And a lot of it has to do with your age and your hormones. 

Extra fat is frustrating and a health risk for women, especially in midlife. 

The fat you see around your middle is most likely visceral...