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Why Traditional Cardio Isn’t Working Anymore

Let’s just say it: what used to work doesn’t anymore.

If you’ve been logging miles on the elliptical, sweating it out with daily high-intensity workouts, or pushing through long cardio sessions hoping to burn off that menopause belly, I see you. I’ve been there too. And the truth is—especially in midlife—more cardio is not better.

In fact, for many women over 40, too much of the wrong kind of cardio can actually work against you.

As a Trim Healthy Mama coach, menopause fitness specialist, and personal trainer in my own midlife season, I’ve had to completely rethink how I move my body—and I’ve coached hundreds of other women through that same shift.

Let’s break down what you really need to know about cardio in your 40s, 50s, and beyond, so you can work smarter (not harder), protect your metabolism, and finally feel strong in your skin again.

The Hormonal Shift That Changes Everything

Can metabolism cha...

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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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We're going to explore the science behind the best and worst types of cardio for us in midlife and beyond. Understanding the right kind of cardio is so important for maintaining our health and fitness, especially as we navigate the changes that come with menopause. So, let’s dive in!

The Role of Hormones in Midlife Fitness

As we hit menopause, our hormones, especially estrogen and testosterone, start to decline. Estrogen is amazing – it helps us build muscle, gives us energy, regulates glucose, aids insulin sensitivity, boosts metabolism, and protects our heart, breasts, and brain. Testosterone also plays a key role but is less prominent in women.

When these hormones drop, we face challenges in muscle building, energy levels, and metabolism. That’s why it’s crucial to tweak our exercise routines during midlife. With estrogen no longer providing its benefits, exercise becomes the stimulus we need to keep our bones strong, regulate insulin, burn fa...

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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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Has sleep been your friend or foe since you hit your perimenopause and menopause years? Maybe you’ve struggled since childhood, or maybe this is a whole new symptom that is messing with you.

I wish I had a magic pill that would give you a solid eight hours every night—shoot, if I did, I’d be the first in line to swallow it! But while you may not find answers right away, there are reasons why you need to keep trying to get more sleep in midlife and ways to support your body during this time.

Sleep can hold the key to not only feeling rejuvenated but also to weight management, hormonal balance, and overall well-being.

Why is Sleep Important?

Midlife introduces many challenges, including sleep, which is primarily driven by hormonal changes. As estrogen levels decline, sleep disturbances become more prevalent, leading to midnight awakenings, racing thoughts, and hormonal imbalances.

Cortisol spikes and blood...

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If you’re feeling frustrated by your jeans feeling tighter or loosening your belt another notch, then you aren’t alone. A woman’s body goes through multiple changes between the ages of 40 and 60. Some of these changes you’ll notice (weight gain) and others you won’t (higher cortisol).

But often the result of both is the same - needing to buy larger jeans and an increased muffin top. 

Dealing with stubborn weight and a wider waistline was not my dream for midlife and I doubt it is yours. So let me walk you through 4 Strategies you can start to move toward a trim belly in midlife.

The Mindset Shift: Understanding the Power of Nutrition

There are specific reasons why we gain weight in midlife. Menopause isn’t all to blame. 

Age-related factors like decreased estrogen, loss of muscle mass, and increase in cortisol levels all play a part in the fat packing around your middle. 

You don’t have control over your estrogen without help b...

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When I hit menopause I felt like my body spiraled out of control. Everything fit differently, I lost my waist, and the jeans I grabbed out of my closet wouldn’t even button.

Can you believe this happened to someone consistently eating the Trim Healthy plan and exercising?

So, you might ask, if it can happen to you is there any hope for me?

The answer is yes!

Midlife weight gain and its stubbornness have less to do with eating perfectly and exercising daily than you might think. 

In fact, if you’re in your forties or above, there is a whole bunch of evidence pointing to your hormones being the root cause of extra fat around your belly than anything else.

Weight gain in midlife is not inevitable. 

But what you’ve been doing to lose weight in your twenties and thirties won’t work anymore!

Belly Fat after 50: The Silent Struggle

Your body composition is changing. 

As estrogen de...

Music provided by: https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

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Let’s learn how to stop the crazy menopausal symptoms so you can feel good in midlife.

Today on the Honeycast I want to bring you good news. 

You can take a few very important steps and dial in the best ways to support your body. But first I want to acknowledge that the suffering is REAL. Hormonal changes and their accompanying symptoms are a part of life and are natural but it doesn’t mean you need to suffer or “get over it.” 

Even though your hormones are declining you can fix the symptoms that often come with those shifts. You can get the right nutrition and fuel, and you can exercise in a way that turns on fat-burning without tanking your adrenals.

Not everything I’m sharing with you here today is coming directly from Trim Healthy Mama or Pearl & Serene. Hours of personal research and research for clients as well as special certifications (menopause fitness specialist & personal tr...