https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Thriving Through Menopause

Challenges in menopause can feel like putting together a jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing. And figuring out what your body needs is often daunting and requires understanding and tailored strategies.  

Hormonal Challenges and Solutions

In menopause, our hormones, specifically estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, undergo significant changes. And one of the primary challenges women face in menopause is unexpected weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. Declining estrogen levels play a crucial role in fat storage, which affects body composition. However, new studies show that building muscle is a powerful tool in navigating this weight gain and boosting metabolism.

 "Estrogen helps regulate metabolism and body fat distribution and, believe it or not, muscle building."

The Role of Insulin in Menopausal Weight Management

Now, let's talk about...

https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

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:...

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

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Journey to Midlife Wellness: Challenges and Insights

It took me years to figure things out and can I just say, today’s way of dealing with menopause has not been very helpful to me. 

My goal is to make walking through this midlife season accessible and helpful to you. Especially if you are trying to lose weight instead of gain and the menopause hormonal symptoms are taking over your life. 

My desire is for you to show up well, be strong, and have hope. 

Your midlife can be a new beginning. 

Personal training and women’s health has been my passion for several years.

At first, when I started my Trim Healthy journey I wasn’t looking into hormones or anything like that. I just wanted to lose the last few pounds and stop the dieting roller coaster. I wanted to be healthy and feel better. 

Confronting Health Crisis:...

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

Apple Podcast - Spotify

If you're over 50 and wondering, "What's happening to my body?" don't fret! We're diving into the incredible journey of menopause body changes. It's time to embrace your best shape and feel fabulous. Buckle up for a quick tour through the seasons of womanhood.

Menopause Body Shape Changes: A Natural Part of Life

What is Perimenopause, Menopause, and Postmenopause?

Let's start by breaking down these terms, readers. Perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause are like the chapters of your life's novel. They come with their own set of quirks and adventures. 

Perimenopause - The Prelude to Change

During perimenopause, which can start in your 40s, hormones like estrogen and progesterone start playing their own tune in your body. It's not unusual to experience irregular periods, mood swings, and, you guessed it, changes in your body shape. 

Menopause - The Main Act...

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

Apple Podcast - Spotify

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...

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

Apple Podcast - Spotify

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...

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

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...

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

Apple Podcast - Spotify

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.

(This post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a commission from purchases made through these links)

IS IT NATURAL?

What's the big deal about Hormone Replacement Therapy?

There have been a lot of myths...

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

Apple Podcast - Spotify

This post does contain affiliate links; I may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

"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...

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

Apple Podcast - Spotify

If there's one thing I get asked about by women in the midlife season, it's "How do I get rid of belly fat?" 

I had the same question just a few years ago, and getting the answer was challenging. But thanks to the Trim Healthy eating plan, we have a shortcut to increase belly fat loss without deprivation and dieting.

Today on the podcast, I'll show you a few fundamental changes to make to your meal plan in menopause so you can reduce belly fat and feel better. It's like Trim Healthy Mama 2.0. The same basic principles of protein-centered meals but with a strong focus on your E (energizing) meals over your S (satisfying) meals. Because of declining hormones over 50 and sometimes younger, you need to fuel differently. You need fuel to turn on fat-burning, and as your hormones change, your fueling needs to change too. You can lose the extra belly fat, but you'll need to understand the hormones...