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As a woman in midlife, you’ve probably noticed that sleep doesn’t come as easily as it used to, and stress feels like it’s running the show. These changes aren’t just frustrating—they’re directly tied to what’s happening with your hormones. Sleep and stress are closely linked to hormone balance, and when they’re out of sync, it creates a domino effect that can derail your health, energy, and weight loss goals.

Let's break down why sleep and stress are such powerful players in your midlife journey and how they impact key hormones like cortisol, insulin, estrogen, and progesterone. You’ll also find actionable strategies to reclaim your rest, reduce stress, and support your body during this new season.

How Sleep Loss and Stress Wreak Havoc on Your Hormones

When you’re stressed or ...

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Best Supplements for Belly Fat Loss in Menopause: What Works and What You Need to Know

As midlife women, we know the body changes that come with menopause are real. Losing belly fat isn’t as straightforward as it once was, and the frustration of trying to stay on track while hormones go haywire is a common challenge. While supplements aren't miracle workers, some can genuinely support belly fat reduction when paired with a whole-food, high-fiber diet and regular movement.

Let's dive into the best supplements that can help midlife women manage belly fat and optimize overall health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Anti-Inflammatory and Heart-Healthy

Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, have some incredible benefits for women going through menopause.

• Anti-inflammatory Benefits: Omega-3s can help reduce visceral fat (the belly fat that surrounds your organs) due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
• Heart ...

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Recently, I had the chance to hang out with a couple of younger friends—both in their late 30s and early 40s. 

As we relaxed by the lake, our conversation naturally drifted toward health and wellness. 

They started sharing how they felt puffy, and bloated, and were gaining weight, especially around their middle. 

Energy levels were dipping, anxiety was creeping in, and they were experiencing aches and pains that seemed to come out of nowhere. 

Listening to them brought back memories of my own transition into this season of life. 

At 56, I've walked the path they're just beginning to navigate, and it's a journey that many of us are familiar with—welcome to the world of perimenopause.

Embracing Midlife Changes: Navigating Hormonal Shifts After 40

Recognizing Early Signs of Hormonal Belly Fat and What to Do About It

Perimenopause is a phase that often takes us by surprise. 

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Are you really struggling with your weight and energy levels? If so, I wanted to talk a little bit about this phenomenon called exercise intolerance. 

Normally I encourage women to get moving and to do the needle moving exercises like strength training with a bit of HIIT (high-intensity) as well as Sprint interval training plus everyday movement. But sometimes I will talk to a client who is describing that they are exhausted they feel terrible after their workout. They can't just work through it and just get through the workout. This is something that can happen in midlife for different reasons and it's called exercise intolerance.

There can be many reasons for exercise intolerance, but don't hear me wrong, I'm not saying that you're intolerant to exercise because maybe you don't like it. That’s an excuse, but I'm talking about actual physical things that are going on in your body that are p...

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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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Let’s unlock the puzzle and confusion hormones can cause and dive into the actionable strategies you need after 50 to support your hormones, fuel your fat-burning journey, and navigate the twists of menopause. 

This isn't just about weight loss; it's a common-sense approach to living your best second half-life. 

The Hormonal Impact of White Sugar, White Flour, and Seed Oils: A Menopause Menace

It's not just about what you eat; it's about what you avoid. 

White sugar, white flour, and seed oils can wreak havoc on your hormones. They trigger weight gain, mess with cholesterol, and throw blood sugar off balance. Choose nutrient-dense Whole Foods, with lots of plant options. 

Prioritize gut health with prebiotics and probiotics, focusing on vegetables, cruciferous veggies, fruits, and fermented foods. A...

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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

Menopause, usually around ...

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If you are in midlife, perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause, and you've said this to yourself, “I feel like I'm going crazy.”

You are not alone.

Let me tell you about a lady, just like you, I’ll call her Eleanor. 

Eleanor prided herself on her ability to handle life's ups and downs with grace. 

But as she entered her late forties, something inside began to shift. It started with subtle changes, forgetting where she placed her car keys, struggling to concentrate on reading a book, and things like that. 

However, over time, the lapses became more frequent.

One evening while she was cooking dinner, she couldn't remember the recipe for her signature pasta dish. The dish she’d made hundreds of times. Frustration boiled within her and tears rolled up unexpectedly. She felt like she was losing control. Her best friend, Tina, noticed the changes and encouraged her to go do something about it.

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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 you sleepless nights and messin...

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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 acceptance.

In managing your...