Menopause, Metabolism, and Not Losing Your Mind

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat:

You are not going crazy.

You’re going through menopause.

Hot flashes, mood swings, brain fog, weight gain, trouble sleeping — it’s a lot. And the worst part? Most of us were never taught what to expect, how to cope, or that we weren’t alone in it.

So we end up thinking we’re doing something wrong. That it’s our fault. That we just need to eat cleaner, try harder, or lose weight (again) to “fix it.”

But you, my friend, are not broken. Your body is going through something profound, and it deserves support — not more rules or punishment.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on with your metabolism during menopause, why dieting makes things worse, and what you can do instead to feel more like yourself again.

During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen and progesterone — two of our key reproductive hormones — start to fluctuate and then decline.

This affects everything:

• Your metabolism slows down

• Your muscle mass naturally decreases

• Your sleep might be disrupted

• Your blood sugar becomes more sensitive

• Your appetite and cravings shift

• Your mood and mental clarity can wobble

This is a normal, natural process — not a sign that you’ve failed or need to double down on diet plans.

When our bodies start changing, diet culture swoops in with all the usual noise:

• “You’ve just got to cut carbs!”

• “Try intermittent fasting!”

• “Lose that menopause belly with these 3 fat-burning foods!”

And while those headlines sell — they don’t serve.

Here’s the truth:

• Restricting food slows your metabolism even further

• Skipping meals can mess with blood sugar (and increase cravings)

• Obsessing over food and weight increases cortisol (your stress hormone) — which also affects fat storage, especially around the belly

It’s a vicious cycle that leaves you exhausted, cranky, and more disconnected from your body than ever.

Here’s the good news: You don’t need another diet. You need support.

Your body is wise. It’s adapting. And it needs:

• Regular, satisfying meals to keep your energy stable

• Protein to support your muscles and keep you full

• Fiber to support digestion and hormones

• Healthy fats for brain function, mood, and hormone production

• Movement that builds strength and reduces stress

• Rest — real, deep rest

• Joy — food joy, movement joy, life joy

This isn’t about chasing your 30-year-old body. It’s about learning what this current version of you needs — and giving it generously.

Listen — I know this chapter can feel disorienting. But you are not fading. You are arriving.

You’ve earned this stage. You’ve lived through heartache, healing, big feelings, and big changes. Your body has carried you through all of it. It deserves respect and care — not constant fixing.

Let’s stop trying to shrink ourselves into who we used to be.

Let’s build strength, softness, and self-compassion in who we are now.

❤️ You Are Still You

Yes, your metabolism might be different.

Yes, your waistline may have changed.

Yes, your old clothes might fit funny.

But your worth has not changed.

Your wisdom is deeper than ever.

And your body — this brave, evolving, beautiful body — is still yours.

Take care of it. Nourish it. Be kind to it.

Because when we stop fighting our bodies, we finally have the energy to live fully in them.

Need a gentle place to start?

Download my free guide, 5 Steps to Tune Into Hunger and Fullness. It’s not about dieting — it’s about reconnecting with the signals your body is already giving you, even in menopause.

👉 Get the guide here