Are You There, Midlife? It’s Me, Monica. | Balance Hormones Naturally in Perimenopause, Menopause for Women Over 40

80 | Is Strength Training Making You Gain Weight in Perimenopause?

Do You Know What’s Driving Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

You’re lifting weights. Eating more protein. Tracking your steps.

So why does your body feel like it didn’t get the memo?🙃📝

If every workout lately leaves you more bloated, puffy, or confused by the scale, you're not alone.

In this week's episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what’s really behind post-workout weight gain in midlife—and the 3 biggest mistakes women make when the number on the scale goes up.

In this episode, I’ll answer your most-asked questions including:

✅ Why do I gain weight when I start strength training? 

✅ Can stress from workouts raise cortisol and stall fat loss? 

✅ How can I tell if weight gain is muscle or inflammation? 

✅ Why am I not losing belly fat after lifting weights?

✅ How does strength training affect hormones during perimenopause? 

✅ Why does lifting weights make me feel more bloated?

✅ How does low estrogen impact muscle building during menopause? 

If you’ve been lifting weights—but the scale’s climbing faster than the price of gas on 4th of July weekend—this episode is for you. 🎧

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Episodes Mentioned:

EP 78 | Eating More Protein But Still Not Losing Weight in Perimenopause?: https://pod.fo/e/2e7319

EP 77 | The BEST Diet To Burn Fat + Balance Hormones in Perimenopause: https://pod.fo/e/2e2e6b

EP 76 | 6 Tools Under $100 for Hormone Balance + Perimenopause Weight Loss: https://pod.fo/e/2dee57

EP 75 | Trying to Lose Weight in Perimenopause? What to Know Before Intermittent Fasting: https://pod.fo/e/2db0fe

—

Next Steps:

Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

It’s Possible to Feel Like ‘You’ Again! Book a FREE Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out how my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you balance your hormones and move the dial on midlife weight gain: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall

Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Connect With Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com

Website: monica@monicalanetopete.com

—

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

 

79 | Perimenopause Fatigue + Weight Gain?: LIVE Coaching Call

Do You Know What’s Driving Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Do you wake up with energy, but hit a wall halfway through the day?

Is brain fog making it hard to focus—or even finish a complete sentence?

Are you still trying to lose the same 10, 20, 30 pounds or more you put on after baby number two…but the only thing you’re losing these days is your patience?

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed with information, or don't know where to start, then today’s power-packed LIVE Coaching Session is for you.

In today’s episode, you’ll listen in on a real-time Hormone Balance Breakthru Call with a podcast listener navigating mood swings, brain fog, fatigue, and weight that won’t budge—despite doing “everything right.”

You’ll hear how we connect her symptoms to her specific hormone imbalances, uncover what’s actually keeping her stuck, and identify what she should focus on first—and how you can apply the same hormone-balancing hacks to your own symptoms and weight gain.

In this episode, we’ll address questions including:

✅ Is it normal for PMS to get worse in perimenopause?

✅ What’s causing my midday energy crash every day?

✅ Can hormone imbalance cause brain fog and forgetfulness?

✅ Why do I feel like an emotional wreck before my period now?

✅ Is joint pain common in perimenopause—or is this something else?

✅ Are my workouts making my hormones worse?

✅ Is cortisol the reason I have stubborn fat around my middle?

✅ Why can’t I lose weight no matter what I eat or how much I exercise?

If you’ve ever felt like your body’s working against you, no matter what you try—this episode is for you. 🎧

—

Next Steps:

Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Get to the Root of Your Hormone Symptoms and Finally Feel Like You Again—Book a Private Hormone Balance Breakthru Call for just $67: https://bit.ly/bookabreakthroughcall (Use code AYTM—offer expires in 24 hours.)

Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

78 | 💪 Eating More Protein But Still Not Losing Weight in Perimenopause?

Do You Know What’s Driving Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

You’ve swapped cereal for eggs, added collagen to your coffee, maybe even splurged on the “cleanest” plant-based protein tub you could find at Costco… and still, your skinny jeans won’t button without a prayer and some deep squats.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

In midlife, most women are eating far less protein than their bodies actually need. And thanks to a little-known phenomenon called the protein leverage effect, that gap can lead to blood sugar spikes, cravings, and overeating… even when you’re trying to eat clean.

In today’s episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on the three biggest protein mistakes women make in midlife—and how to fix them to support hormone balance, stabilize metabolism, and finally move the needle on weight loss.

In this episode, we’ll unpack:

✅ Why is protein so important for hormone balance in midlife?

✅ How do hormones affect protein requirements in perimenopause? 

✅ Can eating more protein prevent weight gain during perimenopause? 

✅ Can high protein intake help stabilize blood sugar in perimenopause?

✅ How much protein do women over 40 actually need per day? 

✅ What are complete vs incomplete proteins, and why does it matter? 

✅ Does plant protein work as well as animal protein for perimenopausal women? 

✅ Can protein help reduce cravings in midlife? 

✅ Does eating more protein boost metabolism after 50?

✅ What’s the best protein powder for women over 40?

✅ What is the best time to eat protein for hormone health in midlife?

If you’ve been loading up on protein, but the scale still isn’t budging—this episode is for you. 🎧

—

Episodes Mentioned:

EP 77 | The BEST Diet To Burn Fat + Balance Hormones in Perimenopause: https://pod.fo/e/2e2e6b

EP 76 | 6 Tools Under $100 for Hormone Balance + Perimenopause Weight Loss: https://pod.fo/e/2dee57

EP 75 | Trying to Lose Weight in Perimenopause? What to Know Before Intermittent Fasting: https://pod.fo/e/2db0fe

—

Next Steps:

Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

It’s Possible to Feel Like ‘You’ Again! Book a FREE Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out how my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you balance your hormones and move the dial on midlife weight gain: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall

Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

 

77 | 🔥The BEST Diet To Burn Fat + Balance Hormones in Perimenopause

Do You Know What’s Driving Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Which is better for midlife weight loss: Keto? Carnivore? Optavia?

It’s a question I get asked all the time—especially in the summer, when the pool invites start rolling in… and you’d rather melt in leggings than show up in a swimsuit.

The truth is: If your hormones are out of whack, none of those diets are going to get you very far.

Because losing weight in midlife isn’t just about cutting calories—it’s about calming cortisol, balancing insulin, and avoiding the foods that are secretly stalling your fat loss.

In today’s episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on the exact elimination diet I use with my clients to identify food triggers, calm inflammation, and finally make weight loss feel doable again

In this episode, we’ll unpack:

✅ What’s the connection between food and hormone imbalance over 40?

✅ How do I know which foods are triggering my hormone imbalance?

✅ What are the signs a food is disrupting my hormones?

✅ Can food sensitivities cause weight gain in midlife?

✅ Why does my weight fluctuate so much after eating certain foods?

✅ Can elimination diets help balance hormones naturally—without medication?

✅ Can an elimination diet fix my slow metabolism in midlife?

✅ What is the best elimination diet for perimenopause?

If you’ve ever tried quitting carbs and sugar only to still feel bloated, inflamed, and stuck at your same weight—this episode is for you. 🎧

—

Episodes Mentioned:

EP 76 | 6 Tools Under $100 for Hormone Balance + Perimenopause Weight Loss: https://pod.fo/e/2dee57

EP 75 | Trying to Lose Weight in Perimenopause? What to Know Before Intermittent Fasting: https://pod.fo/e/2db0fe

EP 74 | Are You Eating Enough? 3 Ways Eating Less Backfires in Perimenopause: https://pod.fo/e/2d7f66

EP 61 | How Did I Get HERE? 6 Root Causes of Hormone Imbalance in Perimenopause & Menopause: https://pod.fo/e/2ae786

EP 57 | How Can I Have a Hormone Imbalance If My Blood Work Is Normal?: https://pod.fo/e/2a1b75

—

Next Steps:

Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Want to see if FEAST can help balance your hormones and move the dial on midlife weight gain? Book a FREE Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out how my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you stop spinning your wheels and feel like “you” again.: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall

Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

76 | 6 Tools Under $100 for Hormone Balance + Perimenopause Weight Loss

Do You Know What’s Driving Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Have you ever bought the same supplement twice because you forgot you already tried it? 👀

🙋🏼‍♀️Yeah, been there, got the T-shirt… AND the magnesium spray… AND the melatonin gummies that tasted like stale fruit snacks.

According to a 2025 OnePoll survey, women in perimenopause and menopause spend nearly $500 a year on supplements, apps, and other health products to balance their hormones.

And yet… 76 percent of us say our symptoms haven’t changed—and neither has the number on the scale.

In today’s episode, I’m spilling the tea on 6 Tools Under $100 that actually support hormone balance and can help you move the dial on midlife weight loss.

In this episode, we’ll unpack:

✅ What are the best supplements for balancing hormones during perimenopause?

✅ Can a quiz accurately diagnose hormone imbalances?

✅ How does using a digital food scale aid in weight management?

✅ Is macro tracking more effective than calorie counting for fat loss?

✅ Which apps are best for tracking macronutrients?

✅ How does blood sugar imbalance contribute to weight gain in perimenopause?

✅ Can regular exercise improve blood sugar control and aid in weight loss?

If you’ve ever bought a pricey smart scale (but couldn’t figure out how to sync it to your phone without calling in the Geek Squad)—this episode is for you. 🎧
—

Episodes Mentioned:

EP 75 | Trying to Lose Weight in Perimenopause? What to Know Before Intermittent Fasting: https://pod.fo/e/2db0fe

EP 74 | Are You Eating Enough? 3 Ways Eating Less Backfires in Perimenopause: https://pod.fo/e/2d7f66

EP 57 | How Can I Have a Hormone Imbalance If My Blood Work Is Normal?: https://pod.fo/e/2a1b75

—

Next Steps:

Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Tired all the time? Can’t lose weight? Fine one minute…losing it the next? Book a FREE Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out if my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you stop the guesswork and feel like “you” again.: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall

Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

75 | Trying to Lose Weight in Perimenopause? What to Know Before Intermittent Fasting

Still Not Sure What’s Behind Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Skipping breakfast? Swigging coffee ‘til noon and calling it “intermittent fasting”?

You’re not alone….But that strategy? It might be backfiring.

In fact, if you’re a woman in perimenopause trying to lose weight, your “fast” might actually be spiking your cortisol, crashing your blood sugar, and slowing your metabolism—meanwhile your jeans just keep getting tighter.:<

Here’s the thing: intermittent fasting can be a game-changer for midlife weight loss, insulin resistance, and even hormone balance...but only if your hormones are on board.

Because what helped your bestie drop 15 pounds might be the exact thing causing your sleep issues, sugar cravings, and hormonal weight gain.

In today’s episode, Trying to Lose Weight in Perimenopause? What to Know Before Intermittent Fasting, I’m spilling the tea on intermittent fasting—what it is, what it’s not, and how it can impact your hormones–AND weight loss–after 40.

In this episode, we’ll unpack:

✅ Does intermittent fasting work for women in perimenopause?

✅ What if I’m not hungry in the morning—is that intermittent fasting?

✅ Is skipping breakfast really that bad for hormones?

✅ Does fasting affect my thyroid?

✅ How does fasting impact cortisol and stress levels?

✅ Can intermittent fasting affect sleep?

✅ Why am I gaining weight while intermittent fasting?

If you’ve ever fasted all morning and ended up hangry by 3pm in a pile of shredded cheese—this episode is for you. 🎧
—

Episodes Mentioned:

EP 74 | Are You Eating Enough? 3 Ways Eating Less Backfires in Perimenopause: https://pod.fo/e/2d7f66

—

Next Steps:

Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Tired all the time? Can’t lose weight? Fine one minute…losing it the next? Book a FREE Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out if my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you stop the guesswork and feel like “you” again.: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall

Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

 

74 | Are You Eating Enough? 3 Ways Eating Less Backfires in Perimenopause

Still Not Sure What’s Behind Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

You’re eating like a bird, but still can’t button your jeans.:<

If skipping snacks, counting macros, or cutting carbs is supposed to help us lose weight…why does it feel like nothing is changing, even when you do?

Here’s the truth: so many of us in midlife are undereating, overstressed, and totally confused why we’re gaining weight on fewer calories than a toddler snack pack.

But weight gain in perimenopause isn’t about willpower—it’s about hormones.

Because once estrogen starts to drop, perimenopause metabolism changes too—and the weight loss playbook that worked in our 20s and 30s no longer does.

In today’s episode, Are You Eating Enough? 3 Ways Eating Less Backfires in Perimenopause, I’m breaking down the connection between hormonal weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and why traditional diet rules are failing women over 40.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How does blood sugar affect weight gain in perimenopause?

✅ Can under-eating lead to weight gain in midlife?

✅ How many calories should a woman over 40 eat to lose weight?

✅ Does eating too little cause weight gain in perimenopause?

✅ What is the connection between insulin resistance and menopause?

✅ Does cortisol contribute to belly fat in midlife women?

✅ How do stress and cortisol levels impact weight gain during menopause?

✅ Do hormonal changes affect appetite after 40?

If you’ve ever said, “But I’m barely eating—why am I gaining weight?”or skipping meals to “save calories” (and ending up face-first in the pantry!)—this episode is for you. 🎧
—

Episodes Mentioned:

EP 73 | Can’t Lose Weight? The Truth About GLP-1 for Weight Loss in Perimenopause & Beyond: https://pod.fo/e/2d4b1f

EP 72 | 10 Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Our Metabolism in Perimenopause and Menopause: https://pod.fo/e/2d16b2

—

Next Steps:

Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Tired all the time? Not sleeping through the night? Weight won’t budge? Book a free Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out if my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you stop the spiral and feel like you again.: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall

Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.

73 | Can’t Lose Weight? The Truth About GLP-1 for Weight Loss in Perimenopause & Beyond

Still Not Sure What’s Behind Your Hormone Symptoms? Take the first step to balance your hormones naturally with my FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Weight won’t budge? Want to lose 10 (or 20) pounds before summer so you can feel good in your skin again—and without hiding under a caftan. 👀

Enter wonder drug GLP-1—which, according to industry research, is projected to surpass $100 billion by 2030. In fact, prescriptions for Ozempic, Wegovy, and other semaglutide-based meds have exploded in the past two years—and not just among your favorite Real Housewives.

But if you're in perimenopause or menopause and have been contemplating jumping on the injectables bandwagon, GLP-1s may actually do you more harm than good.

In today’s episode, "Can’t Lose Weight? The Truth About GLP-1 for Weight Loss in Perimenopause & Beyond," I’m peeling back the curtain on hormonal weight gain, GLP-1 meds, and what women in midlife need to know before going all in on this ‘miracle shot.’

In this episode, we'll discuss:

✅ Does GLP-1 work for hormonal weight gain—or is it just masking a deeper issue?

✅ The unexpected effects of GLP-1, including the risks no one talks about

✅ What really happens when you stop taking semaglutide for weight loss

✅ Why most women gain weight after stopping GLP-1

✅ How GLP-1 and hormones interact in midlife—and why the risks may hit harder in perimenopause and beyond

If you’ve ever considered trying Ozempic "just for a few months"—this episode is for you. 🎧

Episodes Mentioned:

EP 72 | 10 Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Our Metabolism in Perimenopause and Menopause: https://pod.fo/e/2d16b2

EP 15 | Hypothyroidism And Weight Gain: 3 Healthy Hacks To Help Shed Those Extra Pounds: https://pod.fo/e/240c5f

EP 22 | Weight Gain, Belly Fat, and What To Expect In Menopause: https://pod.fo/e/24c740

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Next Steps:

Take the First Step to Balance Your Hormones Naturally With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz

Tired all the time? Not sleeping through the night? Weight won’t budge? Book a free Quick Fit Clarity Call to find out if my Master Your Midlife Hormones program can help you stop the spiral and feel like 'you' again.: https://bit.ly/quickfitcall

Become a Podcast Insider + Subscribe to The Hot Flash–Weekly hormone hacks, recipes, and lifestyle tips—no spam, no fluff, just science (with snacks:.): https://areyoutheremidlife.com/

Email Me: monica@monicalanetopete.com
—

*Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. I share the strategies that have worked for me, and you are advised to do your own research and speak to your medical provider for care.