Perimenopause: Why Your Body Needs a New Plan
It starts slowly—a little extra belly fat that wasn’t there before, workouts feeling less effective, and a sense of fatigue that seems harder to shake. Perimenopause, the transitional phase leading to menopause, brings changes that can feel confusing and frustrating. For many women, it’s the first time they notice their body not responding to diet and exercise the way it once did.
The hormonal shifts of perimenopause are the driving force behind these changes. Estrogen levels, which fluctuate significantly during this time, play a key role in how your body stores fat, particularly around the midsection. This can leave many women feeling like they’re losing control over their bodies despite sticking to fitness and nutrition routines that worked perfectly in their 20s or 30s.
But here’s the thing: what worked in the past isn’t designed for your body now. During perimenopause, metabolism naturally slows, muscle mass begins to decline, and the body becomes more insulin-resistant. Stress hormones like cortisol can also spike, making it easier to store fat and harder to burn it off. This isn’t just about appearance—it’s about energy, health, and confidence.
One of the most noticeable changes is the accumulation of belly fat. This isn’t just about how you look in the mirror; it’s about what’s happening beneath the surface. Fat stored in the abdominal area, known as visceral fat, surrounds vital organs and can increase the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes. For many women, this shift feels deeply unsettling, as they watch their bodies change in ways they’ve never experienced before.
Compounding the issue is the fatigue and brain fog that often accompany perimenopause. These symptoms make it even harder to stick to fitness routines or maintain healthy eating habits. Many women try to push harder—longer workouts, stricter diets, or even skipping meals to cut calories. Unfortunately, these approaches can often do more harm than good. Excessive cardio can increase cortisol levels, which further promotes fat storage, especially around the belly. Meanwhile, restrictive diets can slow metabolism even more and lead to cycles of frustration and burnout.
It’s not uncommon for women to feel defeated at this stage, blaming themselves for a lack of willpower or discipline. But the truth is, your body during perimenopause and menopause isn’t “broken”—it’s evolving. And as your body evolves, so should your approach to health and wellness.
Recognizing these shifts is the first step toward building a strategy that works. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing things differently. This is the time to focus on smarter, more targeted approaches that align with your body’s needs during this phase of life. In the next article, we’ll explore how to use nutrition and fitness strategies to navigate these changes and stay strong, balanced, and energized.
As an added note, I should mention that the January 20th cohort of my 12-Week Total Body Transformation program will have a perimenopause/menopause focus, so if you’d like to ensure you are getting the best nutrition and workout program for your hormones, join now!