5 Secrets No One Tells You About Perimenopause

Are you over 40 and feeling like your energy left on a one-way ticket to nowhere? Wondering why your gym sessions feel like scaling Everest and your spark's just... gone? 

Sure, you’re busy but this level of fatigue isn’t just about those late-night Pinterest rabbit holes or the never-ending hustle that's tanking your energy. It's something deeper, something that no one tells you about perimenopause.

Welcome to Stress-Ville!

Firstly, let's talk about the omnipresent Godzilla in the room - stress! Oh, we know her well, don't we? Between conference calls, soccer games, dentist appointments and keeping the fridge stocked, stress has made a cozy home within you, sucking out your vitality little by little every single day. 

As if juggling life wasn't enough, stress creeps into our beds at night, messing with our zzz’s and making us wake up feeling like we've been hit by a truck.

But here's the latest villain in your stress-infused day - hormonal changes!

What no one tells you about perimenopause is that not only does that dip in progesterone and estrogen mean more inflammation and sleep disruptions that trigger your stress response, but it also means excess testosterone and fat cells that spike more inflammation and stress.

And we can’t forget that when stress levels are high - externally and internally - your body is using up a LOT of nutrients, which leads to #2 on our list. 

Nutrient Gaps Galore!

Next on the hit list? Your supposedly miraculous health diet (ya, I see you following the latest Instagram food lists and hormone experts showcasing their miracle elixirs and raw carrot salads).  What no one tells you about perimenopause is that this phase laughs in the face of those kale smoothies.

Now, there could be a few self-inflicted reasons for this: Are you intentionally skipping breakfast, or avoiding critical nutrients in the name of weight loss or health gains? 

But, what most women don’t realize is that, as your hormones change, so, too, do your nutritional needs in order to support healthy, calm and as-balanced-as-possible hormones through this perimenopause transition. 

If your diet is neglecting progesterone production, your energy will suck! But if you tweak that same diet to purposefully include progesterone-boosting foods, energy will, once again, soar.

Disruptive Sleep Patterns

Now, I know, I know, there’s not much you can do if you’re brain is waking you up at 2 AM, right? (Well, we can chat about that one later because you CAN fix this!)

But, what about your sleep schedule and patterns? Sleep is crucial for high energy, naturally; but when you sleep properly in accordance with your body’s natural circadian rhythm, there are some major detoxification and healing activities that light you up during the day. 

Sleep habits like staying up past 10 PM, scrolling through social media while laying in bed, binging thrillers in the evening, or late-night exercise all mess up your body’s natural sleep schedule. 

So even if you’re getting 8+ hours of sleep, if those hours aren’t aligned with your natural rhythm, chances are you’ll feel groggy the next morning. 

Instead of playing the night owl card, start creating a relaxing, screen-free evening routine that stimulates your body and brain back into restful zzz’s. 

Dehydration: The Silent Energy Assassin

Next up, let me spill the tea on the silent assassin masked as the so-called "mild" dehydration. 

What no one tells you about perimenopause is that it's not just about how much you drink, but finding that goldilocks zone of hydration that doesn't leave you feeling like a dried-up raisin.

You've heard it a million times, drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Sounds like a nag, until you're dragging yourself through the afternoon, feeling like you lugged a mountain. 

Here’s the catch! That Stanley cup craze (or “Big Dumb Cups”) has millions of women downing water like it’s going out of style.  But…they’re still dehydrated!

What?!?! 

Drinking too much water can flush important electrolytes from your system, triggering dehydration.

And, I’m going to assume you’re a pretty healthy eater by now - minimal processed foods, as little junk or fast food as you can - so you’re definitely not getting enough sodium in your diet! (Yes, a pitfall of a healthy whole foods diet is that most women end up with a sodium deficiency!)

Add a bit more Himalayan salt to your food, and aim for 2-3 liters of water per day. If you’re still thirsty, we can work on that together to rebalance the hydration regulating hormones that are out of whack.

The Pesky Hormonal Imbalance No One Tells You About

Here's the thing, as estrogen levels naturally decline, insulin resistance can sneakily increase.

Why does this matter? Well, insulin is your body's energy regulator. So, when cells start getting resistant to insulin, we can't utilize energy from glucose as efficiently leading to the dreaded fatigue. You’ve got oodles of glucose standing in line to get inside the VIP club of your cells but insulin resistance combined with inflammation are like a strict nightclub bouncer not letting anyone not on the list inside!

Good news! There are lifestyle changes, nutritional modifications, and exercises that can help enhance insulin sensitivity, ensuring your body is getting and using the energy it needs. The secret is tweaking your healthy diet to align with healthy cells and a clear path for insulin to do its thing. 

Rev Up Your Energy After 40

Are you ready to kick these energy vampires to the curb and reclaim your zest for life? What no one tells you about perimenopause is that you can turn this ship around. With a few tweaks to your diet, lifestyle, and self-care routine, you can sync with your body’s needs during this transition and become an unstoppable force of nature!

Remember the game isn't over; it’s just changing, and you're holding the playbook. Let’s rewrite it together, with you as the energized, radiant protagonist ready to take on the world. Reach out, and let’s craft your personalized plan to thrive through perimenopause and beyond. No more being in the dark; it’s time for you to shine, brilliantly and unapologetically!