How to Minimise Fat Gain Over the Festive Season — Without Missing Out

How to Minimise Fat Gain Over the Festive Season — Without Missing Out

For women over 35 who want to enjoy Christmas, feel amazing, and stay on track with their metabolism

December can feel like a metabolic minefield — long lunches, late nights, cocktails, desserts, stress, travel, and a calendar bursting with social events. For many women in their late 30s to 50s, this is also a time when perimenopause, thyroid changes, and cortisol fluctuations make weight gain feel frustratingly easy.

But here's the truth: Fat gain over the festive season is not inevitable. You simply need a strategy — not restriction.

Instead of dieting your way through December (hello, burnout), the key is learning how to support your metabolism, reduce big glucose spikes, and enjoy the season without feeling like you've "blown it."

Let's walk through the simple, science-backed framework I teach my clients to minimise fat gain during the festive season — while still eating the foods you love.

Why Women Over 35 Store More Fat During December

Hormones shift. Stress rises. Sleep gets patchy.

And when cortisol and insulin are elevated together, your physiology becomes more biased toward storing energy, particularly around the belly.

Perimenopause and busy-mum-life also mean you may be more sensitive to sugar and alcohol than you used to be.

Your goal this season isn't perfection — it's keeping insulin steady and cortisol calmer so your body doesn't default into fat-storage mode.

And the small tweaks below do exactly that.

Step 1: Start Each Day With a Protein-Strong Breakfast

Aim for 25–30g of protein within the first hour of waking.

Why? Because a protein heavy breakfast does this:

• stabilises blood sugar

• reduces cravings later in the day

• may support a healthier cortisol pattern over the day

• improves energy

• prevents afternoon snacking

Examples:

• Protein smoothie

• Eggs + greens

• Greek yogurt with seeds

• Leftover roast chicken on veg

Protein early in the day sets the tone for metabolic stability — especially during a month filled with high-sugar foods.

Step 2: At Events, Eat Your Protein FIRST (The Science Is Strong on This One)

This is one of the simplest and most powerful metabolic hacks you can use.

Research shows that eating protein before carbohydrates significantly reduces the glucose and insulin spike from the meal.

Why?

Because protein stimulates hormones like GLP-1, CCK, and PYY.

These hormones:

• slow gastric emptying

• tell your brain "I'm getting full"

• reduce how much insulin your body needs

• flatten the glucose spike from the carbs you eat next

• often reduce cravings for sugar afterwards

Clinical trials have shown that eating protein (and vegetables) first can lower glucose by up to around 30–40% after the meal in some studies.

This is HUGE — especially for women over 35 whose insulin sensitivity naturally declines.

How to apply this at Christmas lunch:

1. Eat 3–5 bites of protein first

2. Then your vegetables

3. Then your healthy fats

4. Then your slow-release starch ("Anchor Carb")

5. Dessert last (if you still want it)

This tiny sequencing tweak can make a surprisingly big difference to how you feel after meals.

Step 3: Choose an "Anchor Carb" Instead of Sugar-Heavy Foods

Instead of grazing on sweets or loading up on multiple "treat" foods, choose one slow-release starch to anchor your plate.

Examples:

• Roasted potatoes

• Sweet potato

• Pumpkin

• Quinoa salad

• Basmati rice

• Lentil or chickpea salads

Why this works:

Potatoes (especially cooled) have the highest satiety index of all foods. When prepared simply, and especially when cooled and combined with protein and fibre, they can provide sustained energy and satiety.

They help reduce the size and speed of glucose and insulin spikes, keeping you full and reducing dessert cravings.

This festive carb strategy is FAR better than simply "limiting treats" — because it keeps your hormones more stable.

Step 4: Build Your Festive Plate in a Metabolism-Friendly Order

This is the plate formula my clients swear by:

1. Protein first Starts satiety hormones + reduces insulin spike.

2. Fibre / vegetables Can lower glucose spike by 20–40% in some studies.

3. Healthy fats Slow digestion + improve satisfaction.

4. Slow-release starch ("Anchor Carb") Keeps you full, reduces sugar cravings.

5. Dessert LAST (if you still want it) By this point, your insulin and cravings are calmer — and portion size naturally drops.

Step 5: Take a 10-Minute Walk After Your Biggest Meal

One of the MOST research-backed strategies to flatten glucose is a short walk within 20 minutes of eating.

This:

• improves glucose clearance

• can reduce the degree to which meals drive fat storage over time, especially when done regularly

• improves digestion

• stabilises energy

• reduces inflammation

If you do one thing this season, let it be this.

Step 6: Prioritise Sleep Like It Matters (Because It Does)

Even one poor night of sleep increases hunger hormones the next day. Add alcohol? It can further disrupt sleep and appetite signals the next day.

Quick tips to try:

• magnesium before bed

• 10-minute wind-down

• stopping alcohol 2–3 hours before bed

• earlier nights where possible

Better sleep = fewer cravings + less fat storage.

Step 7: Hydrate Properly on Party Days

Dehydration increases cravings and fatigue — and can aggravate histamine-related symptoms, which some women find worsen in perimenopause due to hormonal flux.

Before events:

• Drink 500 ml water or electrolytes

• Alternate alcohol with water

• Herbal tea when home

Your liver will thank you.

BONUS: Your "Next Day Reset" Protocol

If you do indulge heavily (and you will at some point!), here's your gentle reset:

• Protein-rich breakfast

• 2–3L water

• Light movement

• Lower-histamine foods

• Early night

• No guilt

You're simply helping your hormones rebalance.

The Takeaway: You Don't Need Willpower — You Need a Plan

Fat gain over Christmas happens not because you're "bad" or "undisciplined" — but because the festive season is a perfect storm for blood sugar instability, cortisol spikes, poor sleep, and inconsistent eating patterns.

With the right framework, you can enjoy the season fully and feel amazing in your body.

Want to Know Which Hormone Is Driving Your Weight Right Now?

If you've been struggling with weight gain, stubborn belly fat, or energy crashes despite "doing everything right," the answer might lie in your hormones — not your willpower.

Take the Metabolism Detective Quiz to find out whether cortisol, insulin, thyroid or oestrogen is behind your symptoms — and what to do next. To download, click on the Metabolism Detective Tab on the home page, fill in your details and it will be in your inbox in no time!

Understanding your metabolic roadblock is the first step to feeling like yourself again.

What Stress Is Really Doing to Your Metabolism (It's Not Just 'Adrenal Fatigue')

You know that feeling, don't you? The weight creeping on around your middle no matter what you try. That 3pm slump where you'd sell your soul for a nap. The sugar cravings that feel almost primal. The brain fog. Those nights where you're absolutely exhausted but somehow still wired.

And someone—probably several someones—has told you it's adrenal fatigue.

Well, after 23 years of working with women in clinic, I'm going to let you in on something: the real story is more interesting than that. And honestly? It's more fixable too.

Your Adrenals Aren't Actually "Failing"

Here's what I wish more women knew: your adrenal glands don't just pack it in and give up on you. I've never seen it happen in all my years of practice.

What I have seen, many many times over, is a communication breakdown between your brain and your stress hormones. We call it HPA Axis Dysregulation—your Hypothalamus, Pituitary gland, and Adrenals getting their wires crossed.

Think of it like this: your brain's trying to send clear instructions, but the signal keeps dropping out. Your hormones are stuck buffering. And your metabolism? It's just trying to keep up with the chaos.

Why I Stopped Using "Adrenal Fatigue" Years Ago

Look, I used to use that term too. We all did. But the more I learned—and the more I saw in clinic—the clearer it became that it wasn't the full picture.

The idea was that your adrenals get exhausted and can't produce enough cortisol anymore. Sounds logical, right? Except that's not what's actually happening.

Your adrenals are responders. They take orders from your brain. When stress becomes chronic—and I'm talking about emotional stress, under-eating, overtraining, the perimenopause rollercoaster, inflammation, shocking sleep—the whole communication system gets dysregulated.

Instead of that nice, smooth cortisol rhythm you're supposed to have, you end up with:

• Cortisol spiking at completely random times

• Barely any cortisol when you wake up (hello, can't get out of bed)

• Cortisol surging at night when you should be winding down

• Blood sugar all over the shop

• Cravings that won't quit

• A metabolism that feels like it's moved to another country

So it's not about failure. Your body isn't broken. It's just responding to what feels like a constant survival situation. And honestly? Once women understand that, the guilt starts to lift. That matters.

Here's What Stress Actually Does to Your Metabolism

When your body perceives stress—even the quiet, invisible, "I'm fine" kind—it triggers a whole metabolic cascade:

Your body flips into fat storage mode

Cortisol tells your system to hold onto fat, especially around your belly. Why? Because from a survival perspective, that's your emergency fuel tank. Your body thinks it might need it.

Your blood sugar becomes a complete mess

Stress signals your liver to dump glucose into your bloodstream for quick energy. Makes sense if you're running from danger. Makes less sense when you're just trying to answer emails.

Over time? Insulin spikes, cravings hit hard, energy crashes, and you store more fat. This is why you crave sugar even when you know it's not helping. It's not a character flaw—it's biochemistry.

Your thyroid slows right down

This is the bit that catches people out. Cortisol actually blocks the conversion of your inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into the active form your body can use (T3).

The result? Even if your thyroid blood tests look "normal," you might be dealing with:

• Sluggish metabolism

• Cold hands and feet

• Hair shedding

• Fluid retention that won't budge

• Weight gain that makes no logical sense

I can't tell you how many times I've seen this pattern in clinic. It's frustrating—but it's also fixable.

Stress Changes Your Behaviour (And That Changes Everything)

Here's something I notice all the time: stress doesn't just mess with your hormones. It changes what you do.

When women come to see me utterly exhausted, I often hear:

"I'm skipping breakfast because I'm not hungry"

"I just graze all day, I don't sit down for meals"

"I live on coffee to get through"

"I know I should eat more protein but I just... don't"

"I stay up late because it's the only time I get to myself"

"I'm too tired to move much"

None of this is a willpower problem. It's your nervous system trying to cope. And those coping mechanisms? They feed right back into the metabolic stress cycle.

Sleep Is Where It All Falls Apart (Or Comes Together)

I'm just going to say it: if your sleep is a disaster, your metabolism will be too.

Poor sleep makes your body temporarily insulin-resistant the very next day. It also keeps evening cortisol elevated, which means you stay wired, inflammation gets worse, emotional eating kicks in, and fat burning basically stops.

One bad week of sleep can completely derail your progress. I've seen it happen again and again.

Perimenopause Changes the Rules

If you're over 35, we need to talk about this.

Once oestrogen starts becoming less predictable, it amplifies your entire stress response. Your metabolism doesn't follow the same rules it used to.

Stress plus perimenopause is like throwing fuel on a fire:

• Deeper fatigue

• Stronger cravings

• More bloating

• Worse inflammation

• Stubborn weight gain

• Sleep that's even harder to come by

Your metabolism becomes more sensitive during this time—but here's the thing I always remind my clients: it also becomes more responsive to the right support.

The Part Nobody Tells You: This Is Reversible

After 23 years of doing this work, I can tell you with absolute certainty: you can retrain your stress response. You can rebuild your metabolic resilience.

It's not about perfection. It's about consistency with the right foundations. Here's where I typically start:

Rebalance your cortisol rhythm

• Eat a protein-rich breakfast within 60–90 minutes of waking

• Don't smash coffee on an empty stomach (I know, I know - I love coffee too, just not on an empty stomach please)

• Move gently in the morning—nothing intense

• Consider magnesium support in the evenings

Stabilise your blood sugar

• Every meal needs protein, fibre, and healthy fat

• Have a protein-based snack around 3pm

• Don't go more than 4 hours without eating during the day

Support the stress-thyroid connection

Key nutrients that I often see depleted:

• Zinc

• Selenium

• Magnesium

• B vitamins

Important note: Please don't just start randomly supplementing. Work with someone who can properly assess what you actually need—especially if you're on medications or dealing with thyroid or perimenopausal symptoms. Appropriate testing can really help here, rather that just guessing.

Calm your HPA axis

This is where herbal medicine really shines. Some of my go-to's (when appropriate):

• Rhodiola

• Withania (unless you have nightshade sensitivities)

• Passionflower

• Licorice (only if blood pressure allows)

• Chamomile

• Holy Basil

Again, herbs are medicine. They need to be matched to your situation, not just taken because they're "good for stress."

Restore metabolic flexibility

• Strength training 2–3 times a week

• Eat consistent, balanced meals

• Get morning sunlight exposure

• Walk after dinner when you can

These aren't sexy recommendations. But they work. They rebuild your body's ability to regulate energy, burn fat, and stay resilient under pressure.

You're Not Broken—You're Just Exhausted

Let me say this clearly: your metabolism isn't stubborn. It's stressed.

Once you understand what stress is actually doing inside your body—not just the vague "it's bad for you" stuff, but the real mechanisms—you can stop guessing and start healing.

If you'd like personalised guidance on where your metabolic stress is actually coming from, I've created something to help.

👉 Take the Metabolism Detective Quiz and uncover the pattern driving your symptoms.

Cortisol vs Insulin – Which One Is Making You Gain?

These two powerful hormones — one triggered by your endless to-do list, one by the sugar rollercoaster you're unknowingly riding - are quietly working against you in perimenopause and beyond.

The Hidden Hormonal Tug-of-War in Midlife

If you've been eating "pretty well," exercising when you can, yet the scale keeps creeping up, especially around your belly, it's not just about calories.

You've cut carbs. You've tried intermittent fasting. You've tracked every calorie. And still... nothing. Or worse, you feel MORE tired and MORE hungry than before.

Your body may be stuck in a hormonal tug-of-war between cortisol (your stress hormone) and insulin (your blood-sugar regulator). And the winner of that battle decides whether you burn fat… or store it.

Maybe this sounds familiar: You skip breakfast because you're rushing, grab a "healthy" granola bar at 10am, feel shaky by noon, inhale lunch while answering emails, then hit a wall at 3pm and reach for something sweet just to function. By evening, you're exhausted but can't sleep... and the cycle starts again.

Cortisol: The Stress Hormone That Stores Fat

When life feels like a juggling act with work, family, hormones, and sleepless nights, your body releases cortisol to help you "push through." But here's the catch: Cortisol doesn't just keep you alert. When chronically elevated, cortisol can promote fat storage, particularly around the midsection, and can interfere with insulin sensitivity.

That's why you might find yourself:

• Waking at 3am, wired but exhausted

• Craving salty or sugary snacks mid-afternoon

• Feeling tired yet unable to switch off

• Feeling like you need coffee just to feel human

• Snapping at people you love over tiny things

• Noticing a stubborn "stress belly" that won't budge

• That tight, anxious feeling in your chest that never fully goes away

Your body isn't broken, it's just trying to protect you. But constant stress means cortisol never switches off… and that's when insulin starts joining the party.

Insulin: The Sugar Traffic Controller Gone Rogue

Insulin's job is simple: move sugar from your bloodstream into your cells for energy. But when stress is high, you're snacking frequently, or your meals are carb-heavy without enough protein or fibre, your cells can become less responsive to insulin's signals. When insulin remains elevated for extended periods, it promotes fat storage and makes fat burning difficult.

High insulin levels lock fat away in storage, making it nearly impossible to lose weight, no matter how "clean" you eat. It can also cause:

• Post-lunch energy crashes

• Constant hunger or sugar cravings

• Feeling like you could eat your own arm by 11am

• Standing in front of the pantry, not even hungry, just... looking

• Mood swings

• Brain fog or "hangry" feelings between meals

Sound familiar? You might be stuck in a cortisol–insulin loop. Stress raises cortisol, which can affect insulin sensitivity, which causes cravings… which raises cortisol again.

But Wait — There's More to the Story

While cortisol and insulin are major players, they're not the only hormones affecting your metabolism. Your thyroid function regulates your metabolic rate, sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone influence where you store fat (especially during perimenopause), and the quality of your sleep directly impacts all of these hormones. Even your diet composition — the balance of protein, fats, and carbs you eat — and your activity levels play crucial roles in how your body stores fat and manages cravings. It's rarely just one thing; it's the interplay between all these factors that creates your unique metabolic picture.

Which One's Running Your Body Right Now?

If you feel like you've been doing "everything right" but your energy, mood, or metabolism still feel off — your hormones may be the missing link.

You've been told "this is just aging" or "learn to live with it." But you deserve better answers than that.

That's exactly why I created the Metabolism Detective Quiz — so you can uncover whether cortisol, insulin, thyroid, or your sex hormones are driving your symptoms.

Find Out What's Really Happening (In 3 Minutes)

Take the Metabolism Detective Quiz

Discover your unique hormone pattern — and what to do about it naturally. You'll learn whether stress, sugar, sleep, or shifting hormones are secretly sabotaging your results — and get simple next steps to start feeling like yourself again.

Because you deserve to stop guessing and start feeling like yourself again — not six months from now, but starting this week.

P.S. If you've been told "this is just aging" or "learn to live with it" — you deserve better answers. This quiz gives you those answers.

To Access the Metabolism detective Quiz, Click on the direct link on my home page

Why Low Iron Isn't Always Your Fatigue Problem

Exhausted all the time? Before you reach for another iron supplement, read this.

If you're a woman who's been dragging herself through the day, chances are someone has suggested you're low in iron. And look, they might be right—iron deficiency is genuinely exhausting. But here's what I see time and again in practice: women taking iron supplements religiously, yet still feeling absolutely shattered.

If that's you, it's not because you're not trying hard enough. It's because your fatigue might be coming from somewhere else entirely.

Your Thyroid Might Be the Real Culprit

This is huge, especially for women over 35. Your thyroid is basically your body's metabolic control center—it regulates everything from your temperature to how your cells produce energy. When it's even slightly underactive (yes, even subclinically), you can feel like you're wading through treacle every single day.

Here's the thing: you can't diagnose thyroid issues based on symptoms alone. You need proper bloodwork—TSH, free T4, free T3, and sometimes reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies. It gives us the full picture.

What to look out for: constantly cold hands and feet, hair that's thinning more than usual, ongoing constipation, puffiness, and waking up feeling like you haven't slept at all—even after eight hours.

I’m incredibly passionate about helping women with their Thyroid health. This is due to me finding out I had mild thyroid dysfunction myself a few years into perimenopause. I did further training in this space to help myself and others.

Stress Has Physically Changed How Your Body Makes Energy

Remember when everyone was talking about "adrenal fatigue"? Well, the science has moved on, and what we're really looking at is something called ‘HPA axis dysregulation’. Basically, chronic stress—whether it's emotional upheaval, physical demands, or hormonal chaos—disrupts the communication between your brain and adrenal glands.

The result? Your cortisol patterns go haywire, your sleep suffers, and your energy becomes completely unreliable.

Sound familiar? Struggling to get going in the morning, craving sugar like it's your job, brain fog that won't lift, and that soul-destroying 3 p.m. slump.

What helps: gentle movement (not punishing workouts), genuinely restorative sleep, eating regular balanced meals, and herbs like Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, or Licorice root can be incredibly supportive. Just please chat with your healthcare practitioner before starting anything new, especially if you're on medications.

The Iron Test That Might Be Lying to You

Here's where it gets tricky. Most people get their ferritin tested (that's your stored iron) and assume that tells the whole story. But ferritin also shoots up when you have inflammation in your body. So you could have "normal" or even high ferritin levels but still be functionally low in iron if inflammation or thyroid issues are interfering.

And the flip side? Taking iron when you don't actually need it can cause real harm. Iron overload creates oxidative stress and puts strain on your organs.

Bottom line: only supplement iron when you've got proper confirmation from comprehensive testing—ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, and inflammatory markers like CRP. More isn't always better.

Your Gut Might Not Be Doing Its Job

You could be eating all the iron-rich foods and taking your supplements perfectly, but if your gut isn't absorbing nutrients properly, you're basically pouring water into a leaky bucket.

Low stomach acid, SIBO, intestinal inflammation, or gluten sensitivity can all sabotage nutrient absorption. Plus, a healthy gut microbiome actually helps recycle iron efficiently—who knew?

Quick win: when you eat iron-rich foods (think grass-fed red meat, lentils, spinach), pair them with vitamin C sources like capsicum or citrus. And skip the tea or coffee with meals—they interfere with iron absorption.

Iron Isn't the Only Player in Your Energy Game

Your cells need more than just iron to make energy. Your mitochondria (the little power plants in your cells) also rely on B vitamins, magnesium, carnitine, and CoQ10 to convert food into usable energy (the techincal term is ATP for the science boffins amongst us).

Stress, restrictive diets, or just not eating enough nutrient-dense food can leave you deficient in these crucial cofactors.

Worth considering: a good quality whole-food B-complex, magnesium glycinate, and loading up on antioxidant-rich foods like berries, leafy greens, and olive oil. Again, run it past your practitioner first, particularly if you have existing health conditions or take medications.

Sleep and Blood Sugar: The Dynamic Duo You're Overlooking

If your blood sugar is on a roller coaster, or cortisol is surging at night when it should be nice and low, your sleep quality tanks—even if you're technically in bed for eight hours. And if you're in perimenopause? Those hormone fluctuations can make this so much worse.

The simple fix that makes a real difference: build your meals around protein, fiber, and healthy fats. This stabilizes your blood sugar and prevents those awful energy crashes.

Here's What Actually Matters

If you've been treating suspected iron deficiency but you're still exhausted, your body is trying to tell you something. Fatigue is almost never about just one nutrient—it's a whole-system issue involving your thyroid, stress hormones, inflammation, gut function, and cellular energy production.

What you need is a proper assessment that looks at the big picture, not just one number on a blood test. That's how we figure out what's really going on and get you back to feeling like yourself—without drowning in supplements you might not even need.

What to Do Next

If you're tired of being tired:

Get comprehensive testing. Request a full fatigue panel including iron studies, thyroid function, cortisol patterns, inflammatory markers, and key nutrient levels.

Look at your gut health. If absorption is the issue, no amount of supplementation will fix things until we address that.

Work with someone who gets it. Find a Naturopath or Integrative Practitioner who can interpret your results in context and see you as a whole person, not just a collection of lab values.

There's always a reason you're not feeling right. We just need to find it.

Hope this helps, have a great week! Lisa

Is It Hay Fever or Perimenopause? Understanding Histamine Intolerance

It Might not be Hayfever this Spring - the Hidden link between Histamine and Perimenopause

As spring arrives and the weather warms, you might find yourself reaching for antihistamines to combat itchy eyes, a stuffy nose, or unexpected skin flare-ups. It's easy to blame seasonal allergies, but there could be something else going on — and it's connected to your changing hormones.

Understanding Histamine Intolerance

Histamine is a natural chemical your body produces to support digestion, immune function, and brain signaling. Under normal circumstances, your body efficiently breaks down histamine using enzymes called DAO (diamine oxidase) and HNMT (histamine N-methyltransferase).

However, when these enzymes can't keep pace — whether due to hormonal shifts, stress, gut imbalances, or dietary factors — histamine can accumulate in your system. This buildup may trigger symptoms like a runny nose, headaches, hives, mood changes similar to PMS, bloating, and sleep disturbances.

How Perimenopause Changes the Picture

During perimenopause, your oestrogen levels begin to fluctuate, and here's where things get interesting: oestrogen stimulates your body to release histamine, while histamine encourages oestrogen production. This creates a cycle that can leave you feeling inflamed, anxious, itchy, or exhausted despite feeling wired.

Making matters more challenging, progesterone — which acts as a natural antihistamine — declines during this phase. Without that balancing effect, many women in their 40s suddenly develop what seem like new allergies, along with increased PMS symptoms, heightened anxiety, or disrupted sleep patterns. These are all potential signs of histamine imbalance.

Lifestyle Factors That Can Tip the Scale

Certain foods and daily habits can push your histamine levels over the edge, including aged cheese, wine, chocolate, fermented foods, processed meats, and leftovers. Other contributing factors include gut inflammation or SIBO, chronic stress, poor sleep quality, and excessive exercise.

Supporting Your Body's Histamine Balance Naturally

You don't need to eliminate histamine entirely — it's vital for your health. Instead, focus on supporting your body's natural ability to process it effectively:

1. Choose fresh, whole foods whenever possible

2. Support your gut health try a low-histamine diet & probiotic strains

3. Ensure adequate intake of nutrients that support DAO function, including vitamin C, B6, and balanced zinc and copper

4. Include natural antihistamine foods in your diet, such as apples, onions, and green tea

5. Balance your hormones through stress management and liver support

Worth Considering

If your spring allergies seem more intense lately, or if antihistamines aren't providing the relief they once did, it might be time to look beyond pollen. Histamine intolerance, particularly when amplified by perimenopausal hormonal changes, could be the underlying cause.

The good news? With thoughtful dietary choices, lifestyle adjustments, and naturopathic support, you can help your body restore balance naturally. Sometimes what feels like worsening allergies is actually your body asking for a different kind of support.

Ready to Find Your Balance?

If this sounds familiar and you're ready to address the root cause of your symptoms, I'd love to support you. Book a complimentary no obligation Discovery Call to discuss how my naturopathic services can help, or learn more about my 14-week Body Harmony Program — a comprehensive approach designed to help you restore hormonal balance, losestubborn weight gain and feel like yourself again. Head to the ‘Book Online’ button on my home page to book your call.

Cholesterol & Women's Health After 40

When we hear the word cholesterol, most of us immediately think of heart disease—but there's much more to the story. Cholesterol plays a much broader role in women's health, especially after 40. From hormone production to bone support, understanding how cholesterol interacts with oestrogen, thyroid health, and inflammation can help you make informed choices for long-term wellbeing.

Why Cholesterol Balance Shifts After 40

Oestrogen does more than regulate cycles and mood—it influences cholesterol metabolism. It tends to raise HDL ("good" cholesterol) and lower LDL ("bad" cholesterol), which helps protect the cardiovascular system.

As oestrogen naturally declines during perimenopause and menopause, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides often rise, while HDL may decrease. This shift partly contributes to the increase in cardiovascular risk seen in midlife women, alongside other factors such as weight changes, diet, and genetics.

Cholesterol and Bone Health: An Emerging Connection

Cholesterol is usually discussed in relation to heart health, but scientists are also exploring its effects on bones. Here's what emerging research suggests:

• Some studies suggest that low or dysfunctional HDL may be linked with reduced bone density.

• Oxidised LDL—a "damaged" form of LDL—has been shown in lab studies to disrupt bone-building cells (osteoblasts) and stimulate bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts).

• Chronic inflammation, which is influenced by cholesterol and triglyceride levels, is a well-known driver of bone loss.

While this research is promising, it is still developing. Cholesterol management is not currently a standard strategy for preventing osteoporosis, but maintaining balanced cholesterol may indirectly support bone health.

Cholesterol: More Than Just a Number

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body actually needs. It is essential for building cell membranes, producing hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol, and supporting digestion via bile acids.

Your liver makes 70–80% of your cholesterol, while the rest comes from food. This means that diet is only one factor—how your body produces, processes, and clears cholesterol is just as important.

Thyroid Health and Cholesterol

Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) help the liver clear LDL cholesterol from the blood. When thyroid function is low (hypothyroidism), LDL remains in circulation longer, which can raise total cholesterol. This is why thyroid function testing is often recommended when cholesterol levels are unexpectedly high.

Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Ageing

From about age 40, inflammation markers such as IL-6 and TNF-α tend to rise, especially with higher body fat. This low-grade inflammation can increase LDL and triglycerides, lower HDL, contribute to insulin resistance, and promote oxidative stress (damage from free radicals).

One consequence of oxidative stress is oxidised LDL. This unstable form of cholesterol not only promotes atherosclerosis but may also play a role in disrupting bone cell function.

The Vitamin D Connection

Vitamin D is crucial for bone strength, muscle function, and immune health—yet many women remain deficient, even in sunny climates. Optimising levels through safe sun exposure, food sources, or supplements can make a meaningful difference for overall health, particularly for bones.

While vitamin D deficiency is not a major cholesterol driver, it is a critical factor in healthy ageing.

Practical Steps You Can Take

Genetics contribute to cholesterol and hormone changes, but lifestyle has a powerful influence. Some evidence-based strategies include:

• Regular testing: cholesterol, thyroid, and vitamin D

• Eating an anti-inflammatory diet: whole foods, colourful vegetables, healthy fats

• Exercise: especially weight-bearing and strength training for both heart and bone health

• Managing stress and sleep: to reduce inflammation and support hormone balance

• Supporting liver health: since the liver is central to cholesterol production and clearance

• Minimising smoking and excess alcohol, which both worsen cardiovascular and bone outcomes

The Takeaway

Cholesterol is not the enemy—it is an essential building block for hormones, cells, and digestion. But as oestrogen declines and other age-related changes occur, cholesterol balance can shift, becoming a risk factor for both cardiovascular and possibly skeletal health.

By understanding these connections and focusing on lifestyle adjustments, women over 40 can take proactive steps to stay strong, balanced, and resilient in the years ahead.

If you'd like personalised support for cholesterol, thyroid, or bone health, I'd love to help. Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan that works for your body.

The Smart Woman's Guide to Nutrition After 40: 9 Game-Changing Nutrients

If you're in your 40s and feeling like your body is speaking a different language than it used to, you're not alone. Maybe you're waking up tired despite a full night's sleep, or finding that your usual eating habits just aren't cutting it anymore. Here's the thing: your nutritional needs have evolved, and it's time your approach evolved too.

Think of this shift as an upgrade, not a setback. Your body is asking for more strategic nourishment—nutrients that work harder and smarter to keep you energized, balanced, and thriving for decades to come. Gone are the days of simply counting calories; now it's about feeding your cells what they actually need.

To make this easier to navigate, I've organized these powerhouse nutrients into three key areas that matter most: sustained energy, hormone harmony, and protecting your brain and bones for the long haul.

The Energy Trio: Your Daily Fuel System

Magnesium: Your Cellular Powerhouse

Think of magnesium as your body's behind-the-scenes multitasker. This mineral keeps over 300 enzyme reactions running smoothly, including the ones that create ATP—essentially your cells' energy currency. It's also your secret weapon for better sleep, muscle function, and stress management.

Here's what many women don't realize: after 40, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing magnesium, just when we need it most. If you've been feeling more frazzled or fatigued lately, this could be a missing piece of the puzzle.

Protein: Your Metabolism's Best Friend

Let's talk about something that happens to all of us but no one really prepares us for—muscle mass naturally starts declining in our 30s and 40s. But here's the empowering part: adequate protein can slow this process significantly.

Beyond keeping your muscles strong, protein is like having a personal assistant for your blood sugar, keeping those energy crashes at bay while helping you feel satisfied after meals. Plus, it provides the building blocks for mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Win-win-win.

B Vitamins: Your Brain's Support Team

B12, B6, and folate are like a coordinated team working to keep your energy steady, your mind sharp, and your mood balanced. But here's something crucial to know: after 40, many women produce less stomach acid, which means we don't absorb B12 as efficiently as we used to.

These vitamins also support something called methylation—a fancy term for your body's repair and detox processes. Think of them as your internal maintenance crew, keeping everything running smoothly.

The Hormone Harmonizers: Your Balance Builders

Selenium: The One-Brazil-Nut Solution

Here's a fun fact that might surprise you: just one Brazil nut a day can meet your selenium needs. This trace mineral is essential for converting your thyroid hormone T4 into its active form T3—the one that actually gets things done in your body.

Your thyroid is like your metabolism's control center, and selenium ensures it has what it needs to keep your energy and weight stable. As a bonus, it also acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting your hormone-producing glands from daily wear and tear.

Inositol: Your Blood Sugar Stabilizer

If you've noticed your blood sugar feeling more like a roller coaster lately, especially during perimenopause, inositol might become your new best friend. This nutrient helps your cells respond better to insulin, smoothing out those energy dips and mood swings.

What makes inositol particularly valuable is its dual action—it supports both blood sugar regulation and neurotransmitter function, helping you feel more emotionally steady throughout your day.

Omega-3s: Your Anti-Inflammatory Allies

EPA and DHA are the heavy hitters of the omega-3 world, and they're working overtime for women over 40. These essential fats are like your body's fire department, putting out inflammation before it becomes a bigger problem.

EPA excels at lowering inflammatory markers throughout your body, while DHA specifically supports brain structure and function. Together, they help your hormone receptors work more efficiently and keep your heart and brain in top form.

The Brain & Bone Protectors: Your Future-Self Insurance

Vitamin D: The Master Regulator

Calling vitamin D just a vitamin is actually selling it short—it's technically a hormone that influences over 1,000 genes in your body. It's your immune system's coach, your mood's stabilizer, and your bones' construction manager all rolled into one.

Unfortunately, our skin becomes less efficient at making vitamin D as we age, and our absorption decreases too. This is why testing your levels and working with a healthcare provider on the right dosage is so important—one size definitely doesn't fit all here.

Choline: Your Memory's Best Friend

Choline might not be as famous as some other nutrients, but it deserves a spot in the spotlight. It's the raw material your brain uses to make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that's crucial for learning, memory, and focus.

Think of choline as brain food in the most literal sense. Eggs are one of the best dietary sources, making that morning omelet even more beneficial than you might have realized.

Vitamin K2: Your Bone and Heart Guardian

Here's where nutrition gets really smart: vitamin K2 doesn't just support one system—it's like a traffic director, making sure calcium goes where it should (your bones and teeth) and stays away from where it shouldn't (your arteries).

Research shows that when vitamin K2 teams up with vitamin D, they're particularly effective at maintaining bone density in postmenopausal women. It's a perfect example of how nutrients work better together than alone.

Your Path Forward: Nourishment Over Restriction

The beautiful thing about focusing on these nine nutrients is that it shifts your mindset from "What can't I eat?" to "How can I nourish myself better?" This isn't about perfection or major life overhauls—it's about making informed choices that honor where you are in life.

Your body has carried you this far and has so much more living to do. By giving it these essential nutrients, you're not just maintaining your health—you're investing in vibrant energy, stable moods, sharp thinking, and strong bones for all the adventures still to come.

Remember, this journey looks different for everyone. What matters most is taking that first step toward more intentional, strategic nourishment. Your future self will thank you.

Yours in Health, Lisa

Keto vs. Intermittent Fasting for Women Over 35: What Really Works for Fat Loss?

Have you ever wondered whether going keto or trying intermittent fasting is the magic key to finally losing

stubborn weight after 35?

I see so many women get incredible results with these approaches… but I’ve also seen them backfire, especially when thyroid function or stress hormones (like cortisol) are already out of balance.

So let’s break down the pros and cons of both, so you can decide what’s right for your body.

Why Women Over 35 Need a Different Approach

Once we hit our mid-30s and beyond, our metabolism starts to shift. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones naturally decline, while cortisol (our stress hormone) often rises.

That means diets that worked in your 20s—or even 10 years ago—don’t always work the same way now.

Our bodies become more sensitive to stress, more resistant to insulin, and more protective of fat stores. (yes this time of life can be sooo fun!)

The Keto Diet: Pros & Cons

Pros:

- Supports insulin sensitivity

- Reduces appetite

- Sharpens brain function (our brain uses ketones as an energy source)

Cons:

- Can stress the thyroid and affect healthy conversion of T4 to T3

- Raises cortisol in some women

- Low fibre affects gut health - not great if you already experience gut symptoms

- Hard to sustain long term, with rebound weight gain risk

Intermittent Fasting: Pros & Cons

Pros:

- Regulates blood sugar

- Reduces snacking and bloating

- Gentle entry point, can gradually extend fasting windows at your pace

Cons:

- May spike cortisol in some women

- Skipping breakfast worsens thyroid fatigue (you may not even know your thyroid is involved!)

- Can lead to overeating later in the day

My Clinical Perspective

In practice, I’ve seen both keto and intermittent fasting work beautifully—but I’ve also seen them stall

progress. The difference comes down to the fact that every woman is an individual.

If you’re already juggling high stress, thyroid shifts, or perimenopause symptoms, strict keto or long fasting

windows may do more harm than good. This is where we need to work out what is going to be best for your physiology at this point in time and try a strategy that isn’t going to create more stress, and help you achieve your goals.

The Bottom Line

Keto and intermittent fasting can both be useful tools, but neither is a one-size-fits-all solution. The real key is understanding what your body needs to balance hormones, lower stress, and unlock fat loss.

Want a downloadable freebie to get you started? Take my free Metabolism Detective Quiz and uncover the hidden blocks that may be keeping you from your goals. Look for the Metabolism Detective Tab on my homepage for more details.

Brain Fog After 35 : Why it's not just about "Getting Older"

Have you ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you went there? Or found yourself re-reading the same line in a book or email over and over again? Many women over 35 chalk this up to “just getting older.”

But here’s the truth: brain fog in your late 30s, 40s, and beyond isn’t simply a sign of aging. It’s often a reflection of shifting hormones, thyroid imbalances, blood sugar changes, and stress overload. There is good news: Once you understand the causes, you can take steps to clear the fog and restore your mental sharpness.

I personally had noticed my recall of words changing and a general brain fuzziness over the last few months. I chalked this up to due to my perimenopause shifting again (hopefully I’m on the home stretch!). These changes in my own brain function made me revisit this topic for myself, I thought i”d share it with you too.

Why Does Brain Fog Get Worse After 35?

Hormonal shifts play a central role. Estrogen supports brain function by boosting neurotransmitters like acetylcholine ( this is needed for learning and memory) and protecting mitochondria — these are the “batteries” inside brain cells which generate energy. When estrogen levels drop, energy levels in the brain declines, leading to memory slips and difficulty focusing.

But estrogen isn’t the only hormone at play. Progesterone also affects brain function. It acts as a calming influence and helps regulate something called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which governs your stress response. As progesterone declines in perimenopause, this stabilising effect weakens. This leaves women more prone to cortisol spikes, poor sleep, and a destabilised stress response — all of which contribute directly to brain fog.

Can Thyroid Issues Cause Brain Fog?

Yes. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in every cell, including brain cells. Even subtle changes in thyroid function ( even ones that may be dismissed as “normal”) can leave you feeling sluggish and foggy.

The most important Thyroid hormone to consider in this case is T3. This is the active form of thyroxine. Its our ‘Bang for Buck’ thyroid hormone that docks onto our cell’s outer membrane and signals the cell to start making energy. If T3 isn’t at optimal levels it may impact brain cell energy production, potentially making you feel foggy.

Insulin resistance: Why Brain fog hits after meals

If you notice brain fog after eating, especially carb-heavy meals, insulin resistance could be the culprit. Just like muscles, the brain can become resistant to insulin, making it harder for glucose (your main fuel) to get into cells.

This creates an “energy crisis” in the brain, particularly in regions responsible for focus and executive function. The result? That all-too-familiar afternoon crash. The Easy Remedy here is to balance out your meals. Ensure adequate amounts of Protein, fibre through non starchy vegetable and a little bit of healthy fats.

Does Stress and Cortisol Make Brain Fog Worse?

Absolutely. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which over time may shrink a part of the brain called the hippocampus. This is the brain’s memory center. High cortisol also interferes with sleep, robbing your brain of its nightly repair cycle. The combination of poor rest and chronic stress keeps your brain stuck in a foggy loop.

Neurotransmitters Affect Focus and Clarity

Hormonal changes in perimenopause alter brain chemistry. Serotonin and dopamine (linked to motivation, joy, and focus) naturally decline, while GABA (the neurotransmitter that calms and grounds you) becomes less effective.

This leaves many women feeling restless, unmotivated, overwhelmed and mentally drained.

What’s the Best Fuel for a Foggy Brain?

When the brain becomes insulin resistant, glucose isn’t used efficiently. That’s where ketones come in. Ketones are a cleaner, steadier energy source for the brain, which explains why some women feel sharper when reducing refined carbs or experimenting with intermittent fasting. Please note: you don’t need to do a strict Keto diet to generate ketones. I also don’t recommend long periods of fasting for every women, it can suit some but not all. More on this topic next blog post!

What Nutrients Can Help Clear Brain Fog?

While addressing hormones, thyroid, and lifestyle is essential, these are three of my favourtie nutrients that can provide extra support:

• Magnesium Glycinate — Calms the nervous system, improves sleep, and regulates cortisol.

• Omega-3s (especially DHA) — Essential for brain cell structure and reducing inflammation.

• Creatine — Provides quick energy for brain cells; research shows it supports focus, mental stamina, and faster processing.

Final Thoughts: How Do You Beat Brain Fog After 35?

Brain fog is not “just aging.” It’s a signal that your body — and your brain — need support. By rebalancing hormones, checking thyroid health, managing blood sugar, and calming the stress response, you can restore clarity and feel like yourself again.

You deserve to feel sharp, focused, and energised — at every age.

I hope this helps. To learn more about my services, please book a discovery call via my booking link on home page of my website. This is a no obligation 20min chat to discuss your health goals and see if Naturopathy (and me!) are a good fit to help you feel your best.

The Inflammation Trap: Why Your Body Won't Let Go of Weight (Even When You're Doing Everything Right)

Spoiler alert: It's not your willpower, and it's definitely not your fault.

If you're tracking every calorie, hitting the gym regularly, and still watching the scales refuse to budge, there's likely an invisible enemy working against you. Hidden chronic inflammation might be the missing piece of your weight loss puzzle—and it's especially common during perimenopause and menopause.

Here's the truth: weight loss is far more complex than the outdated "calories in, calories out" formula we've been fed for decades. Chronic inflammation represents a crucial missing piece that can make weight loss feel nearly impossible, no matter how disciplined you are with your nutrition and fitness routines.

The Perimenopause Perfect Storm

Women navigating perimenopause face unique challenges when it comes to inflammation and weight management. This life stage creates what I call the "perfect storm" for stubborn weight gain:

Estrogen's Vanishing Act: Estrogen naturally protects against chronic inflammation. As estrogen levels decline during perimenopause, inflammation automatically increases throughout your body—like losing your metabolic bodyguard.

The Progesterone Drop: Progesterone also takes a nosedive during perimenopause, and this hormone has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Its decline adds fuel to the inflammatory fire.

This creates a double hit where hormonal changes and increased inflammation team up against your weight loss goals. The result? A disruption of the delicate hormone balance women need for healthy metabolism, creating a vicious cycle where hormonal changes increase inflammation, which then worsens hormonal imbalances.

The Warning Signs You Might Be Overlooking

Many women brush off these symptoms as "normal" parts of midlife, but they could actually be your body's SOS signals about chronic inflammation:

• Feeling constantly tired or run down, even after adequate sleep

• Unexplained changes in sleep patterns

• Moods that seem to shift more quickly than usual

• Gaining belly fat despite no changes in diet or exercise habits

• Joint pain or injuries that seem to linger longer than they should

• Unexplained blood sugar fluctuations

These symptoms often fly under the radar for months or years because they develop gradually and mimic typical aging changes. However, recognizing them early can be your key to addressing underlying inflammation before it completely hijacks your metabolism.

How Inflammation Hijacks Your Thyroid (Your Metabolic Command Center)

Your thyroid is like your body's metabolic thermostat, and chronic inflammation can throw it completely off course:

The Autoimmune Trigger: Chronic inflammation can trigger autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Women become particularly vulnerable during perimenopause due to immune system changes.

The Conversion Crisis: Even without autoimmune disease, inflammation reduces the conversion of T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) to T3 (active thyroid hormone). It's like having a car with fuel in the tank but a broken fuel pump.

The Hidden Problem: This thyroid dysfunction leads to persistent fatigue, brain fog, and stubborn weight gain—even when standard thyroid blood tests look "normal." Many women struggle for years without realizing inflammation is sabotaging their thyroid function.

The Stress-Inflammation Tornado

Chronic stress adds another devastating layer to the inflammation puzzle:

Stress Meets Cortisol: Chronic stress keeps cortisol levels elevated, transforming this once-protective hormone into an inflammatory troublemaker.

The Vicious Cycle: This creates a destructive loop where stress fuels inflammation, and inflammation increases stress on your body.

The Belly Fat Connection: High cortisol levels actively promote fat storage around your midsection, making weight loss feel like an uphill battle.

The Insulin Resistance Roadblock

One of inflammation's most sinister tricks is how it blocks fat burning through insulin dysfunction:

Cellular Sabotage: Inflammation interferes with insulin signaling pathways, essentially jamming the communication between insulin and your cells.

The Compensation Game: When cells resist insulin, your body cranks out even more to compensate. The more insulin resistant you become, the more inflamed you get—another vicious cycle.

Fat Burning Shutdown: Higher insulin levels directly block fat burning and promote fat storage, creating metabolic inflexibility where your body struggles to switch between burning carbs and fats efficiently.

Why Your Body Goes Into Fat-Hoarding Mode

When chronic inflammation takes hold, it fundamentally rewires how your body operates:

Survival Mode Activated: Inflammation tricks your body into "survival mode," prioritizing energy storage over energy burning as a protective mechanism.

Metabolic Slowdown: Your metabolism downshifts as your body conserves resources to fight what it perceives as an ongoing threat.

The Hormonal Mutiny: Fat burning becomes nearly impossible when your entire hormonal environment is working against you, regardless of how perfectly you follow your diet and exercise plan.

5 Powerful Ways to Fight Back Against Hidden Inflammation

1. Fuel Your Body With Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouses

Transform your plate into inflammation's worst enemy:

Antioxidant Superstars: Blueberries, apples, leafy greens, cauliflower, and broccoli provide compounds that fight inflammation at the cellular level.

Omega-3 Warriors: Salmon, sardines, walnuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds deliver essential fatty acids that actively reduce inflammation.

Kitchen Medicine Cabinet: Olive oil, green tea, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and rosemary can easily transform any meal into an anti-inflammatory feast.

Nuts and Seeds: Research consistently shows that regular consumption of nuts and seeds decreases inflammatory markers throughout the body.

2. Eliminate the Inflammation Instigators

Removing these troublemakers can create dramatic improvements:

Processed Fat Villains: Say goodbye to processed meats, margarine, and trans fats—they're inflammation's best friends.

Sugar in Disguise: Watch out for high fructose corn syrup hiding in soft drinks, sauces, pre-made desserts, and even some cereals.

Refined Carb Chaos: White flour, white rice, and refined sugars spike blood sugar and fan the flames of inflammation.

Chemical Cocktails: Most processed foods contain artificial colors and flavors that can trigger inflammatory responses in sensitive individuals.

3. Move Your Body the Smart Way

Exercise can be your anti-inflammatory secret weapon—when done right:

Sweet Spot Intensity: Walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, and moderate aerobic activities provide optimal anti-inflammatory benefits without overdoing it.

Strength Training Bonus: Weight or resistance training fights inflammation while preventing the bone and muscle loss common during menopause.

Avoid the Exercise Trap: Too much high-intensity exercise can actually increase inflammation. Aim for movement that energizes rather than depletes you.

4. Heal Your Gut, Heal Your Inflammation

Your gut health is ground zero for whole-body inflammation:

Build Your Microbial Army: A healthy gut microbiome is your first line of defense against systemic inflammation.

Fermented Food Magic: Sauerkraut, kombucha, miso, kimchi, and kefir provide beneficial bacteria that actively support gut health.

The SCFA Secret: Fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties and strengthen your gut barrier.

Supplement Strategically: If fermented foods aren't realistic for you, a quality probiotic supplement can help bridge the gap.

5. Tame the Stress Beast

Since stress directly fuels inflammation, managing it becomes non-negotiable:

Daily Stress Busters: Meditation, yoga, journaling, or even just 10 minutes of deep breathing can make a measurable difference.

Simplify Your Life: Look for ways to streamline your routine and eliminate unnecessary stressors.

Decision Fatigue Fix: Meal prep and organizational systems reduce the mental load that contributes to chronic stress.

Track Your Progress (If You Want the Numbers)

For those who love data (you know I LOVE data!), these tests can measure your inflammation levels:

hs-CRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein): Your liver produces this protein in response to inflammation—it's like a smoke detector for your body.

ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate): This test can reveal chronic inflammation and possible autoimmune activity.

Blood Panel Ratios: Certain ratios in standard blood work can also indicate inflammation levels.

Pro tip: Fast for 12 hours and get good sleep before testing for the most accurate results.

The Hope You've Been Looking For

Here's the encouraging truth: inflammation-driven weight resistance isn't permanent. You absolutely can control and even reverse inflammation through the right approach. Small, consistent changes can create profound shifts in reducing inflammation throughout your body.

Your body naturally wants to be healthy and maintain an optimal weight. We just need to identify and remove the inflammatory roadblocks preventing your natural fat-burning mechanisms from doing their job.

Ready to Become Your Own Metabolism Detective?

If this resonates with you (and I'm hoping it does), you don't have to figure this out alone. The journey to overcoming stubborn weight loss often requires a personalized approach that addresses your unique inflammatory triggers and hormonal patterns.

Take my free Metabolism Detective Quiz to discover which hidden factors might be sabotaging your weight loss efforts. In just 3 minutes, you'll get personalized insights into what could be blocking your progress—and most importantly, what to do about it.

Take the Metabolism Detective Quiz Now: look for it on my home page tabs → lisascarfonaturopath.com/metabolism-detective

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Remember: sustainable weight loss isn't about fighting against your body—it's about working with your body's natural systems by creating the optimal internal environment for health and fat burning to occur naturally.

Your metabolism mystery is solvable. Let's crack the code together.