I’m excited to share some game-changing insights into how feeling stressed and the stress hormone cortisol can make or break your weight loss efforts—especially when it comes to stubborn belly fat during perimenopause and menopause.

In this episode, I’ll explain why your body needs cortisol to function but how chronic stress pushes it into overdrive, directing your body to store excess blood sugar as fat and wreaking havoc on everything from your sleep to your energy levels. You’ll learn to recognize how your daily stressors—like meetings, deadlines, or the “lion-chase” feeling you get under pressure—contribute to elevated cortisol and sometimes increased visceral fat.

We’ll dive into why it’s crucial to keep tabs on your stress responses, using simple tools like the Oura Ring for biometric insights. You’ll see how everyday choices about food—like leaning on processed sugar—can compound stress responses and make it harder for your body to manage blood sugar.

Next, I’ll walk you through practical tips to break the chronic stress cycle and support your weight goals. By the end of this podcast, you’ll understand exactly how to manage your stress triggers, positvely influence your body’s hormonal responses, and keep your health on track—even when life is chaotic.

Your Coach homework this week is to track your processed sugar intake for one week, then swap at least one sugary item with a whole-food alternative in the week that follows. I can’t wait to hear your progress, so be sure to connect with me on social media to share your wins and challenges. This week, we're tackling stress head-on so you can keep making progress with your goals.

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Audio engineering by Young Cub Audio.