Ep. 86 | Menopause Weight Gain: Why Cortisol — Not Calories — Is Keeping You Stuck
You're eating less. Moving more. Tracking everything. And the scale either won't budge — or it's going up.
So you cut more. Push harder. Skip the snack. White-knuckle your way through another week.
And nothing changes.
Here's what no one's telling you: the problem isn't calories. It's cortisol. And every time you restrict harder or exercise more, you're making it worse.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
Why cortisol spikes during perimenopause and menopause — even when you think you're managing stress
How hidden stressors like overexercising, under-eating, skipping meals, and caffeine on an empty stomach quietly drain your Response Capacity
What your body is actually doing when it stores belly fat and tanks your energy — and why it's protection, not failure
Why the "eat less, move more" approach backfires in midlife — and what to do instead
The exact first steps to shifting out of survival mode so your body can finally let go of what it's been holding onto
It's not about eating less. It's about helping your body feel safe again. Because when your stress load exceeds your Response Capacity, your body holds on tighter — not because it's broken, but because it's trying to protect you.
This episode is for you if: You're a woman over 40 in perimenopause or menopause who's been fighting her body on the scale and losing. You don't need a stricter diet. You need to understand why your body stopped responding — and what it actually needs now.
Links & Resources:
🎯 Take the free quiz → What's Really Causing Your Symptoms? https://cindistickle.com/quiz
📅 Book a free Hormone Reset Clarity Call → https://calendly.com/cindistickle/menopause-hormone-clarity-call
🌿 Learn more about It's Not Just Hormones™ System → https://cindistickle.com
👩💻 Join the free community → It's Not Just Menopause: No-BS Support with Real Answers → https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsmenopause
📱 Follow on Instagram → @cindisticklenutrition
💬 If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend — or leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more women find the root-cause menopause support they deserve.
