The Silent Stress Crisis Affecting Midlife Women (And How You Can Fix It)

The Silent Stress Crisis Affecting Midlife Women (And How You Can Fix It)

What if stress isn't just something you're experiencing... but something you've been taught?  In this powerful episode of Discover Your Personal Power: Midlife Edition, Peggy Moore sits down with stress management expert, six-time Amazon bestselling author, speaker, and coach Lolita Guarino to explore how chronic stress impacts women in midlife and why so many women find themselves exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from themselves.  Lolita shares her personal journey from burnout and a health crisis that landed her in the emergency room to becoming a leading voice in stress management. Together, Peggy and Lolita discuss the invisible emotional load women carry, the pressure to be everything to everyone, and how years of pushing through stress can affect hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and overall health.  You'll learn: ✨ Why women experience stress differently than men ✨ The hidden cost of always being the "strong one" ✨ How chronic stress contributes to hormone imbalances and disease ✨ The importance of boundaries, self-care, and nervous system regulation ✨ Why many women struggle to give themselves permission to rest ✨ How family patterns and learned behaviors shape our stress responses ✨ Lolita's simple but powerful CALM Process for managing stress and building resilience  If you've ever felt overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in a cycle of constantly caring for everyone else while neglecting yourself, this conversation is for you.  Remember: You don't have to eliminate stress from your life—you need to learn how to work with it in a way that supports your health, hormones, and happiness.  🎧 Listen now and discover practical strategies to help you reduce stress, reclaim your energy, and become the healthiest version of yourself.  Lolita Guarin is a six-time bestselling author, speaker, and certified stress management coach who helps people turn their personal stories into purpose, confidence, and impact — without stress or overwhelm. Here is how to get a hold of Lolita Guarin https://www.beamazingyou.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BeAmazingYou/ email: lolita@beamazingyou.com Lolita's books: https://beamazingyou.lpages.co/get-the-books/   If you found this episode helpful, follow the podcast and share it with a friend who may need it.  Check us out on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@peggymoorehealthandwellness [https://www.youtube.com/@peggymoorehealthandwellness] Website: www.moorefunctionalhealthandwellness.com [http://www.moorefunctionalhealthandwellness.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peggy.MooreHealthandwellness [https://www.facebook.com/Peggy.MooreHealthandwellness] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moorehealthandwellness/ [https://www.instagram.com/moorehealthandwellness/] Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-moore-5b295247 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-moore-5b295247] Schedule a Midlife Metabolism Clarity Call  [https://tinyurl.com/chatwithpeggy]

Effects of Fasting on Fat Loss and Health During Menopause

Is Fasting Helping Your Menopause Belly Fat… or Making You More Exhausted? Have you tried intermittent fasting only to find yourself more tired, more irritable, and waking up at 3 a.m., wondering what went wrong? You're not alone. In today's episode, we're diving into one of the most talked-about topics in the health world: fasting and time-restricted eating for women in midlife. While fasting can be a powerful tool for improving insulin sensitivity, reducing visceral belly fat, and supporting metabolic health, it isn't the right next step for every woman. For some women, fasting creates more energy, better blood sugar control, and improved metabolic flexibility. For others, it becomes one more stressor on a body that's already exhausted, undernourished, and overwhelmed. In this episode, we'll explore: ✅ Why metabolism changes during perimenopause and menopause ✅ The role insulin plays in belly fat and weight gain ✅ Why eating every 2–3 hours may not be helping your metabolism ✅ What metabolic flexibility actually means ✅ The difference between healthy fasting and stress fasting ✅ Who may benefit from fasting—and who should approach it carefully ✅ The surprising connection between fasting, cortisol, sleep, and cravings ✅ Why protein, sleep, and blood sugar balance often matter more than fasting ✅ A simple Fasting Readiness Check to help determine if your body is ready Most importantly, you'll learn why your body isn't broken—and why understanding your physiology is far more powerful than trying harder. Key Takeaway The goal is not to become the world's best faster. The goal is to have more energy, sleep through the night, reduce inflammation, support your hormones, and feel like yourself again. Sometimes your body needs a smaller eating window. Sometimes it needs a calmer nervous system. The key is learning which woman you are.  Mentioned in This Episode *  Insulin Resistance  *  Metabolic Flexibility  *  Time-Restricted Eating  *  Intermittent Fasting  *  Cortisol and Stress  *  Blood Sugar Regulation  *  Protein and Midlife Metabolism  *  Perimenopause and Menopause Health  Midlife Metabolism Clarity Call If you're tired of guessing and wondering why you don't feel like yourself anymore, let's talk. During a Midlife Metabolism Clarity Call, we'll identify what's most likely driving your symptoms and uncover at least one practical step you can take to start feeling better. Whether you're struggling with: *  Belly weight gain  *  Exhaustion  *  Brain fog  *  Cravings  *  Poor sleep  *  Hormonal changes  We'll help you begin connecting the dots. Connect with Peggy Peggy Moore, RN, MSN, FMACP  Functional Medicine Practitioner & Midlife Metabolism Coach Helping women over 40 uncover the root causes of fatigue, hormone imbalance, weight gain, and metabolic dysfunction so they can reclaim their energy, confidence, and health. If You Enjoyed This Episode Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it. Because no woman should have to navigate midlife feeling exhausted, confused, or alone. 💛 Remember: Your body isn't broken. It's speaking. And when we learn to listen, healing becomes possible.  If you found this episode helpful, follow the podcast and share it with a friend who may need it.  Check us out on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@peggymoorehealthandwellness [https://www.youtube.com/@peggymoorehealthandwellness] Website: www.moorefunctionalhealthandwellness.com [http://www.moorefunctionalhealthandwellness.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peggy.MooreHealthandwellness [https://www.facebook.com/Peggy.MooreHealthandwellness] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moorehealthandwellness/ [https://www.instagram.com/moorehealthandwellness/] Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-moore-5b295247 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-moore-5b295247] Schedule a Midlife Metabolism Clarity Call  [https://tinyurl.com/chatwithpeggy]

The Revenge Bedtime Problem: Why Midlife Women Stay Up Scrolling When They Are Exhausted

THE REVENGE BEDTIME PROBLEM: WHY MIDLIFE WOMEN STAY UP SCROLLING WHEN THEY'RE EXHAUSTED Have you ever crawled into bed completely exhausted, only to find yourself scrolling Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok for two more hours? You know you're tired. You know you should go to sleep. And yet somehow it's midnight. If you've ever wondered, "What is wrong with me?"—this episode is for you. In today's conversation, we're exploring a phenomenon psychologists call revenge bedtime procrastination and why so many midlife women find themselves sacrificing sleep for "just a little more time" at the end of the day. But what if your scrolling isn't a discipline problem? What if it's actually a clue? What if your nervous system isn't looking for more willpower—but more recovery, more freedom, more joy, and more moments that belong to you? We'll explore the hidden mental load many women carry, why midlife hormones can make overwhelm feel even heavier, and how emotional undernourishment often shows up as late-night scrolling, procrastination, and difficulty winding down.  In This Episode You'll Learn: ✅ What revenge bedtime procrastination really is ✅ Why exhausted women often stay up later than they intended ✅ The connection between emotional depletion and scrolling ✅ How the invisible mental load affects your nervous system ✅ Why midlife hormones can make overstimulation worse ✅ The surprising difference between rest and recovery ✅ How social media can become a "vending machine" for unmet needs ✅ Why sleep isn't always the real problem ✅ A simple Recovery Audit to help you identify what's missing ✅ One powerful question to ask yourself before picking up your phone at night Key Takeaway Most women aren't staying awake because they love scrolling. They're staying awake because they're searching for something. Connection. Freedom. Comfort. Joy. Relief. A moment that belongs to them. And when those needs go unmet during the day, the nervous system often goes looking for them at 11 PM.  Try This Tonight Before you open your phone, pause and ask yourself: "What do I actually need right now?" Not what do I want to watch. Not what do I want to scroll. What do I need? The answer may change everything. The Recovery Audit Ask yourself: *  What gave me energy today?  *  What drained me today?  *  Did I laugh today?  *  Did I have a moment that belonged only to me?  *  Did I do anything today that made me feel like me?  Because sometimes the solution isn't more discipline. Sometimes it's more recovery.  Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again? If you're struggling with: *  Exhaustion  *  Brain fog  *  Poor sleep  *  Belly weight gain  *  Hormonal changes  *  Cravings  *  Feeling disconnected from yourself  I invite you to schedule a Midlife Metabolism Clarity Call. Together we'll explore what's happening beneath the surface and identify at least one practical step you can take to start feeling more energized, supported, and clear-headed again. Connect with Peggy Moore Peggy Moore, RN, MSN, FMACP  Functional Medicine Practitioner & Midlife Metabolism Coach Helping women over 40 uncover the root causes of fatigue, hormone imbalance, weight gain, poor sleep, and metabolic dysfunction so they can reclaim their energy, confidence, and health. If You Enjoyed This Episode Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it. Because midlife isn't about surviving. It's about rediscovering yourself. Remember: Your body isn't broken. It's communicating. Sometimes the things we do at 11 PM tell us exactly what we were missing at 11 AM. 💛  If you found this episode helpful, follow the podcast and share it with a friend who may need it.  Check us out on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@peggymoorehealthandwellness [https://www.youtube.com/@peggymoorehealthandwellness] Website: www.moorefunctionalhealthandwellness.com [http://www.moorefunctionalhealthandwellness.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peggy.MooreHealthandwellness [https://www.facebook.com/Peggy.MooreHealthandwellness] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moorehealthandwellness/ [https://www.instagram.com/moorehealthandwellness/] Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-moore-5b295247 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-moore-5b295247] Schedule a Midlife Metabolism Clarity Call  [https://tinyurl.com/chatwithpeggy]

The Midlife Nutrition Mistake Keeping Women Stuck, Exhausted & Overwhelmed

Welcome back to Hormones, Metabolism & Midlife with Peggy Moore, RN, MSN, FMACP. What if the reason you're exhausted, craving sugar, struggling with energy crashes, and feeling out of control around food has less to do with willpower and more to do with what you're using to build your body? In this episode, Peggy introduces a powerful analogy that every midlife woman needs to hear: LEGO Foods vs. Play-Doh Foods. Many women are trying to build stable hormones, steady energy, and a resilient nervous system using nutritional "Play-Doh"—quick fixes that provide temporary comfort but collapse under pressure. Peggy explains how protein, fiber, healthy fats, colorful plants, and nutrient-dense foods act as the "Legos" that help build stronger hormones, steadier blood sugar, better brain function, and more sustainable energy.  You'll learn: ✨ Why food is more than calories—it's building material for your body  ✨ The difference between LEGO foods and Play-Doh foods  ✨ Why your brain is wired to crave sugar during stress  ✨ How stress, poor sleep, and overwhelm drive cravings  ✨ The surprising role your nervous system plays in food choices  ✨ A simple STOP technique to help interrupt emotional eating patterns  ✨ Why food journaling can create awareness without guilt or restriction  ✨ How to identify foods that truly support your energy and hormones  ✨ Why midlife women need nourishment, not punishment  Peggy also shares practical examples, personal stories, and simple mindset shifts that can help you move from survival mode into a place of greater stability, energy, and confidence.  If you've ever felt frustrated by cravings, exhausted by inconsistent eating habits, or confused about what your body really needs, this episode will help you connect the dots. Key Takeaway Every meal is either helping build a stronger, steadier version of you—or adding more chaos to an already overwhelmed body. Connect with Peggy  📞 Book a Midlife Metabolism Clarity Call at https://tinyurl.com/chatwithpeggy  If you found this episode helpful, follow the podcast and share it with a friend who may need it.  Check us out on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@peggymoorehealthandwellness [https://www.youtube.com/@peggymoorehealthandwellness] Website: www.moorefunctionalhealthandwellness.com [http://www.moorefunctionalhealthandwellness.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peggy.MooreHealthandwellness [https://www.facebook.com/Peggy.MooreHealthandwellness] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moorehealthandwellness/ [https://www.instagram.com/moorehealthandwellness/] Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-moore-5b295247 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-moore-5b295247] Schedule a Midlife Metabolism Clarity Call  [https://tinyurl.com/chatwithpeggy]

The Body Remembers: Healing Trauma, Listening to Your Body, and Reclaiming Your Energy with Chris Wasco

Have you ever felt exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns you can't seem to explain? In this powerful conversation, Peggy Moore sits down with spiritual counselor, energy healer, psychic medium, and author Chris Wasco to explore the connection between trauma, the nervous system, inner child healing, energy, and overall well-being. Together, they discuss how our life experiences can shape our health, why the body often holds onto unresolved stress, and how healing begins when we learn to listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us.  In This Episode You'll Learn: ✨ What "inner child healing" really means ✨ Why the teenage version of ourselves often becomes the protector of our inner child ✨ How unresolved childhood experiences can continue to influence our emotions, relationships, and health ✨ Chris's perspective on chakras and how energy patterns may reflect emotional wounds ✨ The connection between chronic stress, cortisol, fatigue, and burnout ✨ Why many midlife women feel "tired but wired" ✨ How trauma can affect sleep, energy, digestion, and overall wellness ✨ The role of self-love, self-awareness, and nervous system regulation in healing ✨ Why your body may be sending messages through symptoms ✨ Practical ways to begin reconnecting with yourself and your body's wisdom  Key Takeaways Many women spend years caring for everyone else while ignoring their own needs. Over time, stress, emotional burdens, unresolved experiences, and chronic self-sacrifice can contribute to fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog, digestive issues, and burnout. Chris shares how healing often begins by becoming curious about your patterns rather than judging them. Whether through self-reflection, mindfulness, journaling, meditation, therapy, coaching, or other healing practices, learning to listen to your body can create profound shifts in health and well-being. Chris Wasco is a spiritual counselor, energy healer, psychic medium, and author of the book An Old Soul's Journey: A Guide to Inner Child Healing. She is also the creator of Spicy Old Souls, a program focused on deep soul healing and personal transformation. Chris specializes in helping individuals explore emotional healing, trauma recovery, and personal growth through her unique approach to energy work and intuitive guidance. You can find Chris Wasko at www.chriswasko.com Facebook at @chriswaskomedium Take the Spicy Old Souls Quiz at https://www.chriswasko.com/spicy-old-souls For Journals and workbooks, go here: https://www.chriswasko.com/shop Topics Discussed *  Inner Child Healing  *  Trauma Recovery  *  Nervous System Regulation  *  Stress and Cortisol  *  Midlife Women's Health  *  Burnout Recovery  *  Emotional Healing  *  Chakra Energy  *  Self-Love Practices  *  Sleep and Fatigue  *  Functional Medicine  *  PTSD and Healthcare Workers  *  Mind-Body Connection  *  Personal Growth and Healing   If you found this episode helpful, follow the podcast and share it with a friend who may need it.  Check us out on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@peggymoorehealthandwellness [https://www.youtube.com/@peggymoorehealthandwellness] Website: www.moorefunctionalhealthandwellness.com [http://www.moorefunctionalhealthandwellness.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peggy.MooreHealthandwellness [https://www.facebook.com/Peggy.MooreHealthandwellness] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moorehealthandwellness/ [https://www.instagram.com/moorehealthandwellness/] Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-moore-5b295247 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-moore-5b295247] Schedule a Midlife Metabolism Clarity Call  [https://tinyurl.com/chatwithpeggy]