Inflammation & the Midlife Brain: Brain Fog, Memory & Hormones After 40

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]

Why Your Brain Won’t Shut Off at Night After 35

Why Your Brain Won’t Shut Off at Night After 35 Episode Summary Many women notice that sleep changes dramatically in midlife. In this episode, Peggy Moore (RN and Functional Medicine Consultant) explains why your brain feels “tired but wired” after 35 and how hormones, stress physiology, and nervous‑system signals contribute to those restless nights newtab. What You’ll Learn * Why sleep feels different in midlife – Your 25‑year‑old brain isn’t the same as your 45‑year‑old brain. Hormonal buffering decreases, making you more sensitive to stress and stimulation newtab.  * The role of progesterone – Declining progesterone and its calming metabolite allopregnanolone reduce GABA (“slow down” signals) in the brain. This can lead to more nighttime overthinking, anxiety and 2–4 a.m. wake‑ups.  * Cortisol rhythms matter – Cortisol isn’t the enemy; rhythm is. After years of chronic stress, caregiving and blood‑sugar swings, cortisol stays elevated at night, making you feel exhausted yet wired.  * Why you wake up at 3 a.m. – Stress hormones, fluctuating blood sugar and a nervous system stuck in “alert” mode often trigger early‑morning awakenings.  * Nighttime brain filing – Sleep is when your brain reviews the day and consolidates memories. What you focus on before bed (doom‑scrolling, arguing, catastrophizing) is what your brain reinforces overnight.  * Simple shifts that signal safety – Small habits such as dimming lights, reducing stimulation, journaling, prayer, breathing exercises, stretching, warm music or laughter help your body feel safe enough to power down.  * Reframing midlife symptoms – Your body isn’t betraying you; it’s adapting. Shifting from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What is my nervous system communicating?” changes how you respond.  Key Takeaways * You are not broken – Struggling to sleep isn’t a character flaw; it’s physiology newtab.  * Progesterone decline is real – Early perimenopause often brings lower progesterone, reducing your brain’s calming support.  * Rhythm over quantity – Cortisol should be high in the morning and low at night. Chronic stress flattens this curve.  * Your pre‑sleep routine matters – The 30 minutes before bed set the emotional tone for sleep. Avoiding late‑night stressors helps your brain feel safe.  * Small, consistent actions help – Even 5–10 minutes of calming practices nightly can retrain your nervous system.  * Be curious, not critical – Midlife isn’t just about hormones; stress load, recovery capacity, blood sugar and safety signals all play a role.   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]