Ep. 115 You’re Not Failing Your Resolutions — Your Physiology Changed
It's Not JUST Menopause
If New Year’s resolutions keep falling apart, especially in your 40s, it’s not because you lack discipline or motivation. It’s because your physiology doesn’t respond to pressure the same way it used to. In this episode, we break down why traditional resolutions backfire in perimenopause, how hormonal and stress-related changes affect your energy, metabolism, sleep, and motivation, and why “trying harder” often makes symptoms worse instead of better. This isn’t about willpower, restriction, or starting over in January. It’s about understanding how your cortisol, blood sugar,...
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EP. 114 | Why you crash at 2–4 PM (and how to stop it)
It's Not JUST Menopause
If you hit a wall between 2 and 4 PM and suddenly feel foggy, irritable, snacky, or like you need coffee just to finish the day, this episode is for you. In perimenopause and menopause, that afternoon crash is rarely random. It’s often a blood sugar dip paired with a stress response, and midlife hormone shifts can make your body feel like it has less buffer. So the crash hits harder, cravings get louder, and your symptoms feel tougher to manage. Today, I’m breaking down what the afternoon crash really means, why it keeps happening even when you think you’re doing “all the right...
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Ep. 113 | Why You’re Still Exhausted in Perimenopause—Even When You’re Resting More
It's Not JUST Menopause
Why Rest Alone Isn’t Fixing Your Fatigue If you’re sleeping more, taking weekends off, or even slowing your schedule — and you’re still exhausted — this episode is for you. In perimenopause and menopause, fatigue isn’t always caused by doing too much or resting too little. Many women are already prioritizing sleep and downtime, yet their energy never fully returns. That’s because rest alone doesn’t address what’s actually draining energy beneath the surface. Today, I’m breaking down why sleep, weekends off, and even vacations often don’t fix deep fatigue in midlife —...
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Ep. 112 | The Morning Routine Mistake That’s Wrecking Your Hormones (and What to Do Instead)
It's Not JUST Menopause
If your mornings feel rushed, chaotic, or draining — or if you hit that “wired and tired” wall before noon — this episode is for you. In perimenopause and menopause, your morning cortisol pattern becomes more sensitive than ever. The first 10 minutes of your day play a massive role in how your hormones behave, how your nervous system responds, and how your metabolism performs for the rest of the day. Most women never learn this… which is why they feel stuck, exhausted, inflamed, or overwhelmed before the day even begins. Today, I’m breaking down the most common morning routine...
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Ep. 111 | Regulate, Rebuild, Reignite: The Framework That Helps Women Over 40 Feel Better Than Ever
It's Not JUST Menopause
In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the 3-phase framework that finally helps women over 40 understand why their bodies aren’t responding — and what actually changes things in perimenopause and menopause. You’ll hear why strategies that used to work — like eating less, pushing harder, or relying on sheer discipline — suddenly stop working in midlife… and why that has nothing to do with willpower and everything to do with physiology. And even more importantly — you’ll learn the root-cause sequence that helps your body feel safe enough to respond again. This is the exact...
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Ep. 110 | When My Body Said ‘Enough’: The Origin of My Work
It's Not JUST Menopause
In today’s episode, I’m sharing the story I’ve never fully told — the moment my own menopause journey went sideways and why the strategies I had always relied on completely stopped working. You’ll hear how I went from losing 20 pounds easily in my early 40s… to suddenly gaining weight, feeling bloated, exhausted, wired, and confused by a body that no longer responded to anything I tried. And more importantly — the moment I finally realized nothing was wrong with me… my body was overwhelmed. This shift became the foundation of EVERYTHING I teach now. If you’ve been wondering...
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Ep. 109 | The Surprising Missing Link to Feeling Amazing During Menopause
It's Not JUST Menopause
If the holidays leave you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, bloated, or “on edge” every year — it’s not that you can’t handle stress anymore. It’s that your menopause nervous system can’t absorb pressure the same way it used to. In this episode, we break down why stress hits harder in midlife, how it impacts your hormones and metabolism, and what you can do right now to create the grounded, steady energy your body is craving before the holiday chaos begins. This isn't about perfection, routines, or pushing through. It’s about understanding how your cortisol, blood sugar,...
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Ep. 108 | Cravings Aren’t About Willpower — They’re About Cortisol
It's Not JUST Menopause
If you keep blaming yourself for sugar cravings, afternoon crashes, or late-night snacking — this episode is your wake-up call. Menopause changes how your body handles stress, blood sugar, and hunger signals, and no amount of “willpower” can outsmart cortisol. In this episode, Cindi breaks down the real science behind stress-induced cravings and shows you how to stabilize your energy, calm your nervous system, and stop feeling out of control around food. You’ll learn why stress and cortisol are the missing pieces behind constant hunger, energy dips, and stubborn belly fat — and the...
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Ep. 107 | The Holiday Stress Trap: Why “Pushing Through” Backfires in Menopause
It's Not JUST Menopause
If you’re already feeling the weight of holiday stress — the endless to-dos, the travel, the expectations — and wondering why your body just can’t handle it the way it used to, this episode is for you. In menopause, your stress response changes. What once felt like “manageable chaos” can now send cortisol soaring, disrupt your sleep, and stall your metabolism. In this episode, Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Certified Menopause Specialist Cindi Stickle breaks down exactly why “pushing through” no longer works — and what your body is actually asking for instead. You’ll...
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Ep. 106 | The Only Way Menopause Results Actually Last
It's Not JUST Menopause
If you’ve ever felt like your progress disappears the moment life gets stressful — you’re not alone. Most “solutions” for menopause aren’t built to last. Diets, detoxes, and 30-day resets push your body harder… instead of helping it heal. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, I’m breaking down the real reason results fade — and what it takes to finally make progress that sticks. You’ll learn: Why short-term fixes trigger long-term setbacks How stress and cortisol sabotage metabolism and hormones Why you can’t rebuild results on an unregulated nervous system ...
info_outlineEver wondered what's going on inside that incredible machine known as your body? Every calorie consumed, every energy spike, and even those afternoon energy lulls are all orchestrated by your metabolism. Let's dive into the seven illuminating insights to give you a fresh perspective on this internal powerhouse.
Metabolism: The Grand Conductor of Your Body's Energy
Think of your metabolism as the grand conductor of an orchestra, directing the tempo, setting the pace, and ensuring everything runs in perfect harmony. It governs how our body converts food into energy, ensuring our organs function and letting us enjoy everything from a morning jog to a peaceful night's sleep. If our body were a company, metabolism would be the CEO, calling the shots and ensuring everything's on track.
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Your Body's Idle Speed
Even in full couch-potato mode, your body is hard at work. BMR represents the number of calories our bodies burn at rest. This is the energy needed for the most basic functions, like breathing and keeping our heart ticking. It's like the idle speed of a car; even when parked, the engine's still running.
What Shapes Your Metabolic Rate? It's More Than Just Genes!
Ever blamed your slow metabolism on your family tree? Genetics indeed play a role, but there's more to the story. Age, muscle mass, hormonal balance, and stress levels can influence your metabolic rate. It's a mix of nature and nurture.
Boosters On The Horizon: Can We Turbocharge Our Metabolism?
The web is swamped with hacks to rev up metabolism, but not all stand up to scrutiny. However, some tried-and-true methods can give your internal engine a bit more oomph:
- Strength training to increase muscle mass, which naturally burns more calories.
- Drinking water can offer a temporary metabolic spike. (Plus, who doesn't love a good hydration boost?)
- Get ample sleep to let your body reset and recharge.
Eating & Metabolism: The Thermic Effect
Ever felt warmer after a spicy meal or a hearty feast? That's the thermic effect of food at work. Our bodies need energy to digest, absorb, and process our meals. So, every bite you take requires some effort to break down. It's like giving your internal furnace more wood to burn.
A Balancing Act: Weight and Metabolism
The relationship between metabolism and weight is intricate. While a faster metabolism can help burn calories quickly, it's just one piece of the puzzle. Total calorie intake, diet quality, physical activity, and even emotional health are essential in determining body weight. It's all about equilibrium and finding what makes your body feel its best.
The more we understand and appreciate metabolism, the better we can align our lifestyle to support this fantastic internal process. So, the next time you feel that burst of energy after your morning oats or notice your muscles responding to a new workout routine, take a moment to appreciate all your body does to keep you going.
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