Why Weight Loss Feels Impossible in Perimenopause (And What To Do About It)
Release Date: 04/28/2026
What Moms Need to Know About Raising Girls Online
Wild Medicine
There are a few spots left in Dr. Tara’s mom & daughter social media safety workshop. Learn more . In this episode of the Wild Medicine Podcast, Dr. Tara Rawana discusses the impact of social media on tweens and teens, emphasizing the importance of developing a healthy relationship with technology. She explores the mental health implications of excessive social media use, the significance of maturity in handling online responsibilities, and the influence of social media on body image. Dr. Tara provides practical advice for parents on establishing rules for device...
info_outline
Breaking Free from Purposeless Living
Wild Medicine
Ready to reclaim your Wild? FREE RESOURCE: Try our Burnout Archetype Quiz: In this episode of Wild Medicine, Dr. Michelle shares insights from her journey with the Wild Collective, emphasizing the importance of community, connection, and personal growth for women. She discusses the challenges of modern life that lead to a sense of purposelessness and the need for women to reconnect with their wildness and authenticity. Through community support, spiritual exploration, and body literacy, women can transform their lives and find joy and meaning. Dr. Michelle...
info_outline
How Inflammation is Actually Impacting Your Health
Wild Medicine
FREE RESOURCE: Click the and see if the SHED METABOLIC RESET PROGRAM is a good fit for you! FREE RESOURCE: Try our , see how much you might require daily! In this episode of Wild Medicine, Dr. Michelle and Dr. Tara delve into the critical role of inflammation in health, particularly its impact on weight and chronic diseases. They discuss the differences between acute and chronic inflammation, the significance of visceral fat, and the importance of body literacy in understanding one's health. The conversation also addresses common myths about...
info_outline
The Power of Accountability in Fitness
Wild Medicine
FREE RESOURCE: Click the and see if the SHED METABOLIC RESET PROGRAM is a good fit for you! FREE RESOURCE: Try our Burnout Archetype Quiz: In this episode of Wild Medicine, Dr. Michelle and Dr. Tara discuss their personal journeys with exercise, emphasizing the importance of accountability, consistency, and the benefits of movement for overall health. They share their struggles with making exercise a priority and how they transformed their relationship with movement. The conversation also covers the significance of building muscle mass, especially for women,...
info_outline
Breaking the Cycle: Maternal Impact on Health
Wild Medicine
FREE RESOURCE: Click the and see if the SHED METABOLIC RESET PROGRAM is a good fit for you! FREE RESOURCE: Try our Burnout Archetype Quiz: In this episode of Wild Medicine, Dr. Michelle and Dr. Tara explore the profound impact of maternal influence on body image and emotional eating. They discuss the research on how the lessons learned from mothers shape women's relationships with food and self-perception, emphasizing the importance of breaking negative cycles for healthier family dynamics. The conversation highlights the empowerment that comes from...
info_outline
The Loneliness Epidemic: Why Connection Is Essential for Health
Wild Medicine
FREE RESOURCE: Click the and see if the SHED METABOLIC RESET PROGRAM is a good fit for you! FREE RESOURCE: Try our Burnout Archetype Quiz: In this episode, Dr. Michelle and Dr. Tara discuss the growing loneliness epidemic, particularly among women, and its alarming health implications. They explore how COVID-19 exacerbated feelings of isolation and the rise of AI companionship as a potential solution, while cautioning against its long-term effects. The conversation emphasizes the importance of rebuilding community and human connection as essential...
info_outline
Are You Affected By The Metabolic Health Crisis?
Wild Medicine
FREE RESOURCE: Click the and see if the SHED METABOLIC RESET PROGRAM is a good fit for you! FREE RESOURCE: Try our , see how much you might require daily! In this episode of Wild Medicine, Dr. Michelle and Dr. Tara discuss the critical issue of nutrition education and its impact on health. They explore how many individuals lack proper guidance on eating, leading to widespread metabolic health issues. The conversation delves into the importance of understanding dietary patterns, the role of stress and hormones, and the necessity of consistency in...
info_outline
Healing What the Body Holds with Emily DeVargas
Wild Medicine
Book a session with Emily DeVargas In this episode of the Wild Medicine podcast, Dr. Tara welcomes Emily DeVargas, an intuitive trauma-informed practitioner specializing in energy work. Emily shares her personal journey into energy healing, discussing her experiences with loss and trauma that shaped her understanding of emotional patterns held in the body. The conversation explores the transition from animal healing to human healing, the various modalities Emily employs, and the differences between energy work and traditional therapy. They delve into the emotional...
info_outline
The Psychology of Weight Loss
Wild Medicine
FREE RESOURCE: Click the and see if the SHED METABOLIC RESET PROGRAM is a good fit for you! FREE RESOURCE: one of our SHED Mindset Calls! In this episode, Dr. Michelle Peris and Dr. Tara Rawana discuss the common thinking traps that hinder long-term weight loss success. They explore how these traps, such as food chatter and self-worth issues, affect individuals' relationships with food and their bodies. The conversation emphasizes the importance of mindset, community support, and understanding the psychological aspects of weight management. Through...
info_outline
The Entrepreneur Series: What I Wish I Knew About Money as a New Entrepreneur
Wild Medicine
FREE RESOURCE: Check out the group health calculator! FREE RESOURCE: Check out the Collective Creator Academy: In this episode of the Wild Medicine Podcast, Dr. Tara shares her insights on financial management for new entrepreneurs, particularly in the field of naturopathic medicine. She discusses the importance of financial organization, tax planning, understanding different financial accounts, managing student loans, and the power of investing and compounding interest. Dr. Tara emphasizes the need for a solid financial plan and encourages listeners to explore...
info_outlineFREE RESOURCE: Click the link and see if the SHED METABOLIC RESET PROGRAM is a good fit for you!
FREE RESOURCE: Sign up HERE for Dr. Tara’s free talk on Perimenopause & Weight Gain happening on Wednesday, April 29th at 7pm
This episode explores the complex hormonal and metabolic changes during perimenopause that impact weight loss.
Dr. Tara and Dr. Michelle share insights on hormonal fluctuations, muscle mass, stress, sleep, and mindset, offering practical strategies for women navigating this challenging phase.
Takeaways
-
Perimenopause weight gain is not a willpower issue, it’s driven by real hormonal and metabolic shifts.
-
Hormones don’t just decline, they fluctuate, making symptoms unpredictable and confusing.
-
Loss of muscle mass lowers metabolism, making it easier to gain weight without changing your diet.
-
Fat distribution shifts toward the abdomen, increasing visceral fat and health risks.
-
Insulin resistance and cortisol elevation make fat loss harder and increase hunger.
-
Poor sleep and chronic stress amplify weight gain and disrupt metabolism.
-
Old strategies like excessive cardio or fasting often stop working in this phase of life.
-
Strength training and building muscle are essential for long-term metabolic health.
-
Proper nutrition, especially enough protein, fiber, and balanced meals becomes more important than ever.
-
Nervous system regulation and true rest are key drivers of weight loss and overall health.
-
Weight loss resistance is also emotional and behavioral, not just physical.
-
Building self-awareness, self-trust, and compassion is critical for sustainable results.
-
You are not broken, your body requires a new approach in this phase of life.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
03:37 Defining Perimenopause and Its Symptoms
04:28 Hormonal Fluctuations and Diagnosis Challenges
06:55 Hormones and Metabolic Changes in Perimenopause
10:27 Hormonal Impact on Body Fat Redistribution
12:07 The Role of Muscle Mass and Metabolism
16:18 Importance of Resistance Training and Building Muscle
18:52 Visceral Fat and Health Risks
21:59 Body Image, Grief, and Societal Expectations
26:26 Hormonal and Metabolic Interconnections
31:44 Sleep Disruption and Its Effects
33:27 Movement, Exercise, and Building Strength
36:49 Nutrition, Carbohydrates, and Blood Sugar
41:26 Stress, Cortisol, and Nervous System Impact
42:08 Joy, Self-Compassion, and Emotional Well-being
47:35 Self-acceptance and Body Changes
51:57 Mindset, Self-Trust, and Empowerment
56:26 The Role of Education and Self-knowledge
01:01:19 Supporting Long-term Transformation and Self-Discovery
01:03:19 Upcoming Masterclass and Resources
Stay Wild.
Connect with Dr. Tara on INSTAGRAM
Connect with Dr. Michelle on INSTAGRAM
This episode is brought to you by: www.MichellePeris.com
Ready to reclaim your Wild? JOIN THE WAITLIST
Learn more about The Poppy Clinic: www.poppyclinic.com
Is Naturopathic Medicine for you: LEARN MORE HERE
Take our HORMONE QUIZ
Are you a clinician looking for more impact? START HERE
FREE RESOURCE: Checkout our lab essentials guide to inform your next healthcare visit: https://www.michelleperis.com/lmp-shed-essential-blood-work-guide-optin