Why Menopause Weight Gain Isn’t Just About Willpower

And why it’s not your fault !

If you’ve ever stared at the scale wondering, “Why am I gaining weight even though I’m eating the same and exercising like before?”, you’re not alone.

Here’s the truth: menopause weight gain has far less to do with discipline and far more to do with biology.

1. Hormonal Shifts Change How You Store Fat

As estrogen and progesterone fluctuate, and eventually decline, your body becomes more efficient at storing fat, especially around the abdomen. Add in changes to insulin sensitivity and cortisol (your stress hormone), and your old calorie-control strategies simply don’t work the same way.

2. Muscle Loss Is the Hidden Culprit

From your 40s onward, you naturally lose muscle mass each year, a process called sarcopenia. Less muscle means a slower metabolism, which means you burn fewer calories even at rest. The kicker? If you’re not actively strength training, this loss happens faster during menopause.

Not all exercises are equal! Some intense exercises can leave you feeling tired and stressed making your body store fat rather than burn fat.

3. It’s Not Just “Eat Less, Move More”

Fad diets and extreme calorie cuts only make things worse:

• They can trigger further muscle loss

• They stress your hormones

• They leave you exhausted and craving more food

  
  

The solution? A targeted approach that works with your body, not against it.

How I Help Women Reverse This

• Fitness: Hormone-optimised strength and mobility training to rebuild lean muscle, boost metabolism, and keep your body strong and capable for years to come.

• Nutrition: A customised functional, sustainable eating plan that supports hormone health, balances blood sugar, and nourishes you without fad diets or extreme restrictions.

• Hormone Support: Proven strategies to reduce cortisol, improve sleep quality, and stabilise energy so your body can shift from fat storage to fat burning while managing perimenopause and menopause symptoms.

• Mindful Practices: More than just stress relief, we teach mindset tools, breathing techniques, and daily rituals that help you stay centred, focused, and emotionally resilient to improve overall mental well-being.

• Rest & Recovery: Your body is your temple, and when we honour it with restorative practices like deep sleep, mobility work, and active recovery, it rewards us with renewed vitality.

• Purposeful Living: We work closely together to rediscover your sense of purpose, happiness, and joy, helping you live fully, not just exist, so every day feels meaningful and energising.

  
  

Because when you blend these pillars, your body responds, and you finally feel like you again. Find out how we can walk with you on this journey in our 1:1 Coaching.