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August 27, 2025 14 mins

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I just need to try harder” when the scale won’t budge, this episode is going to set you free.

Midlife weight gain hormones are not just buzzwords—they’re the key to understanding why so many women struggle during perimenopause and beyond. This episode breaks down the biology behind stubborn belly fat in midlife, from the impact of cortisol belly fat in women to the complex dance of estrogen, insulin, leptin, and thyroid hormones.

You’ll learn why hormone imbalance affects weight loss, and why dieting doesn’t work in midlife the way it used to. We’ll dive into the perimenopause metabolism changes that slow things down—and how chronic stress and weight gain in women are deeply linked.

By the end of this conversation, you’ll understand how old-school tactics like eating less and exercising more often backfire and how a true metabolism reset for women over 40 starts with biology—not willpower.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why stress = belly fat: How cortisol drives fat storage in your midsection and creates that frustrating “cortisol belly fat”.

  • What hormonal shifts really do: The role of perimenopause, estrogen, thyroid, insulin, and leptin in your changing metabolism.

  • The dieting trap: Why dieting doesn’t work in midlife and how it can make your metabolism more sluggish.

  • Smart, hormone-supportive shifts: Simple, sustainable changes to reset your metabolism after 40 and support lasting weight loss.

Why It Matters

When women blame themselves for weight gain, they overlook the real culprits: midlife weight gain hormones, stress, and biological shifts. By understanding your body’s signals and learning to work with your hormones—not against them—you’ll escape the trap of self-blame and start making empowered, informed choices.

Resources & Links

Want to go deeper? Join me inside Well Women Rx, where you’ll learn how to reset your metabolism with personalized strategies, lab literacy, and community support.

📩 DM me “HOW” on Instagram @michelebroadnp or email me at michele@michelebroad.com to learn more.

📲 Follow me on Instagram @michelebroadnp for daily wellness + leadership insights.

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