What I wish I knew about menopause is that if it came with a handbook, it would have saved me (and so many other women) a whole lot of confusion, frustration, and late-night Google searches. However, instead, most of us stumble into this phase of life completely unprepared, wondering, “Why is my body suddenly changing? Why am I gaining weight even though I’m doing everything “right”? And WHY am I awake at 3 AM every single night?

I wish I had known then what I know now. If only I had, I could have saved myself years of feeling like my body was betraying me. That’s exactly why I’m teaching it now—because I don’t want other women to go through menopause feeling lost, dismissed, or alone.

So, let’s talk about it. Here’s what I wish someone had told me before menopause hit—no sugarcoating, no fluff, just the real, honest truth.

1.The Symptoms No One Warned Me About

When I first started experiencing perimenopause symptoms, I was caught completely off guard. I expected hot flashes (thanks to every joke ever made about menopause), but what I wasn’t ready for?

• The mood swings that made me feel like I had permanent PMS
• The sudden anxiety hit out of nowhere—even when nothing was wrong
• The brain fog that made me forget what I walked into a room for (multiple times a day!)
• The changes in digestion—foods I had always eaten suddenly made me bloated or sluggish
• The body composition shift —losing muscle, gaining fat in new places, even though my habits hadn’t changed

At that moment, I remember thinking, “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?” It wasn’t just about missing periods—my entire body was shifting, and I had no idea how to support it.

But here’s a good news: Once I learned what was happening, I realized I wasn’t powerless. Instead of fighting my body, I discovered there are ways to work with your body—and nutrition plays a HUGE role.

Source: Mayo Clinic

2. How Nutrition Can Make or Break Your Menopause Journey

I used to think I was eating pretty healthy. But once menopause hit, everything changed. The way I ate in my 30s and 40s wasn’t working anymore, so I had to make some serious shifts.

Here’s what I wish I had known sooner:

• Protein is your best friend. It keeps you full, supports muscle (which you need to maintain as you age), and helps prevent those energy crashes. So, I started prioritizing plant-based proteins, nuts, seeds, and legumes, and it made a world of difference.
• Blood sugar balance is everything. If you’re constantly on the energy rollercoaster—hungry, then exhausted, then craving sugar—it’s likely because your blood sugar is all over the place. Eating protein, fiber, and healthy fats together helps stabilize it.
• Anti-inflammatory foods can be life-changing. Chronic inflammation makes symptoms worse. I started adding more leafy greens, berries, turmeric, and omega-3-rich foods, and I felt a shift almost immediately

Once I dialed in my nutrition, my energy stabilized, my cravings calmed down, and my mood became way more balanced.

Source: The Menopause Charity

3. The Menopause-Metabolism Connection (And Why Old Diet Advice Doesn’t Work Anymore)

Here’s something no one tells you: Your metabolism changes during menopause, but it’s not because your body is broken— it’s because estrogen plays a huge role in how your body stores fat and processes carbs.

I used to think, “If I just eat less and exercise more, I’ll lose weight.” But in menopause? That approach backfires.

Here’s why:

• Insulin resistance creeps up. Meaning your body isn’t processing carbs the same way it used to. Keeping blood sugar stable is key.
• You start losing muscle faster. And since muscle burns more calories that fat, losing it slows metabolism
• Stress plays a bigger role that you think. High cortisol (your stress hormone) leads to more fat storage—especially around the midsection.

Once I stopped punishing my body with restrictive eating and started fueling it properly, everything changed.

4. The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything

For a long time, I fought against my changing body. I was frustrated. I felt like I was doing everything right, but nothing was working.

Then I realized: Menopause isn’t something to fight—it’s something to work with.

Instead of thinking, “My body is betraying me”, I started thinking, “My body is shifting, and I can support it in new ways.”

I also learned thought defusion techniques, which helped me stop getting stuck in negative thought loops. Instead of believing every self-critical thought, I started stepping back and seeing them fir what they were—just thoughts, not facts.

Thus mindset shift made all the difference. Instead of being at war with my body, I learned how to support it.

5. The Nutrients I Wish I Prioritized Sooner

If I could go back in time, I’d start focusing on these nutrients way earlier:

• Core Health Bundle – This bundle has three premium nutrition products that are the key foundation to support your health and your cells. Your “multivitamin”, fish oil & probiotic.
• Magnesium: Helps with sleep, stress, and energy. Magnesium Glycinate is my favorite.
• Omega-3s: Supports brain health, reduces inflammation, and helps with joint pain. I get mine from flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.
• Adaptogenic Supplements: Like Stress Relief (contains Ashwagandha) and EstroPro (contains Red clover) help regulate stress hormones and support energy levels.

6. What I Wish I Knew About Menopause and Strength Training

I used to be a cardio queen, thinking that hours of walking or running were the key to staying fit. But during menopause, I started losing muscle fast.

That’s when I learned: Strength training is non-negotiable

• It preserves muscle (which keeps metabolism strong).
• It supports bone health (critical since menopause increase osteoporosis risks).
• It improves insulin sensitivity (helping your body process carbs better).

I started incorporating bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, and weights, and I felt stronger, more energized, and more in control of my body again.

7. What Doctors Didn’t Tell Me About Hormone Balance

I wish someone had told me: Perimenopause isn’t just about declining estrogen—it’s about hormone fluctuations that impact your entire body.

Most doctors only talk about estrogen, but in reality, here’s what else matters:

• Cortisol (stress hormone): Too much of it worsens belly fat and anxiety.
• Insulin: Blood sugar swings make symptoms worse.
• Progesterone: Low levels impact sleep and mood.

Understanding all of these hormones helped me find real solutions—not just band-aid fixes.

Source: AMA

8. The Power of Community (Because Menopause Shouldn’t Be Faced Alone)

The best thing I did? I stopped going through menopause alone.

Once I started talking about it, I realized how many other women were struggling just like I was. Finding a supportive community—whether online, in a group, or through coaching—makes a world of difference.

Final Thoughts: What I Knew About Menopause and Why I’m Teaching This Now

I don’t want other women to feel lost, dismissed, or like they’re “just getting old.” Menopause isn’t an end—it’s a new beginning. And with the right tools, you can feel stronger, healthier, and more in control than ever.

If you’re navigating menopause and want guidance, I’d love to help. Whether it’s through my coaching, metabolism jumpstart program, or plant-focused approach, I’m here for you.

Let’s do this together.

My Gifts To You

I know how overwhelming menopause can feel, which is why I’ve created two powerful (and totally free!) resources to help you start feeling like yourself again.

Menopause Weight Loss Tips – If you’re struggling with stubborn weight gain and don’t know what actually works in menopause, this guide will show you exactly what to focus on. No fad diets, no extreme restrictions—just real strategies that support your changing body

27 Quick & Easy Metabolism-Boosting Recipes E-Book – Eating to support your metabolism doesn’t have to be complicated! This guide is packed with simple, delicious meals designed to keep your energy up, cravings in check, and metabolism firing