The women I work with are go-getters—they juggle careers, family, and everything in between—so it’s no surprise they get frustrated when they’re doing all the right things and still not seeing results. Clothes fit differently, the scale creeps up, and yet nothing major has changed in their routine. They’ve tried workouts, adjusted their diet, added supplements, maybe even checked in with their doctor—but still feel stuck. Add in fatigue, perimenopause or PMS, bloating, and a schedule that never quits, and it’s no wonder it all starts to feel impossible.
Cue the confusion: Is it hormones? Aging? Should they be fasting or going keto like their partner? And what about all those supplements flooding their feed—berberine, green tea, protein powders—who can keep up? It’s no wonder everyone is asking: What’s actually going on—and whose advice can I trust?
Hi there online health ! I’m Dr. Lisa Adams—a Naturopathic Doctor and Clinical Nutritionist with 15+ years of experience helping women decode their hormone, mood, digestion, and weight challenges. My mission is to simplify health science, put you back in control of your body and health decisions, and ultimately help you look and feel your best. 💃
Let’s outline the facts while breaking down some common myths – all based on up-to-date research, as well as my own experience.
Aging Slows Metabolism—But You Can Fight Back
It’s true: as we age, our metabolism slows and muscle mass declines. But that doesn’t mean weight gain is inevitable.
You can counter these changes by:
- Prioritizing strength training
- Getting enough protein
- Managing stress
Nutrition and lifestyle strategies can protect your metabolism, keep a healthy weight and help you feel strong, energetic, and in control.
Hormones Don’t Cause Weight Gain—But They Change the Game
Contrary to popular belief, your hormonal changes don’t directly make you gain weight. But they change where your body stores fat, how you feel, and how easy it is to lose it.
For example, in perimenopause and menopause, changes in hormones:
- Shift fat storage to the belly (decreased estrogen)
- Reduce how long and well women sleep
- Affect mood, focus, and may increase irritability
ALL of which have been shown to affect what we DO (movement) and how we EAT (calories) throughout our day.
“Estrogen Dominance” is not responsible for your weight gain.
Blame your favourite online influencer! The term “estrogen dominance” gets thrown around online, but it’s not an actual medical diagnosis, and more importantly, doesn’t reflect what’s actually happening in our bodies.
I want you to have a better understanding of your body without the fluffy, fake terms that just add to the confusion.
So here’s what DOES happen:
- Estrogen levels actually fall in menopause, and will have more variability, but generally decrease, as you move through perimenopause.
- This shift can lead to changes in sleep, mood, habits, and body composition.
Understanding how to support your changing hormones naturally is more helpful than chasing a made-up diagnosis.
Calories Do Matter—But They’re Not the Whole Story
Yes, caloric balance matters. Eating more calories than you burn will eventually lead to weight gain.
The following may impact our daily calorie intake, and will therefore affect our weight:
🟢 How you FEEL (including how hungry you are!)
🟢 When and how often you eat, and
🟢 The nutritional value (ie macro and micronutrients) of what you eat
That’s why a personalized, integrative strategy that works with your body and lifestyle—not against it—is essential.
When You Don’t Feel Well, Your Weight Responds
If you’re tired, irritable, not sleeping well, or having trouble getting out of bed, your body is telling you something.
When you’re in survival mode, your body is more likely to:
- Hold onto weight
- Crave sugar and carbs
- Resist change, even with diet and exercise
That’s why it’s important to look at your overall health, including energy, sleep, mood, and stress as part of your weight loss journey.
No Diet Is ‘Best’ for you—Including Ketogenic or Intermittent Fasting
This might surprise you:
There is no strong research proving that keto, intermittent fasting, carnivore, or low-carb diets are superior for long-term weight loss, or for long term health benefits.
The only consistent finding?
🎯 Calorie reduction leads to weight loss—when it’s done gradually, and in a way you can stick with.
What actually works long-term:
- Flexibility with food
- Understanding how to make easy, healthy meals
- Learning to eat for both satisfaction and nourishment
So DITCH THE DIET– unless, of course, you’re only looking for short term results.
The “All or Nothing” Approach Fails—Every Time
Strict rules. Forbidden foods. Bouncing from keto to fasting to carb-cutting…
This “All or Nothing” mentality is one of the most common reasons women:
- Burn out.
- Gain the weight back (often plus more!)
- Feel defeated and frustrated.
Sustainable results come from consistency, not extremes.
Real Success Takes Time and Support
One of the most overlooked factors in successful weight loss?
👥 Ongoing coaching and accountability.
Research from the Look AHEAD trial (a major long-term study on lifestyle and weight loss) found that:
- The best results came from monthly coaching and accountability
- Not just from diet changes alone
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” meal plan or 3-session program that creates lasting results. It’s the consistency, professional support, and ability to adapt that makes the difference.
Why Your Weight Loss Strategy Has to Change as You Age
If you’ve been eating well, doing your best to stay active, and still not seeing changes in your weight, you’re not alone. Many women, especially as they move through their 30s, 40s, 50s, will feel stuck when the things that used to work just don’t anymore.
As you’ve seen, weight loss isn’t only about “calories in vs. calories out”—it’s about the details of your lifestyle, hormones, metabolism, energy levels, and the season of life you’re in.
Final Thought: Your Body Isn’t Broken
Weight changes as we age aren’t about willpower or failure. They’re a sign that your body and hormones are changing—and your approach should too.
Start with:
✅ Understanding your health, habits & hormones.
✅ Consistently fueling your body with real food.
✅ Getting help and guidance from an experienced professional in women’s health.
You deserve to feel at home in your body again!
The Next Step
Would you like help creating a weight and hormone health strategy that’s realistic for your busy life?
Book a Discovery call with Dr. Lisa – Get clarity about what’s going on inside your body, and discover what it would like to work with Dr Lisa.
REFERENCES