✨ Gentle Nutrition That Honors Your Changing Body

No more shrinking. No more shame. Just real fuel, real love, and real respect.

The biggest shift I’ve made in perimenopause hasn’t just been about what I eat — it’s been about why and how I eat.

For decades, I ate to shrink.

Or rather, I ate to grow — and ended up weighing over 355 lbs.

I ate to control the pain.

To numb sadness. To bury my depression.

To feel “in control” when everything else around me felt unsteady.

And if I’m being completely honest...

Being overweight made me feel like maybe I’d never be raped again.

And deep down, there was a part of me that hoped carrying that much weight would eventually kill me — and end the pain of a marriage that was destroying me.

That’s heavy. And I’ve carried it for far too long.

But this season of life — this midlife reclamation — has called me into something deeper. Something gentler. Something far more compassionate than I ever believed I deserved.

🧡 I don’t eat to shrink anymore.

I eat to support myself. To stabilize my mood. To fuel the energy I want to bring into my day. To rebuild trust between me and my body — one meal, one moment at a time.

That’s what I call gentle nutrition.

It’s not a diet. It’s not a trend. It’s a daily practice of listening, honoring, and nourishing my body for the life I want now — not the body I had 10 years ago or the one I once hated.

💫 What Gentle Nutrition Looks Like for Me:

🥣 I focus on protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They support my hormones, stabilize my mood, and help me feel grounded and clear—no more obsessing over every gram, just eating with intention.

⏳ I eat less often, but more intentionally—no more grazing. I choose when to nourish, and I make it count.

🍫 I include joy. Always. Some days, that looks like dark chocolate. Other days, it’s sourdough bread or the perfect smoothie. No guilt. No punishment. Just balance.

💭 I listen to my body. Am I full? Am I still hungry? Do I need more protein... or maybe just a nap? I ask — and now, I trust the answer more than I ever did at 25.

🌙 What If You're In Menopause?

If your period has officially been MIA for 12 months or more — welcome to menopause. Nutrition still matters deeply here, but some of your needs shift.

✨ You may need slightly fewer calories — but more protein. Preserving muscle becomes even more important now to protect metabolism, bone density, and strength.

✨ You might be more carb sensitive. Keeping blood sugar stable can really help with mood, energy, and brain clarity.

✨ Gut and liver support? Non-negotiable. Estrogen is in much shorter supply, so your body’s detox systems, digestion, and sleep all need backup. One thing that can support women in this area is Harmonia by Isagenix — a gentle daily greens blend designed to support the gut and nourish the microbiome. I haven't taken it yet because, well, I take a ton of our other products, but the reviews from women in menopause have been compelling, and once I reach my health goals from a weight and body composition standpoint, this will replace some of my other supplements.

✨ Hydration becomes next-level essential. With lower estrogen, dry skin, dry eyes, and vaginal dryness (yep, we’re going there) become more common. Water, healthy fats, and collagen-rich foods help support this phase beautifully.

💬 In other words: Menopause isn’t the end of your wellness journey — it’s just a new chapter with a slightly different recipe.

Perimenopause, and menopause research I've been doing, have taught me how to stop waging war on my body. To stop chasing skinny. To stop waiting for some old version of me to reappear.

Now, I eat for strength, steadiness, and sanity.

💬 Let’s Talk:

Are you in perimenopause, menopause… or not quite sure where you land? What’s one way you’ve shifted how you eat or care for your body in this season?

That wraps up our 5-part series on Nutrition for Menopause. But don't worry — we’re just getting started.

Up next? 🔥 The Eating for Energy Series — where we dive into the foods, habits, and rhythms that fuel your fire without the burnout.

Stick with me — we’re rebuilding from the inside out. 💛

With love,

Regina