#146 - Real Examples of How to Work With Your Changing Hormones, Not Against Them

Perimenopause changes how your body responds to training, nutrition, caffeine, sleep, recovery, and many supplements, making it feel like the things you always did to support your health and fitness are no longer working. And those shifts can begin as early as your 30s.In this episode, Louise Valentine, a leading women's integrative health and fitness expert for perimenopausal active women and female runners, shares real-life conversations with women who were doing many things “right” but still dealing with injuries, poor sleep, anxiety, cravings, body composition changes, and frustrating fitness setbacks.She explains why creatine quality, mode of delivery, and timing matter, why the right type of strength training becomes increasingly important for protecting muscle and reducing injury risk, and why protein quality deserves closer attention as women age.Louise also breaks down how late-day caffeine, poor fueling, and sugar before bed can affect cortisol, sleep, digestion, and next-day energy. Finally, she explains why extreme programs like 75 Hard may deliver short-term results but are nearly impossible to sustain due to the impacts on hormones, metabolic health, and working against time tested principles like progressive overload of exercise and nutrition strategies.The main message is simple: learn how your body is changing before problems pile up. As you will learn, working with your changing female physiology should not be complicated or confusing. Sustainable, female-specific strategies can help you stay strong, energized, and vibrantly active through perimenopause and beyond.RESOURCES + LINKSLearn & level up with my free nutrition guide & award-winning 1:1 Academy to thrive through perimenopause with less stress: https://www.breakingthroughwellness.comTake advantage of our podcast listener discount & save 20% off Kion’s science-backed clean products. Code "LOUISE" saves on all future orders: https://www.getkion.com/pages/maximizing Check out my FullScript here where you can see my curated supplement picks, by topic, to address your concerns & save 25% off!  A small portion of EACH sale goes back to support BTW.  Thank you!Learn, laugh & level up with a Breaking Through Wellness masterclass here.Link to check out Function Health & save $25 off comprehensive, proactive blood work using code “LVALENTINE11”  here.  $25 goes back to support BTW with each new sign up! Thank you!Episode Highlights:(0:00) Intro3:03) Simplifying fitness during perimenopause(8:35) Creatine benefits, quality, and dosage(11:49) Why creatine gummies may fall short(15:19) Perimenopause, injuries, and strength training(20:19) Hormonal changes and common injuries(25:26) Caffeine, cravings, sleep, and cortisol(31:44) Why extreme fitness plans backfire(34:59) Building sustainable fitness with progressive overload(37:39) Get educated before problems escalate(39:57) Simple strategies for lasting results(41:23) OutroTune in weekly to "Maximizing Hormones, Physique, and Running Through Perimenopause" for our simple female-specific science-based revolution. Let's unlock our best with less stress!I'd love to connect!Email 💬  [email protected]  Please note if you want to be a podcast guest, there is a fee and interview process. This is safe space and curated Community exclusively for women who love to feel, look and run our best without B.S. noise, endless pills, extreme diets or misleading fads.