I was at the gym recently and saw someone wearing a t-shirt that said,
“I work out to burn off the crazy.”
It’s a cute saying, and I get it. So many people are stressed in today’s society, and working out is a good outlet. It’s a positive release, right?
Well, not always. For many women over 40 with a slow metabolism, intense workouts might actually be hurting their metabolism even more.
The Stress-Metabolism Connection
Here’s the deal: If you already have a stressed life or a busy brain, your adrenal glands are continuously secreting stress hormones, especially cortisol.
And guess what? It’s really hard to lose weight when your cortisol levels are high. High cortisol can leave you feeling exhausted (or with that wired-but-tired sensation), cause lots of inflammation, and spark cravings.
The Cardio Conundrum
Now, here’s the kicker – cardio exercise also releases stress hormones. So, maybe it’s not the best solution if you’re looking to lose weight. Don’t get me wrong, exercise is fantastic for your health, but it’s crucial to strike the right balance. More isn’t always better, especially if you’re leading a stressful life. It’s also vital to properly fuel your body before and after workouts so your metabolism can thrive, instead of feeling depleted and resorting to using muscle stores.
Evaluate Your Exercise Routine:
❓ Are you getting balanced activity? This should include resistance training and stretching in addition to cardio.
❓ Do you fuel your body in preparation for exercise?
❓ Do you refuel with a balanced meal or snack within an hour after your workout?
❓ Are you in tune with your body enough to know (or feel) whether your exercise routines help or hurt your metabolism?
AHA Moment
If you work out in the morning and later feel exhausted (like you need a 3 pm nap) and your cravings are strong at the end of the day, it might mean your adrenals can’t handle that much or that type of activity. It could also signify that you didn’t fuel enough, leading to tired adrenals and a slowed metabolism.
A New Approach to Exercise and Metabolism
If this sounds like you and you want to learn how to eat and exercise in a way that revs your metabolism (especially during these tricky times around menopause when our hormones are shifting and our bodies are changing), then it’s time to take action.
Schedule Your Metabolism Mastery Call
During our Metabolism Mastery Call, we’ll review your habits, create a personalized plan, and see if our program is a good fit for you.
👋🏼 As a Registered Dietitian and Holistic Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience, I’ve helped thousands of women transform their lives by priming and healing their metabolism. Our approach is not about quick fixes or focusing on the scale. It’s about creating a sustainable, healthy lifestyle tailored specifically for you.
What you should do next …
✅ Register for my Nutrition Class: 3 Realistic Solutions to Rev Your Metabolism so you can Drop Weight Naturally Without Deprivation. And after class, you will receive a gift (My Favorite Balanced Breakfast Recipe Book). I recommend you register early; spaces are limited!
✅ Sign-up for my 3-Day Eating Reset: Tame your sugar cravings without feeling deprived. You will receive my step-by-step guide to stabilize your blood sugar with a done-for-you menu plan, simple recipes, and shopping list.
✅ Schedule a FREE Metabolism Mastery Call: This is a no pressure phone conversation with our health coaches. Let’s dive into your specific challenges and goals to figure out what next steps are best for you.
About the Author
Hello, I’m Betsy Markle. I’m a Registered Dietitian and Holistic Nutritionist with over 20 years of experience. Living a busy life with 3 kids and a passionate career, I understand the importance of realistic nutrition, exercise, and balanced living.
Women tend to put the needs of everyone else before their own. My passion is to empower women to create a healthy lifestyle that they love and can stick with forever.
Here at Sunshine Wellness, we are proud to help women lose weight effortlessly, overcome cravings, and revive energy so they can heal their metabolism, ditch the diet mentality, and love their bodies.
