Your Body Isn't Working Against You - It's Communicating

I want to reframe something that might be causing you frustration, guilt, or even despair. That feeling that your body is working against you, betraying you, or simply broken after 40? It's not true. Your body isn't failing you - it's communicating with you. And once you understand its language, everything can change.

The Symptoms Aren't Random

The struggles you're experiencing aren't signs of failure or weakness. They're signals - your body's way of telling you what it needs.

Cravings That Won't Quit

When you find yourself constantly thinking about food, reaching for snacks, or never feeling satisfied after meals - that's often the protein leverage effect. Your body prioritizes protein above all other nutrients. It will keep driving you to eat until your protein needs are met, no matter how many calories you've consumed.

The translation: "I need more protein."

The Afternoon Energy Crash

That 2-3pm slump where you can barely keep your eyes open? It often traces back to breakfast. A low-protein breakfast causes blood sugar spikes and crashes, leaving you exhausted by afternoon.

The translation: "I needed protein this morning."

Weight Gain Despite Eating Less

One of the most frustrating experiences: eating less and less while the scale creeps up. This often signals muscle loss. When you restrict calories without enough protein, your body breaks down muscle for energy. Less muscle means lower metabolism means weight gain on the same (or fewer) calories.

The translation: "I'm losing muscle. I need more protein."

Increased Hunger During Menopause

If your appetite has ramped up during perimenopause or menopause, it's not weakness. Hormonal changes increase tissue protein breakdown, raising your body's demand for protein. If that demand isn't met through food, your body increases hunger signals.

The translation: "My protein needs have increased. Please feed me more protein."

Learning to Respond

Once you understand what your body is asking for, you can start responding effectively.

When Cravings Hit

Ask yourself: "Did I get enough protein at my last meal?" If the answer is no, don't reach for chips - reach for protein. A handful of nuts, a cheese stick, Greek yogurt. Often, that specific need once met will quiet the general cravings.

To Prevent the Afternoon Crash

Front-load your protein. Aim for 25-30g at breakfast - add protein powder to your coffee, eat eggs, include Greek yogurt. When your morning is anchored with protein, your energy stays stable through the afternoon.

To Protect Your Metabolism

Stop trying to eat as little as possible. Instead, prioritize protein at every meal while letting other calories flex. This approach preserves muscle, protects metabolism, and naturally reduces overall intake through increased satiety.

Simple Changes, Significant Shifts

You don't have to overhaul everything. Small, strategic changes can create meaningful shifts:

• Add protein to your morning coffee - 30g before you've even started breakfast
• Hit 25-30g protein at each meal - the threshold for satiety and muscle protection
• Increase protein by 3% of daily intake - research shows this naturally decreases total calories by 5-10%
• Include protein with every snack - stops the snacking spiral

Working With, Not Against

The shift in mindset is this: You're not fighting your body. You're not trying to overpower its signals with willpower. You're listening, understanding, and responding.

When you give your body what it's actually asking for:

• The cravings quiet
• The energy stabilizes
• The weight starts to respond
• The struggle lessens

Not because you're exerting more control, but because you're finally aligned with what your body needs.

This Week's Invitation

As you go into this week, I invite you to try something:

Every time you feel a craving, energy crash, or frustration with your body - pause. Instead of thinking "what's wrong with me?" ask "what is my body trying to tell me?"

Then respond with protein.

Notice what shifts when you start treating these signals as communication rather than failures. Notice how your body responds when you finally give it what it's been asking for.

You're not broken. You're not weak. Your body is working exactly as it should - and now you're learning to work with it.

Let's have a great week.

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Remember: Increase protein by 3%, see total calories decrease by 5-10%. Add protein to your morning coffee and stabilize your whole day. You've got this.