Your metabolism isn't broken

By the time we hit our 4os, it can be easy to think that our metabolism has packed its bags and left town. I personally noticed that even when weight appeared more readily after a bigger weekend, it just would not leave the way it used to. Between shifting hormones and surprise weight gain coupled with energy dips, it’s tempting to think: “My metabolism is just done.” But it's important to understand your metabolism isn't broken; it’s simply changing.

This is good news because this puts you in the driving seat. Knowledge is power.

With a smart strategy, a little mindset shift, and building in some evidence‑based habits, your midlife metabolism can still change for the better.

In this blog, we’ll walk through five key levers that still work, even when your hormones don’t seem to be helping.

1. Muscle matters more than ever...

Skeletal muscle is often the unsung hero of metabolism. Why? Because it’s metabolically active tissue. More muscle = higher resting energy expenditure, better glucose uptake, fewer fat‑storage signals. But as you transition through perimenopause and get older, muscle mass begins to decline. (Actually, this loss of muscle starts to happen around our mid-30s. Women can lose 3‑8% of muscle per decade, and that rate accelerates during perimenopause.)

That loss directly impacts your metabolic rate.

BUT, you can reverse or slow that loss. Strength training isn’t about getting bulky; it’s about metabolic resilience. Three strength sessions per week that challenge your major muscle groups will help rebuild the “engine” of your metabolism. Focus on compound moves (squats, deadlifts, push‑ups, rows), progressively raise the load, and treat muscle as the metabolic asset it is.

Shifting your mindset: think of your body less as “burning calories” and more as “building capacity.” The former is finicky; the latter is sustainable. When you build muscle, your body becomes more efficient, burns more energy, and stores fewer leftover calories as fat.

2. Your brain isn't separate from your metabolism

Here’s where the science meets the mindset: your brain isn’t separate from your metabolism; it’s central. Chronic stress, negative self‑talk and outdated body beliefs all send signals that alter your hormonal milieu. For example, elevated cortisol from ongoing stress contributes to fat storage, especially around the belly, and can slow metabolic processes.

You might ask: “How do I turn mindset into metabolism?” Start with awareness. Recognise the stories: “I’m just doomed to gain weight now,” “My metabolism is shot,” “Whatever I do, it won’t work.” Then reframe them with science: "I still can build muscle", "I still can influence my metabolism". Your internal narrative is powerful, so use it in a way that supports you, not works against you.

Practical mindset‑metabolic tools:

• What am I in control of, what did I do to support my metabolism today

• Visualising yourself building strength, not just fighting fat.

• Replacing “burning calories” language with “increasing capacity.”

• Framing midlife not as decline but as recalibration. A gentle shift

Because when your brain believes you can change your metabolism, your body believes it too.

3. Sleep is your secret metabolic weapon

Sleep is more than rest. For midlife women, hormonal fluctuations often mean disturbed sleep: hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and early waking. I have never been so familiar with 3.00am These disruptions aren’t cosmetic, they have real metabolic consequences: they impair insulin sensitivity, increase hunger hormones (ghrelin), decrease fullness hormones (leptin), and shift your energy‑burning patterns.

Here’s your actionable checklist for better sleep = better metabolism:

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends.

• Dim lighting in the evening; maximise natural morning light.

• Wind‑down routine: no screens 30‑60 minutes before bed.

• Consider magnesium or calming rituals (bath, reading, breath work) to modulate cortisol.

• Keep the bedroom calm, cool, quiet and dark (optimum for sleep architecture).

Sleep won't guarantee a perfect metabolism, but it removes a significant barrier. When you sleep well, you support hormonal regulation, appetite control, and energy management.

4. NEAT - every day movement that doesn't look like exercise

When hormones shift, hitting the gym hard isn’t the only, or even best, metabolic lever. Enter NEAT (Non‑Exercise Activity Thermogenesis), all those everyday movements: walking around the house, gardening, standing instead of sitting, taking stairs, fidgeting.

Here’s how to make NEAT work for you:

• Set a timer (every hour) and stand or walk for 5 minutes or do 30 squats.

• Use a standing desk or convert part of your workday to standing.

• Walk or talk meetings instead of sitting.

• Park further away, take walking breaks or choose the stairs when travelling. (This is a big one - next time you're at the train station, see how many people are standing on the escalator. I often have the stairs to myself, so come and join me.

• Shift from “I have to go for a workout later” to “I will move now” mindset.

These small hinges swing big metabolic doors. They increase daily energy expenditure, improve circulation, boost mood, and help you circumnavigate the hormonal drag.

5. Protein - the calculation you need to know

Midlife is one time when protein isn’t just optional, it’s foundational. Why? Because your body’s ability to build muscle is less responsive than in younger years. (Remember earlier when I said we are now losing muscle mass every decade from our mid-30s!) This means you regularly need high‑quality protein and to spread it across the day. This is what makes it manageable.

For women in perimenopause/menopause, optimal intake often sits around 1.2‑1.6 g/kg body weight (or higher depending on activity).

Here is the calculation you need:

• Calculate your target weight: e.g., if you want to weigh 70kg, aim for (70×1.2 to 1.6) = 84g - 112g daily

• Spread that evenly: approx 30 g per main meal + protein‑rich snacks. Prioritise complete protein sources (lean meat, fish, eggs, Greek yoghurt) and pair plant‑based ones with complementary sources if that’s what you prefer.

Use protein as metabolic protection. This isn’t about dieting; it’s about creating a strong framework for the body you have now and the one you will have for years to come.

When you give your body the amino acid building blocks from protein, your metabolism responds. You retain lean mass, regulate hunger, stabilise energy, and that has ripple effects on how your metabolism behaves.

A final word from me...

Here's the bottom line: our hormones are changing. That’s biology. But your metabolism isn’t out of service. It’s simply working with different rules now. I've just given you the playbook, and so now you have the controller in your hands. By strengthening muscle, leveraging your mindset, prioritising sleep, increasing everyday movement, and feeding your body optimal protein, you send a clear signal: “ I know the rules now, and I'm going to win the game.”