Let’s have the conversation that too often gets whispered—or ignored entirely.
You’re tired. And not just tired-tired.
We’re talking bone-deep, brain-fogged, mood-swingy, who even am I anymore tired.
The kind of tired that makes you forget simple words, cry at dog food commercials, and rage at your jeans for betraying you.
And somewhere in the swirl of all that, maybe you’re also noticing friends starting GLP-1 meds like Ozempic or Wegovy, raving about the weight loss, and you’re sitting there wondering if you’re missing the memo. Or if there’s something wrong with you.
Here’s the truth:
You’re not broken.
You’re not lazy.
And you’re definitely not the only one who feels this way.
What’s Actually Going On in Midlife
This phase of life comes with a cascade of internal shifts—and they’re rarely visible to the outside world. Your energy tanks, your sleep gets wonky, your metabolism takes a nap, and your hormones? They go full toddler-meltdown mode.
Estrogen and progesterone decline, which doesn’t just affect your cycle. It hits your mood, your brain, your bones, your sleep, your skin, your appetite, and your ability to regulate stress.
Your body is doing a lot of work right now—even if it feels like it’s falling apart.
Let’s Talk About Metabolism
You may have noticed the frustrating math that midlife brings: you’re eating the same, moving the same, and still gaining weight. Or maybe you’re eating less and moving more, and the scale still won’t budge.
What gives?
Here’s the thing: our metabolism naturally slows down with age. Muscle mass decreases, which means we burn fewer calories at rest. And if stress is high (which it usually is), cortisol can drive fat storage—especially in the belly.
Add sleep disruption and blood sugar fluctuations to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect storm for feeling out of whack.
This isn’t your fault. It’s not about willpower. It’s physiology.
So… What About GLP-1s?
GLP-1s (like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro) are all over the headlines—and probably your group texts too. Originally designed for managing Type 2 diabetes, they’ve now become a popular tool for weight loss. And yes, they can be effective. These medications work by mimicking a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite.
But here’s the catch: they’re not a magic fix.
They don’t address hormone shifts, muscle loss, or emotional eating. They don’t build healthy habits. And they’re not for everyone. Side effects are real. The cost is high. And the long-term research—especially for women in perimenopause and menopause—is still developing.
This isn’t about judgment. If you’re using a GLP-1 and it’s helping you feel better, that’s valid. If you’re curious, that’s valid too. And if you’re overwhelmed or uninterested, that’s okay.
The goal isn’t to decide what’s right or wrong. It’s to have the conversation with honesty and self-compassion.
What Actually Helps in Midlife (That No One Tells You)
Here’s what tends to move the needle in this chapter:
- Prioritizing protein – Especially in the morning to stabilize blood sugar and support muscle
- Strength training – It’s not about being shredded; it’s about muscle, bone health, and energy
- Stress support – Think nervous system care: walking, breathwork, rest, boundaries
- Sleep hygiene – Even when sleep is elusive, protecting your rest still matters
- Lifting the shame – Your worth has nothing to do with your pant size
Also: hydration, joyful movement, and giving yourself credit for showing up in a body that’s doing a lot behind the scenes.
You Don’t Have to Pretend This Is Fine
Because let’s be real—it’s not fine.
This isn’t just “getting older.” This is a hormonal storm, a metabolic shift, an identity shake-up, and a major life transition all rolled into one.
We deserve more than silence and stigma. We deserve real support. We deserve to stop carrying shame for something we didn’t cause and can’t control.
Midlife isn’t about “getting back to your old self.” It’s about meeting your current self—fully—and learning what she needs now.
So if you’ve been blaming yourself, stop. If you’ve been suffering quietly, you don’t have to. And if you’ve been thinking, this can’t just be me—you’re absolutely right.
You’re not crazy.
You’re changing.
And you’re still in charge.