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Menopause is already a lot. Add chronic stress and your body’s “alarm system” can get stuck on loud — nudging appetite up, sleep down, and storage towards the waist. In this episode, Juli and James break down how stress messes with midlife metabolism and what you can actually do about it without living like a monk or counting almonds.

What you’ll learn

Why short bursts of stress are fine — but living there all day tilts you towards snacky, central weight gain

How the midlife oestrogen shift changes your “storage postcode” (hello, tummy)

The sleep–stress–snack loop and why willpower isn’t the answer

Five high-leverage habits: protect your sleep window, a two-minute “circuit breaker” before raiding the kitchen, protein + fibre guardrails, lift + move (NEAT counts), and pre-commit simple meals

Where HRT may (or may not) fit

Join the free 360° Feel Better Challenge 

Five days. Five pillars — how you think, eat, move, relax and sleep — with short daily lives and one doable action a day. Starts 15 September. There’s a prize draw too, including a three-month VIP spot in Club Fabulous Beyond 40.

Grab your place: https://360feelbetterchallenge.com/

Next week

Episode 60: The Gut Connection — Why Digestive Health Affects Everything.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for education only and isn’t a substitute for personalised medical advice. Discuss your individual health decisions — including HRT — with your healthcare professional.