As a woman over the age of 40...
I’m sure you’ve heard comments about your health challenges. Annoying comments like “it’s normal” or “it’s part of getting older” or “welcome to the club”. Of course, these comments aren’t helpful, And the worst part, is that for a time you believed it…until now. Instead of seeing symptoms as “normal” we should be asking better questions. Questions like why?
I will yell from the roof top with ..."why?"
Why are you gaining weight over night and let’s be clear, it’s STUBBORN weight, right?
Why are you putting up with shifty moods and restless sleep?
And why the heck, have your once regular daily poops, turned into only going 3 times a week, leaving you feeling bloated and exhausted?
Those symptoms are not normal.
Now that's a better way of looking at our symptoms
Let’s look a little deeper at these 5 most common signs. And dig into what your body is trying to tell you and why paying attention is THE unlock you’ve been searching for.
1 - STUBBORN Weight Gain.
I know, it’s frustrating when you eat well and move your body, yet the scale won’t budge. Quick weight gain is one of the most common symptoms I see in my holistic health practice. There are many reasons for sudden weight gain. What makes it more common, is how stubborn it is.
One of my VIP clients, Patti had 3 main symptoms; weight gain, fatigue and heart burn.
Symptoms like these can point to deeper imbalances in your body.
Patti's heartburn was gone in 3 days when...
The best place to start is by tuning into your eating habits, energy levels and how your digestion feels. Small intentional changes can make a big difference.
2 - Shifting Moods You Can't Predict.
Oh this one is embarrassing for so many of us. Especially women who are givers and they suddenly find themselves feeling erratic and emotional.
A few years ago, I would go from happy-go-lucky to finding myself exploding in angry outburts.
Do you feel emotionally on edge, swinging between irritability and low energy? Hormones often take the blame… but mood shifts can also reflect nervous system dis-regulation or poor detoxification. These emotions aren’t “all in your head” – they’re clues your body needs balance.
Start paying attention to patterns.
I love geeking out on patterns inside The Flourish Academy because moods usually have a link. Look at your cycle, stress levels or sleep for clues. Understanding the root cause can empower you to find solutions.
3 - Restless Sleep That Leaves You Drained.
Sleep is when your body repairs, restores and resets. If you’re tossing and turning or waking up groggy, it’s good sign that something is out of sync.
When my client Liz came to me she wasn’t sleeping much at all and was actually losing weight at a rapid pace. She came to me in a last ditch effort to figure out what was going on. Her nervous system was on high alert, not allowing her to keep anything she put in her body. Her body simply “evacuated” everything. After a couple of months of nervous system regulating work, Liz began to feel calmer.
She was happier than she'd been in years.
She was sleeping again letting her body repair and recharge naturally.
Common culprits to restless sleep include cortisol imbalances and poor liver detox. Your body can even struggle to manage daily stress. Start by prioritizing a calming evening routine. Turn off sources of blue light at least one hour before bed. Yes, that includes all screens from TV to phones to iPads. Finally, check whether late night snacking is helpful or a culprit to your restless sleep and discover why you can’t relax and how to find peace here.
4 - Constipation You're Afraid to Talk About
We often brush this one off, but please don’t! Digestive symptoms like constipation are often ignored, but regular bowel movements are essential.
Regularity is about eliminating what you no longer need…let that land for a minute and read it again.
Your large intestine is a holding tank and needs to remove the toxins it’s holding. Without proper elimination you’ll become toxic in mind and body.
Your energy literally can't keep flowing.
When things get backed up, so does your body’s ability to function at its best.
One easy way to get things flowing again is to drink more water. I also recommend adding 1 tbsp of fresh ground flax meal to all of my VIP and Flourish clients. The extra fiber will help make you regular again. Finally, notice whether stress or certain foods are slowing things down. Small adjustments can improve both digestion and flow quickly.
5 - Feeling Exhausted, No Matter What You Do.
If coffee is your best friend and drinking it is the only way you can drum up energy each day…then you need to look at why.
Exhaustion or bone-deep fatigue is your body's cry for help.
I felt this deeply, after the birth of my second son. My body was depleted of minerals and iron, which I didn’t know, and I was doing too much. Running on empty with a toddler and newborn, I was ignoring all the key areas like nutrition. I lived off of coffee, whole wheat bread and peanut butter and never got enough rest. My emotional well-being was non-existent.
I did seek help...
And refused my medical doctor’s prescription for anti-depressants. I turned to holistic health and my search and journey for answers to my questions began.
My journey began with small steps overtime. I recommend the same for you. Small acts of kindness for your body. Nourishing your body with foods that restore energy. Or saying no to overcommitting and asking for help when you need it.
Your symptoms aren't random.
Stephanie Huntjens White is a holistic health coach and wellness stylist who helps women flip their 40+ symptoms into their superpower by helping them feel confident and in control of their changing over 40 body, in a beautiful holistic way. Book a free 20 minute discovery call.
The doors to The Flourish Academy are open. If you’ve ever dreamed of finding your new best friends… who understand that sleep, hunger, mood, energy and cravings are the key to happiness…then come join us, we can’t wait to meet you