Betsy Black

When women come to me exhausted, bloated, emotionally raw, and wondering why nothing they try is working anymore, I often ask a question that surprises them. "How is your gut?" Not their sleep (though we will get there). Not their stress levels (though those matter enormously). Not even their hormone labs. I start with the gut. Because in my years of working with women in perimenopause, I have come to understand something that is still underrepresented in mainstream women's health...

Why Perimenopause Weight Gain Happens Perimenopause weight gain can feel confusing and discouraging, especially when the habits that used to work suddenly stop working. There comes a moment for so many women when they look in the mirror and think: “What is happening to my body?” The weight gain seems sudden.The bloating feels constant.Sleep gets lighter.Energy gets lower.The brain fog creeps in.And the things that used to work… suddenly don’t anymore. You try harder.Eat less.Exercise more.Cut...

Perimenopause weight gain is common, but many women don’t understand why it happens. Hormone changes in midlife can affect metabolism, insulin, and fat storage, especially around the belly. This post explains the real reasons behind perimenopause weight gain and how to support your body naturally with nutrition, movement, and lifestyle shifts.