Apple Podcast - Spotify - YouTube

If you’ve been doing all the “right things”—eating healthy, moving your body, staying on plan—and still can’t lose that stubborn belly fat, I see you, friend. It’s one of the most common frustrations I hear from women in midlife:

“Kris, I’m exercising every day, but my body just isn’t responding anymore.”

The truth? It’s not that you’re not trying hard enough. It’s that your body has changed. The same workouts and routines that once worked in your 30s may now be keeping you stuck.

Let’s unpack why—and how you can start seeing results again, without living at the gym.

Why What Used to Work Doesn’t Work Anymore

When estrogen begins to decline in perimenopause and menopause, it affects everything from how your body stores fat to how efficiently it builds muscle.
Estrogen used to help regulate insulin and protect your muscle tissue. When it drops, your metabolism slows, and your body becomes less sensitive to insulin. Translation? You store ...

Apple Podcast - Spotify - YouTube

Why Cardio Isn’t the Queen Anymore

I grew up in the 80s and 90s with leg warmers, Jane Fonda, and step aerobics leading the fitness scene. Back then, cardio was the queen. We were taught that the more you sweat it out on the treadmill or in an aerobics class, the more calories you’d burn, and the more weight you’d lose.

But here’s the thing: in perimenopause and menopause, more cardio doesn’t equal more fat loss. In fact, it often backfires. Long sessions of running, cycling, or high-impact classes actually raise cortisol, your stress hormone. And when cortisol goes up, guess what else goes up? Belly fat.

That’s right—those endless cardio sessions that used to feel like the gold standard are now contributing to the very thing you want to get rid of.

This doesn’t mean cardio is bad or that you should never do it. But it’s no longer the star player. Midlife bodies need a smarter strategy—one that works with your hormones, not against them.

Apple Podcast - Spotify - YouTube 

If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and wondering how much cardio you really need to lose belly fat and support your hormones—girl, you’re not alone.

This episode of Menopause Makeover (aka The Honeycast) is for every midlife mama who has tried to out-cardio her belly fat, only to feel more tired, achy, and frustrated. I’ve been there too—with the Jane Fonda workouts, the step aerobics, and hours logged on the elliptical. Spoiler alert: It didn’t work.

Let’s talk about what does.

Why More Cardio Isn’t the Answer in Menopause

For years we believed more cardio meant more calories burned—and that meant more fat loss, right? Not so fast.

Here’s the truth no one told us: More cardio can actually stall fat loss and increase fat storage when you're in midlife.

That’s because...

• It increases cortisol (your stress hormone), which signals your body to store fat—especially belly fat.
  
• It can break down lean muscle, which we need mor...

Apple Podcast - Spotify - YouTube

Strength training in your 40s, 50s, and beyond isn’t about chasing soreness or trying to keep up with some influencer’s 7-day shred. It’s about training smarter—so you can burn fat, build muscle, and feel good in your body again without wrecking your hormones in the process.

If you’ve been wondering why your old workouts aren’t working anymore or why you feel more drained than energized after exercise, you’re not alone. Midlife bodies don’t respond the same way they used to—and that’s not a bad thing. It just means we need to shift how we move, how we recover, and how we fuel.

Let’s break down exactly how to strength train for fat loss in menopause and perimenopause—without the burnout.

Why Strength Training Is the #1 Belly Fat Loss Exercise in Menopause

Let me say it loud and clear: strength training is your best friend after 40.

You can cardio yourself to death and still not budge the scale—or worse, see it creep up. Why? Because yo...

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Welcome, friends! I get a lot of questions about what I do in a day—what I eat, how I exercise, how I stay consistent. I love sharing because I’ve been exactly where many of you are, struggling to find a rhythm that works. After over 14 years of refining my habits, I’ve created a lifestyle that keeps me healthy, supports my hormones, and allows me to live with energy and joy.

If you're a midlife woman trying to lose weight, struggling with belly fat, or wondering how to make Trim Healthy Mama work for you, this post is for you. Let’s dive into my daily routine and the strategies that have helped me create lasting habits.

The Power of Small, Sustainable Habits

For years, I was an all-or-nothing person. I’d dive into a new diet, fitness plan, or life change full throttle—only to burn out in a few days. Sound familiar? I had to learn that consistency isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, about stacking small, sustainable habits that add up ov...

MUSIC PROVIDED BY - https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Welcome, friends! Today, we’re talking about a topic that’s near and dear to my heart: the best exercises for women in midlife. 

As a Trim Healthy coach, personal trainer, and menopause fitness specialist, I’m here to help you navigate this new season of life with practical, science-backed strategies. 

Let’s talk about how to build muscle, burn fat, and take control of your health during menopause and beyond.

Why Exercise Changes During Midlife

In our 30s and 40s, many of us could do a variety of exercises and still see results. But as we move into perimenopause and menopause, our hormones shift, and the game changes. The hormones that once helped us build muscle, regulate blood sugar, and burn fat are no longer as abundant. This means we need to be intentional about our exercise...

Hey there! Quick heads-up—this post contains affiliate links to products I’ve mentioned. If you choose to use them, it won’t cost you anything extra, but I may earn a small commission. No pressure at all, just a big thanks for your support!

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Midlife can feel like a rollercoaster, especially when your hormones seem to have a mind of their own, your body isn’t responding to old routines, and stress levels are through the roof. 

But here's the thing—you can thrive in this season of life! 

It takes smart movement, mindful eating, and the right support system to get you there. 

I’ve been where you are, and through years of trial and error, I’ve discovered what works for me and the women I coach. 

So, let’s dive into how you can thrive, starting with movement, nutrition, and managing those hormone changes you’re dealing with in midlife.

The Non-Negotiables: Movement in Midlife

Staying active is essential for overall health, especially...

Apple Podcast - Spotify

We're going to explore the science behind the best and worst types of cardio for us in midlife and beyond. Understanding the right kind of cardio is so important for maintaining our health and fitness, especially as we navigate the changes that come with menopause. So, let’s dive in!

The Role of Hormones in Midlife Fitness

As we hit menopause, our hormones, especially estrogen and testosterone, start to decline. Estrogen is amazing – it helps us build muscle, gives us energy, regulates glucose, aids insulin sensitivity, boosts metabolism, and protects our heart, breasts, and brain. Testosterone also plays a key role but is less prominent in women.

When these hormones drop, we face challenges in muscle building, energy levels, and metabolism. That’s why it’s crucial to tweak our exercise routines during midlife. With estrogen no longer providing its benefits, exercise becomes the stimulus we need to keep our bones strong, regulate insulin, burn fa...

MUSIC PROVIDED BY - https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Hello friends and welcome to our journey towards a healthier, more balanced life! Today, I'm excited to share with you how I set myself up for success each day, week, and even month. As a busy midlife mama, juggling multiple roles as a business owner, mom, wife, sister, daughter, and friend, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to manage everything while trying to maintain healthy habits and lose weight.

When I first started this journey, my brain resisted the idea of planning and pre-deciding my days. It seemed like a lot of work, and I didn't want to think through everything I needed to do. But I've learned that taking time on the front end is the key to success. When I follow my planning routine, I feel more in control and less frantic. When I don't, chaos ensues.

With nine kids, four still at home, and two homeschooling, plus recently graduating my 17-year-old (yay!), life is busy....

 MUSIC PROVIDED BY - https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Are you really struggling with your weight and energy levels? If so, I wanted to talk a little bit about this phenomenon called exercise intolerance. 

Normally I encourage women to get moving and to do the needle moving exercises like strength training with a bit of HIIT (high-intensity) as well as Sprint interval training plus everyday movement. But sometimes I will talk to a client who is describing that they are exhausted they feel terrible after their workout. They can't just work through it and just get through the workout. This is something that can happen in midlife for different reasons and it's called exercise intolerance.

There can be many reasons for exercise intolerance, but don't hear me wrong, I'm not saying that you're intolerant to exercise because maybe you don't like it. That’s an excuse, but I'm talking about actual physical things that are going on in your body that are p...