In honor of Menopause Awareness Month, we are reposting our conversation with Dr. Stacy Sims.

If you're a woman in your 40s or 50s and starting to gain weight, you're not alone. Many women experience weight gain during perimenopause, the transition into menopause. And even if you've been eating well and exercising regularly, those extra pounds can be tough to lose.

But there's good news: by understanding the hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause, you can make specific lifestyle changes that will help you lose weight and keep it off. In this episode, Coach Crystal is joined by Dr. Stacy Sims, an expert in exercise physiology and nutrition science, to discuss how to counteract the hormonal changes that lead to weight gain. They cover topics like:

1. Perimenopause versus menopause
2. How the biggest changes in body composition occur before menopause
3. How to counteract specific hormonal changes through exercise and nutrition
4. How much weight should you lift?
5. Sprint interval training versus high-intensity interval training
6. Additional ways to increase intensity besides just speed
7. Importance of deload weeks
8. How do you know if you are going fast enough during sprint training?
9. Taking the time to review your biomechanics and make adjustments
10. Polarizing your workout routine: really intense days versus really easy days
11. Why cortisol levels are key
12. It is not too late to start lifting heavy or adding HIIT training after menopause

Get to know more about Dr. Sims and find her books at https://www.drstacysims.com/

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