FREE SUPPORT & RESOURCES:

‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULTATION + CALORIE CALCULATION call
• how much & what to eat 🍴🌮
• exercise & lifestyle recommendations 🚶‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️
• specific resources to support you on your journey 📕
https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom

‣ Take The Fat Loss Fix Quiz:
https://1ck2gu1qfir.typeform.com/menometabolism

Fat loss over 40 doesn’t require more restriction.
It requires understanding how to influence the signals your body responds to.

In this episode, we’re breaking down why hormones play such a powerful role in fat loss after 40—and why waiting for them to “balance themselves” keeps most women stuck.

You’ll learn why your body is constantly receiving instructions to either burn fat or store it, and how those instructions can be intentionally changed. If you’ve felt like your metabolism is running the show—or that fat loss is no longer in your control—this conversation will reframe what’s actually possible.

🎧 Press play if you’re ready to stop reacting to your hormones and start directing them.

GROUP COACHING: 6 Week Inflammation + Detox and Fat Loss Accelerator
https://www.vitalityoet.com/6weekfatloss

TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro – Why Fat Loss Stops Working in Perimenopause
(02:03) Why Calories Alone Don’t Work After 40
(04:01) Cortisol: The Master Hormone Controlling Fat Storage
(16:01) Insulin, Blood Sugar & Why Carbs Aren’t the Problem
(19:48) Thyroid, Energy & Burning Calories Efficiently
(24:35) Progesterone, Estrogen & Hormone Balance for Fat Loss
(30:23) The Correct Order to Fix Hormones & Lose Fat
(32:09) Final Takeaway & Next Steps

CONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:

‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULTATION + CALORIE CALCULATION call
• how much you should eat 🍴
• what you should eat 🌮
• exercise adjustments 🏋🏽‍♀️
• lifestyle recommendations 🚶‍♀️
• specific resources to support you on your journey 📕
https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom

‣ BRAND NEW workout subscription:
https://coach.everfit.io/package/UF858169

‣ Join our community: Metabolism and Menopause by Vitality - Secrets for Fat Loss
https://m.facebook.com/groups/969761266958379

‣ Apply for coaching with us:
https://calendly.com/d/386-k9q-4cg/coaching-application-call-zoom

‣ Website: https://www.vitalityoet.com/
‣ DUTCH hormone testing: https://www.loom.com/share/a567d01c12b44aaf855dcf3d9049d537
‣ Menopause supplements (code VITALITY10): https://shop.nutritiondynamic.com/collections/all
‣ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie

Listen on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7erYECmZG7JHyzFePoaybe?si=ad89a3c7d408496e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-metabolism-and-menopause-podcast/id1683220450

All other links:
https://stan.store/vitalityoetstephanie

Email: [email protected]

----
© 2026 Stephanie Crassweller & VitalityOET

‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULTATION + CALORIE CALCULATION call
• how much & what to eat 🍴🌮
• exercise & lifestyle recommendations 🚶‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️
• specific resources to support your journey 📕
https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom

‣ Take The Fat Loss Fix Quiz:
https://1ck2gu1qfir.typeform.com/menometabolism

‣ 6 Week Fat Loss Accelerator Program:
6 Week Inflammation + Detox and Fat Loss Accelerator
https://www.vitalityoet.com/6weekfatloss

Do your jeans feel tight one day and fine the next?
Are you constantly wondering… “Is this bloat or am I actually gaining fat?”

In this episode, we break down the real difference between inflammation, bloating, and fat gain — and why most women 40+ end up dealing with both at the same time.

You’ll learn:
👉 The hormonal shifts that slow digestion and speed up fat storage
👉 How estrogen, cortisol, and insulin change how your belly looks
👉 The exact symptoms that tell you if it’s bloat or fat
👉 Why “clean eating” doesn’t fix a bloated belly
👉 How inflammation blocks your fat-burning pathway
👉 Simple, science-backed steps to reduce bloat and open fat-burning pathways again

If you’ve been eating less, moving more, and still feel puffy, swollen, or stuck — this episode will finally show you what’s really going on and how to fix it.

Hit play. Let’s get your body burning again — not bloating and storing.

TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro – Am I Bloated or Am I Gaining Fat?
(02:09) What Bloating Actually Is (and Why It’s Worse After 40)
(03:27) Hormones, Cortisol & Digestion Explained
(05:46) Fat Gain in Midlife: What’s Really Changing
(07:04) Signs It’s Fat Gain vs Temporary Bloat
(09:14) How Bloating Triggers Fat Storage
(12:40) Bloat vs Fat vs Both: How to Tell
(14:23) Fixing Bloating: Digestion, Stress & Meal Timing
(17:02) Fixing Fat Gain: Muscle, Metabolism & Hormones
(21:53) Why Eat Less, Move More Stops Working

CONNECT WITH ME:

‣ FREE Consultation + Calorie Calculation:
https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom

‣ Workout Subscription:
https://coach.everfit.io/package/UF858169

‣ Join the Community:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/969761266958379

‣ Apply for Coaching:
https://calendly.com/d/386-k9q-4cg/coaching-application-call-zoom

‣ Website:https://www.vitalityoet.com/
‣ DUTCH Hormone Testing:Learn more
‣ Supplements (code VITALITY10):Shop here
‣ Instagram:@vitalityoet.stephanie

Email:[email protected]

© 2025 Stephanie Crassweller & VitalityOET

‣ Book Your COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:
- how much & what to eat🍴🌮
- exercise & lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️
- specific resources to support you on your journey📕
https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom

‣ Take The Fat Loss Fix Quiz:https://1ck2gu1qfir.typeform.com/menometabolism

6 week Fat Loss Accelerator Program: 6 Week Inflammation + Detox and Fat Loss Accelerator:https://www.vitalityoet.com/6weekfatloss

If you’ve ever said, “I know what to do… I just don’t have time,” this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale.

Women in their 30s–60s are living the busiest chapter of their lives — careers, kids, aging parents, households, emotional load, and the rollercoaster of perimenopause and menopause. And when the fatigue rises, cravings hit, inflammation flares, and weight won’t budge… it’s easy to believe the problem is simply time.

In this episode, I break down:

✨ The 5 highest-return fat-loss strategies for busy women
✨ Micro-habits that open your fat-burning pathways even when life is chaos
✨ The identity shift that finally creates consistency without willpower
✨ What to STOP doing when you’re overwhelmed (and why it’s blocking fat loss)

This isn’t about hustle.
This isn’t about discipline.
This isn’t about squeezing more into your day.

It’s about learning how to work with your midlife physiology so your body finally responds — even when your life is full.

You’re not failing.

You’re fighting biology with outdated strategies.

Tune in and learn the simple, realistic shifts that help busy women lose weight without needing more time — just less resistance.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) – Intro: Why Fat Loss Feels Impossible When You’re Busy
(01:29) – Why Traditional Fat Loss Advice Fails Busy Women
(03:25) – The Hidden Cost of Decision Fatigue & Burnout
(05:37) – Anchor #1: Low-Effort, High-Return Meals
(09:49) – Anchor #2: Short, Strategic Workouts That Boost Metabolism
(12:27) – Anchor #3: Simple Morning Habits That Support Fat Burning
(15:28) – Anchor #4: Simplifying & Automating Food Decisions
(18:58) – Anchor #5: Stress Management That Fits a Busy Life
(24:07) – What to Stop Doing When You’re Busy (Skipping Meals, Fasting & Perfectionism)
(28:06) – Final Takeaway: Less Friction, Fewer Decisions, Better Results

CONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:

‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:
- how much you should eat🍴
- what you should eat 🌮
- exercise adjustments🏋🏽‍♀️
- lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️
- specific resources to support you on your journey📕
https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom

‣ Check out our BRAND NEW workout subscription:https://coach.everfit.io/package/UF858169

‣ Join our community! Metabolism and Menopause by Vitality - Secrets for Fat Loss:https://m.facebook.com/groups/969761266958379

‣ Apply for coaching with us! -https://calendly.com/d/386-k9q-4cg/coaching-application-call-zoom

‣ Our Website! -https://www.vitalityoet.com/

‣ Learn more about DUTCH hormone testing with VitalityOET -https://www.loom.com/share/a567d01c12b44aaf855dcf3d9049d537

‣ Menopause supplements (use code VITALITY10 for 10% off your order) -https://shop.nutritiondynamic.com/collections/all

‣ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie

‣ Listen the Podcast on Apple or Spotify:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7erYECmZG7JHyzFePoaybe?si=ad89a3c7d408496e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-metabolism-and-menopause-podcast/id1683220450

‣ All other links:https://stan.store/vitalityoetstephanie

‣ Email: [email protected]

----
© 2025 Stephanie Crassweller & VitalityOET

6 week fat loss accelerator: https://www.vitalityoet.com/6weekfatloss

If you’ve ever walked out of your doctor’s office with the words “everything is normal” while you know something is not normal… this episode is your validation.

Women over 40 don’t need quick glances at standard labs.

They need deeper interpretation.

Because fat loss at 40, 45, 50+ is no longer just calories in, calories out.

It’s physiology.

Today, we’re breaking down:

1. The exact labs we use inside VitalityOET

2. The optimal ranges

3. What each marker actually measures

4. Symptoms when it’s off

5. Why it matters for women 40+

6. Its impact on fat loss

7. Real-world lab combinations & how we build your customized plan

This is where the lightbulb moment happens

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) – Intro: Why “Everything Is Normal” Isn’t Good Enough

(01:29) – The Fat Loss Lab Panel Every Woman Over 40 Needs

(04:03) – Blood Sugar, A1C & Insulin: Fat Burning vs Fat Storage

(10:22) – Thyroid Labs Explained (TSH, T4, T3 & Reverse T3)

(16:07) – Inflammation Markers & Why Fat Loss Gets Blocked

(18:26) – Iron, Ferritin & Energy Production

(20:37) – Liver Markers & Detoxification for Fat Loss

(23:03) – Cholesterol, Triglycerides & Metabolic Health

(24:15) – Hormones, SHBG, DHEA & Cortisol Testing

(28:30) – Common Lab Combinations That Stall Fat Loss

(36:37) – How to Use Labs to Build a Fat Loss Plan That Works

Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:

- how much you should eat🍴

- what you should eat 🌮

- exercise adjustments🏋🏽‍♀️

- lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️

- specific resources to support you on your journey📕https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Check out our BRAND NEW workout subscription: https://coach.everfit.io/package/UF858169

‣ Join our community! Metabolism and Menopause by Vitality - Secrets for Fat Loss: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/groups/969761266958379

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Apply for coaching with us! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/d/386-k9q-4cg/coaching-application-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Our Website! - https://www.vitalityoet.com/

‣ Learn more about DUTCH hormone testing with VitalityOET - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loom.com/share/a567d01c12b44aaf855dcf3d9049d537⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣

Listen to the Podcast on Apple or Spotify:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7erYECmZG7JHyzFePoaybe?si=ad89a3c7d408496e

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-metabolism-and-menopause-podcast/id1683220450

‣ All other links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/vitalityoetstephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

----© 2025 Stephanie Crassweller & VitalityOET

‣ Book Your COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:

- how much & what to eat🍴🌮

- exercise & lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️

- specific resources to support you on your journey📕https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Take The Fat Loss Fix Quiz: https://1ck2gu1qfir.typeform.com/menometabolism

Rest isn’t working. More sleep isn’t helping. And pushing harder is only making things worse.

There’s a reason so many women over 40 feel trapped in exhaustion—and it’s not just willpower, aging, or hormones “being annoying.” In this episode, we break down the two exhaustion patterns driving midlife burnout and fatigue—and why the right next step depends on which one you’re in.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and finally understand what your body is doing, this episode is for you.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) – Intro: Why You’re More Exhausted Than Ever

(00:57) – Burnout vs Chronic Fatigue: What’s the Difference?

(03:22) – How Energy Production Breaks Down in Midlife

(06:03) – Signs It’s Mental Burnout (Wired but Tired)

(08:07) – Signs It’s Physical Chronic Fatigue

(10:41) – Root Causes: Stress, Hormones & Nervous System Overload

(13:23) – Inflammation, Thyroid & Mitochondrial Slowdown

(18:06) – How to Tell Which One You’re Dealing With

(19:49) – Nervous System Tools to Recover from Burnout

(26:24) – Supporting Energy, Sleep & Fatigue Recovery

(29:09) – Why Everything Is Connected in Perimenopause

(33:25) – Final Takeaway: Your Body Isn’t BrokenCONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:

- how much you should eat🍴

- what you should eat 🌮

- exercise adjustments🏋🏽‍♀️

- lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️

- specific resources to support you on your journey📕https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Book Your COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:

- how much & what to eat🍴🌮

- exercise & lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️- specific resources to support you on your journey📕

https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Take The Fat Loss Fix Quiz: https://1ck2gu1qfir.typeform.com/menometabolism

If your hormones look “normal” on paper but your body still refuses to respond… you might be dealing with high SHBG— one of the most overlooked hormone blockers for women over 40.

In today’s episode, we break down what SHBG actually does, why it skyrockets during midlife, and how it can make you feel tired, puffy, unmotivated, and stuck no matter how clean you eat or how consistent you are.

If you’ve been lifting, walking, eating well — yet still gaining weight or losing muscle — this episode is going to make everything click.

It’s not that your body isn’t trying. It’s that your hormones are getting locked away.

Tune in to learn how SHBG impacts metabolism, mood, libido, and fat loss… and what you can do to open up your fat-burning pathway again.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) – Intro: When Your Labs Look Normal but You Feel Awful

(00:55) – What Is SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)?

(02:42) – Common Symptoms of High SHBG in Midlife Women

(04:08) – How High SHBG Blocks Fat Burning

(07:49) – SHBG, Muscle Loss & Testosterone Decline

(09:47) – Why Diets Stop Working After 40

(10:41) – What Causes SHBG to Rise (Stress, Undereating & More)

(16:50) – Birth Control, Thyroid Meds & Liver Stress

(19:09) – How to Lower SHBG Naturally

(24:59) – Training, Sleep, Carbs & Stress Management

(29:45) – Final Takeaway: Unlocking Hormones to Burn Fat Again

CONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:

‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:

- how much you should eat🍴

- what you should eat 🌮

- exercise adjustments🏋🏽‍♀️

- lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️

- specific resources to support you on your journey📕

https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Check out our BRAND NEW workout subscription: https://coach.everfit.io/package/UF858169

‣ Join our community!

Metabolism and Menopause by Vitality - Secrets for Fat Loss: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/groups/969761266958379⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Apply for coaching with us! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/d/386-k9q-4cg/coaching-application-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Our Website! - https://www.vitalityoet.com/

‣ Learn more about DUTCH hormone testing with VitalityOET - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loom.com/share/a567d01c12b44aaf855dcf3d9049d537

‣ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Listen the Podcast on Apple or Spotify:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7erYECmZG7JHyzFePoaybe?si=ad89a3c7d408496e

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-metabolism-and-menopause-podcast/id1683220450

‣ All other links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/vitalityoetstephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠----© 2025 Stephanie Crassweller & VitalityOET

‣ Book Your COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:- how much & what to eat🍴🌮- exercise & lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️- specific resources to support you on your journey📕https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Take The Fat Loss Fix Quiz: https://1ck2gu1qfir.typeform.com/menometabolismDo you ever hit that point where one tiny thing—a comment, a messy counter, tracking one more meal—sends you straight into “I can’t do this anymore”?

You’re not dramatic.

You’re not lazy.

You’re not self-sabotaging on purpose.

Your brain is in survival mode, and during perimenopause and menopause, that shift becomes even more intense.

In this episode, I breaks down the real reason your fat loss stalls when your brain is overwhelmed, chronically stressed, and rewired from years of hustle, responsibility, trauma, under-eating, over-training, and “pushing through.”

You’ll learn:

- Why your brain defaults to old habits even when you deeply want to change

- How chronic stress literally shrinks and inflames key areas of your brain

- Why willpower disappears when your nervous system hits “low power mode”

- The connection between stress, overwhelm, and being stuck in a fat-storing state

- Why eating less + moving more backfires when your brain feels unsafe

- How this shows up as irritability, shutdown, brain fog, shame, or feeling like you’re “failing”

This episode is raw and deeply personal—touching on the moments that shaped my own stress response, the years my mom spent stuck in this overwhelmed state, and why understanding this brain-body connection is one of the most important pieces of fat loss for midlife women.

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Why can’t I just get it together?”

This episode is the missing link.

Your brain isn’t broken.

It’s overwhelmed—and once you know how to shift it out of survival mode, fat loss stops feeling impossible and you finally feel like you again.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) – Intro: Why Fat Loss Stops Working in Midlife

(01:11) – How the Brain Can Block Fat Burning

(04:00) – Chronic Stress & “Low Power Mode” Explained

(07:02) – Brain Changes: Decision Fatigue, Reactivity & Overwhelm

(14:17) – Why Stress Forces the Body to Store Fat

(19:41) – How Trauma, Overworking & Dieting Rewire the Brain

(25:12) – Cortisol, Hormones & Blood Sugar Chaos

(29:40) – Why Eat Less & Move More Makes It Worse

(35:25) – Simple Nervous System Tools to Exit Survival Mode

(45:55) – Final Takeaway: Recharging the Brain to Burn Fat AgainCONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:- how much you should eat🍴- what you should eat 🌮- exercise adjustments🏋🏽‍♀️- lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️- specific resources to support you on your journey📕https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Check out our BRAND NEW workout subscription: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coach.everfit.io/package/UF858169‣ Join our community! Metabolism and Menopause by Vitality - Secrets for Fat Loss: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/groups/969761266958379⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Apply for coaching with us! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/d/386-k9q-4cg/coaching-application-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Our Website! - https://www.vitalityoet.com/‣ Learn more about DUTCH hormone testing with VitalityOET - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loom.com/share/a567d01c12b44aaf855dcf3d9049d537⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Menopause supplements (use code VITALITY10 for 10% off your order) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.nutritiondynamic.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Listen the Podcast on Apple or Spotify: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7erYECmZG7JHyzFePoaybe?si=ad89a3c7d408496eApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-metabolism-and-menopause-podcast/id1683220450‣ All other links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/vitalityoetstephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠----© 2025 Stephanie Crassweller & VitalityOET

‣ Book Your COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:

- how much & what to eat🍴🌮

- exercise & lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️

- specific resources to support you on your journey📕

https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Take The Fat Loss Fix Quiz: https://1ck2gu1qfir.typeform.com/menometabolism

So many women hit perimenopause or menopause and suddenly feel overwhelmed, anxious, foggy, or emotionally flat—only to walk into their doctor’s office and walk out with an antidepressant prescription. But is it depression, or is it your hormones?

In this episode, we break down the different types of antidepressants, how they work, and why they’re so commonly prescribed to midlife women. You’ll learn how hormonal shifts—especially declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—can mimic or intensify depressive symptoms, and where antidepressants help…and where they don’t.

We also talk about when HRT may support mood, when it might not make a significant difference, and how to know what your body is actually trying to tell you.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this depression or menopause?”, this episode gives you clarity, science, and next steps—without confusion or shame.

Anti-inflammatory grocery guide: Cortisol + Inflammation Grocery List:https://www.vitalityoet.com/cortisol-grocerylist

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) – Intro: Why Antidepressants Come Up So Often in Midlife

(01:56) – How Hormonal Changes Mimic Depression

(03:21) – Estrogen, Serotonin & Mood Explained

(05:22) – The Role of Progesterone, GABA & Anxiety

(07:06) – Testosterone & Motivation in Midlife Women

(09:34) – When Antidepressants Help — and When Hormones Are the Real Issue

(10:15) – HRT vs SSRIs: What Works Best for Mood & Sleep

(13:11) – Understanding the Different Classes of Antidepressants

(20:41) – How Antidepressants Affect Hormones & Metabolism

(21:44) – Nutrition, Lifestyle & Natural Ways to Support Mental Health

(26:23) – Stress, Boundaries & Finding Peace During the Holidays

(30:13) – Therapy, Faith & Healing from the Inside Out

(32:35) – Final Thoughts: Addressing Root Causes & Feeling Like Yourself Again

CONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:

‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call

- how much you should eat🍴

- what you should eat 🌮

- exercise adjustments🏋🏽‍♀️

- lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️

- specific resources to support you on your journey📕

https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Check out our BRAND NEW workout subscription: https://coach.everfit.io/package/UF858169

‣ Join our community! Metabolism and Menopause by Vitality - Secrets for Fat Loss: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/groups/969761266958379

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Apply for coaching with us! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/d/386-k9q-4cg/coaching-application-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Our Website! - https://www.vitalityoet.com/

‣ Learn more about DUTCH hormone testing with VitalityOET - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loom.com/share/a567d01c12b44aaf855dcf3d9049d537⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Menopause supplements (use code VITALITY10 for 10% off your order) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.nutritiondynamic.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Listen the Podcast on Apple or Spotify:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7erYECmZG7JHyzFePoaybe?si=ad89a3c7d408496e

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-metabolism-and-menopause-podcast/id1683220450

‣ All other links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/vitalityoetstephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠----© 2025 Stephanie Crassweller & VitalityOET

‣ Book Your COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:

- how much & what to eat

🍴🌮- exercise & lifestyle recommendations

🚶‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️- specific resources to support you on your journey

📕https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Take The Fat Loss Fix Quiz: https://1ck2gu1qfir.typeform.com/menometabolism

In this episode, Stephanie and Hannah dive deep into the gut-hormone connection and explain how your stool’s shape, color, and frequency reveal what’s really going on inside your body. From sluggish digestion that keeps your fat-storage pathways switched on to the telltale signs of poor bile flow or low stomach acid, they decode what your body’s trying to tell you — and how to fix it.

You’ll learn:

- What healthy poop should look like (and what your stool type says about your metabolism)

- How estrogen, bile flow, and gut bacteria shift during menopause- Simple daily habits to support digestion and fat loss (fiber, hydration, bile flow, stress reduction)

- When irregularity or stool changes may signal deeper gut or hormonal issues

- If you’ve been feeling bloated, sluggish, or stuck despite “doing everything right,” this episode will help you connect the dots between gut health and fat-burning.

🎧 Tune in now and start decoding your gut for better energy, better hormones, and better results.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) – Intro: Why Poop Matters for Fat Loss & Hormones

(02:12) – How Gut Health Impacts Fat Burning & Inflammation

(04:12) – The Bristol Stool Chart Explained

(07:42) – Stress, Digestion & the Airport Story

(12:02) – What Stool Color Reveals About Your Health

(15:01) – Undigested Food & Low Stomach Acid

(17:54) – Floating Poop, Fats & Gallbladder Health

(20:14) – How Often Should You Poop?

(23:16) – When to See a Doctor About Gut Symptoms

(25:30) – 6 Simple Steps to Improve Digestion

(46:23) – Final Thoughts: Your Poop Is a Daily Report Card

CONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:

‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:

- how much you should eat🍴

- what you should eat 🌮

- exercise adjustments🏋🏽‍♀️

- lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️

- specific resources to support you on your journey📕

https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Check out our BRAND NEW workout subscription: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coach.everfit.io/package/UF858169

‣ Join our community! Metabolism and Menopause by Vitality - Secrets for Fat Loss: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/groups/969761266958379⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Apply for coaching with us! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/d/386-k9q-4cg/coaching-application-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Our Website! - https://www.vitalityoet.com/

‣ Learn more about DUTCH hormone testing with VitalityOET - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loom.com/share/a567d01c12b44aaf855dcf3d9049d537

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Menopause supplements (use code VITALITY10 for 10% off your order) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.nutritiondynamic.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Listen the Podcast on Apple or Spotify:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7erYECmZG7JHyzFePoaybe?si=ad89a3c7d408496e

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-metabolism-and-menopause-podcast/id1683220450

‣ All other links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/vitalityoetstephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

‣ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

----© 2025 Stephanie Crassweller & VitalityOET

‣ Book Your COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:- how much & what to eat🍴🌮- exercise & lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️- specific resources to support you on your journey📕https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Take The Fat Loss Fix Quiz: https://1ck2gu1qfir.typeform.com/menometabolismYou know what to do… so why aren’t you doing it?If you’ve ever tracked your food perfectly all week just to throw it out the window on the weekend — this one’s for you.

In this episode, we dig into the real reason you keep sabotaging your own fat loss progress. It’s not a lack of willpower, motivation, or discipline. It’s a lack of alignment.

I’ll walk you through how your values and daily actions can quietly pull you off track, how this disconnect triggers self-sabotage, and what it looks like when you finally start living in alignment with your goals.

Because fat loss isn’t just physical — it’s deeply personal. And when your mind and body are finally on the same page, results stop feeling so hard.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) – Intro: Why You Know What to Do but Can’t Do It

(01:13) – What Self-Sabotage Really Looks Like

(02:50) – Success Doesn’t Equal Fulfillment

(05:10) – The Real Root of Self-Sabotage: Misalignment*

(07:28) – How Values & Virtues Shape Motivation

(11:24) – Connecting Your Habits to What Actually Matters

(16:44) – Why We Self-Sabotage When Chasing “Freedom”

(21:19) – How to Align Goals with Your Purpose & Stop Starting Over

(24:52) – Final Thoughts: Clarity Ends Self-SabotageCONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:‣ Book a COMPLEMENTARY CONSULATION and CALORIE CALCULATION call:- how much you should eat🍴- what you should eat 🌮- exercise adjustments🏋🏽‍♀️- lifestyle recommendations🚶‍♀️- specific resources to support you on your journey📕https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Check out our BRAND NEW workout subscription: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.trainerize.me/profile/vitalityoet/?planGUID=b020a7cf27f6453b9d29ca3dc9bbaf37&mode=checkout⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Join our community! Metabolism and Menopause by Vitality - Secrets for Fat Loss: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/groups/969761266958379⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Apply for coaching with us! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/d/386-k9q-4cg/coaching-application-call-zoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Our Website! - https://www.vitalityoet.com/‣ Learn more about DUTCH hormone testing with VitalityOET - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loom.com/share/a567d01c12b44aaf855dcf3d9049d537⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Menopause supplements (use code VITALITY10 for 10% off your order) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.nutritiondynamic.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Listen the Podcast on Apple or Spotify: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7erYECmZG7JHyzFePoaybe?si=ad89a3c7d408496eApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-metabolism-and-menopause-podcast/id1683220450‣ All other links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/vitalityoetstephanie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‣ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠----© 2025 Stephanie Crassweller & VitalityOET