Armor Up with Lorayne Michaels

Why Lifting Is Non‑Negotiable For Perimenopause And Menopause


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Feeling unlike yourself as hormones change? Let’s get specific about what actually helps. We explore how strength training becomes a steady anchor during perimenopause and menopause—lifting mood, protecting metabolism, improving sleep, and restoring confidence—without relying on endless HIIT or willpower alone.

We start with the chemistry behind mood swings and emotional volatility: declining estrogen and progesterone tug at serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. Resistance training reliably boosts those neurotransmitters and lowers cortisol over time, easing anxiety and irritability. From there, we connect muscle to metabolism. As natural muscle loss accelerates, lifting turns on protein synthesis, preserves lean mass, and keeps resting metabolic rate higher. We also unpack mitochondrial efficiency to explain why strength work reduces fatigue and brain fog and why sedentary ruts make energy feel scarce.

Stress, sleep, and recovery get a hard reset too. When life is already intense, stacking daily HIIT can keep your nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight. We lay out a smarter plan: two to four weekly sessions centered on compound lifts—squats, hinges, pushes, pulls, and carries—plus real recovery and breath-led practices. You will hear how strength improves glucose uptake, smooths insulin spikes that can worsen hot flashes, and may enhance estrogen receptor sensitivity. We tie it together with nutrition basics—adequate protein, minerals like magnesium, and blood sugar balance—to support consistent training and better nights.

If brain fog is stealing your focus, we highlight the role of BDNF in cognitive health and why feeling physically strong often sparks emotional resilience. The goal is simple and powerful: a training approach that behaves like a form of hormone support—steadier mood, stronger muscles, faster metabolism, deeper sleep, and a clearer sense of self. Ready to trade burnout for progress? Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with one change you’ll make this week.

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Armor Up with Lorayne MichaelsBy Lorayne

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