Weight gain is a common struggle for women with type 1 diabetes, especially during hormonal changes in the reproductive years and into menopause. These hormonal shifts greatly impact glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and ultimately, your weight.
It's common to feel frustrated when your blood sugar and weight are out of control despite doing everything right. You're worried about how diabetes will affect how you look and feel as you age, anxious about uncontrollable blood sugar levels, and overwhelmed by the daily demands of diabetes.
Perimenopause, the natural transition leading up to menopause, often magnifies weight gain, especially for those managing type 1 diabetes. This phase can last anywhere from a few months to up to 10 years, during which fluctuating and reduced estrogen levels cause irregular cycles and impact insulin sensitivity and blood sugar balance.
Are you frustrated with blood sugar and weight issues despite your best efforts? Understanding the underlying reasons and their connection to insulin is key to effective management and avoiding overwhelm.
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Top Three Reasons Behind Weight Gain
Stress and High Cortisol Levels: Rising cortisol can make managing blood sugar feel like chasing a moving target. When unchecked, this leads to poor sleep and morning blood sugar spikes, which increase insulin needs and result in weight gain.
Muscle Loss: Aging and hormonal changes during menopause often lead to muscle loss. Since muscle tissue is more insulin-sensitive than fat tissue, losing muscle further exacerbates insulin resistance, contributing to weight gain and increased fat storage.
Low Estrogen Levels: Lower estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause disrupt blood sugar balance, similar to what occurs during reproductive years. This disruption leads to increased insulin resistance, requiring more insulin to manage blood sugar levels. The balance of estrogen and progesterone is crucial for regulating metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Xenoestrogens can raise estrogen levels as progesterone drops, leading to estrogen dominance and weight gain.
My Journey and Solutions
In my late 40s, I faced fluctuating blood sugar, poor sleep, weight gain, and overwhelming stress. Initially, I didn’t realize how declining hormones were increasing my insulin resistance and complicating blood sugar control. Feeling frustrated and unsupported by my doctors, I turned to my training in hormone health for solutions.
Embracing bioidentical hormone therapy was life-changing. After six months of dialing in my hormone dose and continuing my healthy routine, I lost that stubborn 8 pounds, slept better, and regained my insulin sensitivity.
At 54, I felt like myself again. Now, three years later, I continue to follow what works and guide countless women through this journey.
Assess Where You Are
Awareness is key to managing diabetes and hormonal changes. Start by evaluating your diabetes management, daily routines, stress levels, and diet—especially their impact on blood sugar and weight. Consider your work stress, support system, and boundaries. Understanding weight gain and its link to insulin is crucial.
By reducing stress, increasing protein, building muscle, and balancing hormones, you can regain control. As a certified health coach, I help busy women tackle these challenges and find balance.
I created a free assessment to help you identify three key factors affecting glucose and weight and learn how to fine-tune these processes to ease the transition through perimenopause into post-menopause with type 1 diabetes. *Hint: They all point to insulin.
Your Next Steps
Ready to reduce stress, improve glucose levels, achieve a healthy weight, and explore the myths and facts of HRT to see if it’s right for you? Access my proven 3-step process, including an exclusive backstage session with me, Melissa. You’ll get expert advice, real-life examples, quick progress tips, resource guides, and personalized 1:1 time to discuss your next steps.
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