I began my journey toward healthy living on March 1, 2018, at 52. At the time, I was experiencing the effects of peri-menopause without even realizing it. I had gained about 12 pounds and felt achy throughout my body. I was dealing with hot flashes, night sweats, and significant brain fog, among other symptoms. I started a 21-day program and immediately lost 11 pounds through workouts and healthy eating. Little did I know that this was the beginning of my new lifestyle journey.

From 2018 to 2023, I worked out almost daily doing the Beachbody workouts, lifted weights, ran 3-4 miles three times a week, and walked with my husband daily. I slowly regained weight; I couldn't wrap my head around it. I thought I was eating well enough, but I was wrong! On May 6, 2023, I purchased the book “Galveston” Diet.” The book’s title can be misleading, as it is not a diet but a lifestyle change. It changed my life. Everything I had been experiencing was addressed in this book. It all came together for me; everything made so much sense and seemed so logical. From that moment on, my research into menopause and lifestyle changes gained momentum. I participated in the menopause program led by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, and I took part in a sugar detox challenge followed by a belly fat challenge. I could not believe the results; I immediately felt better. After gaining new knowledge, I followed those two challenges with the gut protocol program by Autumn Calabrese; dropping 17.2 lbs and having a newfound lifestyle, I realized the seriousness and the harm of added sugar.

Depression and Menopause: Understanding the Causes and Finding Solutions

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life, yet it often brings significant physical and emotional changes. One of the most challenging aspects is depression, which can manifest as persistent sadness, fatigue, lack of motivation, and even feelings of hopelessness. Understanding the root causes and implementing effective strategies can make this transition more manageable.

Around the age of 50, my hormonal symptoms began to affect my life significantly: night sweats, hot flashes, weight gain, body aches (especially back pain), brain fog, and even hair and eyelashes falling out, to name a few. For several years, I searched for remedies and a doctor who would listen to me and validate my symptoms. The most frustrating aspect of this experience was its unnecessary nature, and I could have addressed all of these issues with a simple estrogen patch. Once I figured out the solution, I took control and managed my symptoms within a month.

Today, I am writing a blog post about the liver. I concluded 2024 with a liver detox, which turned out to be quite enlightening and challenging. Initially, my focus was solely on my diet during the detox. However, as I began researching, I discovered that many products from my home could potentially harm my liver. I started by removing harmful items from my life and switching to better alternatives. This included hand soaps, dish soaps, plastics, over-the-counter medications, and certain herbal supplements. I also eliminated alcohol, sugar-sweetened beverages, processed foods, trans fats, and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Although I made a strong start, I plan to continue this process; it can be both expensive and overwhelming to eliminate all these harmful substances.