Joyful Menopause

Lynda
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NUTRITION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

When you think of menopause, 'joyful' might not be the first word that comes to mind. But no matter what you've heard, you deserve to thrive during this phase of life. On the Joyful Menopause podcast, Lynda Enright draws on her 25+ years of experience in women's health to share practical, science-based tips that you can customize to your body, lifestyle, and goals—because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to menopause. With her calming, supportive style and deep expertise, Lynda will help you build lasting, sustainable habits, guiding you on your unique journey toward better health.

  1. APR 21

    The Metabolism Myth: What Nobody Told You About Weight, Blood Sugar, and Midlife Hormones

    Why Weight Gain Feels Harder After 40: Hormones, Blood Sugar, and Midlife Metabolism  Host Lynda Enright explains why women often gain belly weight and struggle with energy and cravings after 40, focusing on three midlife metabolism shifts: declining estrogen (driving visceral belly fat and inflammation), age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) that lowers resting calorie burn, and reduced insulin sensitivity that raises insulin and promotes fat storage. She describes how severe calorie restriction and overtraining can worsen results by increasing muscle loss, cortisol, and disrupted hunger hormones, and how blood sugar spikes and crashes contribute to fatigue, brain fog, cravings, sleep disruption, and mood changes even with normal fasting labs. Key strategies include prioritizing strength training 2–3 times weekly, eating 25–30g protein per meal starting at breakfast, building balanced meals with protein, fiber, healthy fats, and colorful carbs, eating regularly, moving after meals, recovering well, managing stress, and prioritizing sleep; she shares a client example who lost 8 pounds in 8 weeks after shifting approach. 00:00 Midlife Metabolism Shift 00:45 Three Metabolic Changes 01:10 Hormones and Belly Fat 01:50 Muscle Loss Explained 02:23 Insulin Resistance Basics 03:18 Why Dieting Backfires 04:25 Blood Sugar 101 05:51 Stress Cortisol Connection 07:06 Hidden Blood Sugar Signs 08:45 Build Muscle and Protein 10:47 Recovery Over Overtraining 11:47 Balanced Plate Blueprint 14:11 Carbs and Meal Timing 18:01 Movement After Meals 20:40 Seven Quick Shifts 23:15 Client Story and Next Steps 24:32 Final Encouragement When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you to feel your best during perimenopause and menopause: 1. Want more science-backed health tips? Click here to sign up for my free weekly newsletter for practical advice on navigating menopause with confidence:   2. Click here to get the free guide: 5 Natural Ways To Reduce Menopause Symptoms. 2. For more information about Lynda and how she supports women on their health journey, click here to learn more. 3. Interested in seeing if nutrition coaching with Lynda is right for you? Click here to book a free discovery call with Lynda.

    25 min

  2. APR 7

    Is Cortisol Wrecking Your Hormones? The Stress-Menopause Connection Nobody Talks About

    Belly weight that won't budge. Sleep that falls apart at 3am. Anxiety that came out of nowhere. Cravings you can't explain. Sound familiar? These aren't random — they're connected. And cortisol is at the center of all of it. In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly how chronic stress disrupts your hormones in midlife, why the rules change in perimenopause and menopause, and what you can actually do about it starting today. We cover the cortisol steal, the nervous system's two modes, and five practical tools to shift your body out of fight-or-flight — including one you're probably already doing without realizing it. When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you to feel your best during perimenopause and menopause: 1. Want more science-backed health tips? Click here to sign up for my free weekly newsletter for practical advice on navigating menopause with confidence:   2. Click here to get the free guide: 5 Natural Ways To Reduce Menopause Symptoms. 2. For more information about Lynda and how she supports women on their health journey, click here to learn more. 3. Interested in seeing if nutrition coaching with Lynda is right for you? Click here to book a free discovery call with Lynda.

    23 min

  3. MAR 13

    How Much Protein Women Need After 40 (and Why It Matters for Energy, Muscle, and Menopause)

    When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you to feel your best during perimenopause and menopause: 1. Want more science-backed health tips? Click here to sign up for my free weekly newsletter for practical advice on navigating menopause with confidence:   2. Click here to get the free guide: 5 Natural Ways To Reduce Menopause Symptoms. 2. For more information about Lynda and how she supports women on their health journey, click here to learn more. 3. Interested in seeing if nutrition coaching with Lynda is right for you? Click here to book a free discovery call with Lynda.

    13 min

  4. FEB 26

    Why Am I Gaining Weight When I'm Barely Eating?

    Why You Can Gain Weight in Menopause Even When You’re Barely Eating Host Lynda Enright explains why many women in perimenopause and menopause can gain weight despite eating less, emphasizing that it’s not a willpower issue and the body isn’t broken. She covers metabolic adaptation from long-term calorie restriction, the common “barely eating” pattern and its effects on blood sugar, cortisol, and fat storage, and how muscle loss after 40—often worsened by dieting—slows metabolism. She shares a client story (“Sarah”) whose weight gain, cravings, fatigue, and poor sleep improved after increasing protein, stabilizing meals, adding strength training, improving sleep routines, and reducing food fear rather than restricting more. The episode highlights stress and poor sleep as key metabolic drivers, encourages prioritizing strength training and adequate protein in midlife, and invites listeners to schedule a free call to discuss metabolism, stress, and next steps. 00:00 Barely Eating Yet Gaining 00:33 Why Its Not Willpower 01:05 Welcome to Joyful Menopause 01:27 Years of Dieting Trap 02:11 Metabolic Adaptation Explained 03:10 The Underfueling Pattern 04:12 Muscle Loss Slows Metabolism 04:54 Sarahs Breakthrough Story 07:36 Stress Sleep and Cortisol 08:28 Key Takeaways and Next Steps 09:27 Free Call Invitation 10:04 Final Encouragement When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you to feel your best during perimenopause and menopause: 1. Want more science-backed health tips? Click here to sign up for my free weekly newsletter for practical advice on navigating menopause with confidence:   2. Click here to get the free guide: 5 Natural Ways To Reduce Menopause Symptoms. 2. For more information about Lynda and how she supports women on their health journey, click here to learn more. 3. Interested in seeing if nutrition coaching with Lynda is right for you? Click here to book a free discovery call with Lynda.

    10 min

  5. JAN 22

    Nourishing Your Gut During Menopause: The Importance of Gentle Cooking

    Nourishing Your Gut During Menopause: The Importance of Gentle Cooking In this episode of Joyful Menopause, host Lynda Enright delves into how simple, everyday cooking choices can support gut health during midlife. She explains that cooking isn't about gourmet perfection but rather a health skill that calms the nervous system, stabilizes blood sugar, and eases symptoms such as bloating, brain fog, and inflammation commonly experienced during perimenopause and menopause. Lynda emphasizes that gut support does not mean elimination but rather creating a balanced and varied diet. She highlights the benefits of warm, gently cooked food over raw, cold dishes and how these choices improve digestion and reduce stress. By the end of the episode, listeners are encouraged to try incorporating one additional plant-based food into their diet and preparing it in a supportive way. The overarching message is to approach menopause with a gentler, more skillful method of self-care, focusing on support rather than restriction. When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you to feel your best during perimenopause and menopause: 1. Want more science-backed health tips? Click here to sign up for my free weekly newsletter for practical advice on navigating menopause with confidence:   2. Click here to get the free guide: 5 Natural Ways To Reduce Menopause Symptoms. 2. For more information about Lynda and how she supports women on their health journey, click here to learn more. 3. Interested in seeing if nutrition coaching with Lynda is right for you? Click here to book a free discovery call with Lynda.

    10 min

  6. JAN 8

    Why Knowing How to Cook Might Be the Most Underrated Hormone Therapy

    When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you to feel your best during perimenopause and menopause: 1. Want more science-backed health tips? Click here to sign up for my free weekly newsletter for practical advice on navigating menopause with confidence:   2. Click here to get the free guide: 5 Natural Ways To Reduce Menopause Symptoms. 2. For more information about Lynda and how she supports women on their health journey, click here to learn more. 3. Interested in seeing if nutrition coaching with Lynda is right for you? Click here to book a free discovery call with Lynda.

    10 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    The Midlife Self-Care Plan You Need for the Holidays (And Every Tough Season)

    When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you to feel your best during perimenopause and menopause: 1. Want more science-backed health tips? Click here to sign up for my free weekly newsletter for practical advice on navigating menopause with confidence:   2. Click here to get the free guide: 5 Natural Ways To Reduce Menopause Symptoms. 2. For more information about Lynda and how she supports women on their health journey, click here to learn more. 3. Interested in seeing if nutrition coaching with Lynda is right for you? Click here to book a free discovery call with Lynda.

    13 min

  8. 11/22/2025

    5 Diet Strategies to Heal Your Gut and Balance Hormones During Menopause

    In this episode of Joyful Menopause, host Lynda Enright addresses common challenges faced by women during perimenopause and menopause, such as weight gain, brain fog, restless sleep, and belly fat, and explains how these issues are often linked to gut health, hormones, and metabolism. Lynda offers five science-based dietary strategies to support gut health, balance hormones, regulate blood sugar, and reduce inflammation. Key recommendations include increasing fiber intake, diversifying plant foods, incorporating colorful polyphenol-rich foods, adding fermented foods and healthy fats, and including resistant starches. Listeners are encouraged to consistently make small dietary changes to improve overall health and well-being during menopause.  When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you to feel your best during perimenopause and menopause: 1. Want more science-backed health tips? Click here to sign up for my free weekly newsletter for practical advice on navigating menopause with confidence:   2. Click here to get the free guide: 5 Natural Ways To Reduce Menopause Symptoms. 2. For more information about Lynda and how she supports women on their health journey, click here to learn more. 3. Interested in seeing if nutrition coaching with Lynda is right for you? Click here to book a free discovery call with Lynda.

    10 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

When you think of menopause, 'joyful' might not be the first word that comes to mind. But no matter what you've heard, you deserve to thrive during this phase of life. On the Joyful Menopause podcast, Lynda Enright draws on her 25+ years of experience in women's health to share practical, science-based tips that you can customize to your body, lifestyle, and goals—because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to menopause. With her calming, supportive style and deep expertise, Lynda will help you build lasting, sustainable habits, guiding you on your unique journey toward better health.

Information

  • Creator
    Lynda
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Joyful Menopause
  • Show Website
    Joyful Menopause