Why does belly fat suddenly become so much harder to lose—even when you're eating less and exercising more?

If you've ever wondered why the strategies that worked in your 20s and 30s suddenly stop working during perimenopause or menopause, this episode is for you. Brigid breaks down the science behind insulin resistance, hormones, inflammation, and blood sugar—and explains why stubborn belly fat is about much more than calories. You'll learn the root causes behind metabolic changes as you age and the practical strategies that actually support sustainable fat loss, improved energy, and better hormone health.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode:

• Why insulin resistance often develops years before pre-diabetes
• How estrogen impacts blood sugar and fat storage
• Why eating less and exercising more can backfire
• The surprising connection between cortisol, inflammation, and belly fat
• Why blood sugar balance matters more than calorie counting alone
• The role of muscle in improving insulin sensitivity
• Research on low-fat vs. low-carbohydrate diets
• Simple daily habits that support healthy metabolism
• Why belly fat increases inflammation—and vice versa
• How to reverse insulin resistance through Functional Nutrition

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction to Brigid and her mission
• 01:21 Why traditional weight loss advice often fails women
• 02:42 The role of estrogen in insulin sensitivity
• 03:40 Understanding insulin resistance and prediabetes
• 05:02 Why eating less and exercising more can backfire
• 07:15 Blood sugar balanced diet and its benefits
• 11:22 Hormonal changes during menopause and their impact
• 14:32 Visceral fat, inflammation, and metabolic risk
• 16:25 The cycle of insulin resistance and belly fat
• 18:19 Strategies to stabilize blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity
• 20:12 Reversibility of insulin resistance and metabolic health
• 22:25 Lifestyle tips: movement, sleep, and stress management
• 24:13 Join the Blood Sugar Reset program
• 25:08 Success stories and motivation
• 26:30 Final thoughts and encouragement

Resources & Links:

+ Watch the full episode on YouTube

+ Join The Summer Blood Sugar Reset

+ Join The Being Collective

+ Brigid’s Website

+ Brigid’s Instagram

If this episode helped you better understand your body, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who has been struggling with stubborn weight gain, blood sugar, or hormonal changes.