I see it all the time…Women hit a wall in perimenopause or menopause and decide to try a low-carb diet — hoping for more energy, fewer symptoms, and maybe a few pounds gone.
But what happens?
They feel worse.
Tired. Frustrated.
And they start to wonder… “What’s wrong with me?”
Tired. Frustrated.
And they start to wonder… “What’s wrong with me?”
I want to tell you this — it’s not you.
Low-carb can be a powerful tool, but only if it’s done the right way.
Low-carb can be a powerful tool, but only if it’s done the right way.
Let’s break down the 3 biggest mistakes I see women make with low-carb — and how to fix them, so your body can actually thrive.
1. You’re Eating Too Little (Especially Protein)
Here’s the trap:
You cut carbs…and end up cutting everything else too.
Your calories tank. Your meals shrink.
And suddenly your body thinks it's in a famine.
You cut carbs…and end up cutting everything else too.
Your calories tank. Your meals shrink.
And suddenly your body thinks it's in a famine.
🔥 But especially during midlife, your body needs:
- Enough calories to support hormone production
- Enough protein to preserve muscle and stabilize blood sugar
Fix it:
Make protein the priority.
Aim for 25–30g of protein at each meal — think eggs, lean meats, Greek yogurt, protein smoothies, or collagen.
Make protein the priority.
Aim for 25–30g of protein at each meal — think eggs, lean meats, Greek yogurt, protein smoothies, or collagen.
👉 Low-carb doesn’t mean low-nourishment.
2. You Go Too Low, Too Fast — Without Managing Stress
Carbs affect cortisol.
And cortisol affects…pretty much everything else in your body — including belly fat, sleep, anxiety, and insulin sensitivity.
And cortisol affects…pretty much everything else in your body — including belly fat, sleep, anxiety, and insulin sensitivity.
When we suddenly drop carbs in an already stressed body, cortisol often spikes.
And that can backfire fast.
And that can backfire fast.
Fix it:
Take a gentle approach.
Start by reducing refined carbs, not whole foods.
Support your nervous system with movement, rest, and mindful practices.
Try protein + fiber first at meals to slow glucose spikes.
Take a gentle approach.
Start by reducing refined carbs, not whole foods.
Support your nervous system with movement, rest, and mindful practices.
Try protein + fiber first at meals to slow glucose spikes.
💡 Remember: Your nervous system is part of your hormone health.
3. You Forget to Add Fiber + Healthy Fats
Low-carb should still be whole-food focused.
But many low-carb diets end up high in meat and low in the fiber your gut (and hormones) need.
But many low-carb diets end up high in meat and low in the fiber your gut (and hormones) need.
Fiber helps:
- Lower insulin resistance
- Support digestion
- Feed your good gut bacteria
- Reduce estrogen dominance
Fix it:
Load up on non-starchy veggies.
Aim for 6–9 cups a day if you can.
Add healthy fats like avocado, olives, nuts, seeds, and clean oils.
And don’t forget soluble fiber — I personally use a mate + fiber protocol that’s worked wonders for me.
Load up on non-starchy veggies.
Aim for 6–9 cups a day if you can.
Add healthy fats like avocado, olives, nuts, seeds, and clean oils.
And don’t forget soluble fiber — I personally use a mate + fiber protocol that’s worked wonders for me.
⚠️ Bonus Mistake: You Think It’s “All or Nothing”
Health isn’t about being perfect.
And low-carb isn’t a magic switch.
Your body is dynamic — it needs patience, nourishment, and a little bit of grace.
And low-carb isn’t a magic switch.
Your body is dynamic — it needs patience, nourishment, and a little bit of grace.
If you’re trying to feel better in this season, start with small shifts.
Support your stress. Focus on protein and fiber. Eat real food.
And most importantly — listen to your body.
Support your stress. Focus on protein and fiber. Eat real food.
And most importantly — listen to your body.
I’m a nurse, but more than that — I’m a woman who’s walked this road.
I’ve tried the “cut it all out” plans. I’ve battled symptoms I didn’t understand.
And now? I feel better than I have in years.
I’ve tried the “cut it all out” plans. I’ve battled symptoms I didn’t understand.
And now? I feel better than I have in years.
If you’re looking for support that’s not a fad, not a gimmick, and not extreme — let’s talk.
📥 Want to learn more about the natural, science-backed protocol I use to balance blood sugar and reduce perimenopause symptoms?
💬 Send me a message me, you don’t have to do this alone.
And you don’t have to guess.
And you don’t have to guess.
Rooting for you,
Rachel xo
Rachel xo
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If you’re a woman in midlife and your body suddenly feels like a stranger… you’re not alone.
You’re not crazy. And you’re definitely not broken.
You may just be insulin resistant — and not even know it.
In today’s Rooted Reset, let’s talk about something many women aren’t told in their annual check-ups:
Hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause can dramatically increase insulin resistance.
And it affects more than just your blood sugar.
💥 What Does That Actually Mean?
Insulin resistance happens when your cells stop responding effectively to insulin — the hormone that helps your body use glucose for energy.
When that happens, your body produces more insulin just to keep things stable. Over time, that can lead to:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Belly weight gain
- Mood swings
- Cravings (especially for carbs or sugar)
- Skin tags or dark patches of skin
- Trouble sleeping
- Irregular or heavy cycles (in perimenopause)
- And yes… worsened menopause symptoms
😣 Why Midlife Women Are So Vulnerable
During perimenopause and menopause, three major hormonal shifts make insulin resistance more likely:
- Estrogen drops — and estrogen protects insulin sensitivity.
- Cortisol spikes — stress makes your body hold onto fat and crave glucose.
- Sleep quality declines — disrupted sleep messes with blood sugar and appetite hormones.
The result? Your body feels like it’s working against you, even if you haven’t changed anything.
🔄 What Happens When You Reverse Insulin Resistance?
This part is important. When your cells can use insulin again, everything starts to shift:
- You sleep better
- Cravings settle down
- Weight stabilizes
- Energy improves
- Inflammation decreases
- Hormonal symptoms ease (yes — even hot flashes and mood swings)
✨ Personally, I no longer have perimenopause symptoms — and it’s not because of magic.
I started supporting my body with a protocol focused on fiber, mate' and gentle fasting.
My “Mate + Fiber” routine helps my cells function better — and now, so do I.
🚦 What Can You Do?
Start by noticing your own signs. Are you:
- Struggling with stubborn belly weight?
- Waking up tired or wired?
- Feeling foggy or low in motivation?
- Craving carbs or sugar after meals?
- Holding tension in your shoulders or jaw?
Those are signs your body is asking for help — not discipline.
🧠 This Isn’t About Perfection — It’s About Clarity
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. But you deserve to understand what’s happening inside your body.
Your symptoms aren’t random. They’re messages.
And the good news is: when you support your body’s biology, everything gets easier.
💛 One Last Thing...
Please don’t ignore how you’re feeling. You are not lazy, dramatic, or “just getting older.”
You’re wise, intuitive — and ready to feel better.
You’re wise, intuitive — and ready to feel better.
If you want to know what helped me finally feel like me again, I’d love to share.
Just hit reply or come join the conversation in our community.
You’re not in this alone.
Rooting for you,
Rachel xo
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Protecting Your Peace Isn’t Selfish — It’s Self-Care
Let me guess…
You’re tired. But you keep going.
You feel it in your bones that you need a break. But the list is long. The people are counting on you. The guilt creeps in.
You feel it in your bones that you need a break. But the list is long. The people are counting on you. The guilt creeps in.
So instead of slowing down, you keep pushing.
Because somewhere along the way, we were taught:
- Rest means we’re falling behind
- Saying “no” means we’re letting people down
- Pausing means we’re giving up
But what if the truth is the exact opposite?
🧠 Your Nervous System Needs You to Slow Down
Our bodies are incredible — they’re built to help us adapt, push through, and care for others.
But they’re also designed to rest, regulate, and recover.
But they’re also designed to rest, regulate, and recover.
When we’re stuck in stress — even low-level, background stress — our nervous system stays on high alert. And over time, this affects everything:
- Cortisol stays elevated
- Blood sugar becomes harder to manage
- Sleep gets disrupted
- Hormones shift and symptoms worsen
- Cravings, inflammation, and mood swings creep in
It’s not “just stress.”
It’s the foundation of your health.
It’s the foundation of your health.
🪞We Don’t Have to Earn Rest
I’ve had to learn this lesson many times:
You don’t have to reach your breaking point before you give yourself permission to stop.
You don’t have to reach your breaking point before you give yourself permission to stop.
And I see it in so many of the women I talk to.
They’re not “failing.”
They’re exhausted.
From the pressure.
The invisible expectations.
The caregiving.
The push to always keep going, even when their body whispers, “please… not today.”
They’re not “failing.”
They’re exhausted.
From the pressure.
The invisible expectations.
The caregiving.
The push to always keep going, even when their body whispers, “please… not today.”
If that’s you, you’re not alone.
💡 This Week’s Rooted Reset
Here’s your gentle invitation:
Take 5 minutes and ask yourself:
- Where am I feeling stretched too thin right now?
- What’s one thing I can release, postpone, or soften this week — without guilt?
- What does protecting my peace look like today?
It doesn’t have to be a big change.
It just has to be honest.
It just has to be honest.
Maybe it’s going to bed earlier.
Maybe it’s letting yourself say “not today” to something you usually say yes to.
Maybe it’s giving yourself permission to feel tired without needing to fix it.
Maybe it’s letting yourself say “not today” to something you usually say yes to.
Maybe it’s giving yourself permission to feel tired without needing to fix it.
The pause is part of the progress.
Rest is healing.
And your peace matters.
Rest is healing.
And your peace matters.
📥 Want more tools to support your hormones, stress, and energy — naturally?
I’d love to share what helped me feel better than I have in years — especially in the most overwhelming season of my life.
No pressure. No programs. Just real support.
No pressure. No programs. Just real support.
Hit reply — and I’ll share exactly what worked for me.
Rooting for you,
Rachel xo
Rachel xo
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Ever found yourself...
- Mindlessly snacking late at night?
- Skipping your morning walk (even though you know it makes you feel better)?
- Scrolling instead of sleeping?
- Reaching for sugar or carbs even when you’re “trying to be good”?
Here’s the truth:
That doesn’t make you lazy, weak, or lacking discipline.
It makes you human.
That doesn’t make you lazy, weak, or lacking discipline.
It makes you human.
And what I’ve learned — personally and professionally — is this:
👉 Your habits are talking.
The question is… are you listening?
The question is… are you listening?
🧠 Habits Aren’t Random — They’re Messengers
We often beat ourselves up over behaviors we don’t like.
But what if those behaviors are actually signals?
- Reaching for sugar? Your blood sugar or hormones might be off.
- Too tired to move your body? Maybe your stress and sleep need support first.
- Avoiding routines you once loved? Could be a sign of burnout, grief, or disconnection.
Your body isn’t sabotaging you.
It’s communicating with you — the only way it knows how.
It’s communicating with you — the only way it knows how.
💬 What My Habits Taught Me
There was a season when I couldn’t seem to “get it together.”
No matter how hard I tried, I kept breaking promises to myself — over and over.
No matter how hard I tried, I kept breaking promises to myself — over and over.
It wasn’t until I paused and asked myself why that everything shifted.
I didn’t need another strict plan.
I needed to reconnect with my body.
To hear what she was trying to say beneath the cravings, the fatigue, and the resistance.
I needed to reconnect with my body.
To hear what she was trying to say beneath the cravings, the fatigue, and the resistance.
And what she said was:
“I need care. Not control.”
That was the turning point.
💡 This Week’s Rooted Reset
If this resonates, here are 3 reflection prompts for your journal — or even just a quiet moment with your coffee:
- What’s one habit I keep repeating — and what might it be trying to tell me?
- Am I trying to fix my behavior… or understand it?
- What would a curious, caring response look like today — instead of a critical one?
You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to stay connected.
You just need to stay connected.
🛠️ One Gentle Step to Try This Week
Pick one habit that’s been frustrating you.
Instead of forcing change, ask:
👉 What’s the need underneath this?
👉 What’s the need underneath this?
Then meet that need in the smallest, kindest way possible.
This is how we build habits that heal — not punish.
📩 Ready to create new rhythms from self-respect — not shame?
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
In the Focus. Fiber. Fasting. community, we help support each other.
You’re always welcome to join us.
And if you ever want to know what helped me feel better (naturally!) — just hit reply. I’m happy to share.
Rooting for you,
Rachel xo
Rachel xo
Love what you read here? Subscribe for updates — your reset starts here.
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If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent years — maybe even decades — believing you could keep things “on track” if you just tried hard enough.
Plan ahead.
Work harder.
Fix it for everyone.
Prevent the pain.
Predict the outcome.
Work harder.
Fix it for everyone.
Prevent the pain.
Predict the outcome.
Control it.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned — both in life and in loss, especially through my time as a hospice nurse:
👉 We are not in control of nearly as much as we think we are.
And oddly enough, that realization?
It’s become one of the most peaceful and freeing truths of my life.
It’s become one of the most peaceful and freeing truths of my life.
🧠 The Burden of Believing It’s All Up to Us
I used to carry a lot of weight that didn’t belong to me:
- The responsibility to fix things
- The belief that if I worried enough, I could prevent or predict the outcome
- The guilt of “maybe I could have done more”
But what I’ve come to see is this:
We take on control because it gives us the illusion of safety.
But in the end, it only creates stress, resentment, and exhaustion.
We take on control because it gives us the illusion of safety.
But in the end, it only creates stress, resentment, and exhaustion.
There is so much we are not meant to hold.
🕊 A Moment of Surrender in the Forest
One day, I was sitting quietly beside a stream, meditating and reflecting.
And in that stillness, nature had something to say.
And in that stillness, nature had something to say.
I heard the trees — or maybe it was just a quiet knowing inside me — say:
“You need to be bendable and just sway with it.”
And the stream whispered:
“You need to go with the flow. Resisting the current only makes things harder.”
I know it might sound strange, but in that moment… I believed them.
And I’ve carried that lesson ever since.
And I’ve carried that lesson ever since.
✨ When You Let Go, You Make Space for Peace
Letting go of control doesn’t mean apathy.
It means trust.
It means discernment.
It means honoring your part — and releasing what was never yours to carry in the first place.
It means trust.
It means discernment.
It means honoring your part — and releasing what was never yours to carry in the first place.
Since learning this, I’ve noticed something beautiful:
- Less guilt about the things I couldn’t change
- Less tension in my body
- More grace in my relationships
- And a deeper peace in situations where I used to spiral
It’s not about giving up. It’s about giving yourself back to the moment — fully present, fully open.
💡 This Week’s Rooted Reset
Take 5 minutes and ask yourself:
- What’s one thing I’ve been trying to control that I may need to surrender?
- What would happen if I stopped resisting and started allowing?
- How would it feel to gently release what’s not mine to hold?
You don’t need to control it all.
You were never meant to.
You were never meant to.
And in that release — there’s room to breathe again.
📩 If you’re in a season where you feel like you’re gripping too tightly — to health, to outcomes, to expectations — I see you.
Sometimes just having a space to be honest about it is the first step.
If you need support, or want to hear what helped me through one of the hardest seasons of my life — just reply. I’d be honored to walk with you.
If you need support, or want to hear what helped me through one of the hardest seasons of my life — just reply. I’d be honored to walk with you.
Rachel xo
Love what you read here? Subscribe for updates — your reset starts here.
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