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
Love what you read here? Subscribe for updates — your reset starts here.
Follow me on social:
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
Love what you read here? Subscribe for updates — your reset starts here.
Follow me on social:
It’s not just what you remove — it’s what you invite in.
We talk a lot about habits, fasting, nutrition, blood sugar, inflammation, and hormones.
And yes — those things matter.
And yes — those things matter.
But you know what we don’t talk about enough?
Joy.
Laughter.
Play.
A good cry during a movie.
That moment your favorite song comes on at the exact right time.
Joy.
Laughter.
Play.
A good cry during a movie.
That moment your favorite song comes on at the exact right time.
Those count, too.
🧠 Joy Isn’t Just “Nice” — It’s Neurological
Here’s the science-y truth:
Your body is always scanning for safety.
When you’re stressed or overwhelmed, your nervous system responds — even when you’re “fine on paper.”
Your body is always scanning for safety.
When you’re stressed or overwhelmed, your nervous system responds — even when you’re “fine on paper.”
Chronic stress = elevated cortisol.
Elevated cortisol = hormonal imbalance, cravings, fatigue, disrupted sleep, and insulin resistance.
Elevated cortisol = hormonal imbalance, cravings, fatigue, disrupted sleep, and insulin resistance.
But when you invite in joy?
- Oxytocin rises
- Cortisol lowers
- Blood sugar becomes easier to manage
- Your nervous system relaxes
- Your body shifts from survival into restoration
Joy is regulation.
Joy is recovery.
Joy is medicine.
Joy is recovery.
Joy is medicine.
🌸 You’re Allowed to Feel Good While Healing
So many women I work with feel like they have to "earn" joy.
Like they need to do everything perfectly before they can laugh, dance, or relax.
Like they need to do everything perfectly before they can laugh, dance, or relax.
But what if joy wasn’t a reward?
What if it was part of your protocol?
What if it was part of your protocol?
You don’t have to grind your way to wellness.
You can also laugh your way there.
💡 This Week’s Rooted Reset
Here’s your invitation:
Take 5 minutes today to write down:
- 3 things that bring you genuine joy
- 3 moments you’ve felt lighthearted this week
- 1 way you can invite more play, creativity, or fun into your week
Then? Count that as part of your wellness practice.
Because it is.
Because it is.
📥 Want support in finding a rhythm that feels like real life — not restriction?
I’d love to share what helped me feel better than I have in years — in a way that honors both the science and the soul.
💬 Come hang out in our free community:
Focus. Fiber. Fasting Facebook Group
Focus. Fiber. Fasting Facebook Group
Or hit reply — and I’ll share exactly what worked for me.
No pressure. No programs. Just real support.
No pressure. No programs. Just real support.
Rooting for you,
Rachel xo
Rachel xo
Love what you read here? Subscribe for updates — your reset starts here.
Follow me on social:
If you’ve ever said:
“I was doing so well… and then I fell off.”
“I just need to start over… again.”
“Why can’t I stick with it?”
You are not alone.
Most of us have been taught to think of wellness like a 30-day sprint:
✅ Follow the plan
✅ Get the result
✅ Be “fixed”
✅ Follow the plan
✅ Get the result
✅ Be “fixed”
But here’s the truth I’ve learned — both through my own journey and working with women just like you:
👉 Wellness isn’t a quick fix. It’s a relationship.
One that requires honesty.
One that thrives with consistency.
And one that doesn’t fall apart just because you missed a day — or even a whole week.
One that thrives with consistency.
And one that doesn’t fall apart just because you missed a day — or even a whole week.
🔄 The Time I “Started Over” for the 10th Time
There was a season in my life where I kept “starting over.”
Monday after Monday.
Monday after Monday.
Month after month.
New Year after New Year.
Each time I fell off track — with movement, fasting, self-care — I felt like I had failed.
And each time, I came back with more guilt, more shame, and more pressure to do it perfectly.
And each time, I came back with more guilt, more shame, and more pressure to do it perfectly.
But eventually, I realized… I wasn’t failing.
I was learning.
I was learning.
Every time I came back, I was choosing myself again.
And that’s not failure — that’s commitment.
And that’s not failure — that’s commitment.
💬 Small, Imperfect Actions Matter More Than You Think
You don’t need a “perfect” week to be well.
You need a rhythm — something you can return to, not something you have to restart.
You need a rhythm — something you can return to, not something you have to restart.
Think about the relationships that matter most in your life — the ones built on love, grace, and trust.
They aren’t perfect. But they’re strong. Because you show up again and again.
They aren’t perfect. But they’re strong. Because you show up again and again.
That’s the kind of relationship your body needs.
💡 This Week’s Rooted Reset
Here are 3 relationship-based questions to ask yourself today:
- Am I showing up for my body like I would a friend — or like a critic?
- What small act of care can I offer myself today — not as punishment, but as respect?
- When I fall out of rhythm, do I extend grace or guilt to myself?
You don’t have to do it all today.
You just have to keep showing up — with honesty, with care, and with the kind of consistency that grows over time.
You just have to keep showing up — with honesty, with care, and with the kind of consistency that grows over time.
Wellness isn’t about “fixing” yourself.
It’s about building trust — with your body, your needs, and your future.
It’s about building trust — with your body, your needs, and your future.
📩 If you’re feeling like you’ve “fallen off” or lost momentum, I see you.
Let this be your gentle nudge back into rhythm — without shame, and without a reset button.
Let this be your gentle nudge back into rhythm — without shame, and without a reset button.
Need support figuring out what rhythm works for you? Just reply — I’d love to walk beside you.
Rachel xo
Love what you read here? Subscribe for updates — your reset starts here.
Follow me on social:
Let’s be honest:
For a lot of people, weight loss is the thing that finally gets their attention.
The number on the scale changes.
Clothes don’t fit like they used to.
A photo feels uncomfortable.
And suddenly, there’s this deep desire to do something.
Clothes don’t fit like they used to.
A photo feels uncomfortable.
And suddenly, there’s this deep desire to do something.
And while there’s nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight — I’ve been there, too — it’s only part of the story.
Because the real question is this:
👉 What are you hoping to gain by losing weight?
👉 What are you hoping to gain by losing weight?
🧠 The “Elephant in the Room” That No One Talks About
The truth is, weight is often just the symptom.
The real issue?
Your health. Your energy. Your freedom. Your quality of life.
I learned this firsthand while working in hospice.
So many of the people I cared for had once believed they were fine. They didn’t realize how long their bodies had been trying to get their attention.
So many of the people I cared for had once believed they were fine. They didn’t realize how long their bodies had been trying to get their attention.
And I heard the same thing over and over again:
“How did I end up here?”
Not because they didn’t care — but because they didn’t realize how much their everyday habits and stress and inflammation and blood sugar were affecting the body they’d be living in for the rest of their life.
🌱 What You Actually Gain When You Take Care of Your Health
Weight loss might get you started — but it’s not the finish line.
Because when you nourish your body and support your health, you gain:
- 💪 Energy to do what you love
- 🧠 Mental clarity and fewer mood swings
- 😴 Better sleep
- 💃 Confidence in your own skin
- 🩺 Stronger immunity and hormone balance
- 💛 A sense of peace in your body instead of constant frustration
This isn’t about chasing “thin.”
It’s about reclaiming your life.
It’s about reclaiming your life.
💡 This Week’s Rooted Reset
Take 5 minutes today and ask yourself:
- Beyond the number on the scale… what do I want more of in my life?
- How would better health change the way I live, move, feel, and connect with others?
- What’s one small choice I can make today to support my whole life — not just my weight?
📩 If you're ready to feel better in your body — not just lighter, but stronger, clearer, calmer — I’d love to show you what helped me.
No pressure. No diets. Just real support that helps you gain energy, confidence, and the health to live the life you actually want.
Just reply or reach out. I'm here when you're ready.
Rachel xo
Love what you read here? Subscribe for updates — your reset starts here.
Follow me on social:
