When Hormones Speak Louder Than Willpower: My Journey Back to Balance
- Coach Paris
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
When Hormones Speak Louder Than Willpower: My Journey Back to Balance
Even after 25 years of maintaining my weight, my body reminded me this past August: you don’t outsmart hormones—you work with them.
I had been feeling “off” for a while. My energy was unpredictable, sleep wasn’t as restful, my mood swung between sharp focus and foggy frustration, and my body wasn’t responding to food or movement the way it used to. For someone who lives and breathes health, that can feel discouraging. But here’s what I’ve learned—our bodies are always talking to us. The trick is to listen before they have to shout.
The Truth About Hormone Imbalance
Hormones are our body’s messengers—tiny chemical signals that control everything from metabolism and hunger to mood, sleep, and energy. When they’re balanced, we thrive. When they’re not, it can feel like pushing a boulder uphill.
Here’s a breakdown of some key players:
Cortisol – your stress hormone. Too much for too long leads to belly fat, sugar cravings, and burnout.
Insulin – manages blood sugar. When it’s out of balance, you get energy crashes and stubborn weight gain.
Estrogen – impacts mood, metabolism, and brain clarity. Too much or too little can cause fatigue, anxiety, or bloating.
Progesterone – the calming hormone. Low levels can make sleep hard and increase anxiety.
Testosterone – supports muscle tone, motivation, and libido. It drops with age in both men and women.
What causes imbalance?Stress, poor sleep, processed foods, environmental toxins, and even skipping meals or over-exercising can disrupt these systems. And yes—aging plays a role too.
My August Wake-Up Call
This past August, my body hit the brakes. Despite doing “everything right,” something felt off. My workouts felt harder. My focus wasn’t as sharp. My mood dipped for no reason.
So, I did what I tell my clients to do—I got curious instead of frustrated. I ordered labs, revisited my supplements, and started tracking how I felt after meals, workouts, and sleep. The numbers confirmed what I suspected—my hormones had shifted again.
That’s when I dove in deeper than ever before. I learned how stress, aging, and even summer travel had impacted my metabolism and cortisol. I made small, intentional changes: more protein, earlier dinners, morning light exposure, consistent bedtime routines, and adding in gentle strength training instead of constant cardio.
And guess what? Within weeks, I started to feel like me again. Clear-headed, calm, and in control.
Hormone Imbalance in Women: Not Just “Menopause”
For women, hormonal changes happen in waves throughout life—not just in menopause.From perimenopause to post-menopause, our estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels shift constantly.
Common signs of imbalance include:
Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Cravings or weight gain around the midsection
Irritability, anxiety, or mood swings
Sleep issues (especially waking between 2–4 a.m.)
Low motivation or focus
But here’s the thing: these are not just “getting older” problems. They’re signs that your body needs attention.
When we combine sleep, protein, hydration, and boundaries—the foundation of my Power of 13—we create the environment for hormones to do their job. Balance doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from consistency and awareness.
Hormones and Men: The Forgotten Conversation
Men experience hormone imbalance too—often without realizing it. Testosterone naturally declines around age 40, but lifestyle stress and poor diet can speed it up.
When men have low testosterone or high cortisol, it can show up as:
Fatigue and irritability
Trouble losing belly fat
Reduced strength and endurance
Poor sleep
Low libido or motivation
It’s not just a “midlife crisis”—it’s chemistry.Encourage the men in your life to get their hormones checked. Lifting weights, getting 7–8 hours of sleep, eating enough protein, and managing stress naturally boost testosterone and improve overall well-being.
How to Regain Balance: What Works
Balancing hormones isn’t about extreme diets or miracle supplements—it’s about creating an environment where your body can regulate itself again.
Here are the top ways to start:
Balance blood sugar – Eat protein with every meal. Avoid skipping meals or extreme fasting.
Prioritize sleep – Your body resets hormones at night. Make it sacred.
Manage stress – Meditation, boundaries, breathwork—whatever helps you stay grounded.
Strength train – Build lean muscle to naturally support hormone health and metabolism.
Track your patterns – Notice how food, sleep, and emotions affect your body.
Ask for help – Get labs done, work with a coach, and create a plan that fits you.
Taking My Power Back
That August reset reminded me: knowledge is power.Hormones will always shift—but with awareness, we can shift with them.
If you’re feeling tired, foggy, or unlike yourself, it’s not “just aging” or “laziness.” It’s your body asking for attention. I’ve been there, and I can help you find your way back to balance—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Ready to Listen to Your Body Again?
👉 Book a 1:1 Coaching Consultation with me at AlwaysOnYourSideCoaching.com.Together, we’ll uncover what your body’s trying to tell you—and help you build confidence in your next chapter of health.
In Good Health
You deserve to feel your best,
Coach Paris 💜💚💜💚
