Charlie Reid Wellness

02/24/2026

Your cravings aren’t a weakness. They’re communicating.

During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal shifts directly impact blood sugar regulation, appetite signals, stress hormones, and even the way your body responds to carbs and sugar. That’s why food urges can feel stronger, or different than they used to.

It’s easy to assume cravings mean lack of willpower or that something is “wrong.”

But what if they’re actually data?

Cravings often show up when your body needs:
• More protein or balanced meals
• Better blood sugar stability
• More minerals or nutrients
• Better stress support
• Rest and recovery

Instead of fighting your body or restricting harder, learning to interpret these signals can help you respond in a way that supports energy, metabolism, digestion, and mood.

When you stop seeing cravings as the enemy, you start using them as guidance.

Tap the link to read the full blog to understand what your cravings are really telling you, and how to support your body without guilt or guesswork. → https://thejoyofmenopause.com/satisfy-cravings-without-wrecking-your-hormones/

02/23/2026

Your body didn’t “stop working.”

It adapted.

And now you’re in the most frustrating place:
You know food matters…
But no one handed you the updated manual.

You’re told to “eat better.”
But better how?
For estrogen shifts?
For blood sugar swings?
For sleep that suddenly disappears at 3AM?

Hormone-specific nutrition sounds great…
Until you realize it requires research, planning, shopping, prepping, and somehow finding energy you don’t even have right now.

So you stall.
Or you try something random.
Or you blame yourself when it doesn’t stick.

Let’s be clear:
This isn’t a motivation problem.
It’s a structure problem.

That’s exactly why I created The Joy of Menopause Table.

No tracking.
No starting over every Monday.
No Sunday meal prep marathons.
No guessing.

Just strategic, hormone-supportive structure that saves you time and actually makes sense for this phase of life.

Quick check-in:
What’s the hardest part right now?

A) Knowing what to eat
B) Planning it
C) Having the energy to follow through
D) All of the above

(Be honest. I see you.)

Founding members lock in $79/month for life.
Doors are closing soon.

If you’re ready for clarity instead of chaos, this is your seat at the table. Sign up here → https://pages.charliereid.net/joy-of-menopause-table

02/20/2026

Chocolate cravings in midlife don’t mean you’re weak.

They often mean your blood sugar needs more stability.

This smoothie was created with that in mind: healthy fats, protein, fiber, and lower-glycemic ingredients that help support steadier energy compared to the typical banana-and-honey blend.

But here’s the part that really matters

If insulin sensitivity is a concern, small tweaks can make a big difference.

As hormones shift in perimenopause and menopause, your body may not process carbohydrates the same way it did at 30. That’s not failure, that’s physiology.

Here’s how to make this smoothie even more blood-sugar supportive:

• Reduce frozen fruits to ¼ cup to lower the overall glucose load
• Add ½ scoop extra protein to slow digestion and improve satiety
• Add cinnamon to support healthy glucose metabolism
• Skip the sweetener if possible to reduce long-term cravings
• Keep it to one serving, portion size still matters

The goal isn’t restriction.
It’s stability.

Steady blood sugar can mean:
✓ Fewer crashes
✓ Fewer intense cravings
✓ More consistent energy
✓ Better hormone harmony

Midlife nutrition is about working with your body, not fighting it.

Save this for later and try the tweaks that feel right for you.

02/18/2026

Ever notice how the things that used to “work” for your metabolism… suddenly don’t?

You’re eating the same.
Moving the same.
Trying even harder.

And yet, your blood sugar feels unpredictable, the weight won’t budge, your sleep is lighter, and your energy dips hit differently.

Here’s why:

During perimenopause, estrogen and progesterone fluctuations change how your body responds to insulin, stress, sleep, and food. That means:

• Blood sugar can spike higher and stay elevated longer
• Insulin has to work harder
• Cortisol (your stress hormone) rises more easily
• Extreme dieting and long fasting windows can backfire

This isn’t about discipline.
It’s about physiology.

Perimenopause changes how hormones communicate with metabolism. When estrogen shifts, insulin behaves differently. When stress rises, blood sugar follows. When sleep drops, glucose control gets harder.

So if “eat less, push harder” isn’t working anymore… it’s not a personal failure.

It’s a signal that your body needs a smarter strategy.

Think:
Stable meals.
Balanced blood sugar.
Stress support.
Working with your hormones instead of against them.

If this resonates:

Join the Facebook group for real conversations and science-backed support.
Share this with a friend who keeps saying, “I swear I’m doing everything right.”
Save this for later so you can come back to it when you need the reminder.

02/16/2026

Consistency isn’t about discipline; it’s about devotion. 💛

When you eat regularly, choose warm, nourishing foods, and stop fighting your body, everything changes. Not because you did more, but because you are consistent.

Your body doesn’t need perfection; it needs steadiness. It’s craving real nourishment: foods rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, and essential nutrients that support your hormones, energy, and mood, not endless sugar or salty treats.

When you honor your body this way, you’ll feel more balanced, energized, and in control of your menopause transition.

✨ Want to learn more about eating consistently to support your hormones?
Read the full blog to discover actionable tips and strategies to nourish your body, boost energy, and feel amazing every day.

02/14/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day, evryone!

Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, your girlfriends, your kids, or a quiet night with yourself (honestly, underrated), I hope your evening is filled with love, laughter, and maybe a little something sweet.

And yes… let’s talk about the chocolate for a second.

If you’re navigating perimenopause, you might notice that sugar hits differently these days. Blood sugar spikes can intensify hot flashes, disrupt sleep, and send mood on a rollercoaster ride you absolutely did not buy tickets for. Hormones are already recalibrating, they don’t need a sugar-fueled plot twist.

But here’s the thing: one evening of dessert is not the problem. Stressing about it is often worse.

So enjoy the chocolate. Savor it slowly. Pair it with protein if you can. Notice how you feel. And then get back to nourishing your body tomorrow with the same love and intention you give everyone else.

Tonight isn’t about perfection.
It’s about connection.

Be present. Be kind to your body. Spread love generously, especially to yourself.

Love, Charlie! ❤️

02/13/2026

Eat slowly. Like someone who deserves pleasure.

One of my favorite ways to love your hormones gently? A Warm Vanilla Cinnamon Pear Bowl 🍐

Fiber → steady blood sugar
Warmth → calm stress hormones
Natural sweetness → no crash

This is what hormone-supportive eating actually looks like: soft, nourishing, and sustainable.

The most loving thing you can do for your hormones is to eat consistently.

Want the full recipe and the science behind it? Click the link to read the full blog and see how small, mindful meals can make a big difference for your energy, mood, and hormones. https://thejoyofmenopause.com/love-your-hormones-eat-consistently/

02/11/2026

Skipping meals, even if you “eat well later,” is one of the fastest ways to stress your hormones during the perimenopause and midlife transition.

When your blood sugar drops, stress hormones spike, and cravings get louder, it can feel like your body is working against you. But it’s not, your body is protecting you.

The key is a healthy rhythm of consistent meals that supports energy, mood, and hormone balance. This isn’t about willpower or restriction, it’s about learning to work with your body.

Curious why skipping meals hits you harder now, and how to set up a rhythm that actually works for your hormones? I break it all down in my latest blog, with practical tips you can start using today.

Read the full blog here: https://thejoyofmenopause.com/love-your-hormones-eat-consistently/

💬 What’s your biggest challenge around meal timing right now? Share in the comments, let’s figure this out together!

02/10/2026

02/09/2026

Happy Monday, my beautiful people!

I just wanted to check in and say hi before the week really kicks off. How’s everyone feeling this morning? I know some days the rhythm of meals, energy, and life can feel a little off, especially when our hormones are doing their own thing.

This week, let’s show our hormones some love with simple, gentle consistency: a nourishing breakfast, warm foods, plenty of protein + healthy fat + fiber, and little bits of natural sweetness that won’t spike your blood sugar.

I’d love to hear from you: what’s one small thing you’re doing today to support your body and your hormones? Drop it in the comments so we can celebrate together, sometimes the tiniest wins make the biggest difference.

For more tips on loving your hormones with consistency, read the full blog here: https://thejoyofmenopause.com/love-your-hormones-eat-consistently/

02/04/2026

Burnout Isn’t Always the Real Problem: Midlife Physiology Is

We hear “burnout” everywhere these days, but the reality is far more nuanced. Performance declines in midlife are not always a motivation or resilience issue. Often, they reflect untreated hormonal and physiological changes that affect cognition, sleep, emotional regulation, and stress recovery.

Research highlights the impact:

A study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings shows that menopause-related symptoms cost U.S. employers approximately $1.8 billion in lost productivity each year, mainly due to sleep disruption, fatigue, cognitive fog, and absenteeism (Impact of Menopause Symptoms on Women in the Workplace, Mayo Clinic Proceedings).

Male performance is affected too: testosterone declines with age, reducing energy, stress tolerance, and cognitive stamina (Age-related hormonal variation in men, PubMed/BACH survey).

When organizations mislabel biology as behavior:

Trust erodes

Performance quietly declines

Experienced talent disengages or leaves

This isn’t about grit or resilience training. It’s about designing workplaces that understand midlife physiology, not pretending it doesn’t exist.

Curious how this might show up in your organization? Take our Midlife Performance Quiz; it takes two minutes and helps identify where performance may be quietly slipping for both women and men.

Real insight in two minutes could transform your team’s performance.

Stay tuned, I’ll soon be hosting two executive roundtables (virtual and in-person) to explore this with real numbers, strategies, and solutions, not theory.

02/02/2026

You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re just doing it for a body that’s changed, and that’s not a failure.

Perimenopause and menopause quietly rewire everything: energy, sleep, hormones, recovery. So when what used to “work” suddenly doesn’t, it can feel frustrating… even defeating.

But here’s the reframe worth holding onto:
That struggle? It’s feedback, not failure.

Every small choice counts.
Choosing food that actually fuels you.
Moving your body in ways that feel supportive, not punishing.
Resting without guilt.

None of it is wasted. It all adds up, even when it doesn’t feel dramatic or Instagram-worthy.

Let’s talk wins.
What’s one small thing your body thanked you for this week?
Drop it in the comments so we can celebrate it together. Because progress doesn’t have to be loud to be real.