Restorative Health at Ascend

10/31/2025

It's fall y'all! Time to make all the soups.
Feed your soul, fuel your health!

10/30/2025

Progestins vs Progesterone

08/23/2025

Why GLP-1 Injections Don’t Work for Everyone — and What to Do Instead

GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide or tirzepatide) can be powerful tools for weight loss and metabolic health.
But they don’t work the same for everyone. If you’ve tried them and feel stuck, you are not alone! Around 15–20% of people see little to no benefit, and here’s why:

Common Reasons They May Not Work

Hormone or metabolic issues → low thyroid and high cortisol can override the benefits.

Body chemistry differences→ some people simply don’t respond well to GLP-1 signaling.

Lifestyle factors → poor sleep, high stress, low activity, or drinking calories (alcohol, shakes, soda) can all cancel out the appetite-suppressing effect.

Other medications→ antidepressants, steroids, insulin, and some antipsychotics may increase weight.

Unrealistic expectations → GLP-1s usually bring 10–20% weight loss, not a total reset.

✅ What You Can Do if GLP-1s Don’t Work

Even without these medications, there are powerful strategies to support weight loss, hormone balance, and long-term health.

1. Check Your Metabolism
Test thyroid, cortisol, insulin, and vitamin D.
Correcting deficiencies or imbalances can unlock progress.

2. Focus on Protein First
Aim for 30–40g of protein per meal.
Protein keeps you full, supports lean muscle, and keeps metabolism higher.

3. Strength + Movement

Resistance training builds muscle (your calorie-burning engine).
Walking after meals improves blood sugar and digestion.

4. Sleep & Stress Reset

7–8 hrs of QUALITY sleep lowers hunger hormones and cortisol.
Stress management (breathing, mindfulness, yoga) reduces cortisol-driven cravings.

The 3Ds: delegate, decline, disengage

5. Choose Whole Foods

Cut back on liquid calories and ultra-processed snacks.
Add fiber from vegetables, fruits, and seeds to balance blood sugar and gut health.

6. Medication Review

Work with your provider to see if any of your prescriptions are pushing against weight loss. Sometimes adjustments can make all the difference.

Bottom Line
GLP-1s are a tool—not the whole toolbox. If they don’t work for you, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means your body needs a personalized approach. With the right nutrition, movement, sleep, stress support, and medical guidance, meaningful weight loss is still very possible.

08/15/2025

✨ Stress Management: The 3 D’s – Disengage, Delegate, Decline

Life gets busy. Work piles up. Family commitments stack high. And before you know it, stress is running the show. One of the best ways to take back control is to master The 3 D’s

🔹 Disengage – Step away from anything that doesn’t serve you, your family, or your business goals. Protect your energy like it’s a valuable asset—because it is.

🔹 Delegate – Hand off tasks to the right people. Trust them to get it done and avoid the urge to micromanage. You don’t need to carry it all yourself.

🔹 Decline – Learn to say “no” to commitments that aren’t a priority or don’t contribute to balance in your life. Every “no” to something unnecessary is a “yes” to what truly matters.

Your time, energy, and focus are your most valuable resources. Use them wisely, and stress has a lot less room to grow. 💛

What’s one thing you can disengage, delegate, or decline this week?

07/18/2025

Today was a good day!

The open discussion and truth about risks and benefits of hormones it coming to light. 😍

Join the FDA Expert Panel on Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women. We'll discuss treatments, education, and comprehensive care beyond symptom ...

02/01/2025

Anatomy, Health, and Libido

⚕️ Your Body’s Role in Desire
Physical health plays a major role in libido. Here’s what to consider:

~Pelvic Floor Health: Discomfort or weakness can make intimacy challenging; pelvic floor therapy can help.
~Chronic Illness: Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or hormonal imbalances can reduce desire.
~Medications: Certain prescriptions, like antidepressants or blood pressure meds, may impact libido.
~Gut & Overall Health: Inflammation and poor nutrition can throw off hormone balance and energy levels.

💡 A healthy body supports a healthy libido. If something feels off, it’s worth exploring!

👉 Let us help you uncover the root cause and create a plan to improve your vitality and intimacy. Contact us today to get started.

01/30/2025

Sleep, Stress, and Your S*x Drive

🛌 Did you know that sleep and stress can impact your libido?

~Sleep Deprivation: Poor sleep lowers energy, mood, and hormones like testosterone that fuel libido.
~Chronic Stress: High cortisol levels can suppress s*x drive and leave you feeling drained.
~Mood & Mental Health: Anxiety and depression can dampen desire, but addressing these can rekindle connection.

💡 Simple changes like improving your sleep habits or managing stress may significantly improve your libido—and overall well-being!

👉 Need guidance on how to optimize your health and energy? We’re here to help. Reach out today!

01/28/2025

Beyond Hormones—What Drives Your Libido?

🧠 Libido isn’t just about hormones! While testosterone, estrogen, and other hormones play a role, your desire for intimacy is influenced by many factors:

~ Emotional Connection: Feeling close, loved, and understood by your partner can spark desire.
~Love Languages: Whether it’s quality time, words of affirmation, or physical touch, connecting in a way that resonates with you can boost intimacy.
~Trust & Communication: A safe, open relationship where you can express needs and feelings is essential for a thriving libido.

💡 If your s*x drive feels off, it might not just be physical—emotional and relational factors matter too!

👉 Let’s explore the big picture of libido together. Contact us for a consultation to dive deeper into what’s going on.

01/22/2025

Jenny Thompson thank you for your trusted referrals. We are grateful to collaborate with others providing excellence in whole person health and wellness.

01/14/2025

It’s Not Just About Calories!

⚖️ The Weight-Loss Equation is More Than “Calories In, Calories Out”
Factors like stress, sleep, hormones, gut health, and inflammation play a huge role in weight management. You can eat a low-calorie diet and still struggle if:
- Stress and cortisol are high.
- Sleep is poor.
- You’re eating foods that disrupt hormones or gut health.

💡 A holistic approach that considers all these factors is key to achieving lasting results.

👉 Ready to take a deeper dive into your health and weight? Contact us to get started on a plan tailored to YOU!

01/13/2025

Struggling with Weight in Perimenopause or Menopause?

Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause—especially declining estrogen—can make weight management more challenging. Here's how:

- Estrogen and Fat Storage: As estrogen drops, fat is stored more easily in the abdomen instead of the hips or thighs.

- Cortisol Increases:Lower estrogen can heighten the effects of stress hormones like cortisol, which promotes fat storage, especially around the midsection.

- Testosterone Imbalance: Declining estrogen can disrupt the balance of testosterone, potentially reducing muscle mass and making it harder to burn calories.

- Metabolism Slows:Hormonal shifts reduce muscle mass, leading to fewer calories burned at rest.

- Insulin Resistance: Estrogen plays a role in blood sugar regulation; without it, your body may store more fat.

- Appetite & Cravings:Changes in hunger hormones like leptin and ghrelin can lead to overeating or cravings for high-calorie foods.

💡 What Can You Do?
- Prioritize stress management to lower cortisol levels.
- Focus on strength training to rebuild muscle and boost metabolism.
- Incorporate a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats to support hormone balance.
- Explore hormone testing to understand your levels of estrogen, cortisol, and testosterone and create a targeted plan.

👉 Menopause doesn’t have to mean weight struggles. Contact us to create a personalized plan to help you feel and look your best!

01/13/2025

Inflammatory Foods and Weight Gain

🔥 Could Inflammation Be Affecting Your Weight?

Foods that cause inflammation—like refined sugar, processed oils, and gluten for some people—can:
- Disrupt insulin and blood sugar balance, leading to fat storage.
- Impair gut health, which plays a key role in metabolism.
- Increase cravings for unhealthy foods.

💡 Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, fatty fish, and turmeric can help reduce inflammation and support weight loss.

👉 Wondering if your diet might be contributing to weight challenges? We’re here to guide you—schedule a consultation today!