Insulin Resistance: Why It’s a Big Deal After 40 (And What You Can Do About It)

Let’s Have an Honest Conversation About What’s Going On Inside Our Bodies

Hey there, I’m Brenda—and if you’re like many of the women I coach, you might be doing “everything right” and still wondering why the scale won’t budge, or why your energy just isn’t what it used to be. I get it—because I’ve been there.

One of the biggest game-changers in my own health journey (after turning 50 and losing 45 pounds) was understanding how insulin resistance affects us—especially as we age.

This isn't about medical jargon or scare tactics. It’s about real knowledge that helps us take our power back.

So What Is Insulin?

Think of insulin as a messenger your body sends out when you eat. After a meal—especially one with carbs or sugar—your blood sugar rises. Insulin’s job is to help move that sugar into your cells, where it can be turned into fuel.

But here’s the catch: if your cells are already “full,” they start ignoring insulin’s knock at the door. That sugar then has nowhere to go… except your fat stores.

The Difference Between Insulin Sensitivity and Resistance

When your body is insulin sensitive, your cells respond easily. Sugar moves in, energy gets made, and all is well.

But when you become insulin resistant, your cells stop listening. Your body has to release more and more insulin just to handle the same amount of sugar. And the extra sugar? It gets stored as fat—especially around your waistline.

This process doesn’t just affect your weight—it can mess with your energy, mood, and hunger signals too.

Why This Gets Worse After 40

Here’s something many women aren’t told: aging makes us more prone to insulin resistance. It’s not your fault—and you’re not doing anything wrong.

As we move into midlife:

• Our hormones shift (yes, even if you’re still having regular cycles)

• Our metabolism starts to slow down

• Stress and poor sleep can throw insulin off even more

• We lose lean muscle, which helps burn sugar efficiently

All of this creates the perfect storm for our bodies to start storing more fat, craving more sugar, and feeling more out of balance.

How Do You Know If It’s Happening to You?

You don’t need a fancy test to spot the signs. If you’ve been noticing:

• Belly fat that won’t budge

• Afternoon energy crashes

• Intense carb or sugar cravings

• Weight gain even with “healthy” eating

...you might be dealing with insulin resistance.

But here’s the empowering part: you can turn this around.

What Can You Do to Improve It?

In my Thrive+40 coaching programs, I guide women through this reset step by step. And it doesn’t involve extreme dieting or cutting out all your favorite foods.

Here’s where we start:

✅ Cut back on processed sugar and refined carbs—at least for a while
✅ Focus on meals with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep blood sugar steady
✅ Incorporate strength training and movement—muscle helps burn excess glucose
✅ Get better sleep and reduce stress—yes, cortisol plays a role here too
✅ Listen to your body—not diet culture

Real Talk: Your Body Isn’t Broken

I created Thrive+40 because midlife isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something powerful. You deserve to understand your body, feel strong, and live fully.

Insulin resistance isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s just a signal—a nudge from your body asking for a different approach.