Ending Hormonal Weight Gain

Here’s your jolie Key to ending hormonal weight gain. 
 
Weight gain due to hormonal changes is not a mysterious phenomenon.  It is caused by building insulin resistance, cortisol, estrogen imbalance, leptin and ghrelin dysfunction, low testosterone, and progesterone decline. 
 
Addressing these 6 factors changes the game on hormonally driven weight gain and on menopause itself.
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Designing the jolie diet as anti-inflammatory, blood sugar stabilizing, nutrient dense, and hormonally balancing was intentional for longevity and vitality.  It also addresses the 6 factors that are at the root of hormonal weight gain.

Now for how you can target the root hormonal and cellular drivers of midlife weight gain.
 
First you must restore your insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity declines with frequent sugar and high stress.  Your hormone balance plate is structured with low glycemic load, high fiber, and ample protein → this reduces insulin spikes, allowing fat to be mobilized for energy rather than stored. Reducing after meal insulin, increases lipolysis (fat burning) and mitochondrial energy efficiency.
 
Next, get on an eating schedule. Cortisol is modulated through nourishment & rhythm.  Eating regular meals, hydration through water and food, and nutrient dense foods calm the stress response.  This allows cortisol to normalize. Balanced cortisol → reduced central (belly) fat deposition and fewer sugar cravings.
 
Promote estrogen & progesterone rebalancing via detox & phyto-nutrients.  Crucifers, seeds, greens, and Jolie broths support liver detoxification of estrogen metabolites (via phase II conjugation pathways).  This improves estrogen clearance, reducing dominance, water retention, and inflammation.
 
Use herbs, spice, and color to encourage mitochondrial rejuvenation and anti-inflammatory signaling.  Polyphenols, omega 3s, antioxidants decrease NF-κB activation and oxidative stress. So that cells regain metabolic flexibility → energy, mood, and fat oxidation improve.
 
Last, but definitely not least, repair your microbiome. Fiber, broth (use in lattes & soups), and plant diversity improve gut flora, lowering endotoxins and systemic inflammation. Gut-brain and gut-hormone signaling normalize (GLP-1, PYY), reducing hunger and improving insulin sensitivity.
 
Implementing a diet centered on these concepts changes the terrain of your body.  You change the function.  So now you experience steady energy, reduced inflammation, normalized hunger cues, improved estrogen metabolism, and restored insulin sensitivity—allowing body fat, especially belly fat, to decrease naturally even with sufficient calories. No huge deficits.

with love + light,
Julia