Have you ever felt like the rules for your own body suddenly changed without anyone telling you? One day you are doing the same things that worked for you at 25, but now that you are hitting your 30s, 40s, or 50s, the math just isn’t mathing anymore.

It is incredibly frustrating. It feels like you are working harder only to feel more tired, more foggy, and less like yourself. But what if the problem isn’t that you aren’t doing enough? What if the problem is that we are using an outdated manual for a system that has upgraded itself?

Listen or Watch Now!

This week on The Vibe With Ky Podcast, I sat down with Renee Fitton. She is a Registered Dietitian and the Director of Education at Prolon. We got into the weeds about perimenopause weight gain, inflammation, and why traditional advice often fails us in midlife.

Before we dive in, I need to give a huge shoutout to our presenting sponsor for this season, Sucreabeille. They are an indie perfume house that puts stories in a bottle. As someone who loves storytelling, I fell in love with their vibe immediately. We even collaborated on a scent called “Why Did I Walk Into This Room?” which smells like cherry pie and radical self-acceptance. You can check them out at sucreabeille.com.

Why Your Metabolism Changes in Midlife

One of the biggest questions I hear from my community is about the sudden shift in metabolism during perimenopause and menopause. It is valid to feel confused when your body stops responding to the old tricks.

Renee explained that this isn’t just about aging. It is about hormones. When we enter perimenopause, estrogen and other hormones start to decline. These hormones aren’t just for fertility. They support bone density, metabolism, and insulin sensitivity.

As Renee put it, “All of these things that generally help you feel better, stronger, have better immunity, all of these wonderful things, all of those hormones that would help with that are declining.”

The instinct is often to eat less and restrict calories. But Renee warned us that this can backfire. If you cut calories too drastically, you risk dropping your metabolic rate even further and losing muscle density.

The Science of the Fasting Mimicking Diet

Renee introduced me to the concept of the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD). I know the word “fasting” can sound scary. I immediately thought about being “hangry” and irritable. But FMD is different because you are still eating food.

The goal is to trick your body into a fasted state while still providing nutrients. This triggers a process called autophagy. Renee described autophagy as “self-eating,” which sounds intense, but it is actually a good thing.

“At the cellular level, it goes in and it figures out what parts aren’t working as well as they should have, what parts are aging more than others. And it finds those, eats them, removes them, and allows there to be a replacement of newer cellular components.”

This cellular cleanup can help reduce inflammation, improve brain fog, and support healthy aging without the extreme stress of water-only fasting.

Reducing Inflammation & Anxiety

We also talked about the connection between what we eat and how we feel mentally. I struggle with generalized anxiety, so I was curious if certain foods act as fuel for that anxiety.

Renee confirmed that the gut-brain axis is real. High caffeine intake, processed foods, and alcohol can all increase anxiety levels.

She also noted that FMD can help lower C-Reactive Protein (CRP), which is a marker for inflammation in the body. By giving your digestion a break and triggering that cellular cleanup, you can help turn down the volume on systemic inflammation.

Start Small to See Big Results

The best part of this conversation was Renee’s compassionate approach. She knows we are busy. She knows we have kids, jobs, and chaotic schedules.

Her advice? You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life overnight.

“If you can pick one thing that really sticks with you as something that you are willing and able to do for even just 30 days… just start there.”

Whether it is trying a 5-day reset or just being more mindful of your caffeine intake, one small win can create the momentum you need.

Connect with Renee Fitton

If you want to learn more about the Fasting Mimicking Diet or connect with Renee directly, she is active on Instagram. She shares a ton of great tips that make nutrition feel accessible rather than overwhelming.

You can find her at @FittonNutrition on Instagram.

If you are interested in the specific programs we discussed, you can check out Prolon.com or L-NutraHealth.com for more medical support.

Take Some Action

This week, I want you to try one thing. Next time you are about to eat something out of habit or stress, take a single second to check in with yourself. Ask yourself if you are hungry or if you are looking for comfort. There is no wrong answer. Comfort is valid. But asking the question helps you take back a little bit of control.

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed mental health professional or a medical doctor. I am just a guy sharing my story. Please seek professional help if you are struggling.

Much love. Good vibes. – Ky