If weight loss feels harder than it used to, it's not a willpower problem. Metabolic health is influenced by hormones, stress, sleep, and blood sugar regulation.
Hormonal shifts, changes in muscle mass, sleep quality, and stress all influence metabolism as we age, making weight management more complex than calories in versus calories out alone.
Yes — estrogen and other hormones influence insulin sensitivity, which is part of why metabolic changes often become more noticeable during perimenopause and menopause.
A thorough evaluation of blood sugar markers, thyroid function, and lifestyle factors is a more useful starting point than a generic diet plan.