Today we’re talking about something sneaky that could be keeping you tired, overweight, and having brain fog. What is that?

Toxins. Did you know that toxins could be one of the hidden reasons you’re still struggling with stubborn weight, brain fog, moodiness, night sweats, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune issues— even when you’re doing “everything right” for your health?

But what are toxins? How do they hurt us? How do they prevent us from meeting our health goals? What can you do to decrease them in our modern world?

What are Toxins?

Toxins are harmful chemicals or substances that get into our body through what we eat, breathe, put on our skin, and even through poor digestion. Our bodies are designed to handle a certain amount, but when the load gets too heavy, especially as we get older, it can really mess with our health.

When I first learned about toxins, I realized my favorite perfume and household cleaner were both loaded with unhealthy ingredients. So I switched those out. Easy to do.

Symptoms that Might be Related to Toxin Overload

• Stubborn weight, especially belly fat
• Brain fog, poor memory
• Insomnia
• Anxiety and mood swings
• Fatigue, no matter how much you rest
• Hot flashes and night sweats worsened

Why are Women 45+ More Vulnerable

As we move into perimenopause and menopause, our hormones fluctuate which causes other things to happen including:

• Our liver doesn’t detoxify as efficiently due to hormonal changes.
• Our metabolism slows down, so toxins aren’t eliminated as quickly.
• Increased fat storage (especially belly/muffin top) = more toxin storage (toxins love fat cells).

That’s why sometimes no matter how much you exercise or diet, that midsection weight just won’t budge — toxins are part of the picture!

Where Do Toxins Come From? Where are They Hiding?

• • In our processed foods, pesticide-sprayed fruits and veggies
  • In beauty products like lotions, makeup, and perfumes
  • In plastics and nonstick pans
  • In household cleaning products
  • In polluted air and water

They’re everywhere – but don’t worry – you don’t have to live in a bubble!

Now the good news: You can absolutely start making changes today.

Here are 3 Steps to Start Reducing Your Toxin Load

• Cleaner food and water. Eat organic fruits and vegetables when possible and fewer processed foods. Use the site ewg.org (environmental working group) and check out their clean 15 and dirty dozen lists of foods. These lists tell you which fruits and veggies are okay to eat non-organic and which ones you need to eat organic. Also, use a filter for your water. You can get under the counter or countertop filters using charcoal or advanced filtration systems. Or install a reverse osmosis filter.
• Swap out one product at a time. Use clean beauty and home products. Switch to toxin-free products slowly. This is one reason why I’ve been using Mary Kay products for a few years for skincare and makeup and why I decided to be a consultant – for my own needs first and then because clients asked me what I used. And this is why I use Branch Basics to clean my home. One easy tip is to switch out one product at a time. Maybe just switch to a natural cleaner or a cleaner moisturizer or deodorant. Try this for one month. Then add in another cleaner product.
• Support your body’s natural detoxification. Drinking more water and eating enough fiber helps flush out toxins. Veggies and fruits help with this. Movement daily speeds up digestion of toxins. And deep breathing not only helps reduce stress, but it also helps with circulation, lung capacity, and removes carbon dioxide. Plus, it helps clear mucus which stimulates the lymphatic system – crucial for waste removal.

Remember: You don’t have to be perfect — every small step matters. Over time, your body will thank you with more energy, better sleep, healthier weight, clearer mind, and mood.

➔ If you want more tips on how to support your body naturally during midlife, stay tuned for my next live. And if you want one on one help, reach out to me and we can chat about what working with me as a health and wellness coach does. I’ve helped myself and others and would love to help you, too. So click here to schedule a free 20-minute consult.

---

Leah Cheshire, MCD, CCC-SLP, NBC-HWC is a national board certified health and wellness coach and a retired speech-language pathologist and homeschooler who works primarily with women over 40 who have brain fog, fatigue, joint pains, weight issues, autoimmune, hormonal, and digestive issues. She’s also an autoimmune, IBS, and anxiety/depression warrior herself and uses nutritional and lifestyle modifications for both herself and clients.  She’d love to help you, too. Click here to contact her for a free discovery call.