The 5 Most Common Mistakes I See Women Make in Perimenopause
Perimenopause can feel like your body has suddenly started playing by a completely different set of rules.
One minute you’re fine, the next you’re exhausted, anxious, not sleeping, gaining weight, and wondering what on earth has changed.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone and, more importantly, you’re not doing anything wrong.
But there are some very common mistakes I see women make during this phase of life that can make symptoms feel much worse than they need to be.
1. Trying to “Eat Less and Move More”
This is probably the biggest one.
Many women notice weight gain (especially around the middle) and instinctively respond by:
Cutting calories
Skipping meals
Exercising more (often with lots of cardio)
Unfortunately, during perimenopause, this can backfire.
Hormonal changes make your body more sensitive to stress, and undereating + overexercising count as stress.
What to do instead:
Focus on:
Eating enough protein at every meal
Stabilising blood sugar
Strength training over excessive cardio
Think nourishment, not restriction.
2. Ignoring Blood Sugar Balance
Blood sugar instability is at the root of so many perimenopause symptoms:
Energy crashes
Cravings
Irritability
Poor sleep
Increased belly fat
However, it’s often overlooked.
Skipping breakfast, relying on caffeine, or grabbing quick sugary snacks can keep you on a rollercoaster all day.
What to do instead:
Aim for balanced meals that include:
Protein
Healthy fats
Fibre
Start your day with a proper breakfast, it sets the tone for everything else (check out my recent Blog on breakfasts HERE).
3. Relying on Willpower Instead of Strategy
So many women think that they just need to be more disciplined.
But perimenopause isn’t a willpower problem, it’s a physiology shift.
Your brain, hormones, and metabolism are changing. What worked in your 30s may not work now.
What to do instead:
Build systems that support you:
Plan meals ahead
Keep nourishing options on hand
Create routines that reduce decision fatigue
Make things easier, not harder.
4. Pushing Through Exhaustion
You’re tired, but you keep going.
Because life is busy, and there’s always something that needs doing.
But constantly overriding your body’s signals can lead to:
Burnout
Increased anxiety
Hormonal imbalance
Poor recovery
What to do instead:
Start listening to your body:
Prioritise sleep where possible
Build in rest (even short pauses count)
Adjust exercise intensity when needed
Rest is not a luxury, it’s a strategy.
5. Trying to Figure It All Out Alone
This phase can feel confusing and isolating.
Many women don’t realise that what they’re experiencing is perimenopause, and even if they do, they’re often left to “just get on with it”.
The result? Googling, second-guessing, and feeling stuck.
What to do instead:
Get the right support.
Whether that’s:
Trusted, evidence-based information
A clear plan tailored to you
Someone who understands what you’re going through
You don’t have to navigate this on your own.
Perimenopause isn’t something to “get through” by pushing harder or being stricter with yourself.
It’s a time to adapt, support your body differently, and work with your changing physiology, not against it.
Small, consistent changes can make a huge difference in how you feel.
And the good news? It’s absolutely possible to feel like yourself again.
If you’d like to find out more about how working with me could help you get back to feeling like you again, you can book a free call with me HERE.