Why Metabolic Health Is Your Superpower (Especially Post-40)

Juliana O’Boyle IFMCP
Jun 19
4 min read

Why blood sugar, muscle, and strength training matter more than ever—especially if you're using GLP-1s.

🧬 One of the concepts I’m most passionate about sharing with my clients right now is metabolic health—and its powerful role in our energy, hormones, resilience, and longevity.

As a functional medicine practitioner, herbalist, and naturopath, I’ve spent years working with women who are doing all the things—raising families, holding down careers, caring for others, and trying to carve out just a little time for themselves. And often, they come to me feeling exhausted, foggy, flat… like their body just isn’t working the way it used to.

Sometimes they blame age, or stress, or perimenopause. And yes—those are part of the story. But very often, what’s really at the root is poor metabolic health. And the empowering truth is: we can turn it around.

💡 What is Metabolic Health?

Metabolic health is about so much more than your weight or your blood sugar. It’s the foundation of how your body produces, uses, and balances energy—across every system. It’s what gives you:

Stable blood sugar and mood
Steady energy through the day (no crashing at 3pm)
A responsive metabolism that doesn’t slow down with every diet
Hormonal balance
Restful sleep
A sharp mind and a strong body

When your metabolic health is robust, everything works better—from your gut to your brain to your bones.

💪 Why Muscle Matters (Especially for Women)

One of the biggest (and most overlooked) drivers of metabolic health is muscle mass.

Muscle isn’t just for bodybuilders or athletes—it’s your metabolic engine. It helps your body absorb and use glucose, manage insulin, burn fat, and regulate hormones. It protects your bones, balances your mood, and gives you strength and confidence as you move through life.

But here’s the problem: women are often told to shrink, not build. We’ve been conditioned to chase weight loss instead of strength. And especially during perimenopause and menopause, when oestrogen drops and muscle naturally declines, this becomes a real health risk.

As Dr Gabrielle Lyon says, “Muscle is the organ of longevity.” And we must train it like our lives depend on it—because they do.

🔥 The 5 Core Pillars of a Metabolically Healthy Life

In my clinic and courses, I focus on five core pillars that give women the biggest transformation—physically, emotionally, and long-term:

1. Muscle as Medicine

Build and protect muscle through strength training and protein-rich meals. It’s the foundation of your metabolism and resilience.

2. Balanced Blood Sugar

Avoid energy crashes, cravings, and hormonal chaos by eating in a way that supports glucose control—think: protein, fibre, good fats, and low-glycaemic carbs.

3. Movement That Fits Your Life

You don’t need long workouts—just consistent movement that challenges you. Walk, lift, stretch, play. Make it part of your rhythm, not another task.

4. Stress Regulation

Chronic stress wrecks metabolism. Regulating your nervous system through rest, rituals, and mindset work is just as important as nutrition or exercise.

5. Restorative Sleep

No amount of green smoothies can fix poor sleep. Prioritising deep rest resets your hormones, brain, and hunger cues.

🧪 What to Measure (If You’re Curious)

There are some useful markers I often look at in practice:

Waist circumference (abdominal fat = metabolic risk)
Fasting glucose and insulin
HbA1c (long-term blood sugar)
HDL, triglycerides, blood pressure
Inflammation markers like CRP

Testing isn’t essential to begin, but it can be motivating and validating to see what’s happening beneath the surface. There are also a variety of more in depth functional tests that can give us a wealth of personalised information.

✨ You Hold the Power

If you’re on a medication like Ozempic or Mounjaro, you’re already in a season of transformation. But these medications aren’t a cure—they’re a window. A chance to reset your relationship with your body, your food, and your strength.

Even if you’re not on any medication, the truth is the same: You hold more power than you’ve been told.

You can build a body that is resilient, vibrant, and strong. You can protect your brain, balance your hormones, and age on your terms. You can take back your energy, confidence, and joy.

Not through perfection—but through small, consistent changes that nourish you.

Metabolic health is not just about living longer.It’s about living better. With clarity, purpose, and strength.

🧠 Remember:

You can’t supplement your way out of poor metabolic habits.
You don’t need to be perfect, but you do need to be consistent.
💬 If you're using a GLP-1 medication like Mounjaro or Ozempic, it's so important to work with a trained practitioner to protect your metabolic health for the long term. As a functional medicine practitioner, who has undertaking extensive training and delved into the latest research on these, I help women preserve muscle, balance hormones, optimise nutrition, and support emotional wellbeing—so they can not only feel great now, but build a strong, sustainable foundation for life after medication.
Resilient, vibrant, strong metabolic health is your birthright—and you can rebuild it at any age. 🌿💪