“Us women tend to get the short end of the stick when it comes to losing weight…

It can become harder and harder as we age,ˮ sighs menopause expert Jean Harris, M.D.

“48% of postmenopausal US women are overweight. ¹

Thatʼs half the population. I simply do not believe this is our fault.ˮ

Today, we sit down with her to talk about one unexpected hormone that inhibits weight loss.

“Iʼll introduce you to the 3 signs that this hormone is out of whack for you,ˮ explains Dr. Harris.

“And weʼll also discuss my ‘cortisol switchʼ method that helps release layers of fat…

No matter how stubborn it appears to be.ˮ

“But first, letʼs talk about how cortisol blocks weight loss.ˮ

“If youʼre overweight, youʼre getting blamed for it,ˮ explains Dr. Harris. “Especially if youʼre a woman.

But a lot of the time, the weight gain is out of our control!

It has been well established that excess cortisol is a strong weight management inhibitor. ²

What that means is — cortisol makes your body hold on to weight… Specifically around the midsection,ˮ Harris explains.³

“Excess cortisol makes your body think it is in constant danger… How can we expect it to prioritize losing weight?

That would be against the basic principles of survival.

If youʼre a woman in your late 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond — you know how stressful life can get.

First of all, running an entire household often falls on your shoulders… Your kids turn into unpredictable teenagers…

And you try to sympathize because itʼs not them, itʼs hormones.

Throw any work, family, or relationship-related issues into the mix, and thatʼs it. Youʼre living every day on the edge,ˮ Harris exclaims.

“But this constant stress is exactly whatʼs keeping your body from letting go of that stubborn fat. ²

Your body is trying to protect you by holding onto energy reserves, not knowing that this ‘protectionʼ is actually causing more harm than good.ˮ

“If youʼre not sure, here are 3 signs your cortisol levels may be blocking your weight loss.ˮ

“First of all, you might feel like youʼre running on empty.ˮ

“One of the clearest signs your cortisol levels may be the culprit is a feeling of constant exhaustion,” explains Dr. Harris.

“Even if you’re getting a full 8 hours, you might feel like you havenʼt slept at all.

This often translates into a full-blown coffee addiction, because you need it to stay functional,ˮ she sighs.

“I would never suggest anyone diet if theyʼre feeling constantly run down. You need to add the missing piece to your diet instead,ˮ Dr. Harris explains.

“Secondly, you donʼt recognize yourself or your emotions.ˮ

Some women come to me and say ‘I donʼt feel in control anymore.ʼ

You might find yourself perfectly fine one moment, and full of rage the next. High cortisol disrupts your peace and emotional stability.⁴

Thatʼs because it keeps your body in a constant state of stress…

Which makes it hold on to more and more baggage (and weight) over time.ˮ²

According to Dr. Harris, you need to address any emotional changes as soon as you notice them.

“It can be a sign that something major is going wrong.ˮ

“Last but definitely not least, youʼre finding it impossible to lose weight.ˮ

“Yes, yes, the proof is in the pudding, you see,ˮ Dr. Harris smiles. “But listen, no matter what anyone tells you…

Blowing up seemingly overnight and not being able to lose even a couple of pounds is not normal,ˮ Harris asserts.

“We’ve been taught to accept this as a natural consequence of aging.

The truth is, the scales tipping in the wrong direction is a sign in itself,” she explains.

According to her, it’s a clear indication that our bodies are experiencing too much stress.²

“After 40, sudden weight gain has nothing to do with our eating habits,” Harris states firmly.

“I will always advise to keep an eye on what your scales are telling you,ˮ she concludes.

“Itʼs better to start looking for a solution sooner rather than later.ˮ

“However, there are ways to get your cortisol back under your control.ˮ

“Look, Iʼm not here to tell you to meditate or do yoga or pet puppies.

The truth is, chronically high cortisol levels are beyond what stress-relieving activities can handle.

You need to tackle the issue from the inside. And no, I donʼt mean pharmaceuticals. What Iʼm about to suggest is 100% natural.ˮ

We asked Dr. Jean Harris, M.D. to give us a rundown of the natural remedies that help the body flush out cortisol, the combination of which Harris calls her ‘cortisol switchʼ method.

“So, here’s my daily ‘cortisol switchʼ method I can’t live without.ˮ

“It’s not some strange ayurvedic ritual,ˮ Harris laughs.

“It’s a real, tangible practice you can incorporate into your daily life to detox your body from excess cortisol and lose weight.

It works particularly well around the midsection,ˮ says Dr. Harris.

“I apply this method with my clients and theyʼre reporting fantastic results within the first few weeks.ˮ

“Hereʼs what I do. First of all, I instruct my clients to take KSM- 66 Ashwagandha.ˮ

“Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that helps the body be more resistant to various stressors.

It contains around 50 bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroidal lactones called withanolides.⁵

The potency that this one plant carries is quite astonishing. Iʼm also very insistent on KSM66 Ashwagandha.

Thatʼs because KSM66 is the purest form of the plant you can get,ˮ Harris explains.

“This form of Ashwagandha has been clinically proven to reduce cortisol levels significantly. ⁶

By lowering cortisol, it helps mitigate the negative effects of chronic stress on your body, allowing it to shift from storing fat to burning it.

Itʼs not very common on the market, but I can give you some recommendations later,ˮ Harris smiles.

“Then, I add in Milk Thistle.ˮ

“I risk sounding like a witch whoʼs making her potions, but please hear me out,ˮ Harris laughs.

“Milk thistle is well known for its detox properties, which help protect the liver. ⁷ And the liver is crucial in hormonal regulation, including cortisol.

Processing and getting rid of waste is one of the ways our bodies maintain a balanced state.

Some studies indicate that the primary compounds within milk thistle reduce the effects of cortisol-induced oxidative stress.

This is very important for your system to rebalance and start functioning properly,ˮ Harris concludes.

“Lastly, I consider supplementing with Black Cohosh Extract.ˮ

“Black cohosh is particularly effective for alleviating menopausal symptoms which affect your day to day life. ⁸

Think hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats…

All the glorious things that make you feel constantly on edge and stressed,ˮ Harris explains.

“Research suggests that black cohosh promotes relaxation and improves mood by modulating our stress responses.⁹

Itʼs a natural, herbal remedy thatʼs been around for centuries. But as with everything, quality matters.

Spend some time looking for reputable extracts.ˮ

“For the best effects, I will always recommend choosing your supplement wisely.ˮ

There is one I always recommend, and it’s called Her Bodhi.

It combines KSM66 Ashwagandha, Black Cohosh extract, and Milk Thistle into one very powerful supplement.

I stand behind it because it’s a women-led project with a very precise formulation.

It uses only the highest quality ingredients and follows stringent extraction methods.

I suggest this supplement to women who canʼt lose weight due to excess cortisol, and the results have been very encouraging,ˮ Harris smiles.