Episode

Ep 152 - Why Muscle Matters More After 40 (Especially with Type 1 Diabetes)

Podcast
Type 1 In Midlife: Perimenopause, Menopause & Type 1 Diabetes
Published
Apr 6, 2026
Duration seconds
1087
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Audio
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Markdown
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Summary

Muscle Is Medicine Why Strength Training Improves Blood Sugar with Type 1 Diabetes Have you ever noticed that what worked for your body in your 30s doesn't seem to work the same way anymore? Many women with type 1 diabetes begin to notice shifts in their 40s and 50s: Blood sugars become harder to manage Energy drops Body composition changes Workouts that once worked no longer deliver the same results One of the biggest reasons is something many women overlook: muscle. In this episode, I share why building and maintaining muscle is one of the most powerful tools we have for blood sugar stability, metabolism, and aging well with type 1 diabetes. Muscle acts like a glucose reservoir, helping improve insulin sensitivity and stabilize blood sugar patterns over time. And the good news? It's never too late to start building strength. I also share some of my own experience in the gym and how shifting my focus from cardio to strength training has supported my metabolism, recovery, and glucose management. In This Episode You'll Learn • Why muscle is one of the biggest drivers of insulin sensitivity • How strength training supports blood sugar stability • Why metabolism shifts after age 40 • The role hormones play in muscle loss • Why cardio alone isn't enough in midlife • Simple ways to begin protecting muscle today Simple Muscle-Supporting Habits ✔ Strength train 2–3 times per week ✔ Focus on progressive strength over time ✔ Prioritize adequate protein intake ✔ Allow active recovery days ✔ Keep daily movement like walking in your routine Small, consistent steps build strength over time. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a woman who's navigating this season—you never know who needs to hear it. Sneak Peek of My Upcoming Book In my upcoming book Highs, Lows & Hormo…