You’re eating better. You’re moving more. You’ve tried the plans, the challenges, the calorie trackers—and yet, your body feels like it’s working against you. The scale won’t budge, your clothes don’t fit right, and no matter how “healthy” you try to be, the results just aren’t showing up.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. So many women in their 40s and 50s come to me feeling frustrated, exhausted, and confused. They’re not doing anything wrong—and they’re certainly not lacking willpower. But their bodies have shifted in ways that diet culture rarely talks about. And often, it comes down to one powerful, overlooked factor: hormones.

Hormonal changes can affect your metabolism, energy, sleep, cravings, and how your body stores fat. When things fall out of balance, your body doesn’t respond the same way it used to—no matter how hard you try.

The good news? Once you understand what’s really going on under the surface, you can stop blaming yourself—and start supporting your body in a whole new way.

Here are five hormonal patterns I see often—and why they might be getting in the way of your progress.