Part 2: The Amazing Things to Look Forward to After 40: Energy, Confidence & Joy

Nov 1

3 min read

In Part 1, we talked about how awareness, movement, and self-care lay the foundation for thriving after 40. Now, let’s dive into the fuel, hormones, and habits that keep the fire burning, so energy, confidence, and joy become part of your daily rhythm, not fleeting moments.

Fueling the Body for Balance: Nourishment > Restriction

After 40, food becomes more than fuel, it’s information. Every bite communicates with your hormones, energy, and recovery.

Here’s what balance looks like:

Protein with purpose. Most active adults thrive around 1.0–1.2 g of protein per kg of body weight (1, 2).
Colorful plants = hormone allies. Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, kale, and cabbage naturally support estrogen metabolism (that’s where DIM (Diindolylmethane) comes from (3)).
Carbs for calm. The right carbs, especially around workouts, fuel performance, stabilize mood, and help you sleep better.
Hydration & minerals. With shifting hormones, electrolyte balance matters. Don’t underestimate magnesium, sodium, and potassium for recovery and focus.

No rigid rules, just rhythm. Think nourishment over restriction and patterns over perfection.

The Testosterone Advantage: Energy, Confidence & the “Spice Factor”

After running a full blood panel, my doctor told me I exude the epitome of health, but she also noted I could benefit from slightly higher testosterone levels.

I decided to try topical testosterone; in the last six weeks here’s what I have learned:

My HRV (Heart Rate Variability) increased 10 points, meaning better recovery and resilience.
Sleep and recovery improved.
Libido skyrocketed (best perk 😉).
Occasional agitation showed up (I jokingly called it the urge to “rip someone’s head out”) but DIM helped balance things out.

It’s important to note there are no FDA-approved testosterone therapies for women in the U.S. (4), though some doctors prescribe it off-label for postmenopausal low sexual desire (5).

When used responsibly (with medical supervision) it can improve libido, energy, and confidence. For me, it highlighted just how interconnected hormones, recovery, and mood really are.

Managing Stress & Rediscovering Joy

Stress isn’t just mental, it’s hormonal. Cortisol, the “too much” hormone, can wreck sleep, recovery, and metabolism when left unchecked.

Science shows mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork can lower cortisol levels and improve overall well-being (6).

Simple stress resets that work:

10 minutes of deep breathing or guided mindfulness da
ily.
Movement breaks: walks, stretching, or dancing.
Connection: quality time with people who refill your cup.
Perspective. Remind yourself: focus on what you can control, let go of what you can’t.

It’s not about being stress-free. it’s about becoming stress-resilient.

Estrogen, Progesterone & the Power of Early Support

Through conversations with older women, I learned that declining hormones don’t have to mean declining quality of life. Evidence supports menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), especially progesterone-estrogen patches or vaginal estrogen, as safe and effective tools for easing the transition (7, 8).

Vaginal estrogen, in particular, can improve comfort and pelvic health with minimal systemic absorption, and it’s even considered safe for many women with a history of estrogen-sensitive cancers (after a doctor’s review).

The message? Don’t wait until symptoms scream for help. Address hormonal shifts early and proactively - with medical guidance.

Why It Matters: Midlife ≠ Chasing Youth

This chapter isn’t about reversing time. It’s about living it fully.

Midlife brings strength, self-awareness, and clarity that youth rarely does. When we pair that with balanced nutrition, smarter training, and intentional hormone care, the result isn’t “younger you”. It’s a more alive you.

Think fewer crashes, deeper sleep, stronger lifts, and a reignited sense of purpose.

Live Boldly. Love Deeply. Embrace Evolution.

Your 40s and beyond are not a slow fade - they’re a rising phase.

Lift heavy, literally and figuratively. Eat to thrive. Guard your sleep. Prioritize peace.

And most importantly!!!! Choose joy on purpose.

Midlife isn’t a deadline; it’s an invitation to evolve.

References

PROT-AGE Study Group. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013. (Protein 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day.)
Davis SR et al. Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine. Diindolylmethane (DIM) Monograph. 2023.
U.S. VA PBM Summary. Transdermal Testosterone for HSDD (off-label use). 2025.
North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Hormone Therapy Position Statement. 2022.
Rogerson O et al. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2024 (meta-analysis on stress management & cortisol).
NAMS/ISSWSH Position Statement. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. 2020.
ACOG Clinical Consensus. Urogenital Symptoms & Estrogen-Dependent Breast Cancer. 2021.