Resetting Metabolism: Holly's Journey to Regain Control of Her Body

Holly came to my clinic feeling defeated, exhausted, and confused by her own body.

She was a 47-year-old busy mom working in big tech—driven, organized, and used to solving complex problems. But since COVID, she had gained 15 pounds, most of it around her belly, and felt like she was “gaining weight just drinking water.”

Holly was also concerned about becoming insulin resistent since she has an extensive family history of diabetes and coronary heart diseas. Her labs were normal. Her A1C was normal. Her thyroid tests were normal. Yet her digestion was poor, her energy was low, and her belly fat wouldn’t budge.

She felt dizzy and “glycemic” at times, especially if meals were delayed. She sweated during dinner and woke up around 3 a.m. with hot flashes and night sweats. Her periods had become unpredictable—sometimes 21 days, sometimes 35 days. Sleep was poor. Fatigue was constant. Mild anemia came and went.

For years, Holly had been told she was in perimenopause, starting as early as her late 30s. That label explained why things were happening—but it didn’t help her feel better.

When “Healthy” Advice Backfires

Holly had done everything she was told to do.

She ate oatmeal every morning. She relied on smoothies, salads, and fruit. She followed advice to eat small, frequent meals to “keep blood sugar stable.” A functional medicine provider even suggested 3 a.m. snacks to prevent blood sugar dips.

Instead of helping, these strategies made things worse. She gained weight easily. Her energy dropped further. Her sleep deteriorated.

By the time she came in, she said: “I’m doing everything right—but my body isn’t responding.”

What she needed wasn’t another diet, another supplement, or another hormone label.

She needed a midlife metabolism reset!

Understanding Metabolism

Metabolism is often misunderstood as just the process of burning calories. However, it encompasses all the biochemical processes that occur within our bodies to maintain life. For some, like Holly, a slowdown in metabolism can lead to unexpected weight gain and fatigue. Understanding how to reset and manage metabolism is crucial for regaining control of one's body.

What Was Actually Going On in Her Body (Plain English)

From a Western medicine perspective
Nothing was “wrong” in the disease sense—which is why her labs kept coming back normal.

The problem was functional, not pathological.

Over time, stress, disrupted routines during COVID, poor sleep, and late-night eating pushed her metabolism out of rhythm. Her insulin and cortisol were no longer working in sync. As a result, her body became very efficient at storing fat, especially around the abdomen, even though she wasn’t overeating.

Eating carbohydrates first thing in the morning—like oatmeal—caused her blood sugar to rise quickly and then fall, leading to crashes, hunger, and fatigue later. Nighttime snacking, especially at 3 a.m., confused her circadian rhythm. When the body expects rest but receives food, it stores energy instead of burning it. Over time, this pattern drives belly fat, poor sleep, and low energy—even with a normal A1C.

Her sweating during meals was another clue. Digesting a heavy or mismatched dinner required extra effort from her nervous system, triggering a stress response instead of calm digestion. That’s why she didn’t sweat when eating fruit alone, but did when eating a full evening meal.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective
In TCM for weight loss, digestion is central.

Holly’s Spleen Qi (脾气)—the system responsible for turning food into usable energy—was weakened. When digestion is inefficient, food doesn’t transform fully and instead becomes dampness (湿). Dampness shows up as bloating, heaviness, fatigue, and belly fat.

At the same time, long-term stress constrained her Liver (肝) system, which in TCM regulates smooth energy flow and sleep. When Liver function is stressed, it interferes with digestion and rest. This creates a pattern of surface heat (sweating, hot flashes) with underlying deficiency (fatigue, anemia, poor sleep).

What had been labeled “perimenopause” was really a rhythm and digestion imbalance, not hormone failure. This could happen to any of us and any age!  Once digestion, timing, and nervous system regulation were addressed, her body had the capacity to self-correct.

Her body wasn’t broken. It was adapting—predictably—to stress, timing, and diet.

Steps to Reset Metabolism

Our goal wasn’t to force weight loss or “fix hormones.”

The goal was to restore rhythm, reduce metabolic stress, and let the body regulate itself again.

The overall strategy

First, we calmed her system. Her body was working too hard just to digest food—hence the sweating and exhaustion. Early treatment focused on cooling internal overactivity while rebuilding what had been depleted. Sleep improved first. Then digestion.

Next, we restored digestive strength and timing. Rather than restricting food, we adjusted when and how she ate so meals no longer strained her system. As digestion became more efficient, bloating lifted and energy stabilized. When the body no longer feels under threat, it stops clinging to fat.

At the same time, we regulated stress. Her nervous system had been stuck in a low-grade “on” state for years. Acupuncture and herbal therapy helped shift her into rest-and-repair mode. As stress hormones quieted, insulin sensitivity improved, sleep deepened, and belly fat began to release—without forcing it.

Treatment was phased. Early on, she needed consistent support. As balance returned, treatment frequency tapered so results held naturally.

This is the essence of a midlife metabolism reset. 

Practical Changes That Made the Difference

Nutrition & timing

• Breakfast: savory, protein-focused (no oatmeal)
• Lunch: larger meal, balanced using the Harvard Plate (½ cooked vegetables, ¼ protein, ¼ easy-to-digest complex carbs)
• Dinner: light, low-carb, early evening
• Fruit: eaten alone mid-morning or mid-afternoon
• No late-night eating: nothing between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
• Warm foods and drinks only—no cold smoothies or raw salads
  

Movement

• 15-minute walks after meals
• 2–3 short HIIT sessions per week
  

These small changes supported blood sugar stability, digestion, and circadian rhythm—key pillars of TCM for weight loss.

Integrating Lifestyle, Nutrition, and TCM

Phase 1 – Calming heat, supporting Yin

Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang (当归六黄汤)
Weekly acupuncture: ST36 (足三里), SP6 (三阴交), REN12 (中脘), BL20 (脾俞), LV3 (太冲)

Phase 2 – Strengthening digestion, smoothing Liver

Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang (柴胡桂枝汤), Jian Pi Tang (健脾汤)
Modified as needed with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (六味地黄丸) or Si Wu Tang (四物汤)

Phase 3 – Maintenance

Bi-weekly, then monthly check-ins. Herbs and acupuncture as needed. 

This phased approach restored digestion, reduced dampness, stabilized energy, and re-established natural rhythm.

Impact of Lifestyle Changes

Over time, Holly noticed significant improvements. Her energy levels noticeably improved, and she began to lose the unwanted weight. More importantly, she felt more in tune with her body. This transformation didn’t just affect her physical health but also improved her mental well-being and confidence.

Sustainable Results

Over several months:

• Belly fat decreased without extreme dieting
• Sweating during meals resolved
• Energy became consistent
• Sleep normalized—no more 3 a.m. hot flashes
• Monthly cycles stabilized to ~25 days
• Confidence and body trust returned
  

Holly learned that midlife weight gain is rarely a hormone failure. More often, it’s a digestion and rhythm issue.

Takeaway

If you feel like you’re “gaining weight by just drinking water,” Holly’s story shows that a midlife metabolism reset is possible.

By supporting digestion, timing meals strategically, regulating stress, and integrating TCM for weight loss, the body can restore balance, release belly fat, and regain energy—at any age.

And no—you don’t have to buy into the early menopause myth.

Holly’s Advice for Others

Holly’s journey taught her many valuable lessons that she now shares with others. She emphasizes the importance of patience and persistence. Metabolic changes do not happen overnight. It’s essential to celebrate small victories along the way.

She also learned to be in-tuned with her body and don't blindly follow so called "experts." Listen to her own body - what's working and not working! 

Conclusion

Resetting metabolism is a personal journey that involves understanding and respecting your body. Holly's story is a testament to the power of informed choices and determination. By sharing her experience, she hopes to inspire others to take control of their metabolic health and lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.