Waking Up at 3 a.m.? You’re Not Alone.

Have you ever opened your eyes in the middle of the night, wide awake at 2 or 3 a.m., unable to fall back asleep, no matter how tired you feel?
If this sounds familiar, you’re certainly not alone.

For many women in midlife, especially those living with autoimmunity or hormonal shifts, these wake-ups aren’t “just part of getting older.” They’re often a signal from your body that something deeper is going on: unstable blood sugar.

My Story: Even “Doing Everything Right” Wasn’t Enough

I’ve been teaching women for over 25 years and specializing in hormonal health for the past 5. But even with all that experience, I found myself waking night after night, restless and drained.

After working with a functional medicine doctor, I learned that my concussion in 2020—combined with the autoimmune condition I live with—was triggering nocturnal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar during sleep). My brain, and specifically my glial cells, were inflamed and struggling to regulate themselves, pulling me out of deep rest.

When I began stabilizing my blood sugar, through balanced meals and adding a touch of protein and fat before bed, I finally returned to waking grounded, rested, and ready for my day.

Learn more: How nocturnal hypoglycemia disrupts sleep.

Why Blood Sugar Balance Matters in Midlife

Research shows that unstable blood sugar contributes to:

• Sleep disruptions — blood sugar crashes trigger cortisol, waking you up.

• Weight gain or plateaus — especially belly fat that seems to appear “out of nowhere.”

• Energy crashes — the mid-afternoon slump that coffee can’t fix.

• Muscle loss — your body struggles to build and repair when insulin is imbalanced.

For women in their 50s and beyond, navigating hormonal changes and autoimmunity, learning how to stabilize blood sugar isn’t just about diet. It’s the foundation for better sleep, weight loss, energy, and strength.

The Connection Between Autoimmunity, Hormones, and Blood Sugar

Living with autoimmunity means your body is already managing inflammation. Add midlife hormonal changes, and blood sugar fluctuations become even more impactful.

• Estrogen decline makes it harder to regulate insulin.

• Cortisol spikes from poor sleep worsen autoimmune symptoms.

• Chronic inflammation further destabilizes glucose control.

It’s a cycle that can feel impossible to break. But the good news is that when you support your blood sugar, you calm the cycle, and everything improves together.

Practical Shifts You Can Start Today

I teach my clients that big results come from small, consistent shifts. Here are a few starting points for balancing blood sugar in midlife:

• Start the day with protein and healthy fat. This keeps you fuller, steadier, and reduces mid-morning crashes.

• Pair carbs with protein or fat. Instead of eating fruit alone, combine it with eggs or nuts.

• Take a 10-minute walk after meals. Movement helps your body use glucose more efficiently.

• Add a protein-fat snack before bed. A spoonful of almond butter or a boiled egg can prevent nighttime crashes.

These shifts aren’t about restriction. They’re about creating a body that feels stable, resilient, and energized.

Real Client Results

“The 6 Pillars has made a tremendous difference in all aspects of my life. I wake up energized, positive, and pain-free.” — R

“Before working with Maria, I was confused about what to eat, my sleep was awful, and I could never make healthy habits stick. Now, by following her “pillar” I sleep deeply, have steady energy, and am losing weight, while building strength and confidence that actually lasts.” – M

These aren’t outliers. They’re proof that with the right framework, your body knows how to heal and thrive.

The 6 Pillars of Wellness: A Framework for Thriving in Midlife

Over the past 5 years, I’ve been coaching using my framework, The 6 Pillars of Wellness to help women in midlife feel stronger, clearer, and more confident than ever. Blood sugar balance is just one of them. Together, the six create a foundation for resilience:

1. Strength & Stability

2. Nutrition & Fuel

3. Sleep & Recovery

4. Stress Regulation

5. Fascia & Nervous System Care

6. Mindset & Self-Love

This is not a quick fix. It’s a lifestyle reset, one that supports women in midlife and beyond and those living with autoimmunity and gives them the confidence to thrive in their second act.

Ready to Sleep Better, Feel Better, Live Better?

If sleep, energy, and strength feel out of reach, you don’t need another diet. You need a framework.

That’s why I created the Deep Sleep Reset. For $27, it walks you through practical steps to anchor your blood sugar and restore your nights, so you can wake up rested and ready for your day.

Get the Deep Sleep Reset here

If you’re ready for more personalized support, you can also explore my 1:1 Coaching Program based on the 6 Pillars of Wellness. Together we’ll create a foundation that supports your body, your hormones, and your second act.

Learn more about private coaching here

Because your second act isn’t about slowing down. It’s about creating the vibrant, powerful life your body is capable of.