Menopause is something every woman will eventually experience, but the journey leading up to it can be confusing.What exactly is the difference between perimenopause and menopause? Why do hormones fluctuate so dramatically? What causes brain fog, sleep problems, mood changes and changes in body fat? And where does HRT fit into all of this?In this episode of The Balance Talk Show, we sit down with Professor Helena Teede for an evidence-based conversation about menopause, hormones and long-term health.From understanding the earliest signs of perimenopause to discussing hormone therapy, bone health, cardiovascular risk and the misinformation surrounding menopause online, this conversation aims to make a complicated topic easier to understand.In This Episode• What actually happens to the body during menopause• The difference between perimenopause and menopause• Why perimenopause can sometimes be more symptomatic• Common symptoms including brain fog, anxiety, sleep changes and hot flushes• Why fertility declines during perimenopause• How menopause can affect body shape and abdominal fat• What happens to insulin resistance during menopause• Who may benefit from hormone therapy• The difference between HRT during perimenopause and menopause• HRT options including patches, gels and tablets• Potential benefits and side effects of HRT• What we know about HRT and long-term health risks• How to protect your bones and cardiovascular health• The problem with menopause misinformation on social media• Why women should speak to their GP about symptoms and preventive health checksKey Takeaways:1. Perimenopause and menopause are not the same thing.Perimenopause is the transition towards menopause, when hormone levels can fluctuate significantly. Menopause occurs when periods have stopped for at least 12 months.2. Symptoms can be very different from woman to woman.Mood changes, sleep problems, brain fog, migraines, anxiety, fatigue and hot flushes can occur at different stages and with different intensity.3. Menopause is not only about symptoms.Hormonal changes can also affect body composition, bones and longer-term health risks.4. HRT isn't automatically right for everyone.Professor Teede explains that hormone therapy is an individual decision that should be discussed with a doctor, particularly when symptoms are significant or other health factors need to be considered.5. Healthy habits still matter.Exercise, nutrition, sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, adequate calcium and vitamin D, and not smoking remain important parts of long-term health.6. Be careful where you get your menopause information.The episode highlights the amount of misinformation surrounding supplements, alternative treatments and HRT, and encourages women to use reputable medical sources and speak with their healthcare professionals.About the Guest:Professor Helena Teede joins The Balance Talk Show for an in-depth conversation about menopause and women's health.Together, we explore what happens during perimenopause and menopause, how hormonal changes can affect physical and emotional wellbeing, and how women can make informed decisions about their health.A Note on HRT:This episode is an educational conversation and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. HRT is not suitable for everyone, and decisions about hormone therapy should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. The episode itself specifically encourages women to speak with their GP before considering treatment.CONNECT WITH ALPA SONIGRA:Instagram: @alps.fitnessFOLLOW THE BALANCE TALK SHOW:Instagram: @thebalancetalkshowSubscribe to The Balance Talk Show for conversations around health, fitness, nutrition, wellbeing and women's health.https://youtu.be/I3HVooMvfck?si=fkOfR3lQJcKvQWY3

#Menopause #Perimenopause #WomensHealth #HRT #Hormones #MenopauseAwareness #WomensWellbeing #HealthyAging #TheBalanceTalkShow

Nutrition is surrounded by endless advice, trends, and misinformation. In this episode of The Balance Talk Show, Alpa sits down with nutritionist Tanay Mandowara to separate nutrition facts from common misconceptions and discuss what actually matters for long-term health.From protein and carbohydrates to pink salt, jaggery, artificial sweeteners, fats, insulin spikes, and sustainable eating, this conversation breaks down some of the most common nutrition questions people have today.Biggest Takeaway From the Episode:"There is no one food or diet that defines your health."Tanay explains that nutrition needs to be viewed as part of a bigger picture that includes nutrition, sleep, exercise, emotional well-being, and having a positive purpose in life. Instead of following restrictive diets for a few weeks, the focus should be on creating habits that you genuinely enjoy and can sustain for the long term.In This Episode:-Why there is so much confusion and misinformation around nutrition-The five pillars of a healthy lifestyle-Whether a traditional Indian diet of roti, rice, dal and sabji is actually unhealthy-How to adjust carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats-Why many people are not eating enough protein-How much protein you need as a minimum-Whether higher protein intake is only about building muscle-The truth behind the so-called "anti-inflammatory diet"-Pink salt vs. iodized salt-Why iodized salt matters-Sugar vs. jaggery: are they really different?-Artificial sweeteners and their role in reducing sugar consumption-Why the goal should be to become independent in your own health-Why understanding the "why" matters more than motivation-Why being lean does not automatically mean being healthy-Metabolic health, cholesterol, glucose, insulin and HbA1c-What insulin spikes actually mean-Simple ways to manage blood glucose, including walking after meals-Understanding insulin resistance-Why healthy fats are important, especially for hormonal health-Nutrition considerations around menopause-The importance of sustainable eating instead of short-term diets-A rapid-fire round covering protein powders, ghee, olive oil, fruit juice, -dairy, rice, fasting and more-A Powerful Reminder From This Conversation"Do something that you can really stick to, something that you really enjoy."Health isn't about following the perfect diet for 12 or 24 weeks. It's about building a way of eating and living that you can continue for years.Guest: Tanay MandowaraA nutritionist who focuses on educating people about their health rather than creating lifelong dependency on coaching.His approach goes beyond simply providing a diet or exercise plan. Through education and one-on-one coaching, he helps people understand the science and reasoning behind their health decisions so they can eventually become more independent in managing their own health.CONNECT WITH TANAY MANDOWARAInstagram: @getfitwithtanay CONNECT WITH ALPA SONIGRAInstagram: @alps.fitness FOLLOW THE BALANCE TALK SHOW:Instagram: ‪@The_Balance_Talk_Show‬

Youtube:

https://youtu.be/dN4PXBVo030?si=PWbhNloaAiIOUyZP

If this conversation helped clear up some of the nutrition myths you've heard, like this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe to The Balance Talk Show for more insightful conversations on health, wellness and living a balanced life.Stay balanced until next time.

Strength training is about far more than losing weight. It is about building muscle, improving confidence, staying independent, and understanding what your body is truly capable of.In this episode of The Balance Talk Show, Alpa sits down with fitness coach Bhoomi Somaiya to discuss the state of fitness in India and why so many people, especially women, still hesitate to start strength training.Bhoomi shares why information overload, unrealistic expectations, fear of lifting weights, and the constant focus on weight loss can prevent people from making progress. She also explains how strength training can become a simple and sustainable part of everyday life.You don't need a perfect workout plan, perfect diet, or perfect lifestyle to start. You just need to start.Strength isn't only about how much you can lift. It can mean having the confidence to move independently, maintain muscle and bone strength, feel more energetic, and stay capable throughout life.We Discussed:-Why Indians are still confused about strength training-How social media and fitness misinformation create unnecessary confusion-Why waiting for the perfect diet or workout plan can hold you back-Why strength training matters for muscle mass and bone density-Strength training for women at different stages of life-Why household chores and daily walking aren't a complete replacement for strength training-How you can start with just 20–30 minutes of training-Why you don't need a gym or expensive equipment to begin-The five basic movements: squat, hinge, push, pull and carry-Cardio vs. strength training and why you need both-The truth behind the fear of women becoming "bulky"-A powerful transformation story from Bhumi's 48-year-old client-Why weight loss shouldn't be your only measure of progress-How energy, mood, strength and confidence can reflect real progress-Bhoomi's vision to normalize strength training across India-Why strength training should become part of everyday life-Advice for Indian women who are procrastinating on getting started
"Don't overthink fitness. It's not that complicated."Guest: Bhoomi SomaiyaA fitness coach focused on helping people understand the importance of strength training and making it a more natural part of everyday life.In the episode, Bhoomi shares her experience working with women across different age groups and explains why strength training should not be limited to people who already "look fit."Her message is simple: everybody starts somewhere.CONNECT WITH BHOOMI SOMAIYA:Youtube: ‪@bhoomisomaiya‬ Insyagram: @bhoomi_somaiyaCONNECT WITH ALPA SONIGRA:Instagram: @alps.fitnessFOLLOW BALANCE TALK SHOW:Instagram: @thebalancetalkshow
If you've been waiting for the right time to start strength training, this is your sign to stop overthinking and start.Like, comment, share and subscribe to The Balance Talk Show, and send this episode to someone who needs to hear that getting stronger is about much more than a number on the scale.

Youtube:

https://youtu.be/DYVg6TWjNog?si=xSTc-iwHWhm7Y9Tk

#TheBalanceTalkShow #BhumiSomaya #StrengthTraining #WomensFitness #FitnessIndia #StrengthTrainingForWomen #WomenAndFitness #FitnessPodcast #WeightLoss #MuscleBuilding #HealthyLifestyle #IndianWomen #FitnessMotivation #StrengthOverWeightLoss #StayBalanced