Howling At The Moon? It Could Be Your Hormones or Your Habits

Full moon or not, sometimes it feels like our bodies are doing their own thing. Hormones shift, energy dips, metabolism slows… and suddenly what used to work doesn’t.

But here’s the good news: we’re not broken — we’re evolving. 💫

Our bodies are in constant conversation with life. Every season asks us to renegotiate the balance — how we eat, how we move, how we rest, and how we care for ourselves.

Whether you’re battling hot flashes, restless nights, or energy dips that seem to wax and wane like the moon, you might be dancing through perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause.

Perimenopause especially can feel like hormonal whiplash — one week we’re glowing, the next we’re growling. But before we blame the moon (or menopause) for everything, let’s talk about what’s really happening — and what’s still in our control.

Real Talk: It’s Not All Hormones

Sure, hormones shift — but so do habits.

We can’t chalk every mood, craving, or waistband up to “the pause.” Sometimes it’s sitting more, stressing more, or sipping more wine than we realize.

The good news? That means we have more control than we think.

When we move with purpose, eat to fuel (not soothe), and keep showing up, we tame the beast. Mojo proves it every week: sweat, smiles, and rhythm stronger than any hormonal hiccup.

The 80/20 Rule for Movement – 80% consistency and 20% intensity

Our bodies, like the moon, thrive on rhythm — not extremes.

That means:

• 80% of our movement should feel moderate — walking, dancing, stretching, mobility, and recovery.

• 20% should make us sweat — those higher-intensity bursts in Mojo (jogging, jumping, punching and kicking) that build muscle, bone density, and metabolic resilience.

Something we often forget: Once we master a routine, our brains and bodies start working on autopilot. The movements feel easier, and unless we stay intentional, our effort — and heart rate — quietly drop.

That’s why we need to focus more on progressive intensity in our movements. When we challenge our body a little more each class — with deeper range of motion, sharper arm drives, higher lifts, or quicker transitions — we keep our muscles, heart, and metabolism adapting. some trainers call this progressive overload. 

Mojo Training Tip:

• Early stage of a routine: Focus on learning safely and building coordination.

• Once familiar: Add strength and speed — use your full range, engage your core and glutes.

• Fully mastered: It’s go-time, baby! Use your confidence to elevate your intensity, not reduce it. That’s where we see the biggest cardiovascular and cognitive gains.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progression.

When we keep our brains engaged and our heart rate challenged, we build more mitochondria (our internal energy engines) and strengthen the mind-body connection that keeps us sharp long after class ends.

We don’t need to go beast mode every day — just often enough to remind our body who’s boss. 

Reality Check:

No matter how hard you train, you cannnot exercise your way out of a poor diet.

Movement builds strength, endurance, and metabolic fire — but food determines whether that fire burns bright or fizzles out.

The 80/20 Rule for Results: Food Is the Alpha

Here’s the truth most fitness myths leave out:

Roughly 80 percent of weight-management results come from what we eat, and 20 percent from how we move.

That means even the most powerful workout can’t outrun a diet that’s out of sync.

The goal isn’t to eat less — it’s to eat smarter.

• 80 % of the time: focus on nutrient-dense, blood-sugar-steady foods — lean proteins, colorful veggies, healthy fats, and hydration. 

• 20 % of the time: enjoy the treats that make life sweet — the wine with friends, the dark chocolate, or yummy apple crumble. 

Food is our fuel, our recovery, and our secret weapon for energy. The more we own it, the more in control we feel over our bodies.

Scary Nutrition No-Nos

Tricky Processed Foods
Even “healthy” bars, cereals, and dressings can be loaded with sugar, sodium, or inflammatory oils. If you can’t pronounce it, it might be haunting your progress.

Portion Creep
Even good fats can be calorie bombs.
Try plating food instead of grazing straight from the bag.

Frightening Fact: Alcohol Puts Fat Burning on Pause

When we drink alcohol, our body treats it like a toxin, not a nutrient — which means it gets top priority for metabolism.

Instead of burning carbs or fat for energy, our liver focuses on clearing the alcohol first.

That shift temporarily shuts down fat oxidation (aka fat burning) for several hours — even if we’ve worked out that day.

In other words:

The moment alcohol enters our system, our body says, “Hold that fat — I’ve got a bigger problem.”

Even a few drinks a week can slow progress by:

• Reducing muscle recovery after workouts

• Lowering sleep quality (which affects hunger hormones)

• Triggering cravings for sugary or salty foods

So while a glass of wine can absolutely fit into our 20%, it’s worth remembering: when it comes to results, alcohol doesn’t just add calories — it delays our ability to burn them.

💪🏻The Power of Endurance

Whether we’re pre-, peri-, or post-, the full moon reminds us that every season brings change. The tides shift, and so do we.

Endurance isn’t built overnight — it’s developed through steady effort, recovery, and showing up even when we don’t feel our strongest.

It’s trusting that our efforts add to our overall strength and quality of life over time.