How I Overcame My “Protein Problem” – and How You Can Fix Yours Too
Hindsight is 20/20, as they say
A few years ago, I was convinced I had nutrition all figured out. I mean, I’m a certified nutritionist and health coach—so if I didn’t have it down, who would? But let’s translate that into realistic terms: I knew how to eat a “balanced” diet, and I wasn’t living off fast food or skipping meals. So that means I had a healthy diet, right? Well… turns out, the numbers told a different story.
While I’ve never had much tolerance for counting calories or macros, an opportunity came along to do a 30-day protein challenge with a coach I really liked. There were some big prizes at stake, so I thought I'd give it a try. I figured I would just breeze through it, win big, and along the way I could verify that I was hitting my daily targets. I already "knew" I was getting plenty of protein, so I could practically do it in my sleep.
Yeah, not so much.
Once I started tracking my intake, I realized I was eating less than half of what I actually needed every day. HALF!! And suddenly, it all made sense - the constant cravings, the afternoon energy slumps, and my struggles with strength training, even though I was training consistently. I blamed menopause. I figured it was just part of aging. And you know what they say about assumptions, right?
My body wasn’t broken—I just wasn’t giving it enough of what it needed.
Signs I Didn’t Realize Were Linked to Low Protein
Looking back, I see now that my body was practically screaming for more protein—but at the time, I chalked it all up to “being busy.”
Here were the biggest red flags I ignored:
🚨 I was constantly exhausted—even after a full night’s sleep.
🚨 My sugar cravings were out of control.
🚨 I had brain fog and struggled to focus.
🚨 My workouts felt harder than they should, and I wasn’t getting stronger.
🚨 My hair and nails were dry and brittle, and my skin looked dull.
What Happened When I Increased My Protein
After just a couple of weeks of intentionally increasing my protein intake, the changes were undeniable:
My sugar cravings completely disappeared, and my energy stayed stable throughout the entire day.
I felt stronger in my workouts. I could lift heavier, recover faster, and finally see some progress.
Brain fog? All but gone. I could focus better, and my mood felt more even (this was independently confirmed by my husband 🤦🏻♀️).
My skin, hair, and nails transformed. I wasn’t expecting this one, but WOW.
You Can Increase Your Protein Without Feeling Like a Bodybuilder
I didn’t suddenly start eating Fred Flintstone-sized brontosaurus steaks at every meal. Instead, I made small, easy tweaks that added up fast.
✅ I swapped my usual breakfast for eggs or Greek yogurt with protein powder—no more oatmeal-and-coffee mornings.
✅ I added an extra serving of protein to every meal—it was shocking how much this helped. It even took away my desire for snacks between meals!
✅ I used protein powder in smoothies and coffee—quick and painless.
✅ I stopped worrying about getting “too much protein”—because honestly, most women aren’t even close to getting enough.
It was a real wake-up call. Even as an experienced coach, I had been undereating protein. And if I was getting it wrong, I knew countless other women were, too.
Are You Eating Enough?
Most women assume they’re fine—but if you’re constantly tired, craving sugar, struggling to build strength, or feeling “off” in your body, it’s worth taking a closer look. You might be missing out on the one macronutrient that could change everything.
If you’re exhausted, craving sugar, or feeling “off” in your body, your protein intake might be the missing piece.
What’s one small change you can make today to increase your protein? Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear!
👉 Not sure if you're getting enough protein? Let's fix that. Book a free 45-minute Roadmap Session, and we’ll help you create a solid, sustainable plan that works for you. Grab your spot HERE.
