As a personal trainer in Baldock — specialising in supporting women in perimenopause and menopause — I spend a lot of time helping clients understand not just what they eat or how they train, but why certain habits keep showing up, especially in the evenings.

Recently, I noticed something interesting in my own routine. I’d been tracking my food again, and the pattern was impossible to ignore. My calories were a lot like my bank account: steady during the day… then chaos after 7pm.

And when I compared my eating habits to my spending habits? The same thing.

The evenings were running the show.

The Evening Spiral: Snacking, Scrolling, Shopping

Maybe this sounds familiar.

The “random” calories — the biscuits, the handful of raisins, even the cooking chocolate you don’t like.

The “random” purchases — the funky reading glasses from an Instagram ad (still not arrived), or the sequin dress from Shein that looked nothing like the picture.

It all happens on autopilot.

And for many women in perimenopause, this pattern becomes even more common.

Hormonal shifts can affect appetite, impulse control, stress levels, and sleep — which means evenings can feel like a perfect storm.

The Real Reason Behind It All

When I stepped back and looked at the pattern, the truth hit me.

It wasn’t hunger.
It wasn’t need.
It wasn’t even boredom.

It was distraction.

Overspending and overeating were happening when I wasn’t fully present — when I was tired, stressed, or avoiding something else.

And this is exactly what I see in so many of the women I coach, whether they’re working with me online or coming to me as a Baldock personal trainer looking for support through perimenopause.

The Questions That Changed Everything

To break the cycle, I had to get honest with myself. These were the questions that helped:

• Am I physically hungry, or just looking for something to do?
• Am I shopping for something I genuinely need, or am I filling a gap?
• What exactly am I stressed about?
  Can it be dealt with, delegated, or is it temporary?
• Am I tired?
  Do I actually need a better evening routine and earlier bedtime?
• Am I bored, or am I avoiding a boring task — like putting away the washing?

Once you understand the why behind the behaviour, changing it and finding solutions become so much easier.

Why This Matters During Perimenopause

During perimenopause, your body is more sensitive to:

• Stress
• Poor sleep
• Blood sugar fluctuations
• Emotional overwhelm

Evening habits can have a bigger impact than ever — on your weight, your energy, your mood, and your confidence.

This is why working with a perimenopause‑informed personal trainer can make such a difference. It’s not just about workouts. It’s about understanding your patterns, your hormones, and your lifestyle so you can build routines that support you.

Let’s Talk About Your Evenings

If any of this resonates with you, I’d genuinely love to hear from you.

Which evening habits do you struggle with most — snacking, scrolling, shopping, or something else entirely?

You’re not alone in this, and together we can build healthier routines that support your goals, your hormones, and your wellbeing.

Sick of fitness and diet advice that isn’t practical or makes you feel like crap? Let’s find what works for you.  Book a free discovery call with me.