Every Indian woman needs to read this today

Hey,

We’ve been sold a lie: “Sleep more, eat well, exercise, and you’ll feel energetic.”

So why are so many women doing all three and still yawning their way through the day?

I hear this almost daily. Women texting me screenshots of their sleep apps showing solid 7-8 hours, sharing photos of their balanced meals, yet feeling like they're dragging themselves through the day.

If you've been nodding along, thinking "That's literally me," then keep reading.

What I'm about to share might finally explain why you feel exhausted despite doing everything "right."

The Hormone Connection Nobody Warned You About

Iron deficiency will make you tired and mess with your entire hormonal system.

Your thyroid is also in the mix. Iron is essential for producing thyroid hormones, so a deficiency can slow down your metabolism even more than it already might be.

And if you're trying to conceive? Iron deficiency can affect ovulation and make the journey to pregnancy more challenging.

Why Your Workouts Feel Like Torture

Iron carries oxygen to your muscles. When you're deficient, your muscles can't get the oxygen they need to perform properly.

This means:

• You get breathless doing activities that used to feel easy

• Your heart rate spikes during moderate exercise

• Recovery takes forever

• Even light activities leave you feeling drained

Please don't push through this, thinking you just need more discipline. Your body is telling you something important.

Getting the Right Answers

If this is resonating with you, it's time to get some answers. Most doctors will check your haemoglobin levels, which only tells part of the story.

These tests will give you the complete picture of what's happening with your iron levels.

Simple Changes That Make a Big Difference

While you're waiting for your test results, here are some changes you can start making today:

Time your chai strategically. I'm not asking you to give up your beloved chai (I wouldn't dare!). Just have it at least an hour before or after meals to improve iron absorption.

Become best friends with vitamin C. Squeeze some lemon into your dal, add tomatoes to your spinach curry, or have some amla after iron-rich meals.

Nourishing Your Body the Right Way

For other iron-rich options that work beautifully in Indian cooking:

• Dark leafy greens like spinach and amaranth

• Lentils and chickpeas (especially when paired with vitamin C-rich foods)

• Pumpkin seeds as a crunchy snack

• Even dark chocolate (yes, really!)

If you eat non-vegetarian food, chicken liver, fish, and eggs are excellent sources.

The Sleep-Iron Connection You Need to Know

When your iron levels are low, you might experience:

Stuck Weight? There Might Be a Connection

When your body can't efficiently transport oxygen and your metabolism slows down due to thyroid involvement, weight loss becomes much harder. If you've been dealing with stubborn weight that just won't budge despite your best efforts, I have something that might help.

I'm opening up my 4-week Metabolic Reset program that addresses the root causes - inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic slowdowns. It's perfect timing if you're discovering that iron deficiency might be part of what's keeping you stuck.

Your Action Plan for This Week

1. Book a blood test. I know it's one more thing on your endless to-do list, but your energy levels and overall health are worth it.

2. Move your evening chai. Instead of having tea right after dinner, try waiting an hour. Small changes, significant impact.

3. Add one vitamin C source to your iron-rich meals. Squeeze lemon on your dal, add tomatoes to your spinach curry, or have an orange after lunch.

4. Start an energy diary. For one week, rate your energy levels 1-10 each day and note any symptoms. This will help you and your doctor identify patterns.

The Bottom Line

If you've been pushing through exhaustion, please permit yourself to investigate what might be going on physically. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do for yourself is to start listening to what your body is trying to tell you.

Iron deficiency is incredibly common among Indian women, and it's completely treatable once properly diagnosed. You deserve to wake up feeling refreshed, to have energy for your workouts, and to feel mentally sharp throughout your day.

Want to stay updated on health insights that work for Indian women? Join our WhatsApp community where we discuss everything from managing PCOS to workout modifications that fit our real lives.

Remember, taking care of yourself is necessary. You can't pour from an empty cup, and you definitely can't run on empty iron stores.

Stay strong (and well-rested!),
Simrun ✨

P.S. If this newsletter helped you connect some dots about your health, please share it with a friend who might need to see this too. We're stronger when we support each other!