From Perimenopause to Abs: My Transformation Journey at Age 55
It seemed like weight was just starting to accumulate when I reached perimenopause at the age of 47, and there was nothing I could do about it. Being overweight seemed ridiculous because I had always been slender, athletic, and active.
I was jogging more and logging more kilometers, but I was unable to lose the extra weight.
I was feeling quite strange and not myself at all. Particularly in the workplace, I truly lost my confidence. On certain days, I genuinely believed that I was no longer able to do it.
“I don’t want to have a menopause belly,” I thought in October of last year when I was 54. Someone showed me the bodily transformation photo that one of my friends had uploaded to their Instagram account. The change was astounding. He informed me about the gym he was going to when I reached out to him. I went for a consultation because it’s conveniently close to my London office. The trainers there talked me through exactly what happens and how it works. They provide everything: diet, exercise, and ongoing assistance.
Starting My Resistance Training Journey
Richard, my new personal trainer, and I began working out twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays after work. Each session would last about an hour, and we’d do a mixture of upper-body and lower-body resistance training. Although we did some cardio on the bikes and pulled the sled, the majority of our exercise was resistance.
I’ve always done cardio, and I’ve always been pretty fit. I even did a marathon a few years ago, but I’d never really done any resistance training. Even my doctor recommended I try resistance training because I take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and honestly, the results have been just amazing.
Revamping My Diet for Results
I also started tracking the food I was eating on the gym’s app, which calculates your macronutrients. I worked closely with Richard to make sure I was consuming the right amount of calories during the week. He was there for me constantly, 24/7. I could message him now, and he’d answer me while he’s on holiday.
I realized that the balance of macros in my diet was completely wrong. I wasn’t eating over my daily calorie limit, but the combination of macros was out. I was eating 70 percent carbs, very little protein, and very little fat. Changing my nutrition was a real eye-opener; it made a massive difference.
I planned to eat more protein and fat, which would support my muscles and help me to burn more fat. Plus, protein would keep me fuller and stop me from reaching for more carbs.
Making Healthier Swaps and Mindful Eating
I made some simple carb swaps; instead of potatoes, I have couscous; instead of a banana, I have some berries. I didn’t realize a banana had so many carbs in it. Instead of crisps or chocolate, after I’ve had my dinner in the evening when I’m watching TV, I have two squares of dark chocolate, and it’s enough to satisfy me.
Weekends were always my biggest issue before the transformation. I would ask myself, “Okay, how many glasses of wine can I have?” on Fridays. I would eat a lot when my boyfriend and I ordered takeout.
However, I was considerably more mindful of how much alcohol and carbohydrates I consumed during my change. I simply didn’t want to ruin what I had done during the week, so I was very careful about what I did on the weekends. I have to give it my all attention because you can’t fail if you’re willing to commit.
Tracking Progress and Celebrating Results
My trainer would take pictures and check my measurements every two weeks. Seeing my improvement was beneficial; I wouldn’t have realized how well I was doing without the pictures.
It took me 24 weeks to complete my transformation, which I did in mid-April. Even I believe it’s crazy that I went from having 39% body fat to only 16% in that period. When I started in October, I weighed 65.7 kg, and now that I’m 55 kg and 5’5″, I’ve dropped over 11 kg or nearly 2 pounds.
Because he was eating the same foods as me, my spouse, who is quite fit, also lost 8 kg. It’s good that we now go to the gym together.
Additionally, I began to see abs at the end of January, something I never thought I would see on my physique. My strength and body shape have entirely altered as a result of resistance exercise.
Maintaining the Transformation
I simply ate my usual meals over the Christmas season. A couple of glasses of wine were consumed. I simply reasoned that I would like it. I was advised by my trainer not to keep calorie records on Boxing Day or Christmas Day. You must be able to survive; else, it would be absurd.
Despite the completion of the 24-week change, I continue to visit my trainer once a week. After that, I complete three of my sessions because Richard has shown me how to do it.
For my advantage, I continue to keep dietary records so that I am aware of what I’m consuming. I’ve been on vacation in Sicily, eating a lot of pasta and drinking a lot of wine, yet my weight hasn’t altered since I had my makeover.
Because it’s crucial, I also make sure to walk 10,000 steps or more each day. I increased it to 15,000 every day throughout my metamorphosis, but now I merely make sure I’m over 10,000.
Family Support and Celebrating Milestones
My family has been really helpful. Despite spending a significant amount of time away at university, my two 20-year-old twin children were extremely impressed with how quickly my physique was changing. They kept commenting, “Oh my gosh, you’re shrinking!” after seeing my photos.
I’ve also cut a significant amount of time off my 5km Park Run. I can now finish it in 27 minutes instead of the previous 29. Getting it down to 26 minutes is my goal.
Strength Training’s Impact on Cardio and Energy
My jogging and other cardio have benefited from strength training; I can go faster and longer and have a lot more energy. I still have a lot of energy left in me.
Strengthening my upper body is my next objective. To maintain my tone and fitness as I age, I’m trying to develop some definition in my arms. I genuinely believe that I’m prolonging the quality of my life. I feel emotionally, physically, and healthily better. I believe I can do anything if I can accomplish what I achieved.
Sheila’s Best Advice for Menopausal Weight Loss
If you find that performing a lot of cardio isn’t helping you, try doing a few sessions of weight training each week.
Commit to maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. Avoid being discouraged. Even if it’s difficult, persevere and have faith in the process. A poor week doesn’t have to follow a bad day.
Avoid social situations where you know you may be tempted to eat poorly and drink excessively if you are easily influenced. It won’t last forever!