Can You Still Lose Fat & Get Healthy With Early Onset Menopause? - Malinda's Story
“My weight was creeping up, my strength and mobility were going down, and I just felt awful about myself. I found out during this time that I was going through menopause. Even with my background in exercise and nutrition, I was lost. I even went to my doctor for advice and he told me that I just have to expect to feel like crap at my age. I am only 41. I finally bit the bullet one evening when I had finally had enough with my now post-menopause symptoms, my weight gain, and the bad habits I had continued to make excuses for. I sent Digital Barbell an email and then cried.”
I have always been an active person, growing up as a competitive ice skater, then becoming a personal trainer, group exercise instructor and Wellness Director, and now a figure skating/hockey power skating coach. I have had moments in my life where I’ve gained weight, but I was always able to get back on track on my own.
A few years ago, I found myself in a job situation that was not healthy. I was working long hours, under a lot of stress, not eating regularly, and anytime I tried to work out, it would backfire on me. It was just added stress and it was painful. My weight was creeping up, my strength and mobility were going down, and I just felt awful about myself. Not to mention, I found out during this time that I was going through menopause. I was having hot flashes, body aches, trouble sleeping, and felt depressed and hopeless.
I would research how to handle menopause, what to eat, how to exercise and general lifestyle changes to try to help myself like I would usually do in the past. There is SO MUCH confusing information out there. Even with my background in exercise and nutrition, I was lost. Some “experts” were promoting a high fat diet, no carbs, more carbs, don’t do cardio, do lots of cardio, and so on. I finally left that job that was killing my joy, but I still felt lost. I found myself trying something for a week and getting frustrated, then trying something else and gaining more weight.
I even went to my doctor for advice and he told me that I just have to expect to feel like crap at my age. I am only 41.
I learned of Digital Barbell on Instagram because a person that I followed who was in the beginning of her journey would share their information. It was no nonsense, real, legit information, and most of it was free. They would comment on others posts with helpful tips for different lifts, and even offer to look at a person’s nutrition and offer advice. I was intrigued. I have to say I followed them for more than a year but wasn’t ready to reach out.
I finally bit the bullet one evening when I had finally had enough with my now post-menopause symptoms, my weight gain, and the bad habits I had continued to make excuses for. I sent them an email and then cried.
The following day, I received a response. I talked to Jonathan on the phone, and for the first time in years, I felt that maybe I don’t have to accept how I feel and look anymore.
Working with Jonathan over the past year has been a gift. I have had to conquer a few fears that were holding me back from being successful, like taking progress photos of myself and weighing myself. But it has gotten easier and I actually enjoy that part of the process now! I have learned to be patient, that consistency is key, and that I like to move every day (whether it’s a walk, a weight workout, or getting my steps in) because it helps me feel awesome.
I have learned so much, changed so much and am genuinely happy in my skin. My post-menopause symptoms are gone, I have lost fat, gained muscle, I fit into clothing that I never thought would fit me again, and most importantly, my confidence is growing every day.
If you are on the fence about signing up, DO IT! I’m so glad I did😊
-Malinda
