My menopause health journey: how I lost 10kg, improved my energy and rebuilt my wellbeing
If you're struggling with menopause weight gain, low energy, stress, poor sleep or simply feeling like you don't quite recognise yourself anymore, please know you are not alone.
Women's health over 40 can feel very different to what it did in our 20s and 30s. Hormones change. Stress impacts us differently. Sleep becomes more important. Weight can become harder to manage. Energy can feel harder to maintain.
I know this because I have lived it.
Over the past few years, I have completely changed my approach to health. As a result, I have lost over 10kg, improved my energy, strengthened my mental wellbeing and feel healthier than I ever have before.
Ironically, the weight loss was never really the goal.
It became a by-product of putting my health first.
Why my health had to become a priority
My life is busy. Really busy.
I have two teenage boys who bring me endless joy, but also plenty of stress and worry. They are completely sports mad and spend much of their lives running from one game, training session or event to another.
I have two dogs who need daily walks and make sure I never forget it.
I run a business that I am deeply passionate about.
I have moved house three times in less than 12 months.
I have renovated a home.
And somewhere amongst all of that, I have had to navigate perimenopause and menopause.
To keep up with life, I need energy.
I want to feel strong.
I want to feel alive.
I want to age well.
I want to feel happy.
I want to feel fulfilled.
And I realised that none of that was possible if I wasn't looking after my own health first.
The impact stress had on my health
A few years ago, life looked very different.
The stress surrounding my exit from The Healthy Mummy was one of the hardest periods of my life.
I had dedicated more than a decade to building the business, only to find myself in a situation that was incredibly difficult emotionally and mentally.
I wasn't looking after my health.
I wasn't prioritising my wellbeing.
I felt overwhelmed, anxious and exhausted.
I can still remember waking up every morning with a sense of dread and going to bed every night carrying that same weight.
My mental health suffered.
My physical health suffered.
And for a long time I felt like I was drowning.
The decision that changed everything
Eventually I realised I had a choice.
I could continue feeling stuck and overwhelmed or I could take back control of my life.
So I made one of the biggest decisions I have ever made.
I walked away.
It wasn't easy.
I walked away from a significant amount of money.
I faced criticism, threats, abuse and uncertainty.
There were many times I questioned whether I had made the right decision.
But deep down I knew I needed to prioritise my health, my family and my future.
Looking back now, I am incredibly grateful I did.
Why menopause changed my view of health
One of the biggest lessons I learned during this period was that women's health is about so much more than weight.
As I moved through perimenopause and menopause, I began to understand how interconnected everything is.
Hormones affect energy.
Stress affects hormones.
Sleep affects weight.
Gut health affects mood.
Mental wellbeing affects physical wellbeing.
Everything is connected.
Like many women, I noticed changes in my body during menopause.
It became harder to maintain my weight.
Recovery took longer.
Energy wasn't as consistent.
Stress seemed to have a much bigger impact.
Instead of focusing on dieting, I started focusing on supporting my body properly.
That changed everything.
The five health habits that transformed my wellbeing
There was no magic solution.
No quick fix.
No overnight transformation.
Instead, there were small, consistent habits that compounded over time.
1. Prioritising protein
I started paying far more attention to protein.
Protein helps support muscle mass, healthy aging, strength, satiety and energy levels.
For women over 40, maintaining muscle becomes increasingly important and protein plays a key role in that.
2. Making gut health a priority
Gut health became one of my biggest focuses.
The more I learned, the more I realised how important gut health is for digestion, immunity, mood, inflammation and overall wellbeing.
I focused on eating more fibre-rich foods, colourful vegetables, fermented foods and nutrient-dense meals.
3. Moving my body every day
I stopped exercising purely for weight loss.
Instead, I focused on movement because it made me feel good.
Walking.
Strength training.
Being active.
Moving daily became about feeling strong and healthy rather than trying to burn calories.
4. Managing stress
This was probably one of the biggest changes.
Stress can have a significant impact on hormones, sleep, energy and overall health.
Learning how to manage stress better has been one of the most important things I have done for my wellbeing.
5. Looking after my mental health
I learned that physical wellbeing means very little if your mental wellbeing is suffering.
Prioritising happiness, fulfilment, purpose and emotional health became just as important as nutrition and exercise.
What I wish I'd known about menopause sooner
If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this:
Stop focusing solely on weight.
Focus on your health.
Focus on strength.
Focus on energy.
Focus on sleep.
Focus on stress management.
Focus on gut health.
Focus on nourishing your body.
The weight often takes care of itself when the foundations are in place.
Why I created Zing Wellbeing
After spending two years rebuilding my health, restoring my confidence and recovering mentally, I felt ready to do something meaningful again.
Helping women has always been my passion.
I wanted to create a place that looked at health differently.
Not through the lens of dieting.
Not through the lens of guilt.
But through a holistic approach to women's health.
That is why I created Zing Wellbeing.
Everything we do is designed to help women feel stronger, healthier and more supported through every stage of life.
Today, Zing Wellbeing includes more than 1,500 healthy recipes, meal plans, fitness programs, gut health resources, mindset support and wellness programs designed specifically for women over 35.
My biggest lesson
Changing your health takes time.
Changing your life takes time.
There is no quick fix.
But small changes add up.
One healthy meal.
One walk.
One good night's sleep.
One positive choice.
Over time, these habits create extraordinary results.
My life is not perfect.
I am not perfect.
But I am healthier, stronger and happier than I have ever been.
And for me, that is what true health is all about.
Thank you for being part of this community and part of Zing Wellbeing.
I am incredibly grateful to have you here and I will always do everything I can to make this a positive place where women can prioritise their health, wellbeing and happiness.
If you would like support with your own health journey, you can learn more about Zing Wellbeing at www.zingwellbeing.com.
