The start of the new year is considered by many to be the perfect time to set health and fitness goals, which is why for the next few weeks the gyms will be full of newcomers all wanting to get fit and lose weight. Come the end of February, though, most of these now eager fitness buffs will be falling back into their old habits and possibly even piling all the pounds back on that they were able to take off in the first few weeks of the year.

For perimenopausal women, regaining your confidence, fitness and vitality can feel even more challenging, due to unexpected hormonal changes, fluctuating energy levels throughout the day and other factors like a super busy lifestyle that can make it difficult to know where to start. However, with the right approach from yours truly, achieving your health and fitness goals is not only possible, but I can assure you that it’s also deeply rewarding, which is why I wrote this to support you in shifting your Christmas bulge, getting your fitness and energy levels back on track, staying motivated and overcoming the most common pitfalls that will inevitably show up.

The hormonal changes that occur during menopause, which are primarily caused by a sharp decline in oestrogen, can impact your metabolism, bone density and muscle mass. These changes can lead to rapid weight gain, feeling tired all the time and irritable, which makes it even harder to stick with a regular health and fitness routine. And if you have added joint pain and/or find it difficult to get a good 7-8 hours of sleep every night, then this can compound on the difficulty to maintain a routine. The good news is that understanding these challenges is the first step to addressing them………..

Being Realistic

The most common pitfall that I have found when working with my lovely perimenopausal clients is that they set unrealistic goals when it comes to faddy diets (i.e. “lose 2st in 10 days”), because that’s the pattern of weight loss they have become used to. Which isn’t surprising considering how ginormous the weight loss industry is. However, that circle of expectation followed by disappointment and failure is a cycle that doesn’t work. My approach is different, because it’s more holistic, not just focusing on the weight loss, but also on improving your sleep, digestive system, cardiovascular health and any joint/mobility issues. You will also feel an increase in your strength, enhanced flexibility and boosted energy levels, while also upgrading your mood and confidence. And all without spending hours on the treadmill in the gym each week or eating cabbage for a month. What’s not to like?

Because muscle mass naturally declines with age, strength training is essential for perimenopausal women to boost your metabolism and cardiovascular health. Lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises will also improve your bone density, as well as increase your overall strength and functionality. When training my lovely clients, I also make sure that the strengthening activities I teach them are enjoyable — over the almost 15 years I’ve been doing this, I’ve found that the best workouts are the ones that you look forward to. If you choose to do enjoyable exercises, then it will be so much easier to reach your realistic health and fitness goals — especially as you’ll also be feeling stronger each day, which is also the main thing that will keep you feeling motivated!!!

Enhancing your flexibility and balance will also help to reduce your stress levels. This overall relaxation of your nervous system will be beneficial in helping your to manage perimenopausal symptoms like anxiety and insomnia. That’s why I incorporate practices like yoga, pilates and mindfulness into B-Fit, because these activities will complement your strength and cardio workouts — and also help to prevent injuries.

Overcoming Common Pitfalls

Unfortunately, there will be hurdles on this journey. It’s totally normal to encounter all kinds of obstacles in every day life, but it’s understanding how to navigate them that will make all of the difference.

Pitfall 1: Lack of Energy

Feeling tired all of the time is a very common symptom of perimenopause, which makes it hard to stick to a regular health and fitness routine. The solution to this is to find your peak energy time, which is different for all of us. Some of us are morning people, some have more energy in the afternoon while some peak in the evening.

Pitfall 2: Joint Pain

Perimenopause can exacerbate joint discomfort, which is discouraging when it comes to physical activity. That’s why I recommend my clients have a full Bio-Mechanical Assessment with our highly skilled exercise therapist, Guy. After having an assessment, we can then individually tailor the workouts for our lovely clients to include corrective exercises, low-impact exercises on the joints, as well stretching and flexibility exercises to help correct any issues.

Pitfall 3: The Plateau

Your progress may start to slow after a couple of months, which can lead to feelings of frustration. This is why I will vary and introduce my lovely clients to delicious new foods and recipes, plus individually tailor the workout sessions during their B-Fit journey, in order to challenge their bodies in new ways.

Pitfall 4: Loss of Motivation

Believe me, it’s easy to lose sight of your goals when you’re not patient. And that’s why I help my lovely clients to celebrate their small victories — whether that’s because they’re feeling more energised, are having better sleep or are feeling stronger .

How To Be Fit With B-Fit

Regardless of whether you’re dealing with a post-Christmas bulge or are just sick and tired of being sick and tired, reclaiming your health, fitness and body during perimenopause is a journey that requires patience, consistency and a lot of self-compassion. But by setting realistic goals, addressing the common pitfalls, having a tailored plan to suit your needs and incorporating a holistic mix of strength, cardiovascular, flexibility and mindful exercise, you can achieve lasting results that will literally blow your mind! And remember, this isn’t just about looking good — it’s about feeling strong, healthy and the most confident you’ve ever felt as you navigate this new chapter of life.

Embrace the challenge — like I am!!! — and I promise to celebrate your progress every step of the way!!!

If you’re ready to say have a FREE confidential and no obligation chat with me about possibly ‘dipping your toe in the water’, PLUS grab a 20% New Year discount if you decide to go ahead, then give me a call / text on 07748 298728 or CLICK HERE to find out more about how you can B-Fit for Life in 2025 and let’s get started!!!

Love, Gaynor x