‘I beat perimenopause and lost two stone’ says Waterbeach slimmer
While struggling with perimenopause symptoms such as tiredness, brain fog and cravings for sweet foods, Suzanne Holland found that she was eating much more than usual to help her cope.
The effects of the perimenopause – which can happen in the years leading up to menopause – kicked in when she was 45, leaving her lethargic and aching, and seeking comfort from food.
Now nearing 50, Suzanne realised that she had put on significant amounts of weight and it was making her feel down.
Suzanne, who is a senior personal assistant, said: “I wanted to take this in hand but I had tried other diets, including shakes and liquid-only diets, and although I lost some weight I regained it quickly when I started eating solid food again.
“To be honest I had started to feel I was nervous around food and not properly in control because I found myself eating bar after bar of chocolate and not able to stop.”
Unsure how to kickstart any new health regime, she had been walking around her home village of Waterbeach and kept spotting signs for her local Slimming World class. At the time, it didn’t appeal.
Suzanne said: “I always thought if I go to a group it would feel like a failure. Surely I should be able to take control of my own life and sort myself out?”
But an overheard conversation in the local chemist changed her mind.
“A woman in front of me in the queue was talking to someone about wanting to lose weight. She was saying she would probably have to join a gym. But the woman she was talking to replied that she’d lost five and a half stone on Slimming World. And I remember my ears just pricked up. She looked amazing – really slim but strong and healthy. I thought maybe I should give it a go.”
The first visit to her local class put Suzanne at ease and she was relieved to discover she could eat normal foods, but just cut out fat. She was able to cook the same meals for herself and her husband.
“In just five months I have lost two stone,” said Suzanne. “I looked at all the food I was allowed to eat and I thought I would never lose weight eating all that – but in fact the weight has fallen off.”
These days, Suzanne enjoys fruit and low fat Greek yoghurt for breakfast; a salad or soup with baked potato wedges instead of bread for lunch; and a low fat evening meal, such as chilli con carne cooked without oil and using lean mince, low fat spaghetti bolognese, chicken and prawn stir fries or low fat roast dinners.
At the start of her diet in July 2022 she weighed just under 13 stone. Since then she has lost 31 pounds taking her to just under 11 stone. She has begun taking HRT for her perimenopause symptoms but credits the new healthy diet with alleviating many of her cravings.
Suzanne said: “I feel so much healthier and happier. The tiredness and sugar cravings I was experiencing have gone now that I’m eating a much better diet and I’ve been able to lose weight in a way that I know I can sustain.”