Lisa Ray Instagram – So my relationship with my body and the gym is complicated. I spent hours and hours in obsessive pursuit of a mythical body that was always just out of reach. I developed an eating disorder. The gym was not a happy space. I’ve managed to rewrite the script and reclaimed my fitness story. I can’t emphasise enough how essential it is to engage in some form of weight bearing exercises while in Menopause. I also wish I had a before picture – from just a few months ago. Somewhere along the line, I had internalised the idea that a woman in menopause is not sexy and attractive and I gave up on my fitness journey. I love pilates and I’ve been a lifelong yoga practitioner but getting into a weight lifting routine felt like too much effort and also a vanity project, not to mention the traumatic memories I have of grinding away for hours in my 20s. Then I woke up one day, took a good look in the mirror and asked myself: whose body is this? Aside from how I looked, I didn’t FEEL right. That morning I went to my husband’s gym. I found a great trainer @rim.elattar who makes me sweat it out but is also sensitive to my age and requirements (pro-tip: grill your personal trainer and be very upfront about your needs. A LOT of trainers are ill equipped for a menopausal woman’s fitness needs – or too young or don’t care!) called my friend @mitunds and demanded a holistic diet plan for my age (worked wonders!) and changed my mindset. I work out at my own pace to feel strong (I have to keep up with 5 year old twins after all) sleep better and yes- my body is looking snatch for MY age. Menopause is not the end- it’s the big invitation to reinvent yourself. My upper arms will always be jiggly, my thighs are streaked with stretch marks, my skin is loose and marked by many sunny afternoons on the beach – and I love it. I caress my body and whisper my awe and appreciation. We made it. And we have many more places to go. #menopausefitness #menopauseawareness #fitnessmotivation #fitnesslifestyle #fitnessjourney