Allen’s past and struggles
Janet had struggled with weight since childhood, ever since a store clerk called her “chubby” when she was 8. She managed to lose some weight in her 20s but gained it all back in her 30s due to marriage, raising a child, a stressful sales job, and lots of travel. When she was at her heaviest, she had trouble sleeping, high blood pressure, and pain in her knees and feet. She was also scared about retirement because her husband is super active; he runs, hikes, bikes, golfs, and she didn’t want to hold him back, as per the report by TODAY.
In 2020, Janet told her nurse she was eating healthy and walking, but still not losing weight. The nurse asked her, “How and why do you eat?” That simple question made Janet understand she ate when she felt sad, worried, or stressed.
The nurse then gave her a medicine called Contrave that helps stop food cravings and overeating. Within a month, she noticed a big change, she was finally able to pause before reacting to stress with food. She began asking herself, “Why am I eating right now? What else can I do instead of going to the fridge?”
Allen’s fitness journey
Janet began by walking a short distance, just one block, with her daughter. Slowly, they built it up to 1.5-hour walks, and her daughter lost 80 pounds too. These walks made their relationship stronger and helped them support each other. As she got fitter, Janet joined Orangetheory classes, lifted weights, did yoga, and can now run a 9-minute mile, according to the report by TODAY.
Walking helped her think clearly and understand her feelings. She saw that losing weight is not just about food or exercise, but also about feeling better inside. When things got hard, she talked to a therapist and worked on staying positive.She says it’s not about looking good, but about feeling strong and in charge of her life. Janet has changed the way she talks to herself and others , she’s more calm, clear, and confident now. She feels more calm inside and now talks to people in a better, clearer way. She cut down entirely on her caffeine and alcohol intake, along with saying no to any kind of artificial sweetners. Her food is now flush with greens and fruits and is rich in protein. She filled her life with other healthy distractions like, short walks, playing with her dog, doing laundry, talking to her daughter, and needlepoint hobby, as mentioned in the report by TODAY.
Results at 61
No more sleep apnea. Lower blood pressure. No joint pain. She’s traveling, walking on beaches, golfing, and enjoying life. Janet says, “I used to mourn the life I had lost. Now, I have it back.”
Losing weight after menopause is possible, but you have to heal yourself emotionally too. Talk honestly with your doctor, even if it feels awkward. One question or conversation could change your life. The biggest thing she learned, “It’s not just about losing weight , it’s about healing yourself,” as stated in the report by TODAY.
FAQs
Q1. Can women lose weight after menopause?
Yes, women can lose weight after menopause by eating better, moving more, and getting help when needed.
Q2. What helped Janet Allen lose weight?
She walked daily, ate healthy, took medicine for cravings, and worked on her emotions.
