24/01/2026
Perimenopause is real — and I’ve lived it.
During that time, I said things and did things that I’ve had to hold my hands up to. I’ve owned them. I’ve taken responsibility. But when people continue to hold that period against you, it hurts — because that was a chapter of my life when I wasn’t fully in control of my body or my mind 💯
Does that make me a bad person?
A bad wife?
A bad mum?
Absolutely not.
I didn’t sit back and accept suffering as my story. I fought for the help I needed. I kept pushing, even when it was hard, even when I felt unseen. Because your body is your home — your only one — and you have a responsibility to look after it, physically and mentally ❤️
What people need more of is empathy. Less judgement. Throwing someone’s hardest moments back in their face can cut deeper than you realise. Because even when someone looks strong, even when they’re “coping”… they still have feelings.
The reason I’m sharing this is simple:
If you’re struggling with perimenopause right now, please reach out. Talk. Ask for help.
You are not weak — and you do not have to suffer alone 🤍 there's no shame ❤️
If you look at these two photos, you’d probably think they’re the same. Physically, yes.
But emotionally, they couldn’t be more different 😪
The photo on the left still haunts me. Around October 2024, I started to change — bloating, mood swings, night sweats, and brain fog. But the biggest thing it stole was my confidence. I became anxious, scared to post, scared to speak, scared to be seen 😳
Back in 2018, I used The Cambridge Weight Plan (now The 1:1 Diet) — and I will shout this from the rooftops: it was the best weight-loss tool I ever used. That was the time I truly succeeded and kept the weight off. I still swear with all my heart it’s the best meal replacement plan out there ❤️
But I also believe this deeply — one size does not fit all. We do what works for us 💯
The noise online got loud — injections, calorie counting — and I questioned everything about myself. My mood dropped lower than I ever expected, and it scared me.
After over 12 months of trying, I finally got help and started HRT patches. I’m not perfect now — but I’m better. My moods are steadier, I cope with the night sweats, and the bleeding has mostly stopped. Most importantly, I’m in a better place mentally and physically 🙏
I now weight train, do resistance work, add cardio, manage my eating — and yes… I’m still here, still showing up, still seeing my slimmers 💛
I had a brave mask for a long time.
But the woman on the right is 10 times stronger than the one on the left — and I’m proud of her 👏 that's ME! ❤️
