Two weeks ago, I started HRT, and the difference is astounding. My hip no longer wakes me up at night, I can play golf without needing ibuprofen, and I no longer get up from a chair like an old woman. If it weren’t for the Slimpod programme, I never would have considered menopause as a factor.

As I explained in Sandra’s book The Weight’s Over: Take Back Control, I used to eat just about anything and everything. It didn’t matter if I was full or even felt sick—I would keep eating until every last bit was gone. I couldn’t resist food. I remember looking at my husband’s plate and, if he left anything, I’d ask, “Are you not going to eat that?” Then I’d finish it off without hesitation.

About five years ago, I was put on statins for my cholesterol, but I never really thought much about how I was living my life. I assumed that taking a tablet would be enough and never imagined that my eating habits or lifestyle could change.

Looking back, I realise that for a long time, I didn’t understand myself or what I was truly capable of. I was stuck in a cycle of self-limiting beliefs, repeating the same mistakes—whether it was with dieting, relationships, or just life in general. It always felt like failure was inevitable. I would start a new plan with high hopes, only to end up right back where I started.

Then I discovered Slimpod, and everything changed. What began as a weight loss journey quickly became something so much bigger.

It wasn’t just about losing weight—it was about freeing myself from the mindset that had held me back for years.

Before Slimpod, I didn’t truly understand how powerful my mind was. I had preset ideas about how I would react to situations, how I should behave, and what my limits were. But as I progressed, I realised I didn’t need to live that way. I could let go of those knee-jerk reactions and stop setting rigid expectations for myself.

This shift wasn’t just about food. It affected everything—how I approached relationships, exercise, and even business decisions. Instead of falling into the same old patterns, I learned to step back, listen, and respond differently. It gave me a sense of control I had never experienced before.

Slimpod also made me rethink my approach to food. Before, I ate mindlessly. I would clear my plate no matter how full I was. Now, I look at food as nourishment. I think about what my body needs rather than just what’s available.

For example, if I’m preparing breakfast or lunch, I no longer just grab whatever is easiest. Instead, I ask myself, What haven’t I had today? Do I need more protein? Some healthy fats? More fibre? It’s a completely different way of thinking.

And the best part? It’s effortless. I’m not forcing myself to make these choices—they come naturally now.

Before, I was trapped in the cycle of dieting and deprivation. I would obsess over what I was “allowed” to eat and feel guilty whenever I indulged. Now, that’s gone. If I’m not hungry, I simply don’t eat. If I want something indulgent, I have it—without guilt.

Recently, I found myself in situations where I had to eat what was available. Instead of panicking, I simply enjoyed it and moved on. It’s not just about what I eat—it’s also about why I eat. I no longer reach for food out of boredom, stress, or habit. Instead, I listen to my body and trust that it will tell me what it needs.

The last three months have been incredible. I’ve lost weight, which was my initial goal, but I’ve also gained a wealth of knowledge that has transformed my health.

I initially stopped taking statins after my cholesterol levels improved. Unfortunately, at my three-month review, my LDL cholesterol had doubled, and I was put back on medication. But instead of feeling defeated, I dug deeper. Thanks to the interest in hormonal health sparked by Slimpod, I learned that low oestrogen and progesterone can cause LDL cholesterol to rise.

That’s when I started looking into menopause more seriously, realising that I didn’t have to accept these symptoms as part of aging. Two weeks after starting HRT, the difference was astonishing.

My hip pain disappeared. I no longer needed ibuprofen to play golf. I could get up from a chair without struggling. For the first time in a long time, I felt alive again. And it’s not just about my cholesterol. I’m now two stone lighter and in the best shape of my life. At 57, I feel better than I did in my 40s.

Slimpod didn’t just change how I eat—it changed how I move.

I started weight training every other day, something I never thought I’d do. I walk regularly, I swim, and I feel stronger than ever. The results have been amazing—I can actually see the difference in my body, and it feels incredible.

I also realised how important strength training is as we age. I’ve seen what osteoporosis can do, and I am determined to stay strong and mobile for as long as possible. I don’t just want to live—I want to thrive.

Slimpod has sparked a passion in me that I never expected. I’ve learned so much about menopause, nutrition, and health that I’m even thinking about becoming a menopause coach. If I can help other women navigate this stage of life and take back control, that would be the ultimate reward.

I’m still on my journey, but I feel empowered. For the first time, I believe in myself. I feel in control—not just of my eating habits, but of my life.

The way I see myself has changed, too. I used to be my own worst critic, always focusing on my flaws.

Now, I look in the mirror and see someone who is strong, capable, and confident.

As I wrote in The Weight’s Over: Take Back Control, this journey has been about so much more than weight loss. It’s about freedom—freedom from guilt, from self-doubt, from the limiting beliefs that held me back for years.

I have transformed not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I feel happier, healthier, and more positive than I ever thought possible.

At 57, I know that the best years of my life are still ahead of me. And that is the greatest gift of all.