Beyond The Scales Part 4 HRT, Strength Training and Learning to Respect My Body Again

agfitnessandhealth
Jun 9
4 min read

Beyond The Scales Part 4

HRT, Strength Training and Learning to Respect My Body Again

It's been just over a week since I restarted HRT, and I thought it was time for a little update on my menopause fitness journey.

A lot of people have asked me how I'm getting on.

The honest answer?

So far, I'm feeling good.

My mood has been really positive. Whether that's down to the HRT, coming back from a wonderful retreat in France, getting back into my normal routine, or a combination of all three, I'm not entirely sure.

What I do know is that I feel more like myself.

I feel motivated.

I feel optimistic.

And that in itself feels like progress.

One thing I have noticed is that my sleep is still a little unpredictable.

The quality of my sleep has generally been good, but every now and then I'll wake up in the early hours and once my brain decides it's time to start thinking, that's it!

No chance of drifting back off.

That said, I've always loved early mornings.

There's something magical about those quiet moments before the rest of the world wakes up.

Before the emails start arriving.

Before the phone starts buzzing.

Before life kicks in.

For me, it's the perfect time to think, reflect, plan and simply enjoy a bit of peace.

I've also got myself back into the gym and I'm really enjoying it.

As many of you know, strength training for women over 50 has become a huge part of my own health and fitness journey.

Not because I want to become a bodybuilder.

Not because I'm chasing perfection.

But because I want to stay strong, healthy and independent for as long as possible.

The benefits of strength training during and after menopause go far beyond how we look.

We're talking about:

💪 Building and maintaining muscle mass

💪 Supporting bone health

💪 Improving metabolism

💪 Boosting confidence

💪 Supporting healthy ageing

💪 Improving everyday function and quality of life

And perhaps most importantly, it simply makes me feel good.

Of course, if I'm being completely honest, I'm still learning what works best for my body when it comes to body composition after menopause.

I'd still like to reduce a little body fat.

I'd still like to feel a bit leaner.

I'd still like to see some physical changes.

But these days I'm trying not to become obsessed with the outcome.

For years, I measured success by what the scales said.

Like many women, I believed that a lower number automatically meant I was healthier, happier and doing well.

Now I know that's not always true.

The scales tell us very little about our muscle mass, our fitness levels, our strength, our energy, our hormones or our overall health.

That's why this series is called Beyond The Scales.

Because real progress isn't always visible.

Real progress might look like:

✨ Feeling stronger in the gym

✨ Having more energy throughout the day

✨ Sleeping better

✨ Feeling more confident

✨ Moving without aches and pains

✨ Showing up consistently

✨ Having a healthier relationship with food and exercise

When I step back and look at the bigger picture, there is actually a lot to celebrate.

I'm exercising consistently.

I'm prioritising protein.

I'm walking regularly.

I'm lifting weights.

I'm taking steps to support my hormonal health.

Most importantly, I'm feeling fitter, stronger, happier and more positive.

And perhaps that's where my focus needs to stay.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned over the last few years is that health isn't about punishing your body into changing.

It's about working with it.

It's about understanding it.

It's about respecting it.

Because this body has carried me through 53 years.

It has danced.

It has worked.

It has exercised.

It has travelled.

It has weathered stress, hormonal changes, challenges and life.

And honestly?

It deserves a little more kindness and a lot more respect.

That's what Beyond The Scales means to me.

Not giving up on goals.

Not pretending body composition doesn't matter.

Not settling for feeling less than my best.

But recognising that feeling stronger, healthier, more energetic and more confident matters too.

Perhaps even more than the number on the scales ever did.

Andrea x

AG Fitness & Health

About Andrea Gaynor

Hey, I’m Andrea, founder of AG Fitness and Health. I help women over 40 feel strong, confident, and more like themselves again through fitness, nutrition, and self-care that actually fits into real life. I’ve been in the fitness game for 27+ years — and I get how things change in your 40s and beyond.

My style is supportive, no fluff, and always focused on helping you feel empowered and supported every step of the way. 💪

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