How to lose menopause belly fat? It’s a question many of us ask ourselves. What we need is personal trainer Monique Eastwood on speed dial.
Monique is the go-to trainer for stars including Emily Blunt, Ruth Wilson and Hayley Atwell. So effective is she, that Blunt nicknamed her the “leg and bum queen” who got her “into the best shape of her life”. Now that’s how to lose menopause belly fat!
A former professional dancer, Monique has founded her own online fitness programme The Eastwood Movement Method so that the rest of us can join the Hollywood stars in benefiting from her workouts.
“You can run like a machine in your 30s, but you need to take care of yourself in your 40s and 50s,” says Monique. “My exercise gives me my power. This [being in midlife, your 50’s] is about being real. Be genuinely who you are and stick to your principles.”
So next time you ask yourself ‘how to lose menopausal belly fat’, you know the answer. Log in to one of Monique’s workouts.
In the meantime, she tells us what keeps her sane and happy in midlife.
Wild Nutrition Ashwagandha Plus, £20.50

I started taking Ashwaganda after I attended a midlife workshop by an Ayurvedic doctor. He recommended this brand as it’s naturally sourced and sustainable.
Ashwaganda is meant to reduce anxiety, stress and depression. As a Personal Trainer, I was travelling to and from clients and needed to manage all this. Being in my 50s, I could feel certain shifts in my energy and anxiety levels. I just felt ready to try something natural, to balance me when I felt stressed.
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Viridian Vitamin D3, £31.35

I always try to pick products that are in their most natural and organic state. This is a naturally sourced product. We need to take Vitamin D3 in the winter months as we don’t get enough sunlight.
Vitamin D helps support your bones and muscles, so I’m conscious of getting enough. I do try to explain to my husband that he should take some too, but he thinks he gets enough through his food, as you can get Vit D from some foods like oily fish. But the question is… Do we eat enough, and is it farmed or wild? Honestly, I think I become white noise to my family sometimes with all my health and wellbeing tips.
Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Sleep Mist, £28

My sleep patterns have definitely changed from my 40s to my 50s. I’m so much more restless now and I have annoying hot flushes at night-time, so that means I am throwing the blankets on and off throughout the night. (Not an ideal sleep partner I agree!)
I now wear ear plugs as I’m such a light sleeper. My sister introduced them to me after a camping holiday in Spain where she got fed up at seeing my exhausted face every morning. Saviour!
I also love gorgeous smelling oils, and this sleep mist is heavenly. I spray a little on my neck and my pillow before bed and I literally feel like I’m in a spa. Almost as soon as I put it on, I can feel my breathing is calmer. My husband gave it to me for Christmas, as I use their body oils and shower oils all the time.
Got a perimenopause or menopause question?
Oskia Super 16 Pro-Collagen Serum, £22

My skin is something I have always taken care of, as I suffered from acne for so many years. I would try just about anything to see if it made a difference to it.
Of course, it all came down to my hormones in the end, but I feel I need to treat my skin with great products after years of acne and sun exposure.
Votary Super Seed Facial Oil, £70

This is a lovely natural oil and I dab it on my skin morning and night. I love oils, especially in the winter with central heating and cold weather. I liked the sound of this one as it contains the oil from seeds to calm and nourish the skin.
As a trainer I’m also quite sweaty after a workout so if I need to wash my face I then add a few drops to my face to give me a more healthy youthful glow for my day ahead.
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