Feeling Lost in Perimenopause? How Strength Training Helped Me Reclaim My Identity

Do you catch yourself staring at your reflection, wondering who that person is looking back at you? If perimenopause has left you feeling like you’ve lost touch with “you,” I want you to know something really important: you’re not alone in this.

I’ve been exactly where you are – watching my body change during early menopause and feeling like I was losing my familiar self bit by bit. And now, working with midlife women every day, I hear the same story over and over again.

“I just don’t feel like me anymore.”

Let’s talk about what’s actually happening and what you can do about it – because there are things you can do, even when your energy feels at rock bottom.

Why Perimenopause Makes Us Feel Disconnected

That sense of disconnection isn’t just in your head. Perimenopause brings physical changes that can genuinely make you feel like you’re inhabiting someone else’s body:

• Fluctuating hormones affect your mood, energy, and even how you think
• Changes in body composition happen even if your weight stays the same
• Sleep disruptions leave you feeling constantly foggy and unfamiliar with yourself
• Hot flashes and other symptoms can make your body feel unpredictable

It’s no wonder so many of us feel like we’re losing our identity during this transition!

Taking Back Control (Without Overwhelming Yourself)

In my experience – both personal and professional – the path back to feeling like yourself again starts with one critical element: regaining a sense of control over your changing body.

And that comes from taking intentional action.

I can almost hear you thinking: “Action? I barely have the energy to get through the day!”

I get it. Truly. When hormones are all over the place, motivation can hit rock bottom. But here’s the thing – the action doesn’t have to be massive to be effective.

Simple Steps That Make a Difference

Taking action can be as straightforward as:

1. Finding Your Perimenopause Support Person

Talk to someone who genuinely understands the midlife body transition:

• A friend who’s been through it (or is going through it)
• A coach who specialises in perimenopause (hint: that’s what I do!)
• A partner who’s willing to listen and learn

Just being heard and validated can reduce that sense of isolation that makes everything harder.

2. Creating a Realistic Plan for Your Current Energy Levels

This is crucial – and where most generic fitness advice fails perimenopausal women.

Your plan needs to work WITH your fluctuating energy, not against it. Even if that means just one session of strength training a week to start, that’s perfect! Consistency with something manageable will make you feel infinitely better than trying to do too much and giving up.

3. Focusing Specifically on Building Strength

Of all the exercise options available, strength training offers the most benefits during perimenopause:

• It helps maintain muscle mass (which naturally declines during this transition)
• It protects bone density when oestrogen drops
• It’s incredibly time-efficient (perfect for busy midlife women)
• It leaves you feeling empowered rather than depleted

The psychological impact of literally getting stronger when everything else feels uncertain is massive. There’s something seriously reassuring about proving to yourself that your body is still capable and responsive.

My Personal Journey Back to “Me”

Finding ways to reconnect with my changing body and support my mental wellbeing through this transition were the key ingredients in my own journey.

For me, strength training became more than just exercise – it became a way to re-establish a positive relationship with my body during a time when it felt foreign and unpredictable.

Each session was a conversation with myself: “This is what we can do today. This is how we’re getting stronger, even as things are changing.”

Over time, instead of feeling betrayed by my body, I began to appreciate its resilience and adaptability. The reflection in the mirror became familiar again – not because my body stopped changing, but because I changed how I related to it.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

I help other women navigate their midlife body changes with simple, efficient strength training programmes designed specifically for hormonal fluctuations.

The transformation I see isn’t just physical – it’s about women reclaiming their sense of self during a time when everything feels in flux.

If you’re struggling to feel like “you” again, please know that:

1. What you’re experiencing is completely normal
2. You absolutely can reconnect with yourself during this transition
3. Small, consistent actions really do make a difference
4. You don’t have to figure this out alone

Ready to Take That First Step?

If you’re feeling ready to take action (even a small one!), here are some ways I can help:

1. Download my free “2 Session Strength Kickstart” guide – these two simple sessions are specifically designed for perimenopausal women who need to rebuild their connection with their changing bodies. Download Now →
2. Join my Midlife Strength Newsletter for weekly guidance on navigating perimenopause with strength and confidence. Subscribe Here →
3. Explore personalised support options:
   • 1:1 Coaching: We’ll create a completely customised plan that works with your energy levels and helps you reconnect with your changing body.
   • Strength Essentials Programme: Learn the foundations of perimenopausal strength training with a progressive programme – so you don’t have to think about what to do, you just need to show up.

Remember, supporting women through this transition is exactly why I do what I do. If you need guidance from someone who’s been exactly where you are, or just an understanding ear, I’m here.