If you're navigating menopausal symptoms (be it perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause), you may have noticed weight gain despite making no significant changes to your diet or exercise routine. This is largely due to the hormonal shifts that accompany midlife – particularly the decline in estrogen, which can alter how your body stores fat, regulates metabolism and manages appetite.
Combined with age-related muscle loss and the sleep disturbances that come part and parcel with the menopause, maintaining a healthy weight can feel like yet another challenge in your already chock-a-block life.
This is precisely why WeightWatchers – the globally renowned weight loss programme – has launched WeightWatchers for Menopause, a plan specifically designed for midlife hormonal changes. Dr Kim Boyd, Chief Medical Officer at the brand, says: "For many women, the changes that come with menopause can feel overwhelming. Hormone-related weight gain in particular often resists traditional methods of weight loss."
Dr Kim adds: "Too often women are left feeling isolated or dismissed because menopause care has been historically overlooked, hard to access and filled with misinformation. We are uniquely positioned to provide women in this stage of life with the guidance and tools they need to achieve real, lasting results.”
If you're not already familiar, the overarching premise of WeightWatchers is to help you build healthy habits that lead to fat loss. Founded in 1963, its current format utilises nutrition and behavioural science to curate uber-personalised diet plans, factoring in data like added sugars, fiber and unsaturated fats. It's latest brainchild is the same legendary weight loss programme, but with added targeted guidance for women navigating perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.
Queen Latifah is WeightWatchers for Menopause's first official spokeswoman. The Grammy and Emmy award-winning actress and proud health advocate, 55, says: "Menopause has been a new journey for me – one that’s changed how I see and care for my body. It’s shown me how important it is for women to have support that truly understands this stage of life. That’s why I’m proud to be the spokesperson for WeightWatchers’ new programme."
What’s included in WeightWatchers for Menopause?
- Nutrition guidance tailored for menopause
- Science-backed tips for hormone-related symptom management
- Workshops (in-person and virtual) and exclusive content in the WW app
- Community support through unlimited access to expert-led sessions
- Fitness videos led by personal trainers that you can follow at home
Available in the UK since September, WeightWatchers for Menopause is a multitasking platform. It’s designed to elevate your health by addressing menopausal weight gain and other hormone-related symptoms, as well as offering access to a community of other women experiencing the same things as you.
How to join WeightWatchers for Menopause
At the heart of WeightWatchers is the belief that nobody should have to navigate weight loss alone, as it's a journey that can often feel isolating. The brand's new menopause-focused programme builds on this core philosophy, offering tailored support to women as they move through the complex hormonal transitions of midlife.
You can join online by completing a quiz about your symptoms and journey with menopause so far. Once you’re officially a member, you have the option to attend WeightWatchers Workshops in person, as well as specialist virtual workshops led by menopause-trained coaches. In these virtual sessions, you’ll receive expert nutritional advice for your specific stage of menopause and honest advice about symptoms.
What are women saying about WeightWatchers for Menopause
One member named Kimberly, who has lost 50lb on the programme, reviewed: “I had night sweats, I had brain fog, I had heart palpitations. All of these were my symptoms when I was considered to be in perimenopause, and they have all improved because of WeightWatchers. I feel like finally, someone gets it.”
Another member named Kimmi, who has lost 56lb, said: “I didn’t understand that the things that I was going through were related to menopause and I really suffered alone. Even when I would talk to my doctor, it seemed like they weren’t really hearing me.”
On social media, the programme has received mammooth praise. Long-term fan Kerri Mulvihill Ginel wrote on Facebook: "I am so here for it all. As someone who is post-menopause. I am even more thrilled for my members and all women to have the support I did not have at a very tough time. Love WeightWatchers and all we stand for."
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