How Penny Lost 10 Pounds During Menopause, Built Strength, and Took Control of Her Health at 58
From Overwhelmed and Discouraged to Stronger, Leaner, and More Confident—All While Balancing a Demanding Career and Family Life
Penny’s Results at a Glance:
✅ Lost 10 pounds and 4.5 inches total (2.5 off hips, 2 off waist)
✅ Built strength and confidence in the gym, mastering exercises like Romanian deadlifts
✅ Developed sustainable nutrition habits—including daily veggie intake
✅ Went from skeptical to fully committed with the support of her coach
✅ Earned pride from her family and a renewed sense of energy and self-belief
✅ Proved that it’s never too late to make a powerful transformation
Meet Penny
Penny English, a 58-year-old vice president of human resources, leads a demanding career in the mining industry while balancing family life in Northern Ontario, Canada.
For most of her life, Penny didn’t have to think about her weight. She stayed relatively thin despite a less-than-ideal diet. But everything changed when she turned 50. Menopause brought weight gain—particularly around her midsection—and none of the diets or exercise routines she tried seemed to work.
“I was convinced I’d have to live with the belly fat,” Penny recalls. “I even told my husband I needed to buy bigger clothes because I thought there was no way to lose it.”
Overwhelmed and frustrated, Penny was searching for something that could finally work. That’s when she started working with us.
The Challenges
Before joining our program, Penny faced several obstacles:
❌ Stubborn Weight Gain
For the first time in her life, Penny struggled to lose weight, especially around her midsection. Despite trying endless diets and exercise routines, nothing worked - and she was just blaming it on her menopause.
❌ Inexperience with Strength Training
Penny knew that lifting weights was important. However, having spent little time in gyms, Penny didn’t know where to start with weightlifting, which felt intimidating and overwhelming.
❌ Skepticism About Programs
As someone with high expectations for any service, Penny was unsure if Fit4Life could deliver the personalized support she needed.
The Game Plan
When Penny joined Fit4Life Academy, we created a tailored plan to address her unique challenges and goals:
Phase 1: Building Habits That Last
✔️ We introduced small, manageable changes like incorporating vegetables into her daily meals to help Penny feel more satiated and meet her nutritional needs.
✔️ Provided simple, healthy recipes and cooking tips to make nutritious eating enjoyable while making sustainable progress toward her fat loss goals.
✔️ Focused on building consistency and confidence with foundational exercises to ensure that her training was safe and effective.
Phase 2: Personalized Training and Nutrition
✔️ We designed a progressive strength-training program to help Penny lose fat and build strength, starting with exercises like Romanian deadlifts and box squats, which she's now doing like a CHAMP!
✔️ We helped craft a realistic nutrition plan aligned with her weight loss goals and lifestyle that fit her personal preferences so it was sustainable long-term.
✔️ We checked in weekly with Penny to review her progress, support and guide her, and adjust her plan as needed.
Phase 3: Accountability and Support
✔️ Penny is working with Coach Bernardo, who is providing one-on-one guidance and feedback via weekly check ins to ensure that she is well supported and guided. Coaching is about much more than giving someone a plan. It's about helping them implement that plan successfully and consistently.
✔️ Bernardo has really helped Penny overcome setbacks and maintain motivation by focusing on progress, not perfection.
Penny’s Reflection
“This is the best decision I’ve ever made,” Penny says. “I never thought I could lose the weight, let alone feel stronger and healthier than I ever have. Fit4Life gave me the tools, support, and confidence I needed to change my life.”
She adds:
“It’s not just about losing weight—it’s about longevity, strength, and being the best version of myself for my family and my career."
Key Takeaways
✅ It’s Never Too Late: Whether you’re 28 or 58, you can transform your health with the right plan and support.
✅ Small Steps Add Up: Sustainable habits, like learning to enjoy vegetables and mastering foundational exercises, lead to long-term success.
✅ Support Matters: Personalized coaching and real-time feedback help you stay on track and overcome challenges.
Ready to transform your body and health like Penny?
Apply to work with us, and we'll help you simplify your fitness, save time, and finally achieve the results you’ve been working so hard for.