Hello Mumsy friends

Busy living in UK with 3 kids & 2 cats.

How BodyCombat Helped My Perimenopause Fatigue and Sleep

I’m currently going through perimenopause 💃🏻

that strange in-between phase where your body no longer feels like your own, and your emotions can shift without warning.

At first, I tried to cope in a gentle, comforting way.

I joined a women-only gym and met other mums just like me. We reassured each other, saying, “This is okay. We’re doing fine.”
They were kind, warm, and supportive. But if I’m being honest, we didn’t really push each other. We weren’t motivated to change — especially when it came to weight or fitness.

And deep down, I knew I needed something more.

So I made a decision. I left that safe, familiar space and joined Everyone Active.

It felt like stepping out of a cosy nest and into a completely different world — surrounded by strong, muscular women. I thought, maybe this is where I can finally take control of my body… and my restless mind.

That’s when I chose Les Mills BodyCombat.

👉 You can find more about it here: https://www.lesmills.com/workouts/bodycombat

Before my first class, I even watched videos on YouTube to mentally prepare myself.

But when I got there, something surprising happened.

The room was full of people from all backgrounds — different ages, different ethnicities — yet they all shared one thing: confidence.
Many of them were older than me, yet fitter, stronger, and more self-assured.

I couldn’t believe how they moved — smiling, sweating, pushing through an intense one-hour workout.

Meanwhile… I felt like I might pass out.

My stamina was honestly terrible. I thought it would take forever to adapt.

But then something shifted.

The movements — inspired by Taekwondo, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and boxing — were incredibly fun.
More than that, they were powerful. Each punch and kick felt like I was releasing stress I didn’t even realise I was holding.

Even though my form is still awkward and unfamiliar, every class leaves me with a sense of achievement.

I did it.

And more importantly — I feel stronger. Not just physically, but mentally.

Slowly, my sleep improved.
My energy came back.
And with that, I started to feel something I hadn’t felt in a while:

emotional resilience.

Perimenopause still feels like a storm. Some days are overwhelming.
But now I know this:

👉 Exercise is not optional — it’s essential.

It’s not just about losing weight.
It’s about finding stability in the chaos.

To all the mums out there — especially those far away, living similar lives to mine — I know how it feels.

The long days.
Living around school terms and half-terms.
Balancing work, family… and now realising we need to take care of ourselves too.

For so long, we’ve put ourselves last.

But maybe now is the time to change that.

Because in the end, what matters most is not just our family —
but the version of ourselves who has quietly carried everything all this time. ❤️

Let’s take care of her now.

We’ve got this.

🌿 Helpful Tips for Perimenopause

If you’re going through perimenopause and wondering what actually helps, here are a few things that made a real difference for me:

💪 1. Find the Right Exercise (Not Just Any Exercise)

Workouts like Les Mills BodyCombat are especially helpful because they combine:

  • Cardio (for weight and heart health)
  • Strength (to support muscle loss during menopause)
  • Stress relief (through high-energy movement)

👉 If you’re not familiar with the gym, starting with small group classes can be a great first step.
If high intensity feels too much at first, even walking daily can make a huge difference.

😴 2. Support Your Sleep

Sleep problems are one of the most common perimenopause symptoms.

Things that may help:

  • Magnesium supplements
  • Reducing caffeine
  • Gentle evening stretching or breathing exercises

🧠 3. Build Mental Strength (Not Just Physical)

What surprised me most was how much exercise helped my mind, not just my body.

Even 30–60 minutes of movement can:

  • Reduce anxiety
  • Improve mood
  • Build emotional resilience

👉 And honestly, this might be the hardest part — but also the most important.

👩‍👩‍👧 4. Find Your Community

Whether it’s a gym, a class, or just a group of mums — having people who understand your phase of life really matters.

Even if they don’t push you physically, they can still support you emotionally.

🥗 5. Be Kind to Your Body

Your body is changing — hormonally, physically, emotionally.

Instead of fighting it:

  • Focus on nourishment over restriction
  • Prioritise consistency over perfection
  • Accept that progress may look different now

🔍 Final Thoughts

Perimenopause is not just a physical phase — it’s a life transition.

There will be hard days. There will be confusing days.

But there are also ways to feel stronger again.

For me, it started with one decision:
👉 showing up to a class I was scared of.

And somehow, that small step began to change everything.

💥 P.S.

Now I’ve started Les Mills BodyPump… and yes, I’m going heavier! It’s actually so fun. 💪🏼
👉 You can check it out here: https://www.lesmills.com/workouts/bodypump

I’ll be sharing more about my journey soon — so stay tuned.

💪🏼

 

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