Finding the right diet and exercise plan can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack—overwhelming and often discouraging. That’s especially true during perimenopause, when constantly-shifting hormones can trigger unwanted weight gain. But for one woman, everything changed when she joined WW (formerly WeightWatchers). In just a year, she lost 60 pounds and regained her energy and confidence. Keep reading to discover Caryn Partier’s inspiring perimenopause weight loss success story and the simple strategies that could work for you, too.
Perimenopause weight loss success: Caryn Partier lost 60 lbs
If you asked Caryn, now 43, to share her weight loss journey a year ago, she may have laughed at you—or cried. It was a spring day in April when she was getting winded from taking her then-four-year-old son out of the car. Caryn decided that life wasn’t getting any easier—especially as she entered perimenopause—and she knew she couldn’t be the best mom she wanted or needed to be.
Caryn had been heavy her whole life. “I remember being 10 years old and wishing I was skinny like other kids in my class.” Her biggest concern now? Not being able to play or do things with her son because she was too tired or uncomfortable. “I was tired all the time,” she admitted, sharing that she relied on her husband to be the one to take their son everywhere and play with him. “I could not run after him at the park and the pool. I just stayed on the side.”
Reaching her breaking point
At her highest weight of 240 lbs, Caryn noticed that her self-confidence was slipping and her overall outlook on life had dimmed as she entered her mid-40s. “I was not living; I was existing and just barely. I missed out on so much of my own life by being complacent with who I was.”
Before that spring, she never really attempted to prioritize her health: She struggled to get enough protein and fiber, didn’t exercise much and consumed too many processed foods.
Additionally, perimenopause was a constant drain both physically and mentally. “It took my strength,” Caryn admitted. “I couldn’t lift weights because I never had enough energy, and I took things like carrying bags from the grocery store for granted.”
Being well-rested was also out of the question, thanks to hot flashes and night sweats that sapped her sleep and energy. “I was always so tired from not sleeping, which meant I never meal prepped and ate what was easy or convenient.”
However, sitting on the sidelines instead of being an active participant was the wake-up call she needed. “I never even realized how big I was till I looked back at pictures—and there aren’t many.”
Determined to shed the extra weight once and for all, Caryn joined WeightWatchers. “It wasn’t something I thought would last or that would work,” adding that it felt like “a shot in the dark.”
How WW helped Caryn lose weight during perimenopause
WeightWatchers has been around for years, helping many people make long-term, sustainable lifestyle changes. Now known simply as WW, the program focuses on a flexible approach to weight loss, using points to help keep track of food and physical activity. Caryn loved how easy it was to follow and learned for the first time how much to eat and what foods were fueling her body (which is especially important during perimenopause).
“I feel like for the first time maybe ever, I am really living life.” —Caryn Partier
Her eating habits changed
When Caryn began WW, she cut out all processed sugars and most carbs. She also increased her protein and fiber intake and paid attention to how late at night she had her last meal. “I knew the key to not snacking and staying full was to have a lot of protein, so each day, for the first six months, I aimed for 100 grams.”
Caryn also strived to eat 30 grams of fiber daily. Her go-to choices: apples, spinach (sauteed or raw in salads), black beans, chickpeas and Royos bagels.
She started walking
“The first 20 pounds flew off, and then I plateaued,” she admitted. That made Caryn realize that changing her diet wasn’t enough. Soon, she turned to walking “every single day.”
She walked at least three miles daily in the morning, and even got an Apple Watch to help her monitor her steps and encourage her to keep moving. “I aimed for 10,000 steps a day, and every day that summer, I did it.”
Her perimenopause symptoms eased
Shortly after starting her weight loss journey, Caryn noticed that her breathing had improved, her knee and back pain was almost non-existent and she no longer struggled to fall asleep. Another perk? Her healthy habits curbed her perimenopause symptoms.
“I started to love exercising, which I never enjoyed before. I found that I had more energy, and my perimenopausal symptoms began to decrease—I no longer had indigestion or heartburn and the hot flashes were gone,” she shared.
Caryn lost 60 pounds on WW
“I feel like for the first time maybe ever, I am really living life,” says Caryn, who’s lost 60 pounds and counting. “I can keep up with my son and my friends, and I no longer look for the closest parking spot for fear there will be too much walking.”
For her, WW was not a diet but a lifestyle change. She also understands that her weight loss is a work in progress. However, she’s taking the wins where she can. “I cannot wait to see where I am this time next year,” Caryn raves. “I love shopping at regular stores and not being embarrassed or worried about embarrassing my son.”
How WW supports weight loss during perimenopause
Cristina Del Toro Badessa, MD, a board-certified physician specializing in personalized and integrative medicine at Artisan Beaute, recommends WW as a good starting point for her patients looking to lose weight during perimenopause.
The program is designed to teach people how to eat healthfully and manage portion sizes using a simple point system. “That’s especially helpful during perimenopause, when shifts in metabolism can make weight loss more challenging.” In other words, as your body changes, it becomes even more important to stay mindful of nutrition and make intentional choices to support overall health.
And if you prioritize protein and fiber on your WW eating plan like Caryn did, you’ll make it easier to shed that perimenopause weight gain. Increasing your fiber and protein intake makes you feel fuller longer and helps you automatically decrease your portion size. “You also improve your metabolism, as your insulin is more steadily released and not spiking and crashing,” says Dr. Del Toro Badessa. “Ultimately, this helps combat metabolic syndrome and storing sugars as fat.”
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.