Managing menopausal weight gain with Numan: Philippa’s story

From tackling menopausal weight gain to mastering her body’s endocrine system, Philippa, 56, shares how she got her mojo back with Numan’s Weight Loss Programme.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey with weight loss?

I went through menopause and gained a lot of weight during lockdown because of bad habits and hormonal changes. Many women my age think it's impossible to lose weight because they don't know what's happening inside their bodies. I’m very interested in the endocrine system and how my hormones are affected with age, which has helped me to understand why I was struggling to lose weight. 

What led you to look into the influence of hormonal changes in depth?

It started when my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I wanted to look into how the endocrine system (the glands that make hormones) works as I think it’s one of the most misunderstood parts of our bodies. I was really curious about how one hormonal change can impact other systems and lead to weight gain. I began looking into GLP-1 agonists (like semaglutide) about ten years ago. 

Before finding success with Numan, did you try other methods?

I tried a subscription-based diet app for a year. They put me on a 1200-calorie diet. Despite sticking to the plan and keeping food and exercise logs, I only lost 1 kg in 12 months. That's when I realised my body just tends to stick to a certain weight.

Did you experience any side effects when you first started with us?

I felt pretty rubbish one morning, similar to morning sickness, but it didn’t last long. I was anticipating this when I moved up to a higher dose. Each time I increase the dose I feel a bit green around the gills, but I understand what it is and I know it’s likely to pass. I think a lot of people are unsure why it’s happening, but because of what I know about them it made it a lot easier. 

How did your physical condition affect your life before you started losing weight?

When I started, I could barely walk. My knees, hips, neck and lower back were in agony. I was in a sort of catch-22 where I knew I had to move more but it was so hard. It was absolutely debilitating. I saw a photograph of myself at a function in Las Vegas, and I couldn’t believe it. I didn't even realise how big I had got.

What changes have you noticed in your life since losing weight with Numan?

Losing weight has transformed my life. I’m more confident as I no longer feel like I'm hiding behind layers of fat. I’m not under the illusion that I was fat and happy - I definitely wasn’t happy. I look at my parents at 80 who don’t have any get-up-and-go. I don't want to be like that. These were a lot of motivating factors for getting my mojo back. To date, I've lost a total of 35 kg after 14 months of using the programme. 

Did you find our health coaches helpful?

Yes, I checked in with Shahana and Jess regularly. I understand the drug very well from a clinical and chemical perspective. I know exactly what it's doing to my body. So it's been a joint journey and checking in with them along with logging my weight into the app became part of my routine. It’s been such fun. 

How has weight loss affected your relationships and social life?

As my body shape changed, my confidence increased, improving my relationships with my kids and staff. I became more outgoing as a result of losing weight. 

Has your approach to eating changed?

My appetite is suppressed, yet I enjoy interesting food - I find myself choosing a clementine over ice cream, not through conscious choice, but because my body prefers it. Rather than just sticking to three meals a day, I eat when I’m hungry and what I want without ever feeling like I'm on a diet. 

When I go out to dinner with friends, it’s no longer about having a feeding frenzy or eating as much as I can. Now, it’s about making good choices. It's never really been about the weight for me. It's been more about taking my power back. 

Are there any new habits that you’ve formed as a result of this journey?

I walk whenever I can now. If there's an option between stairs and an escalator, I take the stairs. It's amazing because I'm 56 and I pass by 30-year-olds who go for the escalator. I even tried CrossFit for a while and was killing it before life got in the way. I’ve gone from focusing on what I can’t do, which was an ever-increasing list, to focusing on what I can do.

What overall impact has the programme had on you?

My cholesterol is coming down. My insomnia is gone. My head hits the pillow and I’m asleep for 8 hours. I don’t snore and I don’t grind my teeth. It’s been life-changing. My libido is back. I’m starting to date again which I haven’t done for 8 years. I find myself walking with my chin up instead of down. Every aspect of my life has changed for the better.