I want to kick off this week with a huge welcome to all our new members — we've grown so much in the last few days and I am so glad you're here!🌸 A few quick things: - 👋 New here? Drop a comment below and tell us where you're joining from. - 📅 Tomorrow evening at 5pm BST is our bi-weekly LIVE — I'll run it as a Q&A so bring your questions, or just come and say hi 🙋‍♀️ If you can't make it, feel free to drop a question below. ALSO, 💪 New workout video going live tonight on YouTube — I'll pop it here before if I get time before heading out to my son's graduation!

Hello , just joined 😁 good to meet you all .

Hi ladies 👋 I’m Jackie, and I’m so happy you’re here. This space is all about supporting women over 50 to feel stronger, healthier, and more confident through every stage of midlife and beyond. I know first-hand how frustrating it can be to deal with things like… - Stubborn belly fat that won’t shift - Aches and pains in the joints and muscles - Energy slumps and sleepless nights - The rollercoaster of menopause changes — hot flushes, mood swings, brain fog, you name it! Here in this community, you’ll find: 💜 Simple, safe fitness tips (Pilates, strength, and mobility) 💜 Nutrition guidance that works in real life — no fads, no nonsense 💜 Conversations about menopause, mindset, and ageing well 💜 Encouragement from women who get it 👉 To get started, please introduce yourself below! Share: - Where you’re from - Share if you want - What's the one thing you’d like to improve about your health or fitness right now - Please share the name of your favourite book 📘 You are not alone in this journey. Together we’re going to move more, eat well, sleep better, and thrive after 50 💪✨ Jackie x

— not guessed, not roughly estimated, but actually added it up?😱 Most women never do. And when they finally do, the number surprises them. After 50, due to the combination of declining hormones (especially oestrogen) and increased cortisol, creates a higher protein need to combat muscle catabolism (breakdown of muscle). Have you noticed that since menopause you’ve found your arm muscles become slacker, your tricep muscles (bingo wings) get flabbier? Your body now needs more protein because your muscles, bones, metabolism, skin, hormones, and energy all depend on it. The protein you got away with in your 30s and 40s may not be enough now. This is where the protein gap starts. Many women begin the day with toast, oats, fruit, or coffee — and only get around 4 to 8 grams of protein, when their bodies need closer to 25 to 35 grams in the morning. Lunch might be a ‘healthy’ salad or soup, but without a real protein source, it won't give your body enough support. Then most of the day's protein gets pushed into dinner, and your body misses key chances to repair, rebuild, and stay strong. The result can feel like fatigue, muscle loss, a slower metabolism, cravings, and stubborn weight gain. And so many women blame age. But often, it's a protein gap. So, not only do we need to look at why our exercise is no longer working for us to build lean mass, but we also have to look at protein needs, because if we have a reduction in our stimulus and responses, then we have to look at how do we change these two to actually create an anabolic (building up) stimulus. Not addressing this leads to an increase deep visceral belly fat. How much protein is enough? If you're living a relatively sedentary lifestyle (and I urge you not to be sedentary!), aim for slightly less than 0.8g x lb of body weight approx. For overweight women, protein needs should ideally be calculated based on ideal body weight. If you're living a more active lifestyle, your protein needs will be higher.