Lisa Snowdon, 54, has spoken candidly about her experiences with menopause, detailing how she navigated 'mistakes' and regained her fitness after a period of gaining three stone. In a recent interview with Closer Magazine, Snowdon described her struggles as 'spiralling out of control,' a phase where she resorted to purchasing larger clothing rather than addressing the weight gain directly.
She conveyed a message of hope to other women experiencing similar challenges, stating, "I promise it does get better but you do have to take a bit of ownership." Snowdon highlighted the role of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), regaining energy, and establishing an exercise routine as pivotal in changing her situation. She acknowledged setbacks in her journey, particularly in adapting to the bodily changes associated with menopause.
Snowdon further elaborated on her approach by transforming exercise from a form of 'punishment' into a 'treat' and reassessing her relationship with alcohol. Previously, in 2024, she revealed a two-stone weight loss over five years while managing menopause symptoms, describing the experience as a 'dark' time.
The presenter, who has frequently discussed her menopause journey, shared that she felt she had 'lost herself' when symptoms began in her mid-40s. She confessed to experiencing days so bleak that she questioned her ability to continue, feeling isolated and confused. The perimenopause and menopause significantly impacted her confidence, leading her to feel unrecognizable.
Snowdon noted that she was at her 'heaviest' in 2018. She found that HRT helped alleviate many of her symptoms and contributed to her subsequent two-stone weight loss through a focus on exercise and appropriate nutrition for her mind and body. She admitted to a previous lack of control over cravings and emphasized the importance of 'listening to her body.'
This discussion follows Snowdon's 2021 revelation that she was prescribed antidepressants due to low moods and anxiety stemming from early menopause. Suffering from endometriosis, she experienced depression for around a decade before realizing it was linked to perimenopause. Her 2016 appearance on 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' was compounded by 'debilitating' periods, low energy, and 'brain fog,' for which she used the contraceptive pill to manage irregular cycles.
Upon being prescribed HRT, Snowdon described it as a 'game-changer' and stated she 'wouldn't be without it,' enabling her to 'take ownership' of her health. Reflecting on the onset of symptoms, she noted that perimenopause 'crept up on me' without a distinct moment of realization.