Stephanie Waring, 48, has shared her fitness regimen that has helped her regain her strength and achieve a toned physique after navigating early menopause. The former Hollyoaks star, who previously struggled with an eating disorder from a young age, has shifted her focus to exercise for mental and physical well-being.
Waring revealed on Instagram that after seven months of consistently lifting heavy weights and eating without restriction, she has seen a significant difference in her body, including the return of her abdominal muscles. She emphasized that menopause does not signify an end to physical capability, stating that while muscle mass can decrease, it can also be rebuilt. "Post-menopause doesn’t mean you’re past it," she wrote. "We lose muscle quicker, things change, but that doesn’t mean we can’t build it back."
She has previously advocated on TikTok for women in midlife to incorporate strength training into their routines. Her reasons include supporting hormone balance, boosting metabolism, enhancing appearance, and protecting bone health to prevent fragility later in life. Waring's workouts now include weighted squats, hip thrusts, and push-ups, often complemented by yoga sessions featuring poses like downward dog and lunges.
Waring also detailed a significant shift in her approach to nutrition, moving away from restrictive diets. She shared that last year, she stopped 'starving herself' and 'spiraling' about food. By adopting a mindset of 'food freedom' and fueling her body with nutritious, high-protein meals—including curries, burgers, sandwiches, and salads—without tracking or strict rules, she reported achieving her best shape. "This is what real food freedom looks like. You don’t need another diet. You need a reset," she stated.
Last year, Waring also shared that she had her breast implants removed due to 'debilitating' menopause symptoms. She underwent the procedure after starting perimenopause at 43 and menopause at 45, seeking to reduce foreign substances in her body to help her feel more like herself again. Waring, who played Cindy Cunningham on Hollyoaks from 1996 to 2026, has two daughters and had previously received implants to achieve a D-cup size after her second child, which she said restored her confidence at the time.