I’ve been told weight loss is next to impossible after menopause. I’ve been told cartilage doesn’t regenerate naturally. I’ve been told tight muscles need stretching, weak muscles need strengthening, fasciae need foam rollers. I’ve been told surgery is the best option for my hip.

I beg to differ on all counts here. I also realize, that this puts me out there on my own. No medical professional will help me with that. I needed to find solutions for my health problems on my own. To stop the pain.

Now, about a twenty months into this project, I can state with certainty that weight management has nothing to do with menopause. This is me – at 79kg (174 lb) before, and at 59kg (130 lb) now. Weight loss is super easy, if you stick to a few simple rules: no alcohol, no sugar, no wheat, rice, corn or other starchy grains. Have two meals a day with about eight hours in between. Minimize meat, avoid highly processed foods. Get plenty of sleep. Drink at least 80oz. of clean water every day.

As a by-product of my weight loss the pain in my arthritic hip has noticeably lessened. I haven’t had another x-ray taken yet, but I am pretty sure the cartilage is healing. Anti inflammatory nutrition, plenty of fluids, and lots of rest help my body do its job. I’m confident that I’ll be walking without crutches again within another month or two. Bike rides and swimming are helping to strengthen my muscles without any painful overloading.

And for exercise – stretching tight muscles, strengthening weak muscles, working out counting reps – I simply don’t do that anymore. I just move every joint through its painfree range of motion in the morning. Gentle, flowing, small, slow and controlled natural movements. No forcing anything. No “working through pain”. No structure. I’m listening to my body and going where it takes me.