Robyn Law - Midlife Conversations

I know what you’re thinking. That’s a lot of potato.

Here’s the bit you can’t see in the photo. That potato was cooked, cooled, then gently reheated, skin on. Sounds fussy, isn’t really, but cooling it that way turns some of the starch into resistant starch, which acts more like fibre than carb and feeds the gut bacteria that help clear out used estrogen instead of just recirculating it. So the “lot of potato” is doing more on my behalf than it gets credit for.

The rest of the plate isn’t an accident either. A steak for protein, because I’ve built real muscle over the last eighteen months and I’m not about to undo that. Cottage cheese for extra protein, sour cream and butter for flavour and extra fuel, because I am not running on empty during perimenopause and calling it discipline.

Undereating in this stage of life doesn’t just stall progress, it puts the muscle you’ve already built at risk. And I am not doing all this work in the gym for nothing.

Because less muscle now means worse blood sugar control, weaker bones, and a harder time staying capable later, that’s not a trade I’m making for a fear of potatoes.

So yes. I ate the potato. On purpose.

What’s the food myth you were raised on that you’ve had to actively unlearn in perimenopause?

Six months ago I set a goal on the goals board at my gym.

Five push-ups. Full. By the end of 2026.
The males in my house thought this was very cute. As fitness goals go, "be able to do five push-ups" is not exactly impressive to them. But I'd never done one. Not once. Not even when I was at my fittest, in my 20s. Knees only, always.

Today I did five.

What I didn't expect was how much this would matter. Not the push-ups themselves but what they represent. The upper body strength I've been building deliberately for 18 months during perimenopause, the DEXA scans that confirmed what was actually changing, the training that looked nothing like what I used to do in my 30s and everything like what my body actually needs now.

I went looking for the research back in December when my trainers set me this challenge. Women are typically lower-body dominant. Upper body strength takes longer and requires a specific kind of intentional work, especially in peri. What I found was both reassuring (I wasn't just weak, there's physiology here) and motivating.

Anyway. Five push-ups.

I'm annoyingly proud of myself.

What's the small physical thing you're working toward that nobody else would understand?

Midlife gym girlies, can we talk about recovery for a second

This week I switched up my program, dropping from 4 strength sessions to 3, with proper rest between them. Why? Because I’d started wondering if my goal of building lean muscle was actually being undermined by overtraining.

I love experimenting on myself (the data nerd in me can’t help it). Muscle isn’t built in the gym, it’s built in the recovery. If I’m not giving my body that, I’m working against my own goals, not towards them.

It hasn’t even been a week, and honestly it wasn’t easy skipping the session I’d normally do (creature of habit, plus I genuinely love my gym and the people there). But after 2 full days off, I went in today and hit a couple of personal bests. Felt strong. Felt like I wanted to be there, not like I was dragging myself in.

Early days, and one good session doesn’t prove anything yet. But it’s an interesting data point.

Of course everyone’s training for different reasons, mental health, connection, just how it feels, and that’s valid too. But for where I’m at right now, less might actually be more. I’ll keep you posted.

Anyone else learnt this?

In January last year my smart scale told me my body age was 73.

I was 47.

This morning it said 47, and I’m 48.

(Yes, I know these scales data are garbage. But a 26-year drop in 17 months? I’ll take it.)

I used to be a gym person. Loved it. Then somewhere around 2021 I just… stopped. I couldn’t explain it at the time. Now I know it was a perfect storm; chronic fatigue, perimenopause doing its quiet worst, and a body that was genuinely struggling in ways I didn’t have language for yet.

Getting back didn’t happen in a dramatic moment. It happened in increments.

One strength session a week. Then two. Then three to four when my body allowed it.

Cleaned up how I was eating. Not perfectly. Just better.

Added running.

Two weeks ago I added SIT, short brutal intervals on the exercise bike after my strength class. Maximum effort, can’t-speak intensity, about 10 minutes of actual work. It’s one of the most evidence-backed ways to improve VO2 max. Basically how well your body performs under pressure. For women in perimenopause, it’s one of the most important things we’re not being told about.

One thing. Then another thing. Over time.

That’s it. That’s the whole method.

Running is funny.

One minute you feel like you’re moving slower than a walk. The next you beat your PB.

First run back in two weeks since my event, and I set a new 5km PB. On hills. 33:51.

Could it have been the KFC Twister and half an apple turnover that fuelled me? The sprint intervals I’ve started adding at the end of my strength sessions? Or just natural progression, which I’m learning to expect… and also learning isn’t ever a straight line.

Either way, I’m not going to berate myself over a slower pace on any given day. Tonight I pushed to my threshold and I got there.

My race. My pace.

Chasing daylight after a quick round trip to Brisbane, I wasn’t going to let Friday end without getting out there.

Runners, feel free to chime in with your tips, comments, advice 🙏

I posted about GLP-1 on my stories this week. The DMs that came back told me everything I needed to know.

Women reaching out privately. Ashamed. Carrying this alone. Not wanting to be seen asking the question publicly.

I've decided this conversation deserves more than a social media post. I'm going deeper over on my email list, where I can be honest and thorough without the noise.

If you want in, I'm giving away the free first chapter of the book I'm writing. It's not about the medication. It's about the belief that almost stopped me from trying it. The one I suspect you might recognise.

DM me CHAPTER and I'll send it straight to you.

Noosa friends. This looks helpful for those who are at the beginning of their peri/menopause experience.

https://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/Community/Community-support/Living-Well-Noosa/Living-Well-Activities/Living-Well-Through-Menopause-Noosaville-Cooroy

Living Well Through Menopause - Noosaville & Cooroy A pilot community program inviting women to join speaker sessions and community exercise programs to support their transition into and through menopause