How Jo Pflugfelder Took Control of Her Health in Perimenopause
When Jo Pflugfelder hit 40, she started noticing changes that concerned her.
She began having headaches and developed acid reflux. Her skin became itchy, she had joint pain, irritability, and her sleep wasn’t as good as it used to be.
“There were a lot of changes. Nothing totally debilitating, but a lot of little things weren’t normal,” said Pflugfelder, who lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.
That’s when she realized she had entered perimenopause.
Finding the Right Information
Determined to find answers, Pflugfelder started researching and came across Dr. Stacy Sims.
One thing Dr. Sims talked about was the importance of strength training during perimenopause.
“I knew I needed to get strong. I used to lift weights, but I was feeling weak and I wanted to do something that was evidence-based,” said Pflugfelder, a physical therapist and mother of two children.
“And I loved everything Stacy Sims was talking about,” she said.
Enter Empower
In April, Pflugfelder started Empower’s Flight program and saw results quickly, training four days a week.
Before Empower, she was doing Pilates and spin classes two to three days a week. But right away, she felt she was getting more out of Empower than anything she had done before — and in a way that didn’t feel so draining on her nervous system.
“I love the short intervals and I push myself hard, and I love the variety. It’s always changing,” said Pflugfelder, who had never done functional fitness or CrossFit before starting Empower.
Seeing and Feeling the Changes
Within just a couple of months, Pflugfelder was already feeling stronger “and just generally better,” she said.
“I have felt both upper body and lower body strength gains, as well as improved range of motion. I can now do a full range squat without having to raise my heels up on a plate. And my shoulder pain always feels better after I workout,” she said.
Thanks to some nutrition tips she learned from Dr. Sims, she also added more fiber and protein to her diet, which “has made a big difference,” she said.
She hasn’t had a hormonal headache in a while, her skin is less itchy, and she is much less irritable.
A Supportive Community
Pflugfelder also loves the Empower Facebook Group, which gives her a place to connect with other women and ask questions about the program.
“And they’re always so quick to reply,” she said.
Pflugfelder’s Message: Empower is Evidence-Based and Brings the Results
To other women about to go through perimenopause, or already in it, Pflugfelder says:
“Find an exercise program that works for you and stick to it. You have to look after yourself, so you have to take control,” she said.
For her, Empower has been the answer.
“It’s evidence-based, so you’re getting something that’s backed by science. The community is great, and you will get results,” she said.
“I don’t want to be that old woman with a broken hip in the hospital,” she added.
With Empower in her life, she’s confident she’s building the strength to prevent that.
“It gives me everything I need to be healthy and strong as I age. It’s evidence-based, progresses me as I improve, and it’s fun,” she said.
