My Menopause Makeover After watching the body that had taken me 45 years to create, the one that had won 42 bodybuilding trophies, disappear in front of my eyes, I finally succumbed to the reality that perhaps I was in Menopause. I very reluctantly took the medical route and asked my doctor to run a series of blood tests, which, I had drawn November 2002. It was at that time that I was told that I had indeed started Menopause! The tests that confirmed this showed that both my Estradiol and Testosterone levels were less than .01. I had no idea what any of that really meant, but had also just read the findings of the Prempro study and thought I would be crazy to take any Hormone Replacement Therapy or H.R.T.'s. So, I continued to suffer and only recently began to understand why I had done so poorly in the bodybuilding competition in 2002. My weight at the time of the show had been 118.5 pounds, my heaviest competition weight to date. I looked less muscular and carried alot of water under my skin, which prevented my muscle separation from showing. (See photos in Menopause Physique Section in the Photo Gallery) I had followed the same regime as I had in the past, but saw very different results. It took until June of 2003 for me to find a doctor who knew what she was talking about; one who really understood women's bodies and Menopause was able to prescribe the treatments which would help change my body! By December 2003, I had begun to lose some of the middle age spread and began feeling more like the woman I once thought I was! I continued to learn new techniques that helped re-shape my overly fat, bloated body. It took time like all difficult things and I often became very frustrated. But I NEVER gave up hope! I find this to be my redeeming quality and this tenacity has made my Menopause Makeover the most successful things I've ever done in my life! By June of 2004, I had lost over 15 pounds and was amazed at how wonderful I felt and happily shocked at how my new body looked. I was totally sold ont he program that the doctor and I had created and knew that I needed to share this with whomever would listen. I had also decided that I wanted to compete again and began a 90-day process designed to help me reach my new goals. At the same time created Interiors & Exteriors in order to help other women in similar situations. The response was over whelming. It was clear to me that women were hungry for information and I was told repeatedly, what an inspiration I was. This was very fulfilling. I felt honored to be part of so many women's journey down a path that is actually hopeful, rather than hopeless. I hope that my experience can inspire and help you too!