At the age of 10, Monika F. found herself captivated by healthy living and nutrition, using books about wellness as a source of relaxation. This early passion turned into a lifelong pursuit of health and balance, particularly following a series of hospital stays in her 20s, where the importance of diet and exercise became all too clear. Leaving a 15-year corporate career, she became a certified women’s health coach to share her knowledge and empower women to live healthier lives.
Now, as the Business Development lead at Reverse Health — a wellness program aimed at helping menopausal individuals manage weight, hormonal changes, and energy levels through personalized plans — Monika draws from her extensive coaching experience to shape the app’s holistic approach. With a focus on lifestyle changes that address nutrition, exercise, and mindset, Monika and her team are helping users become the healthiest versions of themselves.
Enjoy easy recipes and exercise programs to support your feminine health!
Healthnews spoke with Monika about her personal journey, the philosophy behind Reverse Health, and the unique aspects of their 12-week weight loss program tailored to menopausal people.
Q: As a lifestyle and mindset coach, what led you to pursue this professional path, and how does your experience align with your current role at Reverse Health?
A: I started reading books on healthy living and recipes when I was 10 years old for relaxation. A series of hospital stays in my early 20s reinforced my already healthy lifestyle, knowing that the best way to support your body's healing is with a healthy diet and exercise. After 15 years in the corporate world, a yoga teacher training course, and my first child, I realized that it was time to share my passion and knowledge with other women, so I got certified as a women's health coach.
I've worked with hundreds of women from all issues, ranging from hormonal imbalances to burnout to weight loss. Then 3 years ago, I met the other co-founders of Reverse Health, and we each put our unique skill sets together to create this app focused on helping menopausal women become a better version of themselves through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
Q: Reverse Health is an intriguing name. Can you explain the reasoning behind it, especially since the brand doesn’t seem to imply literally reversing health?
A: It should read more like Reverse + Health. Reverse stands for reversing unhealthy habits, stubborn pounds, or the old version of yourself you want to let go of. Health stands for healthy weight, healthy body, and healthy mind.
Q: Your 12-week weight loss program focuses on female physiology. Could you elaborate on the core principles and unique aspects of this program?
A: As women get older and menopause nears, your body stops producing estrogen and collagen, which negatively impacts your metabolic rate and you end up with a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in fat tissue, leading to unexpected weight gain. Reverse Health has created the first women-only weight loss program by centering our approach on menopause and offering a wide range of features to address common menopause symptoms.
Our personalized meal plans are high in protein and fiber to counter muscle mass loss. Our low-impact exercise plans are gentle on joints but help build and maintain muscle mass and decrease fat, especially around the abdomen. Our supportive community is the largest community focused on the menopause lifestyle, with over 40,000 members from all over the world.
Our 12-week coaching course covers common myths around dieting, how our bodies change during menopause, and important insights into embracing menopause.
Q: Stubborn weight gain is a cause of concern for a majority of menopausal women. Is nutrition management sufficient to address this problem?
A: Let's put it this way: you can't outtrain an unhealthy diet. If you were to only change your diet, but not exercise, sleep habits, or even your mindset, then you won't optimize your results. That's why our app offers a holistic approach to weight management. It's not just about the number on the scale. It's about creating habits you can follow throughout the rest of your life.
Q: The Reverse Health program includes GLP-1 drugs that support weight loss. Are these drugs suitable for all menopausal women seeking to lose weight? How do their costs impact accessibility for patients from all walks of life?
A: RH Meds is our latest offering and can help menopausal women lose up to 20% of their body weight. These drugs are prescription-only by our trusted telehealth partner Ivim Health, whose medical providers assess eligibility based on various factors (BMI, health history). Ivim Health offers affordable compounded GLP-1 drugs with immediate availability, starting at $175/month, a fraction of brand name prices.
Q: Based on your extensive experience working with patients, what do you find to be the biggest obstacle for middle-aged women trying to lose weight?
A: First of all, it’s the lack of knowledge of what the female body needs at this stage of life to lose weight and get or stay fit. It's time to let go of a few things that used to work for us when we were in our 20s or 30s. Second, calorie restriction and zero-carb rules don't work. They will make us gain weight in the long term. Third, high-intensity workouts can be counterproductive for your motivation and physical health. Lastly, no pain, no gain mentality — it's not worth it.
Instead, I want you to take away 3 things:
- Focus on high-protein meals, you probably don't eat enough protein. This will burn fat and help you look toned (and feel great!).
- Aim for strength training 3x a week. Cardio is great, but this is not the time to spend endless hours on the treadmill.
- Have patience. Be consistent. Be kind to yourself. Mindset matters.
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