I’m sexy at 55 – women can age just as well as men, I’m sharing my secrets to a great bod
IT'S never too late to start getting in shape, said one 55-year-old woman.
The fitness influencer never used to have an interest in working out when she was younger but after hitting menopause, realized that she needed a lifestyle change.
Laura Heikkila, a California-based personal trainer, kicked things into gear after she had her daughter.
Although the 55-year-old says that she's currently in the best shape of her life, as a teenager she admitted that she never had any interest in working out.
During her 20s, she never thought about her diet, admitting that she was a bit of a "fast food junkie."
After she had her daughter around 35, she realized she needed to pivot career paths, dropping her job to pursue becoming a personal trainer.
After hitting menopause, the fitness influencer realized just how much harder it was for women to continue feeling sexy as they aged.
"Women have it so much harder than men. Men are considered sexier with age," she said .
"Women are thrown away and told they have no good use."
When Laura started experiencing menopause, she started to dislike what her body looked like and decided to take matters into her own hands.
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To document her fitness journey as well as help other women, she set up an Instagram page called , which now boasts over 100,000 followers, to talk about her progress with others.
Laura reflected on her journey, proud of how far she's come and the changes she's made for the better.
"I lift weights, and I actually lift really heavy," she said.
"When I was younger I did lighter weights and classes, but weights are all the more crucial when you turn 50."
The fitness influencer helps put together exercise and meal plans, including weight-lifting and walking 10,000 steps a day, to help women across the globe battle menopause.
Typically women going through menopause experience symptoms such as hot flashes, brain fog, low energy, and a lack of motivation.
Laura raved about the importance of exercise and lifestyle when it comes to keeping menopause symptoms under control.
"You have better energy levels, which a lot of people struggle with when they get older," she explained.
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"It's hard to see yourself changing because of age.
"I just feel vibrant – I don't feel depressed about it."