Hi. My name is Sheri Goddard, Co-Founder of Menopause Coach.

My Purpose

I help educate, inspire and empower women to make healthier choices for their bodies.

I always looked for “natural” solutions for any appearance, energy or health challenges I faced. 

As an Esthetician (Skin Care Specialist) and salon owner in the 80′s, I taught and coached women about how to improve their skin and their diets.

Have you ever had these challenges, frustrations or pains?

•  Feeling bloated
•  Not able to sleep through the night
•  Aching joints
•  No sex drive
•  Painful to have sex
•  Weight gain
•  Mood swings
•  A lack of being able to focus
•  Poor memory
•  Dry, itchy vagina
•  Fear that your partner may not understand
– may want out of the relationship
•  Hot flashes
•  Night sweats

Well I have had them too!  I thought I was going crazy!  I also thought something very serious was wrong with my body!  

Was I ever going to feel “normal” again and be healthy?  I felt overwhelmed about where to find help and who could I trust.

My Story

I was born in 1954. When I turned 42 years old, I began to notice some significant changes taking place in my body.

When I had sex with my husband, it hurt so bad, I could not wait until it was over. I was sure there was some huge tumor inside of me!

My joints ached for what seemed like no reason, as if I was 80 years old!

I had embarrassing incontinence that I thought only happened to old people!

I went to bed and when I woke up; my back would be totally wet!

I wore a foundation on my face when going to work and by lunch time it was as if it had melted off my face!

I really felt like I was losing my mind because I could not concentrate as I once could!  I could not remember things, especially names.

I had questions like these going through my head:

- I have heard that when estrogen declines, you can get
certain types of cancers. What if I get cancer?

- What about my bones, are they going to get brittle?

- Am I going to get osteoporosis unless I go onto HRT?

- Am I going to age faster unless I go onto HRT?

- Will it protect me against strokes?

- Is my skin and vagina going to dry up unless I use HRT?

- Some information says that menopausal symptoms are only temporary?  Is that true?

- Will I ever be interested in having sex again?  And will it
be pain-free?

It may sound silly now, but I had a huge concern about whether I was going to get through this change and still be okay, physically, mentally and spiritually. This can be scary stuff!

I made a special appointment with my gynecologist. She said it was my time for menopause and gave me a prescription for hormone replacement therapy.  I was confused, surprised and somewhat relieved to hear this – all at the same time.

I really thought I was too young to be in menopause. And I really didn’t want any prescription medications for it!  I was desperate to find a way to get my body to feel “normal” again without having to take drugs.

Here is what I did:

I decided to go on my own personal mission before having the prescription filled. I wanted to know exactly what therapy would be best for my body. I wanted some answers that my doctor was not able to provide.
I started reading books, articles, and websites about menopause. I went to forums to see what other choices were out there. I started doing my own research.

I still was not sure who to trust or what to do yet. I decided that until I found the perfect solution for me, I would start with changing my diet and going to the gym on a consistent basis. After all, I paid for a membership I hardly used.

To my surprise, by doing some aerobics and lifting weights 2-3 times a week, my aching joints were feeling more “normal.” Wow, that was a pleasant surprise!

Next, I started paying attention to my “healthy cookbooks.” I pulled out recipes and started re-acquainting myself about different sugars, sugar substitutes, vegetable oils to use, etc.

At that time, one of my loves was coffee.  I started cutting down on coffee and on weekday mornings, I substituted Celestial Seasonings Morning Thunder Tea. After doing this a week or so, I got used to it and actually liked it. The tea doesn’t go right through me like coffee sometimes does. Now I limit my beloved dark roast coffee to weekends or special occasions.

I also tried to make a conscious effort to drink more pure water than I was ever drinking.  There are so many benefits we don’t hear about re: getting enough water in the body.

I loved eating desserts, but I tried my best to cut down on those .I limited them to only a couple of times a week.

I liked to stir fry veggies and add tofu or chicken (organic if possible.)  It is easy, pretty quick and very healthy.  I also started using my crock pot which could not be easier as long as you remember to shop for the ingredients.  It was so nice to come home and have a relatively healthy dinner ready and waiting.

My surprising results of doing exercise on a consistent basis (even if just walking) AND being aware of what kinds of foods I was buying and eating, was making a huge difference in the way I was feeling!

What about sleep? 

Most nights my sleep was interrupted by having to get up and go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.  And a lot of times, I would lay there and not be able to go back to sleep.  I would see the sun come up and feel so frustrated and fatigued when it was time to get up and start the day.

I realized I was probably not getting enough rest.  I decided to put myself on a schedule to see what I would feel like after getting eight hours of sleep, and then I could adjust it either way – being too much or too little.

I forced myself to stop drinking liquids a few hours before my bedtime to see if that would help me sleep through the night without having to get up.

After getting into the habit of going to bed at a certain time every night, it felt really good.  I woke up feeling rested and ready for the day.

Here are the results I got and results others have received:

By implementing consistent exercise, eating quality foods and getting adequate quality sleep, I noticed a HUGE difference in how I felt, and also my attitude toward life.

This did not happen overnight, but over the few months I was consistent, it was as I said, making a HUGE difference (and without any horrible side effects.)

My secret revelation is that the quality of the food we eat determines how healthy we are!  I never knew the extent of how food affects health until I started researching and experimenting on me.

How can food not affect the quality of health?  It is like putting the cheapest gas into an expensive car and expecting it to run as smooth as silk!  If you eat processed foods that have no nutrients, how can the body be nourished, repaired and rejuvenated?

Stretching and getting the “body moving” on a regular basis is so important.  One reason is to help the lymphatic system do its job so that the waste is eliminated in the body.

Getting the proper amount of quality sleep could not be more important either.
I am sure you remember when you were younger, you required less sleep.

I finally felt like I was in control of my life and my health again!
You have to find the best course for you to take. We have a lot more choices today.

Menopause is not a disease! 

It is a new chapter for us to explore options, discover strengths and create a “dream life” to follow on our own terms.

I have made it my personal mission to help women understand and become empowered and pro-active in their menopause transition.  I almost succumbed, thinking to myself, “My doctor knows better than I.”
I almost had that HRT prescription filled but I listened to that inner voice that told me to do my research and then make an intelligent choice that was right for me.

And it may be right for you too. That is for you to decide, so please use my blog and all the resources I am providing for you to gain knowledge. 

We don’t want you becoming another statistic that may develop serious problems from using the traditional Hormone Replacement Therapy.

If I did it, I know you can do it too!

Check out the Resources section. It is all stuff I am using, have used, like and want to share with you.  There are so many articles on this blog to help you.
To find what you are looking for, put the subject in Search in the upper right-hand corner.

You will find more healthy tips on Facebook.
Connect with us, Dr. Ray and I at www.facebook.com/menopausecoach

Best In Health,
Sheri Goddard

“Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be thy food.”   – Hippocrates