I understand why women feel so invisible in the health care system


Women are ignored and dismissed in the medical system with our vague symptoms of feeling off, brain fog, anxiousness, depression and a listlessness that can't be explained. These are all tell tale signs of peri-menopause and menopause. A doctor is more likely to prescribe anti-depressants than hormone therapy or discuss natural methods. It's also why the highest rate of suicidal ideation for women is between 45-55. We are led to believe it is all in our heads, when it's our biochemistry going haywire.

In my case, my family doctor retired during covid and was replaced with a new doctor who didn't know me, nor took the time to review my files. Things were being missed, dismissed or referred to every specialist but an OB. So I turned to a naturopath in town, Dr Carly Wedler, to help understand what is wrong. 

At the time, I couldn't stop fidgeting, scratching at my skin or keep eye contact. In an hour long appointment you can actually root out issues. At first, neither Dr Carly or I though this could be perimenopause. I am was and am young. At the time I was 46, fit, high level of exercise, excellent diet and my blood work indicated all my hormone levels were normal except my thyroid. I've had hashimoto's for 20 years and my medication never varied but suddenly I was hyperthyroid not hypo. 

It turns out a shift to hyper and a need to reduce your medication can be an early sign of menopause. My meds have reduced 5 times in 2 years. Hyperthyroid causes agitation, scratching and a rapid heart beat. Not all of this resolved by changing my medication. Dr Carly suggested doing a DUTCH test. In a 6 month window all my hormones turned off. At 46 I had no measurable estrogen or progesterone but thanks to my heavy strength training regime I still had adequate testosterone. 

Under Dr. Carly's supervision we tried a natural approach to offset my symptoms but after 3 months she suggested I needed HRT or hormone therapy to combat my symptoms. 

If it wasn't for Dr. Carly I would be lost in the medical system. She saw a connection between what seemed as unconnected issues and gave me the tools to seek the care I need.

Depending on the level of care you need, a naturopath is a great option to combat menopause. Not everyone needs or can take HRT. Through a naturopath you can mitigate many of the symptoms.

I lost myself ....

I've tried to write this letter to you so many times and each time I sat at my computer paralyzed with anxiety. For the longest time I felt like a failure for feeling this way. How can I, the optimist and motivator, be paralyzed by anxiety. I'm not an anxious person, at least I didn't use to be. Menopause changed everything.

Everyone talks about the dreaded hot flashes (which do suck and feel like an internal inferno) and the weight gain, but nobody talks about the other side effects: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, paralysis, listlessness and so much more. For the past 2 years it feels like my very essence was being stripped off me, piece by piece and I was drowning in an abyss again.

The first time was after my son was born and I experienced postpartum depression. I didn't understand at the time that the drop in progesterone was causing me to feel so low, drowning in deep black water. Again, no one really discusses the why and how. Instead, a quick prescription of antidepressants is prescribed; or in my case, you are told how you are overwhelmed with parenting. It was exercise and triathlon that brought me back to life. The exercise re-balanced my hormones and triathlon gave me purpose with a new identity. And in turn, helped me help 1000's of women find there purpose again.

Exercise didn't work this time. Every tool I acquired and mastered in the past was failing me. A run no longer quieted the negative voices in my head. A hard HIIT workout didn't leave me full of endorphins. And, yes, the scale kept climbing even though my diet is balanced with no processed foods. I was doing "all the right things." How can I be a leader to my community when everything I knew and did, didn't work? How can I preach about consistency and habit stacking when I couldn't get out of bed? The sheer idea of responding to a text message sent me into an spiral of anxiety. 

It was my first full panic attack that made me realize whatever was happening to me was out of my control and I needed help.

Over the past 2 years I  learned what menopause is, besides the end of your menstrual cycle, and how to start finding myself again. I owe you an apology for being so absent. From late responses to texts and email messages, to ghosting on the comments page on the website, to not sending regular emails to you to stay connected.  I am deeply sorry for abandoning you these past 2 years.

I can say I am truly starting to feel like myself again. It's taken a network of professionals and research to find my way back. And just like post kids, this is a new period of transformation and understanding of who I am in this stage of life. 

Going into 2026 I want to share what I've learned, starting with the 7 key steps I took to regain control of my life. 

~ Amy xo

New Ignite videos are available for this week. Be sure to check out this workout designed to not only fire up your metabolism but also for the aging adult. Yes, I said the dreaded word ... aging. These workouts are designed to build muscle without spiking cortisol levels. To actually balance your hormones with long slow lifts, focusing on compressing your bones while adding muscle to your frame. IGNITE ='s longevity. Enjoy this week's workouts.

https://gettrifit.com/programs/ignitie-1

Walking Just Got Sexy. And Science Says It Could Save Your Life.

Hey,

A huge global study just dropped the truth: You don’t need 10,000 steps a day to boost your health. Just 8,000 steps a day can lower your risk of dying — from anything.

• 🧬 Meta-analysis of 15 international studies (47,000+ people)

• 🏃‍♀️ 8,000 steps a day = lower risk of all-cause mortality

• ⛰️ Benefit plateaus around 9,000–10,000 steps

• 💥 You can break it up into short walks all day long

Translation: You don’t need hours. You need intention. And you can sneak this into even the busiest day.

💡 How to Reach 8,000 Steps (Without Losing Your Mind)

Time of Day Activity Steps Est. Morning15-min walk~1,500 steps Mid-Morning10-min break walk~1,000 steps Lunch20-min walk~2,000 steps Afternoon10-min movement break~1,000 steps Evening15-20-min walk~2,000–2,500 steps

Daily Total: 8,000–10,000 steps. Done. Without chaos. Without guilt. Just you. Choosing you.

📥 Download Your Weekly Walking Tracker

Because checking boxes feels so satisfying…

I made you this beautiful one-page tracker to keep you motivated and on track.

Every step counts. Every day matters.
This is how we Get TriFIT — one confident, powerful walk at a time.

With you every step,
Amy 💜
Your coach in strong, science-based, zero-BS fitness that you can do no matter how busy life gets

Happy Monday! IGNITE 1 is reloading as it didn't upload properly. It will be available by 7am today.

To all challengers,

This week there were a few glitches from the Get Started Coaching call to the coding in the emails. Sorry for the mistakes regarding links. If you have any concerns please email me at amy@gettrifit.com

~ Amy

Dec 1 - Technical difficulties with the workout page

Hello everyone! Uscreen my hosting provider has notified me that they are experiencing technical difficulties with the workout page on all their sites and are working on it. 

If you have any questions please email me at amy@gettrifit.com

Thank you for your patience.

~ Amy

The perfect snowy day drink

The snow is starting to fall in Southern Ontario and as I'm sitting by the fire enjoying my cinnamon tea I thought you might enjoy this drink too. It's easy to make, is full of antioxidants plus it helps improve focus. Best of all it smells like Christmas.

Steep a pot and sip away in the afternoon when the 1:00pm wall hits. Drop me a note if you try the tea and like it. I love hearing from you.

Introducing our revolutionary fitness program: Ignite! 

Designed to maximize metabolic function, this program is a game-changer for anyone looking to achieve their fitness goals and optimize their overall health. Metabolism is the process by which your body converts food into energy. It affects how efficiently you burn calories, regulate hormones, and even how well you sleep. 

Our program is expertly crafted to boost your metabolic function through a combination of targeted exercises, nutrition guidance, and lifestyle modifications. At the heart of Ignite x are dynamic workouts that get your heart pumping and your muscles working. These workouts are specifically designed to activate your metabolism by focusing on both cardiovascular and strength training - you’ll build lean muscle mass and increase your overall resting metabolic rate.

With your HIIT Play membership you receive 2 new Ignite workouts every week! PLUS, a tracker to help you to ignite all 4 components of your metabolism and of course, access to the extensive TriFIT video library (over 600 workouts waiting for you to HIIT Play).

But it doesn't stop there. 

If you subscribe to the "ALL ACCESS" membership you also receive:

• guidance on how to fuel your body to increase your metabolism in monthly coaching calls

• learn the science behind exercise and nutrition in monthly coaching calls

• mindset coaching in monthly coaching calls

• BONUS Ignite workout EVERY WEEK

• 2 LIVE group workouts Monday and Wednesday 6am EST

All to ensure you are making the right choices to optimize your metabolic function. 

Whether you're looking to lose weight, increase your energy levels, or simply improve your overall well-being, Ignite has got you covered. Unlock the full potential of your metabolic function. 

You have 1 week to complete the workouts and then at the end of the week they DISAPPEAR! Only to be replaced with new workouts for a new week every Monday Morning.

IGNITE IS LIVE SEPTEMBER 18th

December 2022 I answered a request for a personal trainer. The poster was looking for a trainer who could carry a good conversation, laugh and help her to keep dead lifting more than her body weight. I met Dolores Luber.

At 84 years of age Dolores is an editor of a magazine, speaks 4 languages, belongs to several book clubs, is an avid dog lover, relishes sharing her children and grandchildren's exploits and is committed to living a long life by exercising everyday. She also loves to subvert authority and gets a devilish look in her eye when she can step just ever so slightly out of the rule box.

The lessons I am learning from Dolores are priceless. To live not just a long life, but a life that is worth living means you must ....

1. Exercise daily. Not because you want too or to be a certain size but because you to need to be strong. You need strong bones so when you fall, you don't break. You need strong muscles to carry you all day. You need a strong heart. You need a strong mind. As Dolores would say, "You just do it! Of course I hurt some days. Of course I am tired, but I just do it!"

2. Be productive. Give your day purpose. "We are meant to work!" Sitting idle is probably the closest thing to a sin for Dolores. If she isn't working on her magazine that supports retirees in the Jewish community, she is taking Hebrew lessons or preparing for one of several book clubs she belongs to. She works daily and in a way that gives back to those around her.

3. Have a routine. Get up everyday at the same time, irrelevant if it is the weekend or a holiday. Structure your day around set activities. Start your day with movement. A body in motion stays in motion.

4. Don't wait to start living and don't wait for the perfect moment. Listening to Dolores' adventures (she needs to write her memoirs) I realize she is where she is because she never let fear hold her back. She used and uses fear to push her into action. Did she stumble at times ... of course, we all do but she used any setback as a set up for something even bigger.

Dolores is a daily reminder that mindset is everything and how we choose to live our life is important. In today's world where we constantly are rewarded with instant gratification we forget or struggle with delayed gratification. To live a long life and a life worth living we need to embrace the long game. We need to act today in order to live tomorrow. It means taking action even if we are afraid or experienced set backs before. It means doing it when we don't want to. We need to stop living life from the sidelines and jumping in with 2 feet. To quote Dolores, we need to "just do it!"