Seeking personal trainer recs for perimenopause weight gain

Hi there,

I have not seen either of the trainers below, but both were enthusiastically recommended by the pelvic PT I see (Emily Kistner at Bayo Vista). I didn't end up contacting them because I followed another recommendation to see someone who is more convenient to where I live (Albany), but both of these trainers are in Oakland, and I really trust the PT I got the recommendation from:

Pam Davidson 

Laura Stronach

Good luck!

Hi, there - I'm dealing with the same right now and, ugh, it's hard, you're not alone! This isn't a personal trainer and may not be the right fit for you given what you've said, but I work out with Betina Gozo, whose weight/strength training workouts are available either for free on the Nike Training Club (NTC) app, or through Betina's own Betina Gozo TV mobile app. I go to the gym first thing in the morning (5.30am is what works for me with my parenting and work schedule - it might sound crazy, but this way nothing can get in the way of me going to the gym), 2x or 3x a week and just do Betina's workouts, so that I don't have to think and I have a schedule that I stick to. 

Also, if this is of interest to you, I wanted to mention that I've recently learned that how we eat is key in perimenopause (and, later, menopause) and I've learned that I have to really shift my diet. I have been strength training regularly for more than a year (before that I was doing a lot of long-distance running) and wasn't seeing any significant improvement in anything. You may already know all this and have it down, but if you don't, I've been working with Brenna Geehan (https://www.brennageehan.com/consultations) on nutrition for hormone balance and perimenopause over the past 3 months, this is her specialty. I highly recommend it!

I personally have worked with @darlajoyfitness since Nov 2023 (yes I started before thanksgiving) because I had several friends with great success working with her. What sold me to actually sign up though was a post darla wrote that said you don’t need a personal trainer you need accountability. That was what I was lacking, along with a doable plan around nutrition, strength training and movement. Also important from this  program is education, weekly mindset meetings and a community behind it to keep you remembering why you’re doing it. Darla’s program joy fit academy meets you where you are  I had about 10 pounds to lose which I did but have continued on for the accountability and the reminder for myself that this doesn’t end or is a temporary fix.  (My friends have lost 30-50 pounds over a longer period of time)

We love Ken Miller (https://www.trainingstation.org/) in Alameda. His studio is easy to get to (just off the Park Street bridge) and well ventilated. Ken is an amazing fitness coach and genuinely one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Our son worked with him for sports conditioning and I have been toying with the idea of heading in myself for the same reasons as yours, but my budget doesn't quite allow it yet. Not to say he is any more $$ than other trainers! His rates were super reasonable. Like I said, if I were to go to anyone it would be Ken - I'm sure he can help you and make it fun at the same time. Good luck!