52-year-old who ‘aged backwards’ reveals the tips that transformed her body

A woman who now looks ‘younger than ever’ at 52 has revealed the three ‘pillars’ of her body transformation.

Californian Denise Kirtley put on weight during the pandemic, turning to comfort food when feeling lethargic – something that became more regular in her 40s and which she puts down to perimenopause.

But when the recruitment consultant noticed her wedding ring no longer fit, she decided she needed to make a change.

Denise set to work on her journey two weeks before her 50th birthday, not only shedding the 44lbs she’d gained but finding a love of fitness in the process.

Sharing before and after pictures on Instagram, she says she’s ‘never felt stronger, healthier or happier’ since overhauling her lifestyle.

And followers – who claimed Denise was an ‘inspiration’ and had ‘aged backwards’- were so eager to learn her secret that she started a fitness agency to help them follow in her footsteps.

Some of Denise’s go-to meals throughout her journey include courgette fritters with salad, protein waffles, salmon, and banana protein oats. 

Alongside meal prepping, she started exercising five days a week using dumbbells and resistance bands – spending two days focusing on her upper body twice and the rest on her lower body.

And though this drastic change was difficult at first, Denise says she ‘would have missed out on so many new friends, opportunities, and fulfillment,’ had she not taken steps to improve her confidence.