February 4, 2026, 3:37 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Typically, due to hormonal changes, perimenopause tends to lead to weight gain for women during this phase. It’s not a certainty, but a possibility. However, U.S. actress Melissa Joan Hart turned the tables and lost several pounds. FITBOOK author Tony Poland explains how the 49-year-old achieved this.
Perimenopause represents a significant transition for most women, marking the shift from fertility to menopause. It often becomes more challenging to maintain one’s usual or desired weight. Melissa Joan Hart, best known from the hit sitcom “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” is currently at this stage. The actress will celebrate her 50th birthday in April.
“Didn’t Think I Could Lose Weight”
“I really didn’t think I could lose weight because of my middle age, perimenopause, and all that. I thought: Can I really lose weight? I don’t think I can,” Melissa Joan Hart told the U.S. magazine “People.”
But she found a way to lose weight nonetheless. Her overarching goal, however, was not weight loss, but rather “a journey to longevity.” And the starting point? It was simple, yet apparently all the more effective. “I just wanted to feel better. I discovered fasting, reduced my sugar intake, and gave up alcohol—I haven’t had alcohol in over a year,” the mother of three said.
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Lots of Tea, No Alcohol
Giving up indulgences was not a problem and came easily to her. Melissa Joan Hart continued: “I just don’t like drinking alcohol. So why bother? So I cut these things out of my life and started feeling better. As a result, I lost a lot of weight and feel great,” she emphasized.
By the way, contrary to what one might assume, she didn’t ensure adequate hydration through the generally recommended 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily. Instead, Melissa Joan Hart loves club soda with lime or tea in all its variations. “I drink hot tea, cold tea, green tea, peppermint tea, just every kind of tea.” And indeed, cold tea could specifically help with weight loss.
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How Much Weight Melissa Joan Hart Lost
So, how many pounds has Melissa Joan Hart lost? The answer: “I lost about 18 pounds last year,” she revealed. This is roughly equivalent to about eight kilograms. More importantly: “I actually feel as strong and as good as I have in a very long time.”
Perimenopause vs. Weight Gain
A possible reason for weight gain during perimenopause is hormonal fluctuations, particularly altered estrogen levels. This makes the body store fat more easily, often accumulating around the abdomen. At the same time, muscle mass often decreases over time, which lowers calorie consumption and slows metabolism. Additional factors such as less physical activity or exercise, genetic predisposition, sleep deprivation, and an unhealthy diet can also contribute to gradual weight gain.
Examples like Melissa Joan Hart show that positive physical changes during perimenopause and thus during aging are absolutely possible. It’s often about getting to know your body anew. Changing body processes mean that dietary and exercise strategies should be adjusted. And this is not just to lose pounds, but above all to stay agile and fit for a long time and to prevent diseases.