Bugsbunny
I think you ask a very important question so this is a good thread. For all of us it's not just the menopause symptoms that are distressing but the very obvious effects of oestrogen deficiency and ageing that seems to rapidly increase when we reach our 50s.
Watching our bodies change shape, the skin sags, trying desperately to keep our weight under control and also maintaining our self esteem when feeling tired and anxious, are all big challenges.
At 57 I was told to take a break from HRT to see how I coped. My body was already heading south but I was horrified how quickly my skin dried out, my muscles wasted and the fat gathered around my abdomen. I reduced the amount I ate by about a quarter and really concentrated on eating well, I took long walks every day and practised Mindful Meditation, so did everything I could to maintain my health as best I could. Eventually the vaginal atrophy and burning urethra discomfort together with the terrible lack of sleep made me go back on HRT. Though I am feeling more energetic and sleeping better the damage has been done, I definitely aged far more through that year off HRT - I actually think the lack of sleep did the most damage.
I used to be a personal presentation consultant - basically doing a 'Susanna and Trinny' job - and i found the biggest problem women had was to do with self esteem and self worth. If I told a man he needed to have a bespoke suit made for him, he wouldn't hesitate to spend the money but if I suggested to a women she buy some better quality clothes they would be horrified at spending more on themselves.
I truly, truly hate what has happened to my body over the last 5-10 years - I was a professional dancer, so slim and fit, so to be buying trousers 2 sizes bigger and not be able to get rid of the fat that sits around my tummy and hips is horribly distressing for me. I have managed to loose some weight recently and I do tummy exercises but
that fat does not shift!!!
Many people don't like the term 'The Change' when referring to this time in our lives but in a way it is appropriate and perhaps our biggest challenge is learning to not just cope with the hormonal changes but deal with all the mental and physical changes of ageing. If we had good self esteem to start with then we would probably cope with theses changes better.
I do think it helps to get your wardrobe sorted. If you have a few good basic wardrobe items that make you feel slimmer and more attractive it really can help. Don't hold onto clothing you think you will wear when you loose weight - they are just clogging up your wardrobe. A good spring wardrobe edit is very cathartic. Thank goodness for stretch fabrics - wonderful for accommodating and supporting those pockets of fat. Go for quality if you can - it really does pay to have a decent cut and quality fabrics at our age. Hide the bad bits but really accentuate the good bits, think about posture - shoulders down, tummy in and walk tall.
Fight the ageing process by all means but growing older gracefully with a certain amount of acceptance is something I personally strive to achieve - but it's an ongoing battle for me
. DG xxx
