Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Mummytron]

Hi all,
Bear with me, feeling totally fed up with the meno tonight.
I've been in peri for about 6 or 7 years with the last 2 being the worst. I have all the classic symptoms but I'm struggling with my weight and shape at the moment.
I'm overweight by about 2 stone although people often say they don't think I look it. I cant seem to lose any but I've noticed my shape is changing, losing any curves to more a barrel 
My clothes look awful and its really getting me down.

[jaypo]

Happens to most of us sadly but just buy clothes that are good at hiding you bits you don't like,for instance,for summer dresses I now buy shift dresses,they still look nice on,I also wear,firming underwear,just to hold in the tum, I wouldn't say I was fat but definitely have issues with belly fat but don't get down about it,as women,we are constantly told you must look like this or that but I've now learned to just accept there's not much I can do about it,everyone is beautiful in their own way in my opinion 

[ATB]

Sorry you’re so down, it sucks when you don’t like how you look. But remember you will be much more critical of yourself than anyone else.

So are you taking anything for perimenopause? Is everything else ok health wise? Your lifestyle and diet?

[Mummytron]

Thanks both.
I dont worry so much about how I look but more how I feel. Its weird, I've always thought I wouldn't care about getting old, grey hair etc but this has thrown me a bit.
I eat fairly well but don't exercise much. When I do I dont seem to make much progress which is frustrating.

[Gnatty]

Would you consider HRT? It's the low oestrogen that causes the change in body shape.

[jaypo]

It's got to me too tbh,aging is no fun whatsoever but I'm always so grateful I've got my health (ish) I try to concentrate on the good things in my life but I really do understand how you feel x

[Mummytron]

Gnatty I didnt know that. Yes I would, ill get in touch with the doctor, I know there are shortages round here.

Thanks all for your comments.

[Hurdity]

Specifically also it is not only the reduction in oestrogen but the changing balance between oestrogen and testosterone that occurs when oestrogen declines during menopause, leading to the body shape changes....as I understand

Hurdity x

[ATB]

Yes if you want to I would suggest HRT too, it helps a lot with the body changes although the same rules apply with weight loss, you still have to eat well and exercise. Even just daily walking is important.

Totally get the ageing blues! My skin is changing and sometimes I don’t like it but having lost friends, I try and remind myself what a privilege it is to age and be here with my family. Ageing is something taken from too many too soon.

[VanillaLover]

Totally get where you’re coming from! I have been putting weight on steadily since Christmas….a lot of it is bloat as my weight can vary by 2-3 pounds every day (unless my scales are bust!)

In my mind I still have the body of a skinny 18 year old. Even after having my children I still had a flat stomach ….until I hit about 40! Then yes the barrel shape is taking over! I’m not overweight but my clothes don’t fit well any more. I prefer leggings now as if I wear jeans I’ll have to go up a size I think as they are cutting me in half. I think it’s going to take a long while to get over the mismatch between my mental image and reality !

I don’t exercise as much as I should but I do some. I try to eat a varied diet (work in a private school so get lunch provided - I choose mainly lots of veg and salads and take pleasure in fuelling my body well). I do have the puddings if I fancy too. Life’s too short.

But in short, yes you have my sympathy.

[Mummytron]

Thanks all, I really appreciate you replying.  Such a lovely community on here.

[Booroo]

Yep I look like a potato now instead of just my large tummy which I’ve had all my life makes you feel really down bloody stuff

[suzysunday]

I don't see any positives in ageing.  I never thought I would cope so badly with it when I was younger, so I get where you're coming from mummytron.

[VictoryV]

I find exercise good if I enjoy it so I no longer do stuff like spinning classes or commit to be at the gym at 6am etc. Same applies to food, balanced healthy food doesn’t work for me if it means enduring kale, ryvita or low fat stuff. I can’t have chocolate in the house yet, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

One thing I love about this time is having the confidence to say NO without feeling a need to explain. We spend our lives nurturing everything else; kids, business, home, parents etc. I’m enjoying learning how to nurture myself!

[Louise2010]

I agree Victoria V as a recovering people pleaser I find my new sense of confidence in saying no to things is a positive to the menopause. Maybe it’s the assertiveness using the lack of patience as a vehicle?

My waist has definitely thickened and I never had curves anyway sadly. Always a bit boyish but I think we are all ok just as we are as long as we are striving to be as well as we possibly can. There’s too much pressure on having a certain shape exacerbated by social media, magazines and adverts. Not being affected by that is hard.

I have upped my exercise, walking every day and cardio or HIIT to get my heart rate up because I find it lifts my mood and makes me more conscious about what I’m putting in my body. I still love my desserts and chocolate and I don’t believe in strict restrictions, just balance. Xx