Yup, I’m middle aged.
I have vivid memories of my mother and all my aunts aggressively fanning themselves at family gatherings. We knew what was happening. They didn’t shy away from telling us, and it was fascinating to watch.
One by one they would remove any extra layers, grab the closest object that could double as a fan, and continue with their conversations under a woman made cyclone of air. Just as quickly as it began, it would stop… until the next time.
There’s something to be said about going through these life events in packs. Just like when your cycle begins for the first time and you suddenly have this higher level of camaraderie with your girlfriends who are in the same stage. And then those who haven’t gotten there yet know that they have a village ready to support her. Whether it be by checking her seat when she gets up, letting her borrow a shirt to wrap around her waist in the worst case scenario, sharing supplies, and of course commiserating about the cramps, the breakouts, and the untimely pool parties.
These events are inevitable. How we handle them… is up to us.
- Trying to hide the signs of distress doesn’t make things better.
- Avoiding it doesn’t foster support.
- How we talk about it makes all the difference.
This stage in our lives is wild! So was starting your cycle, and if you’re a mother… having a baby. The dialogue will typically go from ‘I can’t believe I have to deal with this every month until I’m old!’ to ‘I can’t believe I’m old!”. In reality, we’re basing our dismay on what we told ourselves as adolescents.
It is true that when you’re faced with never having your period again, every period you get feels a bit celebratory. Hanging on to that vitality for dear life. But there is plenty to feel good about even during these menopausal stages.
Experience, appreciation of ‘youth’, and wisdom make this stage quite sexy. I’m sure it will feel much easier once we’re on the other side of it, but this will be the final wild ride of our womanhood. It will serve us well to be kind to ourselves and honor the process… no matter how messy it gets.
It literally takes a lifetime to fully grasp what it means to be a woman. We’re constantly evolving and adapting. That’s our super power.
Just because it’s inevitable, doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do to help us feel our best during this incredible transition.
Sudden weight gain can be scary and frustrating. We often see women start to cut way back on calories when this happens. But the key is to stay consistent with the nutrients and activities that help you maintain lean muscle and strong bones.
Here are some tips to offer clarity and help you keep your chin up:
- Protein is essential for lean muscles, and eating protein rather than just drinking it offers more thermogenesis.
- Veggies are essential for keeping your gut healthy and clean.
- Drinking water will help flush out bloat. It may sound counter intuitive, but it’s true. Stay hydrated and you’ll not only feel better, but your skin will glow too!
- Eat slowly. As in all major transitions, your tolerance to certain foods may change. Eat slowly and pay attention to how you feel. This will give your digestive system a chance to process your meals thoroughly and it also helps to prevent overeating.
- Prioritize sleep (sounds familiar). Fatigue is a very real symptom of menopause for good reason. It’s a lot of work for your body to shift gears. Give it plenty of rest!
- Don’t shy away from high intensity exercise. Make sure to include strength training and jumping! As we age we start to lose agility – especially if we stop using it. High intensity workouts (short duration) helps balance out hormones. It also helps maintain agility, power, and spatial awareness – all super important for longevity.
- Strength training is not only essential for lean muscle, but also for strong and healthy bones. This one is non-negotiable.
- Consider cutting back on coffee and booze. You may have noticed that nothing compares to the first cup of coffee or the first sip of wine… So if you can cut back and thoroughly enjoy the first, you’ll be helping the process in a significant way.
Be true to you and stay focused on eating well, resting well, and exercising. This is a process and it will require some patience. Hopefully you have a great relationship with your GYN and can have an honest conversation about hormone replacement therapy.
Be kind to yourself, hang on tight, and honor this wild ride. You’re not alone and it won’t last forever. xo