I’ve never had to diet properly before but the menopause has changed all that.
Preparing for an event recently I was trying on outfits to see which I wanted to wear. With growing horror, I realised that none of them were fitting properly. Either I couldn’t get the zip to close, or the garment was so tight I wasn’t going to be able to sit down or, to be frank, the silhouette outline reminded me of a scaled down version of the Michelin man!
Body-dysmorphia nothing, I am definitely overweight, and I’ve allowed it to get out of hand.
With the past years’ shenanigans with my house renovations, then a long period of illness I had stopped exercising at all and by December was stuffing my face with complete abandon. Developing a sweet tooth during the menopause has not helped either.
It dawned on me that I had to get back in control or prepare to face other middle age problems such as blood pressure and diabetes. I had already noticed that the pain in my joints had worsened this winter and I was resorting to more pain killers. I sat down in the one and only pair of trousers that still fit comfortably to give myself a good talking to (don’t laugh, I find it works for me).
Obviously, exercise is the first port of call though that is easier to say than to actually do. It’s a vicious circle – the less you move, the less you want to move. My body was very convincing when it told me that I was far too tired to even try or there was a much more pressing thing I needed to do over there. I am gritting my teeth and not listening to it. Back to getting up a bit earlier so I have time and haven’t started anything else that could distract me.
Normally I would go gung-ho at it, taking up every exercise I was doing before I fell off the horse. This time I am making slight adjustments for my age (not quite mutton but no longer lamb) and starting off by being consistent with one (yoga) every single morning. As muscle memory kicks in I’ll add the others in – cardio, core and walking until I can get back up to 2-3 hours a week.
Second thing to tackle is my diet. I have been seduced by all things sugary as well as comforting stodgy stews and casseroles served with buttery mash potato and the like. Out these will have to go, along with the biscuits, nibbles and treats (11:00 freshly baked jam doughnuts I will miss you).
I have never had to properly diet in my life, I wouldn’t know what a calorie actually was unless it stood up on my plate and smacked me in the face. Before this I had got away with just serving slightly smaller portions to myself and the weight always melted away. Not with the menopause it doesn’t
In have come 2 meal replacement shakes for breakfast and lunch followed by a fresh meal which I’m trying to get in under 500 calories give or take, as I’m not entirely sure what they are and have better things to do with my time than find out. Served with undressed salad and, for my sweet pang afterwards half an apple. If I’m desperate for some form of chocolate it’s a special treat of no more than 3x After Eight mint wafers (I’ve been told they are 30 calories each).
By the way why do most TV adverts seem to centre around yummy, totally fat laden foods?! I’ll be honest, I am only a few days in and even my sofa legs are looking tempting to gnaw on however the hunger pangs are beginning to decrease.
Oh, and because life is too bloomin’ short I am doing this regimen for 5 days a week. Weekends are mine though I’ll be mindful not to overdo it and undo all the good work I’ve just put in.
I’m not trying to lose the weight at speed. Crash dieting sounds a bit foolish for me as I’m sure the weight would just pile back on when I stop. If I manage 1-2lbs a week I’ll be happy though it means it will take me a couple of months to get back to my ideal weight. Wish me luck, my wardrobe awaits praying for my success and once I am I’ll slacken off the strictness slightly and return to long-term sustainability.
How do you cope with middle-age spread? Any tips gratefully received.
“People who remember the Pillsbury Doughboy will appreciate my horror when I saw my reflection!”
