August's perimenopause waist reclaim thread

[Katekarate]

Here we are as promised I'll try to tag in everyone from the previous thread but sorry if I missed anyone, do join in. @Skybluepinkgiraffe @MiniTheMinx @badpuma @Timeforredwine @Jackieweaverishere @ittakes2 @Seesawmummadaw @itwasgoodwhileitlasted @wtfisgoingonhere21 @EssexLioness @Shallwegoforawalk @Flamingo49 @Chisontoast @Upupandiwent @MistySkiesAfterRain @Bambooshoot @ Fordian @LlamaofDrama @Readytostartagain

We can just dip in and out of the thread as needed and support and encourage each other to make a few positive changes. Some ideas from the previous thread:

Exercise of all kinds - yoga, pilates, barre, weights
No booze
Reducing sugar
Lower carbs
IF/keto/paleo
More sleep and relaxation

Please add in any other ideas. It seems a lot to do all at once (!) I'm going to start with reducing sugar and some exercise. Good luck all, let's hope we end up August with more waist than we started. Hopefully we can all add some self care into our lives anyway. I'll only be here now and again as I have a big work deadline in August Good luck folks

Good morning and thank you!

I got back from holiday last night and hadn't realised how much difference it would make sleeping in my own bed. I now feel rested but really old! I used to be able to sleep anywhere and would happily sleep on a friend's floor covered in a coat in my 20s... now I need my mattress and special pillow .

I'm going to run when the rain stops. I signed up for a half marathon in January 2020 and it's due to take place this autumn so I need to get training.

Happy august everyone!

Ooooh I saw the previous thread and thought “great, I’ll join and I’m glad I have a few days before we have to start”

Reporting for duty! Will post a waist measurement soon.

Hello I’d like to join! I didn’t see the other thread. I’m mid 40s, very perimenopausal and have gained 1/2 stone round my waist in the past year. It was nearly a stone but I’ve lost some of it. I’m not managing much exercise because every time I do it just flattens me the next day. I have to be really careful. I swam in the sea last week for about 15 mins and then had to spend half of the next day in bed. So I’m dieting mainly but I’m hungry ALL the time. I struggle with digesting protein (low stomach acid) so I can’t low carb to help the hunger. Anyway will be good to know what others are doing.

Please can I join? I'm at my heaviest ever. And really struggle to lose the weight.
I WFH, don't often exercise and drink more than I used to. So I know exactly what I'm doing wrong!! I just need a kick up the bum to motivate me.

Checking in! Thanks for the thread - it’s much needed. Back on the calorie counting from today (but like @RoseAddict I am hungry all the time so it’s going to be a challenge!) Still, it’s the only way if I’m ever going to lose the lockdown stone that seems to have crept on somehow (looking at you, alcohol)

Thank you @Katekarate. Checking in! Start point is waist 80cm/31", hips including alarmingly baggy saggy belly 89cm/35".

I've a holiday (probably, covid permitting 🙄) during the month which is likely to cause a setback. But I'm going for general exercise on holiday and mindful indulgence in food rather than mindless. At home I tried a pilates class last week that I enjoyed so I'll aim to keep going to that and add in cardio work at the gym. Still with the IF/Slinfast combo on eating to work on the input end of the equation.

Good luck everyone!

Would love to join. Mid 40's. weight creeping up. Tempted with 2x 800 calorie days per week. Day one today. Have already had 250 calories and so hungry...help! It's going to be a looong day.

Me please. I started yesterday. Eating less. See where it gets me. I exercise anyway.

Yesterday i had a slice of toast with peanut butter and a coffee for breakfast and a small portion of curry with rice for tea and a tiny piece of naan. I felt hungry but it soon passed.

Today ive had porridge and a banana for breakfast, 10k run and now 4 crispbreads with primula. Salmon and avocado salad for tea then nothing.

This is my belly. Im 5ft 2, weigh 8st 11. I have a great figure apart from this ugliness. The more i look at it, the mire determined i am.

Thanks! Hoping for some great ideas as we go along.

Would love to join too please! I am 43 and struggling badly with a huge list of perimenopausal symptoms including exhaustion, achy joints and the dreaded belly! I have lost almost 3 stone in just over a year but it has been ridiculously difficult. Joined WW and most weeks I am lucky to lose anything despite sticking to it. But I lost with them years ago (and then regained), so I know it works. Just need to keep going. I plan to up my exercise but it is a struggle as I feel awful all the time and just want to stay in bed all day tbh. Hoping this thread will motivate me a bit

I haven't started so well but am going to do some sit ups in a bit and am going to stop eating at 6pm because night time snacking has become a bad habit since the pandemic, especially crisps

So far today I’ve eaten muesli, a cereal bar, half a pot of yogurt and then my Dh made homemade tortellini (pasta made from scratch) with cream cheese and spinach filling and a sage, butter and mushroom sauce ‘tangled’ (his words) through the pasta with a tomato and basil salad made with fresh tomatoes from our garden and basil from the windowsill. Also freshly picked green beans and carrots from the allotment. This is what I’m up against!! I’m not hungry now but I probably will be again in an hour or so…

I find it easier to do reverse sit ups. Lie on my back and raise my legs. And planks.

Can I join in? Just turned 50 and despite limiting to 1500 calories + 60 mins cardio each day, I've plateaued for months. Ive joined a gym, hoping to fit in a morning swim and a few classes a week, toying with the idea of a PT session to tailor a workout. 5'6", 108cm waist as of 10 am today.

Watching with interest!

Sounds delicious RoseAddict!

Thanks MrsDThomas I'll try those.

torquewench please do. Welcome all

Delicious but very filling. I’m not counting calories but definitely too many!

Any comments on tomorrow's lunch please? I've made a salad with: Napolina tinned green lentils, quinoa, Napolina tinned black and white chickpeas, radish, cherry toms, cucumber, celery, red pepper, jalapeños, spring onions and half an avocado. I may also have a John West Tuna infusions with jalapeño

I’m vegan and my go to lunch is a salad with red pepper hummus and baked tofu. In winter I tend to swap to homemade soup and a toasted sandwich thin

Oooo I have found my people! 🙌

Been really trying to get as much sleep as possible, eat as healthily as I can and massively cut down on drinking. I find swimming & massages are also a good way to feel better without hurting my aching joints!

@MrsDThomas

I find it easier to do reverse sit ups. Lie on my back and raise my legs. And planks.

Omg I did a plank the other week and did my back in! 🙈

Hey can i join?? I'm 45 and have a few peri symptoms including brain fog, thinning hair and a huge belly. 5'2 and 54kg which seems to make it look more prominant.

Dc are 5 and 7 but still feel I'm carrying my mum tum (maybe worsened by 2 c sections). To be honest I've eaten what i liked and exercised little in the last 7 years, so know i could make a lot of improvements, but struggle with tiredness and w i llpower. Hoping i can.pick up some tips as really want to lose this spare tyre

I've found my people. I'm 44 next week, I weigh nearly 11stone and only 5'3"....my belly is massive, and in the last few months my periods have spaced out to 6 or7 weeks in between plus I've started to get hot flushes that make me feel horrible...I'm drinking far too much, I've not exercised in months...I'm in the worst shape I've been in years, but I'm also a single mum with so little chance to get to the gym or even out for a run. Starting tomorrow I'm going to start using my cross trainer every day and hula hooping in an effort to work on the belly. I need to go low carb to and limit drinking. I just don't know where to start!

Hopefully using this thread for support will help our willpower. Just trying to do something in August is better for me than trying to do it indefinitely, and I'm hoping it will help make some better habits. Anything we do can help even if it's 10 minutes exercise or stopping the evening snacks. I managed to find the willpower to stay away from crisps this evening because of this thread