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

@EssexLioness thanks for sharing, can relate to soooo much of that.
I will make an appointment with the GP. Can’t hurt.
Hope you see an improvement soon.

52. On HRT which is fab. I've added probiotics and fermented food daily...kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha etc, low carb if not exercise day. Non processed foods generally I lost four inches off waist this way this year. Am now on hol putting it all back on! Back at it next week

Thanks @CakeandGo. Hope the GP helps.
Good to know HRT and lifestyle changes have helped you @ThatsAllFolks. I haven’t ruled out HRT but not something I’m really considering atm. I don’t like fermented food but do all the rest. I do have some carbs with dinner but only a tiny portion. I only have processed foods maybe once or twice a month but plan on cutting those out too. I’m pretty much sugar free but plan on being stricter with this too as hard it can help. Honestly I live off small portions and eat super clean and I have still had a battle trying to lose the weight I have already lost 😞

Grateful for this thread this evening because I was tempted back into the evening snacking. I've noticed it's more tempting when I feel stressed. Instead I'm going to try some sort of relaxation thing and some stretching or yoga.
Your meno symptoms sound really tough EssexLioness

Sounds like you have a good plan there @Katekarate. I’m not much of an evening snacker but do sometimes struggle mid afternoon. I work from home and have to resist the lure of the fridge.
Symptoms have been getting me down for a while but At least I know it’s definitely that now and I have even more reason to focus on my health and losing the rest of my weight.

Like you say, a shock when you're that young, same happened to my pal at that age. But also an explanation for all of what's going on and gives you something to work with.

Thatsallfolks your plan sounds good. I've never had fermented foods but feel a bit of a wimp about it. Do you get used to the taste or did you just like it anyway before?

I read about good gut bacteria burning fat and reducing inflammation so I just started boosting them. Don't need huge quantities of fermented foods. Too much can go straight thru u! Kefir takes like yogurt and u can add fruit. Kombucha tastes like a fizzy drunk but it is natural. A little apple cider vinegar in water chugged first thing. U just get used to it. All my fat is round my waist. It has made a big difference for me

Thanks ThatsAllFolks definitely sounds worth a try!

Gosh @EssexLioness, those symptoms sound tough, and many so relatable.

Holiday comes to a close today, so healthy eating begins tomorrow. I have some lovely fresh healthy meals planned for the coming week.

@ThatsAllFolks maybe I need to give fermented foods another try as I have heard so many benefits from them. Oh for anyone that’s interested, I forgot to add palpitations and chest pains to my list of symptoms! Currently sat here having an episode. Like most things it comes and goes. Just seems to start suddenly then goes away again.
On the plus side, I am otherwise doing ok. My doctor tested me for practically everything they could get from blood tests and things like my iron, cholesterol, thyroid etc are all fine. They were so thorough that I had a 3 page blood test form!
Anyway, today went pretty much to plan but I needed some down time to process things as I was quite overwhelmed with things. Feel much more pragmatic now. I had a bit of a duvet day and didn’t move much, had an afternoon nap and just took things easy. I am following WW plan, so set my points to maintenance level, so could eat a little more indulgent food without worrying about it. Feel ready to crack on again tomorrow though now after giving myself the time out I needed.

Hello, I’ve just found this thread and can relate to so much of what you are all describing. I’m 44 and think I must be peri menopausal. I’ve had some blood tests to check thyroid, iron levels and they also did a full blood count. It’s been a couple of weeks and they haven’t been in touch and I can’t get though to the GP to see what they say so I need to crack on with that. Bit worried that they did a full blood count, but they said any problems they’d be in touch with me so hoping that means all those came back ok. But that also means I’m still feeling tired, heavy periods that were every couple of weeks, bloated tummy and weight gain. I’ve been put on the mini pill to see if that helps with the bleeding but have had a couple of breakthrough bleeds so far. Will keep at it for a bit and see how it goes.

PS, think I’ll give the fermented foods a try too. I’m sure I have a jar of sauerkraut in the back of the cupboard!

Afternoon everyone, hope you’re all ok. Back on it again today and feeling more positive again. I have done 3k on the treadmill (alternating between walking and jogging with view to increase jogging as I progress). I am surprising myself because I actually enjoy it and I usually hate exercise in all forms. I plan on cleaning my diet up even more and quitting all processed foods as that can help with symptoms. We don’t have many processed foods but what we do have is usually meat alternatives eg sausages, burgers. Also going to focus on whole grains only: no white bread/ pasta/ rice etc. Again we don’t have much but plan on stopping altogether. The only sugar I had was in fruit plus 1/4 tsp once a day in my coffee. Had my morning coffee yesterday without it and was surprised that I couldn’t tell the difference. I also messaged a personal trainer (can’t believe I am writing that 😆) as she specialises in helping women through menopause, pregnancy etc. Her website looked really good and she works with you focusing on things like muscle tone, strength and improving bone density. All the things I’m most concerned about. My confidence has taken a wobble recently with hormones etc and I feel a bit overwhelmed and just not myself so I am hoping this will be a positive move for my mental health too to help me feel more confident and in control, as now I just feel a bit like I am ageing prematurely due to my body letting me down.

@AliciaMayEmory it took me 6 months for the bleeding to stop when I went on the minipill. Persevere with it!

Im back at work today after a long weekend. Threw out my biccies and chewy sweets😏.

Had a sandwich for lunch as i had no salad stuff. I haven’t eaten much bread really since Saturday . Ive noticed my bowel movement have changed too.😂

That does sound good EssexLioness
I've noticed that now I'm focussing on it more, I have really seen the link between when I am feeling stressed and reaching for junk food, especially crisps and chocolate. I am trying to break the link because it's become a really bad habit since the pandemic. All the hormonal ups and downs and frequent periods don't help with stress levels too.

@MrsDThomas thanks, that’s encouraging! I’ve had no other issues with it so happy to wait and see. The GP said could go either way but everyone else I know who has been on it just never bled so was starting to worry that I was going to be the one who bled erratically!

This is brilliant thank you for setting up thread OP. I'm 41 and after having final dc 3 years ago wanting to lose around 4 stones to approach peri in as good shape as possible! Currently trying to fit in some more exercise including cycling as joints are feeling old recently!

You sound totally in the zone @EssexLioness ! It's very inspiring and has made me put down the packet of biscuits I was about to open!

Today has gone well and if I leave the biscuits alone, I will be under the calorie intake my little nutrition app has set for me! Feel happier being back at work, it makes it easier for me to watch the food intake. We also signed up for the gym yesterday. Planning to swim and do a Pilates or yoga class once a week to begin with.

Can I join you all, hard to say without a trip to the GP if I’m in peri at 48 v.nearly 49 but I’m anxious, snappy, overly emotional & not sleeping well, periods erratic between every 2 - 8 weeks & all the weight is gathering pace around my stomach. Love weights and boxing which has changed my shape a little but not losing many lbs.

This is me too. Done very little about it so far due to crazy work hours, a toddler and a love of wine, pizza and sitting on the sofa! Hoping for some motivation!

Thanks @ginsparkles, not sure I’ve been called inspiring before 😂 I am impressed with myself though as I’ve done this on 3hr 40min sleep too! Feel like absolute death but proud I kept my goals in sight. Many a time in the past I would’ve just scoffed a whole pack of biscuits after a bad night’s sleep! Well done for stepping away from the biscuits.

@EssexLioness ... I confess I had one biscuit... but that's better than normal and I'm still within my calorie limit!

Good job stopping at one biscuit… I find it so hard to stop once I start

I’m going to quietly lurk on here as I’m in the middle of a 2 week holiday.

I’m 42, peri-menopausal due to cancer treatment, always been an apple shape so stomach fat goes on easily.

There’s lots of good tips here. Swimming twice a week and cycling everywhere is no longer enough for me.

Has anyone had success with running for middle reduction?

Just saying ‘hi’ so I don’t lose the thread. Will read it all properly tomorrow because I’m already failing in my determination to get early night’s sleep!