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

Discovered the cause of the insatiable appetite. Period. Seriously, every two weeks is really wearing me down now. Supposed to be swimming with DD but can't because when it comes it's heavy and I don't feel comfortable swimming. Scales are showing heavy this morning but with period, wine and snacks it's not surprising really. Hopefully a good week next week will put things right. I've only got one day off next week so that will help me focus.

That makes sense @ginsparkles. Every two weeks sounds horrid though 😔 definitely don’t believe the scales as I’m sure that’s not a true reading

Every two weeks! Oof! I thought every 3 and a bit was bad.

And thanks for the welcome

It's really annoying, it's heavy for a couple of days and then light for a couple more. I feel I'm on more than I'm off right now. Once DD goes back to school I'm going to make an appointment with the doc I think.

How is everyone doing? I’ve noticed that this thread has quietened down a little over the last few days or so - hope ur all doing ok.

Did my usual run yesterday and personal trainer today. I feel so much better afterwards and am really enjoying it. I would’ve laughed if anyone had suggested this would be my life, even just a few months ago. Healthy eating still going to plan and I am only 0.03 lbs away from getting into the 10stone bracket for the first time in almost 12 years. My goal weight is 10st 4lbs which takes me into my healthy bmi range, though tbh I will prob go lower than that to provide a comfortable buffer zone.
I thought people might want an update on my hrt too as several of you were interested when I started it. After the first couple of days where my energy soared, it settled down again. Still much more energetic than I was before hrt but not as manic/ hyperactive. All my aches and pains (except a long-standing back injury have disappeared, my mood has improved beyond recognition and instead of feeling ill all the time I generally feel well for the first time in years. I haven’t had any hot flushes but I only got them occasionally anyway, but I did notice that my body temperature seemed unable to regulate itself at all - I would be sitting here on a hot sunny day, wrapped in a blanket, jumper and hugging a hot water bottle and STILL feel freezing cold. This is not the case anymore - I still sometimes get a bit chilly but not that painful, child to the bone feeling. Not sure if it’s in my head or not, but I feel my skin is brighter too. My sleep was averaging around 3 1/2 - 4 hours per night and I still get nights where I am getting 3-4 hours sleep however, my average nights sleep for the past 2 weeks has increased by just under 2 hours more per night! I started my hrt on the 6th of August so been on it for about 2 1/2 weeks now.

Hi @EssexLioness ! The hrt sounds like it's really doing its job! Everything sounds so positive.

All ok here. I definitely think my appetite is getting smaller, I struggle to finish meals when I go out no, and am learning to listen to my body better. I have to confess though that I haven't stuck to my calorie goals this past week or so, I find it really hard when I'm home with DD, so I hope to maintain now for the next couple of weeks and focus on getting the losses back on track once she's back in school and life returns to normality. Once she's back I'll also make an appointment to speak to the GP, but given the shortage of blood testing tubes I'm guessing I will be low priority right now!

Interesting @ginsparkles, my appetite has decreased massively too. I avoid eating out due to my increased sensitivities but when I do I find the amount of food overwhelming. I always had a large appetite before.
Maintenance sounds like a sensible plan until school restarts. Sometimes life gets in the way and it’s ok to press pause on things.

I think it's more sensible to accept that it's not going to be easy to stick to it for these couple of weeks rather than keep being cross with myself for having a slice of cake!

Today should be a good day though, at work all day and nothing planned for this evening so home for healthy tea and no temptations!

Hope you have a good day xx

I agree, enjoy your cake without the guilt trip. Sounds like you are staying on track most of the time anyway and you are continuing to build healthy habits.
Thank you. Hope you have a good day too!

Hi all, sorry to have been so absent from this thread work got manic and I haven't been MNing.
Lovely to read everyones updates, good news that the HRT is going well Essexlioness

ginsparkles I'm having a similar problem with the very frequent periods, and as I'm more tuned into when I'm hungry because of the thread, it does seem to be driven by homones. I have lost a couple of lbs but similar to you I think it fluctuates depending on time of the month.

EssexLioness can I hand the baton to you maybe to start the September thread? I'm with you in spirit even if rarely posting!

Hi @Katekarate, no worries re stepping away from the thread. I hope work being manic isn’t causing too much stress and you are still taking time for yourself. More than happy to carry the baton for next month. I am amazed that I’ve continued to check in tbh as I usually start on these sort of threads and then disappear after a couple of days, or forget I was on them!

I’ve let the side down today and have eaten a colossal amount of garbage that I didn’t even want 🤷‍♀️ Period started and just felt snacky/ wanted to eat constantly. So in the spirit of complete honesty: breakfast was a slice of buttered white toast. Then lunch/ afternoon snack was a buttered white roll and a whole tub of Pringles 😳 Dinner was oven chips, baked beans and homemade tofu nuggets! As you can see it was all about the carbs and this couldn’t be any further away from my usual eating! Didn’t consume a single piece of fruit or veg all day. Will draw a line and have planned tomorrow’s meals to avoid a repeat.

Hope everyone has done better than me today (although that wouldn’t exactly be difficult 😆 🐷)

Thanks EssexLioness I do need to try to take a bit of time out to relax. Don't worry about your carb day - it sounds like you've got the right attitude and are just getting back on it today, that's the main thing isn't it, not to let these setbacks put us off.

Wishing everyone a nice end of the week and weekend

Thanks @Katekarate, maybe try and find a little bit of time for you thins weekend if you can, even if it’s just half an hour.
Back on it again today. Protein shake for breakfast, tofu salad for lunch and dinner all prepped. Just had some yoghurt as a snack… I had it with passionfruit which was really nice. No guilt re yesterday but it is funny how these things happen. Eating well is not a chore for me nowadays and involves little effort and I feel my whole mindset has changed… but then hormones suddenly attack and I lost my mind. 🤷‍♀️😆

I think I’ve found my tribe! The only issue is I’m not sure if I’m peri or not? I’m on the mini pill so not really sure how to tell. I’m 42, I have a fatigue condition anyway so no change there, and I’ve not put on weight (I’m just at the top of normal BMi) but have put on 2 inches at waist over the last two years and gone up a trouser size. I also have one of those double tummies IYKWIM. I hate the bulge above my waist the most.

@Leftbutcameback, welcome! 😊 It’s hard to say if you are peri given your circumstances but it’s quite possible. I am 43 and currently going through the menopause but have been having some peri symptoms since the age of 40

Thanks @essexLioness - I have to say I thought it would be later. We don't seem to get much education on the menopause

I found you!

I have no idea why but my tag didn't work.

August has been a bit difficult for me because of school holidays, days out, hitting the ice cream van, chippy tea just because of ALL the cooking.

I'm going to try much harder in September. Will measure my waist on 6th and then again in October.

Cut back on snacks, a bit of yoga and home cooked meals. I'm also going to talk to my Dr about hrt and book next year's holiday in the sun (for motivation)

@Leftbutcameback I agree. I knew so little about the menopause until I started doing my own reading over the last couple of years. Many people do start getting symptoms later but it is not uncommon for them to start early 40s.

@Itwasgoodwhileitlasted sounds like you have a good plan for September. August can be so difficult with everything going on, especially for those that have children.

Im thankful for this thread! Was tagged from last one, hope all are doing well. Im trying hard with making time to walk every day, cut out the carbs & restrict my snacking- hard work to stay on track. Well done to all who are. Its good to read all the different things people are trying, this thread will keep me going & hoping.

@EssexLioness school holidays are a killer. I think I'm quite guilty of reaching for sugary snacks and lattes to keep my energy levels up too. Though I think this is pretty standard for women in peri and menopause.

I am dreading the waist measurement. I used to be 32inches. I reckon I'm easily a 38 inches now if not more....

Hi lovely team. Sorry I went awol. Been enjoying the last few days with DD before school. I do miss her when she goes back.

@Katekarate yes yes to the extra hunger with these extra cycles.

Plan is definitely to contact the GP when DD goes back to school. Sleeping is difficult at the moment. It takes forever to drop off and then I'm awake again before 6 most days.

I have though booked myself an initiation meeting with the gym to get some tips on how to make the peri tummy and muffin top go away. So hopefully with a Pilates class and some time in the gym I'll start feeling better.

All sounds really positive @ginsparkles and glad to hear you have been enjoying your time with DD. Good luck with your gym initiation

Thanks @EssexLioness! How's the bank holiday treating everyone so far? We have been out to some horse eventing today and then I'm at work for the rest of the weekend, which makes it much easier to behave!

Hi everyone, I have started a new thread to see us through till Christmas. I have tagged everyone in it but you are welcome to continue using this thread for the next few days.

New thread for September and beyond
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4335061-Autumn-perimenopause-waist-reclaim-thread?watched=1