help me get out of this slump

[helpmegetoutofthis]

tired, lethargic, hugely over eating and drinking, weight gain, sluggish, can't be arsed with anything which includes looking after the house/myself/work and going out unless it's my local and I can wear my elasticated waist comfies, which are doing me no good as I cannot gage weight gain with these, yet I wear them every day. I am wearing the same clothes day in/day out, the jumper has a hole in it which I can hide with my hair, but I am washing the clothes every few days (and clean undies!). I have let myself go and given up on myself.

I am 48, menopausal and have no thyroid (on mediation for this). I do not want to take HRT.

I am in a huge slump. Please help me stop over eating in the first instance. Every day is day 1 again and a re-set. Every day I fail. I've just scoffed a mcds breakfast. what is wrong with me.

I've got DH and teen DC. I am WAH today and my lunchbreak involves needing to take DC somewhere.

I sit at home looking at my never ending home to-do list, a lot of the jobs are on the list for sight, money/cost prevents me working through the list and ticking it all off.

I sit watching old tv films from the 70s/80s/90s.

I have no idea how the hell I will manage doing Christmas this year and the thinking/buying/wrapping, parties, hosting

Is there any particular reason why you don’t want HRT ?

Just asking because 3 years after my last period I suddenly started piling on weight while eating no more than usual.
My motivation levels plummeted ( probably over a period of time, so wasn’t that obvious )
I had increasingly low mood
I became a nervous driver ( confident driver for over 30 years)
Work became a struggle in terms of managing my time and ability to think clearly ( brain fog)
My house became untidy
Insomnia magnified all of the above.

Menopause is a downward spiral.

Someone close to me suggested menopause as a cause. I started HRT and 4 months later I’m more or less my old self again.I’ve lost about half a stone. I exercise daily again which I’d stopped due to poor motivation.

I take oestrogen gel and a progesterone pill daily.

If this is due to menopause and it’s affecting your ability to function then worth re considering HRT?

Just to add, the weight gain was quite sudden. Everything else kind of crept up insidiously.

Another one saying why not HRT? - it gave me my oomph back. And also the ability to say no to a lot of things on my lists.

I'm 56.

I realised I was going to have to go up a size even in my elasticated comfy trousers which was the kick I needed to sort my diet out (together with a very High Blood Pressure scare) get down the gym, stop the mid week wine and walk more. I've lost a stone and a half and feels lots better/

I'd get the ball rolling by going out for a half hour walk every morning. Switch of your brain in the morning saying 'too tired' 'nah don't wanna go' 'got no clothee' 'got to put a wash on first'
Treat it like a tantrumy todller amd just get out.

You may find that after a couple of days, when you're back you won't crave crap food so much. Which in turn will make you feel that little bit happier with yourself and then slowly tackle the other stuff. I wouldn't put too much focus on yr weight which may take some time to sort. Just focus relentlessy on yr 30min morning walk. No excuses allowed. No thinking either. Just do it, one small thing.

Do you think you might be depressed - separately from the menopause?

If so, a visit to the GPs might be a start.

If you don't think so then start prioritising yourself.

I was wondering this too, as I see a lot of OP's issues in my own life.

As a PP has said, getting out for a walk works wonders, especially somewhere green and leafy.

I do think I could be depressed, but don't necessarily want meds for it

I need to get out for that walk, I WILL make it out

I don't want to try HRT as I think it is linked to possible breast cancer. I have depression medication but have never taken it, trying not to rely on meds.

I currently hate how I look and feel. I am slowly ruining my body, I have a decent figure but am slowly eating it away. I hate this. Food, sluggishness, zero energy are the cycle. I just want out of it all

my legs feel heavy and huge. It really is horrible. Yet still I eat

@clearquote ty x

I go for a walk before the work day starts. That way I get out when it's still light and I don't miss it due to just trying to finish something off at lunch.

Go through your drawers and chuck out anything holey or stained.
Get easy to grab healthy stuff in the fridge and put a fruit bowl and jug of water next to your desk and you'll naturally eat more fruit and drink more.
Delete Deliveroo and other apps on your phone so reduce takeaways.

@Singleandproud ty.

I have some home exercise equipment which I am thinking of doing tonight but is there any point ? I've scoffed a mcds breakfast and a large cookie today. Exercise tonight wont shift any of that lot but then I have to start doing something at some point ?

its Friday night. I am in with DH but I want wine but I don't need wine and I drank last night.

Exercise for the mind more than the body. I like dance workouts on YouTube for getting me up and moving. Its not going to slim me down massively but it is fun, no one can see you and it's better than being sat on the sofa.

I'd cut the alcohol out altogether for a month until you are out of this blip. Saying "None for me" and sticking to it is easier than saying "just one"

@Singleandproud ❤