Anyone in their 40s/50s plus had a health wake up call?

I'm thinking about it slowly - after I've finished my chocolate supplies. I really need to get my bottom into gear.

I'm about to turn 50 and am in the throes of some really shitty perimenopause symptoms but also getting a lot of acid reflux, bloating, joint pain, list is bloody endless so I decided after Xmas I was going to lose some weight as I was slipping into a size 16 and just felt so shit and old.

I don't know how much I've lost so far because I don't weigh myself but I feel so much better already, hardly any acid reflux anymore. I've also had a recent dental appointment where they said I possibly needed to see the hygienist (never had any issues ever before, new dentist so a bit eager but anyway). I've upped my dental hygiene, flossing every single day now without fail.

So not exactly a wake up call but I do feel I need to pull my finger out and sort myself out. Two of my closest friends have recently died which I don't think helps.

I've also started to take a shit load of vitamins. Not sure if they will help.

I’m older than you, had to go to casualty for something not serious and the doc asked how long I’d had a particular chronic condition (which I don’t have). Since then, I’ve reduced my BMI by 6, and as a result blood pressure is now normal. I’ve used similar strategies - made lifestyle changes, eat a healthy diet, exercise portion control and don’t keep sweet food in the house. The down side is that I feel the cold more and had to buy new clothes two sizes smaller.

@CuriousMama that’s great! My GP won’t prescribe HRT at the mo because my BP is higher than she’d like. I’m keen to try and lower it through lifestyle changes so really good to hear you’ve managed to do that.

I'd love tips on lowering BP naturally. I am on the borderline. BMI is fine but I eat too much chocolate. Do you think cutting it out will really have an impact?

@CuriousMama I’m starting to exercise more now - I’ve done a bit of Googling on natural ways to lower so was planning weight loss (attempting), healthier diet ie no snacking.

I turn 50 in October and am determined to lose a stone. 5lbs down so far but my biggest problem is getting enough sleep. I feel permanently knackered. Walking helps but I never seem to get into bed early enough. Being on my phone at this time of night doesn't help 🤣

Are you monitoring your BP at home? I had my BP checked at my local pharmacy and it was high. My BP has always been within a normal range so I got my own BP monitor and my readings are completely normal. Well worth investing in one but make sure the cuff is big enough as I had to order a new cuff from Amazon!

😁 I've taken up lifting weights and floor abdomen work. Lost a stone since mid Jan - can walk upstairs more easily and have more functional strength. Feel great at 51. Aiming to get to the normal BMI range. Alcohol only an occasional treat. Eating more protein, more fibre, more plants.

Had breast checks and uterine lining check due to concerns recently - afterwards felt my BMI was too high and was upping my risk levels for cancers.

Apparently exercise is fab for bringing BP down.

My problems started at 40. I have chronic high blood pressure now controlled by two medications and recently discovered I have an an aortic aneurysm. Yet I still can't get my arse into gear and lose some weight.

Cross post.

Thanks OP. I use Lift with Cee on YouTube. She does a beginner's programme for women over 40. She's very calm and uses a doable number of exercises. I'm hooked! So I keep going back - consistency wins!

I wasn't overweight, extremely fit for age (ran for years, gym several times a week , own spin bike in garden shed that I used) healthy diet, never smoked, minimal alcohol.
But family history of high BP and a stressful job (nurse) so now I have it too. I can't do anything else about it and like other chronic conditions it needs medication to control it. No big deal.

Yes, had a few health incidents in the last few years, and am v overweight and not good at looking after myself. A few years back my GP said you know your weight might not impact on you at 45 but it probably will at 55, which I think is true - my previously robust health is playing up in a few (so far minor / or recovered from) directions. So I am trying to sort it out. Doing well on exercise, ish on rest, got some weight off but stalled and a lot to go. I am persevering but it is really hard and feels very 2 steps forward one step back.

A few of DH’s friends have had pancreatitis, heart attacks, cancer and a some have sadly died.

It’s been a wake up call for DH. He’s hit the gym, stopped having wine with dinner, eating healthier.

Hi @CuriousMama I am 54. At 48/49 I lost 30+lb, got very fit, went down to size 8-10, was weight training 3x a week and felt on top of the world. I was then diagnosed with cancer out of the blue after I developed back pain for no apparent reason.

I am now cancer free, fully recovered but put all the weight back on as I was so sedentary during my 3 yr recovery.

I am determined this is the year I will get back in shape. I sprained my ankle quite badly just before Christmas so I am still doing PT and exercise in the pool 3x a week to build my strength, so I would like to do more but the PTs want me to take it easy until my injury heals so I don’t develop a chronic issue.

In the meantime I dug out my Fitbit, upped my steps and starting paying attention to my diet. I started last Monday March 13th and have lost 4lb so far. I’d be happy to be part of a Motivation Crew on here for the rest of 2023.

I got in such amazing shape when I was almost 50 so I know it can be done and I am determined to do it again!