Menopause Makeover

[Oobiedo]

Hi Ladies,

I went through menopause in my late 20s due to a medical condition. I've been on and off hrt as it has dramatically changed my body. I used to be a skinny size 8 even after menopause. As soon as I started HRT the weight piled on (almost 3 stone to be exact!). I hate the way I look now. I eat well and exercise but my belly is rolly and my thighs are dimpled. I think my hrt makes me feel low too.

I don't like the look of my body in clothes. I wish I had never started hrt but I've got to protect my heart and bones.

Any ideas for a makeover? I'm starting to go grey as a well as.

How old are you now? How much exercise do you do a week? What’s your diet like?

Thanks. I'm in early 40s now. I do 5k and weights 3x a week. I don't drink or smoke. I intermittent fast most days too. It's not a diet thing.

I just want to look nice again.

I'm sorry, that sounds really tough.

Here are some ideas for outer and inner -

Get a colour consultation ‘colour me beautiful’- type thing and find out which colours make you pop. I did this when a colour consultant had a special offer and it was life-changing, and I also use what I learned to choose shades of makeup and hair dye.

Pay a style consultant, or just read books/websites, to tell you which styles suit your body shape best and also will best express your personality.

Look at women when you’re out and about and see who looks great and figure out why, so you can incorporate it into your look.

A new hair style and colour, get someone decent to look at your hair and face and recommend a style. Check out new tongs/hot brushes etc, something new - can get second hand.

Body language is a whole rabbit hole you can go down. It can make a massive difference to looking good.

Work out what is most important to you in life, and have that as your compass. Really focusing on who you are, what brings you joy, and consistently taking steps in that direction. This is from ‘acceptance and commitment based therapy’, idea of that is to give you an inner compass when life is hard, and this will reflect outwardly

Also make sure you have some nice makeup, if that's your thing. Someone on a makeup counter would give you some advice, or a friend who's into makeup up. A little can go a long way, see what makes you feel boosted.

Thank you, Mariaz,

Yes, I need to get some clothes that fit better and in the right colour to suit me. I've always worn jeans but I can never find the right fit. Either too small and a muffin top or too big and baggy. I think I may start to wear trousers instead as they seem trendy at the moment.

Yes, you're right about going to the hair salon. I've tended to keep things natural but I can't put it off any longer now my hair is changing. I may have some blonde highlights put in.

Try something on that you wouldn’t normally pick up, it’s surprising what actually suits you.
A lot of people rate M&S these days, and there’s lots of people on TikTok trying their clothes on, showing you how to wear them.