Late 40s, menopausal and fading

[Swedes2]

I haven't as yet submitted to the full beard and elasticated waistband trousers. But heck, it's hard isn't it? I absolutely love clothes, make-up, and all that shit.... but I am becoming more and more interested in my garden (not a euph). Last night I went to the garage to buy milk in my gardening clothes.

Anyone else going through the same thing? Have you any tips you can share?

I'm going to John Lewis next week to return two cushions that I've decided I don't like, I'll go and see the nice lady at the Lancome counter and get some of that magic cream. Don't buy anything from Benefit, it's rubbish.

The best body routine I've found is as follows:
Elemis Lime and Ginger Scrub every other day -- it's extremely moisturising.
And every day after showering I moisturise my by body with this it's excellent

I used to use Dr Hauschka stuff but the above works better.

does that palmers stuff smell really sweet? Have never got over being told that I smelled like rice pudding after using the palmers body lotion.

Step away from the Per Una - except the jeans which are the only ones that fit me!

I agree with the utter knackeringness of having late babies.I'm another one peri-menopausal and breast feeding at the same time (my dd is three though).I was hoping my gunt and general flub was just bf weight,now I think maybe its more being-47-weight....how depressing. I was under nine stone at 40 and now I'm at least ten and a half.Two babies,two c-sections (hence the gunt) and six long years of sleep deprivation later.I need to start running too.
I had to see a chiropractor yesterday.I was lying on the couch,in pants and a bra,and he sort of shook me by my feet,which sent a ripple of flubber along me ,like a slinky.Hideous.Totally mortifying.

helly, you are so right about the late babies. i had one at 42 and another at nearly 44. the last one was still bf until 3.5. i have been struggling to lose weight since he stopped two years ago. i was blaming my under active thyroid and the cs overhang but now im wondering if im peri menopausal and i haven't noticed

i cant get rid of the gunt, despite being an ok weight and dress size. and kerry, i have to tell you that squats with 20kg and lunges with 10kg are having NO effect on it whatsoever

having read this thread im really worried i will have to start running

please tell me there is an alternative?

Can I just add EXFOLIATE to the general discussion.

I am currently exfoliating so hard I'm practically giving myself a peel.

Also we call a gunt (never heard that word before) a front bum. Partic when showed off proudly in a pair of high waisted trews with a tucked in t-shirt

Kerry how can you hardly eat anything? Are you hungry all the time? I eat like a horse and am dreading the time (right now) when I have to slow down and just pick at food. So dreary.

Adam - my periods stopped over a year ago (I am 52). I am still having the hot flushes, palpitations, sleep problems. I have also developed a considerable spare tyre. I feel like a Weeble Person.

No idea how long it goes on for. I think it may differ for everyone.

Nearly 48, 2 dc (11 & 8) and loving this thread (have read it all!!)

Am hating menopause (peri). Both motivation and sex drive walked out hand in hand, slamming the door in my face (charming) about 5 years ago and have had no contact from them since .

Feel desperately sorry for very frustrated tolerant loving DH (9 years younger than me) who must be secretly wondering where it all went so wrong.

Saw these on a thread started by Cristiane the other day and love love loved them BUT first thought - too old!!! Very very similar to wedges I bought when I was a teenager.

Have no grey hairs at all (yet) but DD (11) has taken to saying 'when you wear that you look like grandma' just one too many times.

I'm sure we are meant to embrace these years but am buggered if I know how.

Kerry, please tell me more another the linseed?

And what DOES get rid of the gunt?

Sorry I mean more about linseed

Linseed is a natural laxative. My mother swears by it and sprinkles a spoonful on her bowl of birdfood breakfast cereal every morning.

Thanks bonsoir

I'm 51, nearly 52 and I am perimenopausal (sounds like the start of an AA meeting ...)

Hot flushes and erratic periods started about 3 years ago.

I have a definite gunt, although not really sure if that's menopausal or due to bad eating over the last couple of years. Although I'm a low carb advocate, I just don't seem to be able to get my head around it enough to really lose any weight - I need to lose at least a stone and a half. Is it harder? I don't know - but my self-control/motivation seems to have flown out of the window.

HRT is something I've ruled out as my mother died from breast cancer.

My other, most hateful symptom is acne - horrible spots along my jaw line and on my chin. Even when they're not 'active' spots, I seem to constantly have the red, fading scars which only just disappear when the next lot surface.

But I haven't noticed that I look any older, at least not yet. I started going grey years ago, so am used to having my hair highlighted (although I am increasingly blonde - to cover up the white - the Ann Widdecome school of hairdressing!)

I have always used expensive moisturisers. I have no idea if this makes a difference, but I'm not prepared to change now. I used to use RoC, which has retinol in it - one of the few ingredients actually proven to work - but I also read that it can be harmful to skin (can't remember why now), so I stopped using that brand. My latest 'regime' involves the Boots No 7 products, Protect and Perfect (or whatever they're called), and I moisturise in the morning and again at night.

I'm currently trying an Elemis 'system', Tri-enzyme anti-ageing, to see if this will help with the acne. It's a facial wash, followed by a serum and then by a moisturiser.

Three things that I have discovered that definitely helps with the hot flushes:

• a low carb diet
• avoidance of alcohol (I fail regularly on this count)
• Boots Menolieve tablets (based primarily on Black Cohosh I think)

I'm starting to feel creaky and have a problem with one of my knees - although obviously this is more likely to age-related rather than something to do with the menopause, and I'm aware that I take no exercise whatsoever, so this is something I have to change. Every week I think I'll start going back to the gym, but somehow I don't manage it!

i have a really sore neck and can't turn my head around due I think to falling asleep while breastfeeding.

Plus horrid hard skin build up on my feet! I think feet start to play up as you age don't they?

Also second the late children business. I need at least 10 hours beauty sleep to look somehow normal but get around 4 in a row if lucky. Hence I am beyond dark circles, just horrible hollow eyes............

I went out to a fiftieth birthday party last night. Lot of wine and cake. Am literally round today. Like a beach ball.

Have barbecue to go to later. Can i avoid the alcohol and carb laden goodies? Probably not. Will have to start Couch25K and low carbing on Monday.

Am also going to buy the Menolieve tablets and the fancy mascara. Will pass on the decolletage device though.

Kerry, do you take soaked linseeds? I was recommended them by a nutritionist a few years ago. You had to soak them overnight to get them 'active' then gulp them down in the morning.

Was reminiscent of wallpaper paste but I think it did a good job < trails off Les Dawson style > on the bowels.

But I can't force myself to take anything disgusting for the sake of my health I'm afraid, so I gave up with them.

We could all do couch to 5K together? It only takes 10 weeks. Who's up for it? I'm starting a week tomorrow -- my runs are going to be at dusk so fewer people can see me in my full glory. I am also going to go back to playing lots of tennis.

My eldest sister is 51 and she looks terrific. Slim as anything (she exercises fairly rigourously) she's still glowing and gorgeus. She is on the pill microgynon and it works perfectly for her. Her GP has told her she can't keep taking it forever but she keeps telling him to just write the prescription. Before she was on the pill, she said she felt like she was losing her mind and feeling foggy and a bit low.

I think my hair needs to be lighter than it is. I'm quite a dark brunette with fair freckly skin and blue/green eyes. My colouring used to be striking but now I just look knackered. I've been having hazlenut-coloured hi-lights for some time but now I think I need to go to a new colourist and go a bit lighter. But a friend told me there was a hair colour called menopausal blonde and that's putting me off. Help

Running at dusk? Who makes dinner and does homework supervision in your household?

Fifitot - Flexitol for your feet. Fab.

And I hope you're all using your sunsreen.

Yes, I need those too. Sigh.

Mine are way past homework help (and dinner's a bit hit and miss too tbh)

I would like to do the Couch 2 5K with you Swede. I will start a week tomorrow too (gives me a week to prepare!).

Don't worry about the 'menopausal blonde' thing. I am/was blonde anyway (also with freckly skin) and I get highlights to cover any grey. Highlights now very light (white blonde). I like it. It's better than grey.