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?

Helly - I've found some running clothes for you - <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3510774793_69729bb142.jpg&imgrefurl=www.flickr.com/photos/writingasjoe/3510774793/&usg=__WxdVs67ILj8tTN5C8uWssZp7XGk=&h=500&w=334&sz=202&hl=en&start=0&sig2=hV2N6XQMBIL-6W06hTCxQw&zoom=1&tbnid=BqSKdTXOczvLJM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=85&ei=zZG0Tcy9Ecqj8QOnjpGWDA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbeekeeper%2Boutfit%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2SKPT_enGB425%26biw%3D1003%26bih%3D511%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=118&vpy=32&dur=3938&hovh=275&hovw=183&tx=48&ty=241&page=1&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here. [bugrin] No excuses now!

I survived the Easter Egg Hunt. Someone bought me some Belgian chocolates -- they're in the fridge, unopened. [FuckYouFatRibCage]

I'm definitely going to get sorted out with the running shoes, I think the machine is called 'gait analysis' or something like that. But I'll just wear some M&S cotton and lycra trackies (not cuffed ankles) - they have some that are really OK and on top of that I'll wear one of my tennis shirts.

How exciting that so many of us are signing up for the couch to 5K. I told DH I'd found some mumsnetters to co-suffer and he thinks that's an excellent idea. The moral support will be brilliant.

Oh and I need a new sports bra, the one I use for tennis is too small I think.

Shall we start a Couch to 5K thread separately? Or shall we just carry on using this thread, and talk about hot flushes and moustaches between runs?

Please carry on using this thread,then those of us not runningcan keep an eye on you don't miss out on anything! [busmile]

Hello, is it o.k if I join in ? Have been lurking for a few days now
I am 46 (47 next week-how did that happen?) and am on week 3 of the couch to 5k . I have been doing the shred prior to that so am optimistically trying to combine the two . It is good to be out running especially at this time of year.
I would like to lose about half a stone at least that seems to have collected around my middle and thighs. I am 5ft 4 so it really shows and jeans don't fit.
Just need to get rid of all Easter eggs and wine !

. DH actually suggested one of those for me to potter about the garden this Summer.......and I honestly thought "oooh that's a good idea".....clearly I am fat,forty something and totally deranged.Thus proving every stereotype about the menopause.
I have a roll of lard like pizza dough around my middle and at 40 I had a 23 inch waist. I have an attic full of lovely clothes I can't get on,and the thought of having to mothball them for the dds makes me want to cry.

Hi - room for a little one? Well, I say little but...

Peri-menopausal with a 3 yr old. Comparing pictures of me just after having DD and pictures of me now, I look like I've aged about 15 yrs in the space of 3. Not good. Must really start to tackle this before I end up being accused of being DD's granny when she starts school next year....

Cointreau I love the running suit.

dh has just told me he's bought us matching "slankets". He was sozzled and laughing when he told me this so am not sure if he's taking the piss or not, but really I am aghast if it's true. Basically it's the final nail in my image of myself as a foxy young chick isn't it?

I've taken to raiding the kids Easter Eggs as comfort eating. Must start exercising and booking in for full cosmetic surgery overhaul

Loving the running outfit - very fetching.

Bit blimey nothingnatural, Slankets? I think you might be beyond saving.

Those little catalogues that come with the sunday papers have some interesting gadgets in though don't they? All sorts of corrective implements for bunions, hammer toes and the like. Can't find any corrective equipment for the gunt though.

Blimey bbq yesterday only had salmon and salad BUT 2 glasses rose (really cross with myself but my mum is a pita see other thread!) and have not slept a wink! Why does that start happening in your 40s? Have drank gallons of water though and am seeing it as a blip. Off to walk now and need to get some decent walking shoes/trainers

I haven't had an evening glass of wine for two nights in a row and have slept much better. It is so weird, this not sleeping when you drink alcohol. Think I must just stop buying any wine at all - was very good about this September-December but got a bit stressed out over MOL's illness/hospitalisation/death this winter and started hitting the bottle again!

Bonsoir its a pain isn't it? I just feel so exhausted from 2 glasses am trying to blame the sun! It is the effect on my skin I hate too.

I am loving this thread, some real laugh out loud moments.
I am the same with wine. terrible nights sleep,and waking at seven with a feeling of doom is not the way you want to start your holidays. Also my skin is red and spotty straight away. I think I may have wine related rosacia.

Hasn't stopped me though.

We should have another thread, and call it 'All the Crepey Ladies'

It's a pain, but it really, really helps to talk about it - it gives me strength to treat my body with more respect because, although I love a glass or two of wine in the evening, feeling/looking like shit for the whole of the following day is not worth it.

When I was completely off wine, I would have a couple of large glasses of elderflower cordial and sparkling water in the early evening and I found that the water and sugar made up in quite large part for the effects of the wine - rehydration and sugar were probably what I was after as much as alcohol. So I shall go back to the elderflower and sparkling water.

Can I put in recommendations for Rock's lime squash and sparkling water, or cranberry & blackcurrent juice with a slice of orange, or ginger ale with lime cordial as really rather lovely substitutes for wine.

I went out for dinner last week and although I didn't not drink, I made a conscious decision to only drink a little and drink loads of water. Slept well and felt great the next day but was sad to note that being sober made me see my dinner companions as complete pitas. Dh and I were out with two other couples, ALL of whom drink very heavily (and actually I am a bit worried about in terms of alcoholism) and it was no sort of fun at all. Everyone talking louder and louder and shouting over themselves and telling boring stories. Boy was I judgey.

Ooh bibbity, we can probably start a thread about all the healthy & wise substitutes for fun self-indulgence

Off to attempt a few C25K-style intervals -- not optimistic about shifting poundage after pie / sugar debacle, however. BUT I have always been a pathetic runner (stitch in side after 30 seconds) so if I can (eventually) do it anyone can.

Actually I think that will be my new motto . . . Just Do It (Eventually)

PS Bonsoir EXACTLY . . . "it really helps to talk about it - it gives me strength to treat my body with more respect" . . .

I ran outside for the first time
went round a National Trust park at about 7p.m so it was lovely and quiet. Really enjoyed it - nowhere near as mindnumbingly boring as running on the treadmill. Best thing was that my face look flushed after running outside compared to radioactive after running in the gym.

Loving this thread, can I join in? I'm 45 and felt OK-ish until 44, but then suddenly it was like I'd fallen off the edge of a cliff....dcs arrived fairly late so before then I'd put feeling knackered down to lack of sleep. Now they sleep through (ish) but I can't seem to. Definitely peri-menopausal. Best thing for me at the moment is having a lash and brow dye. My eyes seemed to be disappearing and lash/brows went very fair. Started off having it done at a salon but now do it myself at home and it takes about 5 minutes.

After a superb brunch of eggy bread, bacon and maple syrup, I now feel confident enough to say I am going to lose mor e weight. 6lb minimum. Starting today.

I had a healthy(ish) bowl of oatsosimple to make up for the box of chocs I scoffed last night.

I did a home eyelash dye and a quick eyebrow tidy (I don't need drastic plucking/shaping) yesterday, and I agree it makes a huge difference to looking wide awake.

Does anyone get little spots/rashes/redness around their nose/mouth? I find this cream better than anything at clearing it up. I get this problem as soon as the sun comes out!

Can non-runners join the thread? Am 46 and have developed a neck wattle almost overnight. I'm worried about it flapping in the breeze if I run. Plus my knees are knackered. I decided last month that I would give up colouring my hair and reveal my grey streak to the world. I am already thinking that maybe this was a crap plan. My exercise regime is based around the needs of a small, over-exhuberant dog, although I have also been doing daily crunches/ sit-ups and tricep dips since things started to go south after the birth of second dc 6 years ago. I'm not ready for elastic waistbands yet, but my thighs need taking in.

Welcome clangermum. Do you have your eyebrows shaped then dyed?

I might start investing in myself a bit more. Although DH thinks clothes from M&S = high maintenance. His mometary clock stopped in 1983... and his mother's monetary clock stopped in 1958: "I'd like you to organise some flowers for X and some chocolates or wine, can you please sort that out for some time this week? Is this £5 enough or do you need £10?" or "Please buy all four children an easter egg is this £2.50 enough?" [grin

I can't be on here much for the next two days as we have friends arriving from Berlin tomorrow evening and I want to get really tidied up and shopped so I can enjoy their visit. But I will be getting my Couch to 5K for Crepies kit sorted out.

I can't believe some of you are making in-advance forays into the training regme. How competetive but brilliant.