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?

It's my right calf muscle.

I did some stretches and then on the podcast, the first five minutes before you start running are a 'brisk walk' - I actually did about 7 or 8 minutes because I had paused it accidentally!

Afternoon all,

I can heartily recommend a "shake up your life" moment; I had mine a year ago, when I got my capacious butt off the sofa, did the Couch to 5k and gave up carbs.

Soooo.... the body is sorted; I feel so much better for being trim and toned (for a short while until presumably mother nature fights back and I start to inflate again).

Also, my skin has always been good (another Olay serum girl here).

I met up with a group of old friends at a funeral yesterday, and was delighted to note that several are considerably more grey and portly than me!

BUT......my main issue to sort out is my rubbish periods and my pitiful libido, so I'm thinking hormones/herbal.

Step one - I will take myself off to Boots for some Black Cohosh/Menolieve as some of you have suggested, and see what that does.

Step two - if no improvement after 3 months I will ask my lovely doctor to do some blood tests and let me know what's happening. Luckily he's known me for years and is fairly "progressive" so I can trust him to recommend the best course of action.

The periods I can tolerate, but the libido.....potentially marriage-wrecking at this stage.

The best creams I have found for my rosacea are laroche-posay toleriane and avene hydrance, but even with those the sunscreen versions wreck my face. Boots has avene,toleraine is from the indie chemist on the high street and they aren't too expensive.

BIWI - Well done.

I'm still v busy with guests but itching to get started on c25K. Must buy running shoes.

Herbaceous - "like Linda Snell at HorseMeat Disco". SNORT! Loving the carpenter perving too.

Which reminds me of a recent attempt to recapture lost yoof by going clubbing (dh got freebies to Ministry of Sound). I used to be a bit of a raver back in the day, and still go to gigs every now and then, but I have not been just to a club just to see a dj for about 8 years. The club scene has chaaaanged, so much bling and overdressing, I could write a book (fierce heels + metal gantry over the dancefloor = end in tears). It was still a right laugh though, even though dh and I had to bow out at 3am even though main dj hadn't come on until after 2am. I definitely felt young for the duration, although slightly less young the next morning. And in the gloom of a club, no one can see your facial hair.

Google around if you haven't yet, BIWI -- apparently there are different degrees of seriousness. www.physioroom.com/injuries/calf_and_shin/calf_strain_full.php

I found lots of good information online when I was having that muscle spasm t'other day.

Thanks, Kerry!

I'm fine - it's not a serioius strain I don't think, but I doubt I'll be able to go running on Saturday, which is a real pity, having finally heaved myself off the couch.

Interesting the link between retinol and thread veins - I wonder, now, if that's one of the reasons why I'm suffering from those? I used a retinol-based moisturiser for quite some time. I'm also fair skinned.

This makes for cheerful reading BTW. Is Sugar Toxic?

BIWI, I spend quite a bit of time stretching my leg muscles now before I exercise as they get really achey after otherwise. Also DH has had your problem - when he exercises over-enthusiastically after doing nothing! It's usually OK again after a few days - do something more gentle on Saturday, but do something to keep it moving!

I have to do something, BTM, to keep the momentum going.

You can't be drinking wine at 11:30.
That is outrageous.

No booze should pass one's lips before 7. That's my golden rule.

You should probably forget about lasagne, too .

So, right, this low-carbing... how does it work with a partner who brings home a pizza and a bottle of wine to go with the salads? In a mildly undermining fashion? Do you just have the meat and veg, and he has the potato? Or does it work best if you both eat the same thing.

I just can't imagine what we'd eat...

You just have a small amount of whatever you fancy.
Same with booze.
Just a bit.
I had a G&T tonight with dh. He wanted to open a bottle of wine. I didn't. Spo he didn't (not that I stopped him).
That's it.

I agree with moondog that you have to manage quantity. But I find it easier to manage quality too - ie, I'd rather serve home made bolognese sauce with penne that make that same bolognese sauce into a lasagne with white sauce and parmesan in it too. It's a lot lower fat that way (without actually being a low fat dish, IYSWIM).

see its the 'small amount' I have a problem with....tries not to think about Chinese takeaway and several glasses of red last night....

nodders I'm loving the Avon Derma Wrinkle filler x3 or whatever its called. My brows look lifted. Not sure how thats happened, but it has.

Also love decleor Esence Neroli, will go back to that once blasted forehead for a bit longer with Avon

Bummer about the calf strain, BIWI. Hope you will be up and running again soon!

For controlling rosacea I use metronizodole gel and have electrolysis about 4 times per year. I use Rose oil on my face every day with a layer of sunblock over the top.

No indeed to silly diet foods and separate meals for different members of the family.
Everyone should have the same thing at the same time and the cook decides what is to be eaten.