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 contemplating HRT atm. Sick of hot flushes and sleep problems.

Ive got a big birthday coming up in a couple of months. I agree it's crap, especially as I'm still single and cannot imagine any guy fancying me again, well some still do but I don't fancy them.

Did "intervals" on the treadmill. Bleurgh. I think I'm fit when I do the cross-trainer and then I get on the treadmill and see how un-fit I really am.

Those who've given up carbs, dairy, etc: WTF do you EAT? I have already cut out sugar, coffee and alcohol. I feel like a Quaker or something. But if I can't have Ryvita or a piece of bread I will starve. Surely you cannot be snacking on beef jerky or something.

Mitten thanks for the advice. I do have a tendency to go at it great guns. I will try and relax a little and hope for results.

I tell you what i do do and have done on and off since i purchased it in 1999. I rebound. It is apparently the best overall excersize you can do. It works absolutely everything. Every tissue, muscle bone and organ. It is not hard on the joints and is extremely effective if you are prepared to put in the effort and its pretty enjoyable.

I can't run on the treadmill mitten - I just feel crap and get shin splints, so I stick to the cross and rower at the gym. Much prefer running outside.

I'm currently avoiding bread - unless it's really nice bread [hopeless]

adamschic I think the hormonal fluctuations knock your confidence for six. They have mine.

chipstick today I only did two intervals of running for three minutes apiece in 15 total minutes of relatively fast walking and I was about ready to black out. Onward and upward though at a gradual pace. Put the grade up to say 5% it will help with your heel strike or something (can't remember exact mechanics) and prevent shin splints.

A big big thumbs up for Couch to 5K - I was a total sport-dodger a year ago, never did any exercise at all. I tried just "going for a run", pushed myself too hard too quickly, and spent about a week afterwards barely able to walk! Couch to 5K starts you at the very beginning - literally 60 seconds gentle jogging for the first session - so it was achieveable, a great feeling. There are lots of motivating podcasts with all the timings worked out for you, so you just follow the instructions.

After nine weeks last summer I was able to run without stopping for 30 minutes, and I am still pinching myself that I achieved it. I run two or three times a week, going out at 6.30am so I'm back before DH leaves for work, I have my shower, and I haven't eaten into the day (fewer people around at that time to see me stagger/wobble along). Absolutely brilliant, anyone can do it! I did buy decent shoes from a running shop, but only a few weeks into the programme, but they are well worth it.

The second string to my bow was giving up carbs - sugar, bread, spuds, rice etc. Yes, Mitten, I do snack on salami and cubes of cheese - protein fills you up far better than carbs! Dead easy diet, much preferable to calorie-counting, and eating less "bulky" meals instantly dealt with the pot belly.

So, a year on, bye bye back-fat and gunt ; face still looks like a bag of old frogs, but hey, not much I can do there. But I do feel so much better in myself. Now I just need the HRT, and I will be sorted......

Saggar DH is always coming home with "really nice bread" . . . . [buangry]

Mitten do you mean i should put the incline up a bit!!!!!!!!

Echt - thanks for the info re HRT and stress incontinence but weighing up the pros and cons, HRT wins hands down.

I too need to lose a few pounds - I used to be a size 8 and now am creeping up to a size 10, but the thought of running fills me with horror. I think I may try to see if I can get our Wii working and give that a try; I can then exercise in private/secret ;o)

Oh its too hot for running

Plus my varicose veins are giving me jip

I did the Shred DVD for 3 days last week after a long break from weight training exercise and thought next morning 'Ohhh. THAT's what my arms are supposed to feel like'

Just been into town and bought a nice khaki jersey frock from Uniqlo but its cut longer at the back than the front and my knees look like 2 yorkshire puds

salami! (blubs at thought of giving up bread-type snackies)

chips, yes apparently when you run on a treadmill you're more likely to get overuse injuries because the surface is always the same so each stride is exactly like the last. (That said, until I work my way back up to a couple of miles per workout I doubt I'm in any danger of overusing much of anything.) Anyway, to have a healthier stride the advice is to put the incline up to keep yourself from "overstriding" and "heel striking" the recommended incline is 2 - 5%. I don't really notice it and the good thing is it works the bum more too.

This has become my favourite thread :)

Will post later but still reading my way down to the end.

Vey very funny thread.
Am HOOTING at Wendy claiming she looks like Lindow Man and Swedes assuring us that looking at her garden 'not a euph' and the gunt thing.

Look at it as simple mechanics.
The vehicle os getting old and needs more servicing and TLC.
Routine, gooi food, not much booze and yes, yes, yes to exercise, partic. running.

Right done my measurements for the first time in about 25 years:

Arse is 2 inches bigger than baps (fair enough)
Waist (ha ha haaaaaa) is only 5 inches smaller than baps
Tummy or that great landslide beneath the waist is only 1 inch smaller than hips. Bigger than my bloody chest!

Jeez.

Its going to be walking, pilates, halving wine intake and halving other carbs for me. I can't do more than that or I will be at risk of murdering someone dear to me.

arf @ Yorkshire pudding knees. Matches my rice-pudding backside.

That gunt thing is weird isn't it?
(I can't imagine anyone here has one, I hasten to add. You all sound quite Well Maintained.)

A sort of apron of fat.
I think it is down to shit processed food. I reckon all those ready meals and cook in sauces and bad alcohol settles down there.

bibbity - I have no boobs and pretty soon the gunt and the muffin top will measure bigger than the bit I do have.

The tape measure stays in the drawer.

I have taken to lifting various bits of myself up in the mirror I can do it with a fair few areas now!

I have just explained what a 'gunt' is to my dh. Could hardly speak for laughing.

Tbh, I have never heard of a gunt before today.

I suppose its a gut that covers your .... ?

I've just bought that 17 day diet book

Cyb, I thought you and Noddy had firmly taken yourselves in hand on the ntagasf bootcamps. Can't believe you need that poxy 17 day diet (although my dh has said he is going to buy it and I might just casually glance at it if I spot it lying around).

bibs I am the size of a barrage balloon

Almost a stone heavier than my 40th GASP which was almost exactly a year ago