What is happening? Menopause? Anyone else feel like this?

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Possibly posting in the wrong section, not sure. Just feeling a bit weird at the moment. I am 48, still have regular periods. But I feel weird. I am 1 stone overweight, not a massive amount but I am only 5.2" so I feel rather uncomfortable with the way I look. Most of my excess weight is on my thighs. I have pretty much stopped drinking alcohol because it was making me feel awful; I rarely eat processed carbs because they make my tummy bloat like crazy. However, my sugar cravings are beyond ridiculous and despite really wanting to lose weight, I just can't seem to stop myself from bingeing on sweets. Once thing I have noticed lately is that I procrastinate in every aspect of my life. I work full time, I study part time, I have a family (DC are 13 and 10) and a large ish house. I don't have much of a social life so I have quite a lot of time to do things, yet I will easily waste 4 solid hours every day on the internet doing absolutely nothing, but thinking the million chores that need doing in the house, my coursework, spending time with my kids.... I could cook better meals, yet I really can't be bothered. I am really struggling to master the energy to do anything beyond the bare minimum. DH does a massive amount by the way, and DC will do some chores. I just know I could be doing so much more and yet I am struggling to find the mental and physical energy. I have bought so many books recently, and I haven't gone beyond the first chapter in any of them. Can't focus my brain on anything. Exercise-wise, this has always been a struggle, and if I manage the 30day shred 4 times a week then I feel I've done well. I drink a lot of water, at least 2 litres a day. I hate going to the hairdressers, I have put off going to the dentist for 6 years now, I could do with a pedicure but finding somewhere and then actually going is such a hassle, I think I need my hearing tested, I definitely need an adjustment on my reading glasses... It's all just a bit meh. Anyone else feel like this?

I think diet makes a massive difference. Sage complex is also good.

I am in the same situation. I found a great app called Goalist which is essentially a timetabling app but you can also include process goals, it links your activities each day to your longer term goals which encourages you to get on and do stuff.
Every morning for 5 minutes I plan my day including essentials like housework work gardening etc, and hobbies. I check my goals to see what I need to do to reach them and plan in activities accordingly. I found it keeps me motivated to keep doing things which otherwise I might duck out of. I still seem to spend too long on MN though!

Physical symptoms wise, magnesium helps me sleep as do long walks if you have time to do that.
I also take a supplement called DIM Diindolylmethane which regulates oestrogen. I got diagnosed with a fibroid and didn't want hormone treatment or surgery and think this supplement has helped settle my hormones as I head towards actual menopause.

Diet, supplements and exercise... if only I could be bothered... I mean, I have a whole bunch of Menopace supplements right here. Every day I look at them and think, I must remember to take one later. Why not NOW?? What's wrong with NOW??

Magnifying - one of my Goalist tasks each day is to take my supplements, as before that I couldn't be bothered. Now I get the mini satisfaction of ticking it off my daily activities, done!
I am Monica Geller in real life, love ticking things off a list!

I wish I could blame the menopause but I've always been lazy.

Supplements were useless.

The sleep did improve although I doubt I'll ever have a proper lie-in again.

I didn't put on a lot of weight but it completely changed my shape and I had to learn what suited me all over again.

It did kick start me into taking better care of my health and fitness so in that sense, it did good.

I recognise most of the symptoms described!
However, the thing that is getting to me at the moment, is how much my joints/limbs ache. Knees, ankles, back and forearms.
Can anybody recommend a supplement, or would you say that i am a candidate for HRT?

Perhaps you have candida?

It could also be hyperthyroid

I have just taken a menopace and a osteocare. Why do they have to be so big?!

Absolutely me. Everything is so much effort, never been particularly motivated but it's even worse these days. Been awake since 6 today, still lying in bed now, on the internet, achieving fuck all.

I'd like to think it's the menopause (nearly 50) and there is a way out or through this, but I'm scared this is me now, forever. I tell myself I just need to do one thing and then the motivation to do more will happen, but I feel like I'm expected to motivate the whole family (DH, teens and under 10s) too, and I actually resent that and that's stopping me from doing anything. Then I feel guilty that I'm teaching bad habits.

Oh my god yes Trumps!! I also feel responsible for the family achieving stuff, like I feel I need to save my children from being like me.

I'm also peri and could have written your post 3 months ago. I'm doing much better now. Not back to "normal" but noticeably better. Healthy eating, exercise, a lot of supplements and making time for "beauty" maintenance. It's been a big, overdue effort. But very much worth it so I'm extremely motivated to keep it up. I was forced into making changes because I felt so rubbish that I couldn't bear it any longer

For me it was emotional as much as physical. It brought it home to me that I'm far closer to the end of my life than the beginning. Plus you see your kids growing away from you and people your own age beginning to die.

I don't think realising all this is a bad thing but it can be kind of overwhelming sometimes and I don't think there's a supplement in the world that can fix it.

I just see it all as a downhill from here. Its so depressing and I find it really hard to find the positives from all this. What's is there honestly to be positive about? so I think I need a new challenge in my life. That is why I am looking at doing something that really puts the way I used to feel at the forefront. Looking to the future and being excited for something new in my life - a new role/job or a slight tweak of career. That is what I am going to do.

I agree with all that has been said.

I am 51 periods are irregular. Mood is lower than low.
Family are reared and I just want them to leave me and Dh alone.
Take their dramas elsewhere I'm done with sorting their lives.
But unfortunately middle and youngest dc are still living at home
There is no prospect of them moving and the thought of grand children fills me with dread. I'm doing child rearing from a young age. I want my own life!

I also want need to win the lottery.

So what do we all think of HRT? Alternatives?

I have been wishing I had kids younger so they would have left home before I hit menopause.
I’m knackered, really tired. My memory for names has just gone. Acheyjoints, hot flushes etc.
It has got a bit better over time, or I have got more used to it.

I did go on HRT and the flushes stopped but then I got breast issues (discharge) so stopped HRT.

Kids are full on doing GCSEs, BTEC and degree finals, applying for jobs, having interviews. Lots of responsibilities at work.

I could not shift weight. It was really hard. I lost 2kg then put it on again. Twice. I found the No S diet helpful - No snacks, No sweets, No seconds. I have lost the weight now but am shocked at how much less I need to eat than before

Goodness me! I'm so sorry - it looks like I've namechanged and started a thread in my (sporadic) sleep! Every little bit of it! I'm 49 and cannae be arsed doing anything

I find that I cope really badly with hunger now...

Yes 100 percent.
Have put on weight and CBA to eat less. CBA to shop for new clothes which I need. Don't really care what I look like as given up. Tired and apathetic a lot. Whole life seems to revolve around my periods/PMT/knackeredness

Eating for energy rather than hunger per se has been a big problem here.

I try to have a hot drink instead of a snack.

I’ve just eaten some dairy milk though. It was the physics revision (not mine) that made me do it...

OK I am going to make appointments that would make me feel better:

Dentist
Feet

Will report back

Sport helps....

But I get these sugar cravings i have not had since my teens!

This is so me too! I am 48 with 2 DCs 10 & 13 also. I literally cannot be bothered to do anything. Everything just feels such an effort & even if I do get time to myself I just waste it on my phone! Just feel like I want to sleep all the time & eat rubbish? I’m hoping I won’t feel like this forever now!

So what are we going to do???