Thread for women who will not be defeated by menopause/ peri

[Marmaladegin]

I'm 42 and have recently been diagnosed with peri. To be clear, I'm comfortable with my age. But I need to find a style that I find both comfortable and hip, and not feel that everything is sliding downhill into being someone I don't recognise. I do not love the term "princessing" but I suppose this thread is about "queening", and also clothes stuff. Here are the challenges I'm experiencing, that I'm intending to battle and would love company.

Hello all. One good tip I'd like to share with you all is that once you've applied your make up, wring a clean flannel out in hot water then gently press it over your face. It somehow sets your make up but also softens it slightly and looks more natural.

I think it was Elizabeth Taylor who would take a hot bath after applying makeup for the same effect.

This is such a helpful thread! Thank you.
I’m 48 and really struggling with snacking, especially in the afternoon as I am so tired. I’ve put on so much weight because of it. Any tips on curbing the snacking?!

Protein !
Protein yogurts or powder.

I thought it was Bianca Jagger; they both looked pretty good..........

That's really helpful. Thank you

Can I join? Almost 48 on HRT peri-menopause is winning the battle just now 😥started my period today 30 days longest it’s every been cycle wise. I knew it was due craving sugar like nothing else today ate 2 donuts at work. Good news is we finish up tomorrow. I’m so down I could cry though.

cUt OUt CAfFeiNe

Argh.

Surely giving up tea or coffee is like giving up fish or nuts. Some people have specific reasons, like allergies or veganism why they have to cut them out and forgo the health benefits, and that's sad but unavoidable.

But obviously you wouldn't reduce your intake of something that's both enjoyable and good for you unless you had a good reason.

It really doesn't taste the same. I drink coffee (can't bear the standard tea with milk, only herbal) and haven't found anything decaffeinated to come close, so would welcome any suggestions gladly.

Though there are health benefits to drinking coffee I think. There was a study connected to decreased risk of dementia etc. I won't be giving up caffeine, personally.

Like fuck am I giving up coffee! Just no way.

Me neither.

Just found you all, in need of wardrobe and life inspiration

Hello - just popping in to say that I am feeling much better since seriously addressing my diet ( tracking using Nutracheck) and I hope it helps other people.

I know you are all clever and know enough about nutrition - but tracking has made a huge difference. Disclaimer: I expect to need to track for life to maintain a healthy weight when I'm there - no point in lying to myself about that.

So what I have been doing:

• having a small calorie deficit ( as this is about long term weight loss and then maintaining) - in my case this is 1700 calories a day.
• no low carbing - I need carbs, not masses but some.
• getting to minimum 100g protein each day
• minimum 6 portions fruit and veg a day.
• 12,000 steps a day
• 3 workouts ( resistance training) per week.

Now crucially the idea is that you do this slowly and for a long time consistently. What it acknowledges in practice is that every day will not be perfect, life occasions etc will happen - and that you look at a WEEKLY average than a daily 'perfect' day. If you have some occasions, ot May slow progress, but that's ok !

I've been out to the pub, for special meals and picnics - and still managed to lose 6 pounds this month.

If anyone wants to know what my day of food looks like I'm happy to share, but my breakfasts are mostly the same, and lunches are on a theme too.

I am not averse to some processed food in my diet and so I do use protein powders and bars along with a lot of fresh foods. Just being upfront on that.

It's working for me because I am not hungry, it's not particularly restrictive, allows for real life ( with the acceptance that this will take time).

How did you work out how many calories to have ?
im at the start of this journey and need to learn. I’ve started having a protein powder scoop (23g) and a yogurt (20g) every day, but need to work out the rest !

I actually have been using a group coaching thing - happy to PM details but I don't want to be accused of promoting the programme. But the principles are basically a deficit of circa 200-500 from your TDEE - mine os about a 300 calories deficit. You can calculate your TDEE online base on age, current weight and daily activities though x

And also Nutracheck is my tracking tool - lots use MFP and it calculates my calories and macros ( including l protein as I go through the day.).

So for example in my breakfast I have one scoop of protein powder @25g and 125g Greek yoghurt - the protein from both those items is about 32g - so 1/3 of my way to my daily minimum of 100g already.

@missfliss that’s interesting. I’d be interested to hear what you choose to eat for your meals. How do you work out how much protein you need per day?

Hi - so I track using Nutracheck which adds up my protein and other macros as I go - screenshotting today's total here - but basically I'm aiming for 100g protein and 7 portions fruit and veg.

Todays food:

Morning: protein shake with almond milk and frozen spinach ( you can't taste it I promise)

Then a workout or run

Breakfast: banana mashed into 125g Total 0% Greek yoghurt topped with 10g oats, frozen blueberries

Lunch: toasted warburtons protein bagel with tuna salad ( cucumber / tomatoes/ capers) and a hardboiled egg. Nectarine

Snack: protein wafer

Dinner: homemade Thai turkey mince recipe ( red curry basically) with new potatoes.
Fresh strawberries and a protein mug cake

Screenshot from todays tracking attached. I try for 1700 kcals and I ignore the 'exercise calories' that it adds on for me from my fitness tracker

Thank you for sharing! Very interesting! I really need revamp my nutrition.

@missfliss thank you, that's very inspiring. I need to put much more effort into thinking about my diet. Do you meal plan a week in advance? If so, where do you look for ideas?

@Marmaladegin not really. To be honest I keep it simple by having pretty much the same breakfast every day - and lunch is a variation on a theme. Dinner I just tweak to fit my macros - but they always feature protein.
So when I make fajitas I might have only one fajita wrap but load up my plate with extra chicken filling and extra veggies 🥗