That’s it . I am going to get myself back

[MenoMess]

I am 52 and feel like a menopausal cliche. So I have had a very rough few years health wise . I was unfortunate and my menopause caused some health problems to become a big problem and impacted my life a lot.

In the previous few years I manages to get rid of an arsehole husband and got rid of a lot of weight (8 stone ) and was in a really good place.
I have regained some of the weight and need to lose 3 or 4 stone. I am now on HRT and feeling good on it.

I just feel heavy and unfit and don’t want to feel like that any more . I want to wear all my nice clothes that are in my wardrobe again. I start a new job today and will be much more visible after working at home and managing to hide away since the 1st lockdown.

I have also been diagnosed with inattentive ADD and been given meds but need physical checks first.

I am going to post for accountability every day as I need to get back on track and stop feeling like I am wasting my life feeling bad about myself.

I am not interested in food and diet details as we all know how to lose weight. It’s the motivation and sticking with the lifestyle changes that I struggle with. I also have some food intolerances so can be pretty restricted with what I can eat.

Today - I plan to have healthy meals and not over eat . It’s raining so will try to get out for a walk after work .

I'm in a similar position, 51 on HRT and left my husband. Must be a thing 😊 I need to shift some weight but have been lacking the motivation somewhat!! The past year has been rough and I've just eaten what I want when I want - far too many take aways!! I'm going to join you here for a little accountability to if you don't mind. I have the kids off school so getting back in the gym isn't an option just yet.. doesn't stop me moving though and I have weights at home. I'd be happy to lose 2 stone and feel more comfortable with my body. What's your plan? I'm thinking mfp/intermittent fasting with some walking (I need to get my steps up)!! Been reading about strength training for meno women.. I think that's my aim once the boys are back in school.

Would be lovely to share the journey.

I lost my weight before doing strict low carb and intermittent fasting with a night or 2 off at the weekend for fun.

I am really interested in doing some weight training so would love to share tips as I have no idea where to start with that . I won’t be going to a gym and I hate them but love walking and have a treadmill and plan to restart C25K when I have dropped a bit of weight and won’t damage my knees.

Well done on leaving the husband. It took me about 10 years to leave mine and was the best decision I ever made.

I'm going to join you OP. I also split from my partner last year and have lacked motivation to actually care about myself. I used to be in such good shape but now I'm fat and heavy and feel just awful.

Let's do this!!

I'm going to do the 16:8 I think, weight training and swimming. Also going to try and go for a daily walk during my lunch break.

Day 1 went well.

I had healthy low carb food. Doing 16:8 intermittent fasting.

I am meeting friends for dinner for the next 3 evenings so my plan is not to drink any alcohol and make sure my eating is low carb and within the fasting window.

I went for a brief walk but my dog is elderly and she started to struggle so came home .

weighed in this morning .
SW 201 lb.
1st goal 189lb.

I want to get myself back and don’t like what I have become so determined to achieve this.

@MenoMess you sound really motivated, I think this is your time. I’m very similar to you, lost a lot low carb over a decade ago but need to lose 5 stone now. I find menopausal change in where I’m holding weight interesting/worrying…I was always an hourglass but now, although I weigh 200lb, I can still fit in size 10 jeans it all seems to be above my waist. Not healthy!!!

You saying you want to get yourself back really struck a chord with me, I do too.
Good luck with the meals out!

Hit my 10k step goal yesterday 💪 done my workout this morning already. Fasting 20/4 easier than expected. Weigh in Friday ..

I did 16/8 fasting, hit 10000 steps and ate healthily!!! Going to go for a walk in a little moment - you are keeping me motivated OP.

Glad we are helping keep each other on the straight and narrow.

I am aching from the squats I have been doing. Making me feel ancient but it must be doing good !

So yesterday was a good day.

I ate low carb foods and went for dinner and only drank water. I had an argument with myself about having a couple of vodkas but my adult brain won and I realised I didn’t want to drink alcohol on a Tuesday night. When I woke up I was very pleased indeed about that.

I am aching from exercise and planning to do my daily exercises that I used to do.

Am putting myself and my health first as it will make me feel better in the long run. Had fallen into a trap of short term pleasures which add up to make me feel worse. I used to feel so good when I was fitter and lighter and I want to be like that again .

I will get myself back .

Another good day yesterday . Low carb foods and I didn’t over eat. Another dinner out and no alcohol.

Off to the office today for 1 st face to face meeting in my new job. I am nervous and hoping the nerves don’t result in me eating.

Another dinner out tonight and plan to stick with water again .

Got my weights sorted so going to start doing a weights work out.

I can do this.

Hello, can I join you? Just turned 50 and have such a stomach on me that someone asked me if I was pregnant. Awful! I've never gained weight around my mid area before and I don't like it.
I need to lose about 3 stones but am ready to start.

@Kalettesarethebest of course you can join us . I need to lose about the same amount and am determined to do it .

So yesterday was the hardest day so far.

I was in the office all morning and was nervous about that .

I didn’t eat until about 1 pm so was very hungry. When I finished work I though I deserved ‘something sweet’ so I went to the shop but on the way there my rational brain kicked in and I just went home instead and realised I wasn’t actually hungry. Massive moment for me as I managed to control an impulsive craving.

another dinner out and I drank peppermint tea. I had an internal argument about having ‘just 1 or 2 drinks’ and I managed to resist that urge too.

My brain tells me I deserve a treat or alcohol as I have been working really hard and been stressed etc and I am learning to reframe those thoughts. I actually deserve to be kind to myself and healthy as the alcohol and treat foods just make me feel worse.

It is not easy after a lifetime of an unhealthy relationship with food and alcohol but I am determined to change this.

I can do this. I can control my thoughts and be healthy. I can get myself back.

Well.. today has been fun! I have been doing the 20/4 fasting all week. Been fine with it. Today I treated the kids to a kfc and goodness me it was difficult not to tuck in!! I can feel the bloat lessening around my waistline so all good. Haven't had the nerve to step on the scales yet 🫣 We head off on holiday next Wednesday, I intend to carry on as otherwise I've undone my hard work so far ..

I'm watching this thread with interest. I feel my life is slowly unraveling and I need to give my head a wobble and take charge of me. Have some issues which stem back to childhood and I think I need to stop brushing them under the carpet and learn to deal with them.

Need to be kind to myself and improve my lifestyle. I want to try some beginners yoga, practice some mindfulness and lose a bit of weight.

Fortunately, I sailed through menopause with no problems but I really need to lose about a stone and a half and more importantly have a healthier lifestyle.
Putting it off until kids return to school, university then I can focus on my goals.
Good luck everyone 😁