Manage Menopause Naturally

If you are a regular follower of mine, you will have noticed my absence over the last 6 weeks. On the 10^th October my Mother died and my world changed. I am lucky to have had my Parents for so many years. My Mother was 87, and 3 days away from celebrating the 70^th anniversary of her meeting my Father for the first time.  Instead of celebrating, my Father and I were meeting with the Priest to arrange her funeral. It has been very stressful to say the least. I’ve been fortunate not to have had to face death so close in my family, although I have been there for my husband when he lost his own Father in 1995 and witnessed his grief and his Mother’s grief, but of course, unless you go through it yourself, you cannot really appreciate the emotions, and everyone reacts differently.

After the initial shock, which I must admit lent me to having a few glasses of red wine every night, I suddenly realised that ALL my menopause symptoms had returned, in full! Itchy and dry skin, insomnia, hot flashes, weight gain and no urgency to do anything about it.

My initial menopausal anger turned into grief, so I think my husband was spared a little of that. I couldn’t believe that I was going to go through that all over again! When going through a grieving process, I don’t think it’s the right moment to start cutting back and being harsh on yourself. I believe that there is a process that one needs to go through and sometimes you need to have props.  My props were all things I shouldn’t be having, toast for breakfast instead of my usual apple, big portions of food at lunchtimes, even though it was healthy food – brown rice, meat/fish and vegetables, and evenings more food, and when we got home late I would snack on crisps and drink some red wine. Too much food, too many calories and the weight has piled on. Because of eating the wrong foods, my skin became itchy again, drying out, especially the tops of the arms and hot flashes at any time of the day.  Interestingly, when I was busy in the practice with patients, I didn’t have any hot flashes, and as soon as I got into the car to go home, they would start again. Exercise had also gone out the window. 

I was at a changeover in my exercise regime when my Mother went into hospital. In the summer I do aqua fitness at home. I usually try to keep that going for as long as the water stays warm enough for me, and then I go into running in the mountains and around the lake where we live. This year, the water got cold without me and so I’ve been 6 weeks without any exercise.

As I said earlier, there are moments in one’s life when you cannot be “on it” full time, and that’s ok.  It’s called slipping.  However, the time comes when you need to start checking yourself.  This time has come for me. Today I started my protein shakes for lunch and dinner. I have started on my herbal teas and apples for breakfast, replacing the toast and coffee. When I feel my stomach has rested enough, I shall go back onto the vegetables, brown rice and protein (meat or fish) but in smaller portions. Out with the snacks and red wine during the week. Friday nights and Saturday nights I will have a couple of glasses and maybe a snack to enjoy life with my husband but will control the intake of ALL food and drink. I’ve also started running again, gently, but it feels great to be outside exercising listening to my podcasts.

Life is a journey, with its ups and downs. Last month my journey went downhill, this month I feel I’m back on an upward journey, appreciating where I have been and loving where I’m heading. This is my lesson for this moment in my life.

Thank you for being there, you reading this gives me support and urges me to continue with my mission to help other women suffering through menopause on their own.

If you would like help in finding your way, please message me and we can set up a time online to chat. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram.

I can offer an individual program, tailored to your needs, your life, your lifestyle.

Thank you for reading my thoughts and please share with your friends. You never know how far-reaching your thoughts, words and shares can affect the lives of others.  Have a great rest of your day.

Photo of my Mother taken a few years ago, but one of my favourite photos of her.