Tag: menopause

I’m Losing!

On By dotluvs2writeIn Beauty, Diet, Food, Health, Inspirational, Life, Musings, Nutrition2 Comments

A few days ago, I weighed myself. If I were to count when my weight was the heaviest, that would’ve been a couple of years ago, I have lost 20 lbs! All having to do with eating healthy fats, high protein (good organic, grass-fed and finished red meat, chicken, salmon, etc.), and low carbs.

I allow myself up to 4 slices of bread a day. I learned what that equals when my doctor had me on my hypoglycemic diet in my early twenties. I allow myself an extra slice of bread a day though. It works for me. Back then, this diet was a strict one allowing only 3 slices of bread a day for three years.

A slice of bread is equal to a 1/2 cup of rice, 1/2 cup of noodles/pasta, 1/2 cup of potatoes, same measurements for peas, carrots, and certain beans like pinto beans.

I could eat all the nuts I wanted. At that time, I didn’t like nuts, so it wasn’t really a big deal to me. lol But now, I eat a bit of them with my organic, whole milk Greek plain yogurt with added organic fresh blueberries. I eat 2-3 fruits a day on average, just like I used to do on that strict diet, except it allowed 3 fruits a day. And the only sugar I have other than the fruit is a 1/2 tsp of raw local honey when I sometimes have tea or coffee.

I cut out 100% fruit juice back in 2019 because I was having some stomach issues, and my doctor suggested I eliminate the juice from my diet. Didn’t think I could or had the will power to do this because I was a juiceaholic throughout my childhood and beginning twenties. Was a sugarholic too.

But I only eat desserts on special occasions, the last one being I allowed myself a small slice of cheese cake and three bites of key lime pie while on vacation back in July. Haven’t had any desserts since then and am happy I don’t crave it! Thinking the fruit is filling the void!

For veggies (which is my hardest thing to consume for me all my life lol) I like to have Greek salads and other salads. Broccoli, sour kraut, and some cabbage dishes.

I’ve heard that a woman’s taste buds change during menopause, and for me, it has. I now love fresh medium sized cut mushrooms in my sauces I’ve been cooking.

Anyway, I’ve noticed a difference when walking. My body feels lighter, and it’s easier to stand up straight (part of the latter’s reason is my chiropractic adjustment last week lol).

I’m now at a weight I haven’t seen since I was in my early to mid twenties, before becoming pregnant with Niko, my firstborn! This may be TMI, but I’m happy to have gone down two sizes in the bust area. Never thought I’d be back to my regular size when I was in my twenties. Never thought this would ever happen! So thrilled! My back feels a bit of relief too. 🙂

Wow. What an accomplishment. And I feel quite good. I also do a bit of walking on my treadmill at least three times a week. I’d like to do four days a week, and sometimes I do. But at least I stretch every day.

It looks like I may actually have to buy some clothes that fit me better now. In a time of menopause when a woman on average gains ten pounds that are hard to get rid of, I’ve accomplished this and then some! Amazing times for me. 🙏🙌🥹

Keeping Up With It All

On By dotluvs2writeIn blogging, Fiction Writing, Illness and Medical Treatments, Musings10 Comments

silhouette of woman facing sunset

Sometimes there are days when I feel overwhelmed and just want to burrow away in a cave or crawl under the covers and lay there until all the things in my mind and in the world stop spinning so I can catch up and gain some semblance of peace.  Truly, the last couple of months have been the busiest in my life since the baby and toddler years of my youngest son, Christopher’s brain surgeries and many medical treatments and therapies.

Obviously, this is a different kind of busy.  And really, during Great Lent, I should have a lighter load of earthly cares and an expanded and deeper spiritual regimen/practice.  I’m not doing too well there.  Lord, but I keep trying.  I am enduring.  I’ve got to.

These years of my life are a struggle as I have my usual medical issues since my early twenties of low blood sugar and general anxiety coupled with cantankerous peri-menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes and the dreaded night sweats that deprive me of decent hours of sleep and suck the nutrients and liquid out of my body making me borderline dehydrated.  So then I have to have a bottle of water on my nightstand to take a few sips every two hours I wake from burning up and being drenched in perspiration. Of course, while this is going on, my hormones are a mess, which triggers my anxiety and low blood sugar.  It’s a real balancing act.  But I am enduring.  I’ve got to.

menopause fan and water pic

My novel is in its last edits with my editor, and I’ve been working feverishly on the synopsis of my novel.  It’s written, but it needs to be culled of wordiness for which I’m so guilty. I also have other pieces I’m writing, but they have been put aside while I focus on my novel.

To add to this, I started British Literature class this past Monday, to which there are many things to read and write–journals and essays.  It’s one of four classes I’ve got left until I graduate, and truly, I’m running out of steam for courses with heavy analyzing and five to ten-page papers to write.  But I am enduring.  I’ve got to.

And, of course, my weekly blog posts.  I almost didn’t have anything to write about for Monday, until I thought about all I’ve got going on and figured, hey, why not write about that?  People can relate.  And with that…a Shout Out to all my anxiety-ridden and menopausal pals out there.  We endure.  We’ve got to.

Then there are the regular wife and mother hats that I wear happily and proudly.  My sons are getting through the school year well.  My husband is working so hard.  I love them all…words can’t really express how much.  They, along with God, are my support and life.

So to help ease my stress, I’m going to try to return to walking at least four times a week, do yoga stretches, and read more spiritual books.  Wish me luck.  But you know, I’ve got to do it.

 

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