Let's talk about... The M word.

Menopause!!!! And all the things I eat/do to overcome my symptoms

I’m paying attention to my body a lot more than I ever have. Not really in the way I look, but how I feel. I’ve noticed my muscles ache a bit more. I’m pumping the brakes earlier in the day than I used to. My weight is fluctuating (god knows I love an elasticated waistband for the bloating). My hormones are all over the place, especially in the lead-up to my period. I’m wondering if, at 41, it’s perimenopause.

Yes, that often-whispered-about, often-dreaded, wtf-please-not-yet, but entirely inevitable transition that us women go through (ugh, men will never understand. WHYYYY why why do us women have to go through so much?).

But the thing is – it’s completely normal. Something we’re unable to escape. And so, instead of sitting here moaning about my experience with it, I’m going to share some simple lifestyle changes that I’ve made to help me manage it a little better. It’s taken a few years for me to listen to my body, figure out what it needs, and make adjustments. And I’m not saying all of these things will work for you either – speak to your doctor, nutritionist, or dietician as I’m not an expert.

It’s funny because I can speak to my friends about it – we’re all going through similar journeys – but I still find it to be a bit of a taboo topic. Upon researching, I’m seeing a similar theme in women feeling embarrassed to talk about certain symptoms like hot flushes, excessive sweating, and dryness *down there*. The way I see it, we should have the tools and conversations to make us feel empowered about this significant life change.

So here I am, NOT thinking any of this is TMI. NOT feeling ashamed/embarrassed/shy about it. And open to having you join my circle of friends that can openly talk about our bodies and what we’re feeling. If you’re going through the menopause, or the period leading up to it, this post is for you.

I first started experiencing perimenopausal symptoms in my late 30s. The weight was creeping up even though my diet wasn’t changing. My hormones felt like a pinball machine – up and down, unpredictable… First things first, the one thing I did to *really* understand my body and make the most positive changes…