Image from Styled Stock Society
Listen, I know this sounds overtly dramatic but I don't know any other way to be, so here it is:
I am in my 40s and I am in Perimenopause. Cue Confetti
I kid. I mean, not about the perimenopause part....I mean about the confetti. I have to admit that I didn't really want to dig deep into this possiblity because it just sounded like it was too far off from where I currently am. I mean, I am only early 40s, not near my 50s and I really did imagine that all of these types of issues with my body would occur when I was much, much older.
However, further research that I begrudgingly did revealed otherwise. The average age for women who may experience per-menopausal symptoms can begin as early as mid-thirties. I then read through some of the other symptoms that one may experience:
Night Sweats
Trouble sleeping
Mood changes
Irregular periods
Vaginal and bladder issues. If you are someone who is experiencing painful sex due to some vaginal issues, check your estrogen levels.
Changing cholesterol levels
Sex drive.
This is not an exhaustive list, but it was a starting point for me as I did some research as to why I was so tired all the time. Why I suddenly had a belly that could usually be improved with just diet and exercise. The bloating. The irritatibility. The fact that I can't sleep for crap. The night sweats (OMG this is horrible). My body just looking different overall.
I needed some help.
I wanted to share with you some of the sites and people I have been following since making my initial discoveries. A couple of disclaimers though.
Every woman is different. You may be experiencing some of what I have described. You may be experiencing something completely different. And while perimenopause and menopause is not generally something that you go to the doctor to get diagnosed with (it is not a disease but a stage of life our bodies experience as we age....so nothing for us to feel scared about or feel like something is wrong with us), it would be wise to go to your doctor, express your concerns and make sure they hear you. I learned that most medical professionals don't receive extensive training on this particular topic. A topic that only affects every single woman from the ages 35 and 55.
I am also going to tell you to please not allow people (especially men) tell all you need to do is just eat right and exercise more. Ummm, thank you but no thank you. We have thought of that, and quite frankly, not the only thing we should be doing. I don't care if they grew up around women all of their lives. That doesn't make you a woman. Pat them on the back and give them an A for effort, but that's it. Bless their little hearts
If I am coming off a little snarky in this post, it is because I am feeling feisty and fired up about this new discovery and my health journey. I don't want to be 20 years old again (Please Lord NO!), or even in my 30s. I LOVE my 40s. I feel like I am living my best life in my this
era. My goal for my body, my dream body (see what I did there?), is to feel strong and like a badass. I want to be powerful. I also don't need to achieve six pack abs with zero body fat, which isn't healthy for women anyway, in order to be strong and vigorous. The younguns can have their teeny bopper fitfluencers. No offense to them, but they are not who I need right now.
Here is what I am currently doing, as well as some suggestions of other resources and programs I have looked into (and may do later):
Phase It Up with Chalene Johnson: I have followed Chalene Johnson since her Beachbody and Turbofire days and she is my favorite health, fitness and lifestyle human being. I used to have a direct sales business with Beachbody and I truly loved it. Even though I no longer have that business, I still follow Chalene (she has since left Beachbody and is now doing her own thing). Pretty inexpensive at about $15/month and you can choose which phase you would like to follow depending on your current lifestyle and goals. I am in the Peri-power phase. You receive workouts, a gazillion recipes, community and support. The workouts you can do in your home or at the gym. I also love the podcast episodes that house a variety of topics. Always striving to learn and you should too, girly!
Another great option would the Faster Way To Weight Loss. The membership requires a larger investment, but I have heard nothing but amazing reviews regarding their program and what they have to offer. You will get matched with your own coach, a meal plan, a fitness program, and community. My good friend Michelle (find her on IG @michellelmyers) invited me to be a part of their upcoming six week round (starts August 12), but I may not be able to do it currently. This is a program I am seriously considering being a part of at some point. If you can do the investment, go for it!
Dr. Mary Claire Haver is someone I discovered on Instagram while doing a doomscroll. Funny how that happens. Her videos stopped me in my tracks and it was like she knew I was scrolling through and needed to hear what she had to say. I basically spent a couple of hours watching her reels and then heading over to her website to learn more. She is based in Texas, and she also owns The Pause Life. Oh, and she wrote a book titled The New Menopause. It is currently in my bookshop.org shopping cart and I can't wait to read it.
I have also been focusing on walking more during the day, tracking my daily steps, as well as boosting my water intake, vitamin taking and working on drinking less alcohol during the week. I have been doing research on supplements and HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). I want to live a really long time and I want it to be a vibrant and active life. I am not afraid of aging. Getting older simply means I am still alive. I want to truly LIVE.
Also, interestingly enough, while I am trying to work out and build strong muscles and bones and a healthy heart, I am also taking more time to slow down and destress. I have been reading a lot more lately. I have taken a liking to not just reading business and personal development books, but fiction. Think literary fiction, historical fiction, some fun romances (no smut please), and psychological thrillers. It has actually helped me a great deal in terms of my mental health. Kind of like how some people will zone out with the tv on, or they listen to music, or they go for a run. Reading does that for me. It allows me to remove myself, for a little bit, from the overwhelming stressors of life before I combust. Even if those stressors are fun and good. Wedding planning AND starting a new career are both incredibly fun, and incredibly emotional and stressful.
This definitely has me thinking a virtual Dream BuildHer book club is in order. I will share more about the books I have read so far, and what is on my TBR list.
My goal in sharing all of this is to help others know they are not alone. Women are incredible. Our bodies are incredible. Think about what we were designed to do and carry. Our uniqueness and beauty cannot be compared or taken from us. So instead of criticizing your body for its changes, love it. Show appreciation for it. Recognize that your body must go through these developments. It is not a bad thing and it doesn't make you less valuable or attractive than our younger female friends. We don't need to be insecure or ashamed of our new glorious figure.
Step in to your power as a woman who has grown up and glowed up. I will tell you that I feel hotter and sexier now, in my 40s than I ever did in my 20s and 30s. I am making these years count now. Nobody can stop me.
Nobody can stop you either.
You got this.
Rooting you on!
Your Dream BuildHer Bestie,
Tiffany Rhea
This post may contain affiliate links in which I make a small commission if a purchase is made at no extra cost to you. I will never share or promote any product or service I don't truly believe in or use myself. Thank you for being here and for your support!
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