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| Nasturtiums |
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| Sweetpeas |
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| Beautiful dahlias ... I love this colour |
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| Roseberry Topping in the distance. It always reminds me of the Grinch's mountain, the way it curves over at the top ! |
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| Lucy on the horizon |
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| 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' :) |
Today was an active day, what with a trip to the allotments this morning (the girls and I walked up there) and a walk on the Moors near Osmotherley this afternoon. Which is good. Because I realised rather depressingly last night that after being thrown into the menopause at the tender age of 35 I am now suffering from what is unkindly referred to as "middle aged spread" at the age of only
37 :( I've put on 14 pounds since my operation two years ago, and it is all concentrated around my middle and boobs. I've tried eating more healthily and doing more exercise but the weight has continued to increase.
Having read a lot of testimonials from other menopausal women, I see that this is par for the course. Unless, of course, you are blessed with a high metabolism and a thyroid with a real zest for life. Apparently, us menopausal women should eat approximately 200 less calories a day than we did before the menopause. 200 calories ! Tell that to my stomach which wants to consume exactly what it was having two years ago with no complaints.
But I need to do something. I feel I am becoming, in the words of Alexander McCall Smith, "traditionally built". So I have decided to reduce my portions, eat only homemade, healthy food and start a health diary again where I can record exactly what I am eating and drinking every day, how much exercise I am doing, and how my health is doing generally. I'm not sure I'll be able to lose any weight but I guess it should improve my overall health even if I can't reduce my dress size. Wish me luck, dear readers. I am a foodie, so this is going to be tough.
I am 47 been going through the menopause for about 17 months now and my waist line is gradually increasing I was just thinking the same, I am going to eat smaller portions, I'm not going to let it beat me, I like you love good food, when I get the afternoon low I shall have to go for a walk instead, good luck to us both xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :) I'm sorry you're in the same situation. The menopause sucks! I've managed two really good healthy days but I don't know how long it will last! Yes, good luck to you too. Let me know how you're progressing xx
DeleteGood luck, this is a hard one. Loved the visit to your allotment with those two cuties.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marilyn! :)
DeleteWhat gorgeous photos, and your allotment is fantastic, you've clearly put in a lot of hours of hard work. Good luck with the diet. I find after a week or two it's not so painful! CJ xx
ReplyDeleteThanks CJ :) The allotment is my husband's baby and, yes, he's put in a lot of hours and work. Thanks for the encouragement on the diet front ! xx
DeleteHi, I have just found your lovely blog. I am sorry you are struggling with weight with regards to the menopause I think eating healthy and keeping active will help with giving you a peaceful mind over this to. Sadly as we get older our metabolism slows down anyway so we have to adjust how much we eat. I am 44 next month and being slim all my life I have to now be careful with what I eat. I loved seeing your allotment and what has been growing your potatoes look scrummy so do your courgettes and I love your bunting and colourful planters it looks gorgeous down there. And your girls are beautiful from one dog lover to another :-) dee x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your lovely comments Dee! I've just posted on your blog x
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