Ohhh thank you, Jasmin!!
That's all very interesting!
I can't believe it didn't occur to me to even google upper body workout. I supose it doesn't help that I detest "exercise" and never did get very far any of the times I said, "Right! I'm going to go to the gym regularly!" A few weeks in and YUCK!!!
And because I was always busy physically while raising a bunch of kids and looking after a home and all it entails, I got plenty of physical activity and lifting babies and little kids and groceries and laundry etc.
But in the last 20-ish years my circumstances have changed so I don't have the same physical demands - or the benefits they offer.
I know that menopause causes cravings for carbs and sugar because of a drop in estrogen -which can cause fatigue - so the body wants quick energy.
I did NOT know that protein can stabilise those cravings!
I've been hearing about all this "you need more protein in menopause" stuff recently. Funny, because I hit menopause 12 years ago - but I haven't had any particular issues (apart from this dang weight - made worse by poor habits and a lack of discipline) so I haven't paid much attention. I've carried on as usual, feeling like I'm 30 on my most grown-up days, but mostly like I'm 3.
I don't 'get' that I've reached this age. I can NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT believe that last year, I became an official se-- se-- s-- oh, Lordy, I can't even say it - let's try again. An official - cough cough - "senior ci-- ci--" nope I can't say the whole thing!
NOOOOOOOO that's not MEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Denial is a wonderful thing.
So now I'm thinking, uh-oh. My brain might think one thing, but my body's got a mind of its own, and maybe I oughta start remembering that. I kind of figured sheer stubbornness will get me through and my muscle mass won't decrease (not like I ever had much, and I know it's worse with these past few poor health years and little mobility). I won't have any of those typical problems of ageing! How ridiculous to think those things will happen to ME!!! I'm waaaay younger than that and I don't need to think about that stuff.
Yep. Denial is a wonderful thing.
So the kid who never had to worry about weight or exercise (and who still feels very much like a kid) is suddenly having to acknowledge, uh, hang on a minute. I'm a s-- a se-- I'm a ss-- I CAN'T DO IT! - and I just MIGHT have a need or two that I haven't wanted to or had to think about.
Anyhoo...along with all this "MORE PROTEIN FOR SEN-- SE-- PEOPLE OF MY AGE!" stuff, your fascinating protein/carb comment made me wonder if there was also a correlation between menopause and protein in terms of cravings and weight gain, not just the muscle stuff.
And yep.
I was always naturally thin and never had to worry about weight loss. Only weight GAIN during my horrible anorexic years when I hated eating. And even past the anorexia, weight just fell off me with emotional upsets and major stress. Now, that stuff makes me gain weight. HUH??!??
I never had to be disciplined about food or exercise. I enjoyed going for brisk walks (before the leg situation), and always loved dancing - haven't done any in 20 years, no dance partners. Otherwise, exercise was just plain evil!
So this is all a lot to absorb on realising that my body is ageing (even if my mind isn't!) and I can't ignore it or pretend it's as young as I think it is anymore.
Thank you for taking the time to google that info - I'll check it out. And thank you for the protein info!! That was really eye-opening and I'm sure will help a lot, all by itself.
Now for the part where I have to make all these mental adjustments to accept certain realities of time and age and repercussions that I would really rather continue to ignore. Which means major overhaul in habits. Oh, dang. That's a lot.
Apologies for the novella...you might have stopped reading this message several days ago but if you made it this far, that was very kind of you! Thank you for your advice, informaton and support! 💜💜💜
