This Christmas was spent in a fabulous hotel in Wetheral, situated close to our families in Cumbria. A perfect retreat to spoil ourselves, relax and unwind.
It was indeed a lovely treat however the mirrors on the wall revealed a body I was not fully embracing. At 58 years of age I knew it was not possible to have the super slim athletic figure of my twenties but hell this unrecognizable figure in the mirror today was my worst nightmare! On Sandpiper we only have a make up mirror, therefore the full length mirror in this holiday retreat revealed a massive shock, I knew I had extra pounds but not this gross thing. I needed to plunge deeper and stand on the weighing scales. Arrrr! 8 stone 12, Oh hell, now I am motivated to lose weight and build a better body.
I know losing weight can be a challenging and yet a rewarding process, and I also know it is helpful to have strong motivation to help stay focused and motivated.
So I start my get back to size 8 journey, by finding a visual body picture of my goal. I had my best body ever at 50 so I dug out the pictures of me at the Gelt Gladiator Challenge. This will be a great reminder to myself of what is possible.
I have felt tired and sluggish of late so losing weight may help me feel more energetic and it could even save me a fortune, as my wardrobe is full of clothes that I love but which are a size too small.
It's important to remember that menopause is a natural process that all women go through, and it's not uncommon to experience changes in your body. Note to self - It's also important to recognise that beauty and sexiness are subjective and that there is no one "correct" way for a woman's body to look.
Menopause is a normal part of life and I must remember that I am not alone in experiencing these changes. Now is the time to focus on my overall health: Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep to help me feel my best. Why do I tell others this but not heed the advice myself?
I tell my friends to find ways to feel confident and sexy: It might involve trying out new styles of clothing or makeup, getting a new haircut, or simply finding activities that make you feel good about yourself. Well as for the haircuts I have tried so many differing style from poker straight, highlighted to an inch of its life, to growing out to grey in long waves, and of late various pixie cuts. I still don't feel I have found the new me, glitzy grey and no fringe to hide behind is a big change. Frankly it's not the cut, which is on point and totally credited to my two favourite hairdressers Jordon and Alan, its me! So I must remember that sexiness is about confidence and self-acceptance, not about conforming to a particular standard of beauty.
I write this on behalf of all menopausal ladies, remember that your worth is not determined by your appearance, and try to focus on the things that make you feel good about yourself, whether that's your sense of humor, your intelligence, or your kindness towards others. We have got this ladies!
This is not a NEW YEAR'S resolution to go to the gym more but a kick up the arse mirror moment of December 22. Therefore 1 week ago I made a commitment to myself to make a few changes, things to help me loose the flab and reach my goal. (One dress size down)
Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Eat a balanced diet and a smaller portion
Drink plenty of water: Water can help me feel full and can also help flush out toxins from my body. Aiming for at least 8 cups of water per day.
Incorporate physical activity into my daily routine: Even low-impact activities like walking or yoga can help boost my energy levels and promote weight loss.
Avoid snacks: Instead, I am going to opt for healthier options like water or a piece of fruit. Reduce alcohol intake, but maybe not tonight. (New Years Eve)
Get support: Sign up to a weight lose fitness plan DONE and get a gym buddy! TRACY, get your sweat pants on........
I will keep you posted my friends, here's to smaller boobs, flatter tummy and toned arms in Spring 2023.
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