Over the course of the last two years, I have hit menopause, had several ulcers, and stress is through the roof. I gained a total of 25 pounds during this time. My entire life, I have been an athlete and kept my body in top condition. I have stayed thin and healthy. Then menopause hit….all of that changed.
I stopped competing in my sport 6 years ago. I still kept my body conditioned but not as much of course. I wanted to enjoy my life more. I maintained my weight at the time for four additional years by monitoring how much I ate, and doing small cardio exercises a few times a day in ten-minute doses. I couldn’t sleep all night. I started tossing and turning and became sleep deprived quickly. The menopause hit….
By August of 2024, I had gained ten pounds. I wasn’t doing anything different. I was actually more active because it was summer. I developed jaw issues and could not eat much due to painful chewing. None of this made sense. By December, I had to be admitted in the hospital for ulcers and esophagus issues which involved an emergency surgery, January hit and I started getting hot flashes. They came on about one every few hours, day and night. Then they got worse. I kept a log book and they were coming on about every 20-40 minutes, day and night. I was a mess. The hot flashes were the most intense thing I have ever had to work my way through. They only lasted about two minutes but those two minutes were miserable. And after they were gone, my body moist with perspiration began to immediately chill. There was no escape form the intense heat nor the aftereffects. It was debilitating. Since January, I gained another 15 pounds.
I am not one to ever go to the doctor. I hated them. But now, I was calling my primary care physician and begging for help. At this point, I knew I couldn’t do this much longer or Id die of lack of sleep and stress. I did become mean like the horror stories you hear about. I know my personality and character. I kept myself aware of how I acted. What I did do was lose patience easily because of the misery I was going through. When I would lose patience, I would just get quiet or voice my opinion and leave it be. I wanted to remain aware of my actions and how I treated people. My husband though, because I did start stating a few of my opinions, opinions I had harbored the entire time we have been together, took this as me being out of character and he didn’t like me having a voice.
I was finally referred to a hormone specialist in my doctor’s practice. She was amazing. She had blood work done to see where my hormone stood then offered pellet insertion of HRT. The HRT is bioidentical hormones that my body will have access to when it needs them. It took about one week to fully start feeling the effects of them and for my body to start using them correctly. I was saved. The hot flashes stopped and after another week or so, I started sleeping all night again. I felt like myself again. Although the energy somewhat returned, the weight gain actually went up another 5 pounds within a month. I am frustrated with it.
My husband, who is in his 50’s, said he was a body building coach in his 20’s…for men….said this:
Him: You need to be more active and workout.
Me: I am active now and am working on doing more physical activities but you have to understand that this is about hormones more than my activity levels.
Him: Well, you stopped competing and here you are.
Me: I stopped 6 years ago and was fine for four years. That isn’t the problem. The problem are hormones changes and finding a resolution to my new body. I am not a man, my body is more complicated with age.
Him: I am just going to shut up. I am a certified body building coach and if you want my help, which you will, then you can ask for it.
Me: Babes, I am not a man. This isn’t about just working out at the gym to build muscle. I need to figure my body out.
Him: whatever. You will have to ask for my help from this point. I am not going to give you advice.
The frustration level just increased to 1000. I AM NOT A MAN!!! He eats one sandwich, drinks two raw eggs then starve all day long, is HANGRY at everyone in his path, has road rage, and wants to lecture me on hos he is all knowing about a WOMAN’s menopause body. Now I am trying to lose weight and failing so far. I am active but not as much as I should be. More so now that it’s summer. I washed the entire outside of my house yesterday and power washed rugs. Today, I am cleaning out the garage. I did 30 squats this morning. I haven’t eaten today yet but it’s only 9 am.
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