You may have noticed that I have posted a new picture on my profile page. I took this one at the beginning of the week, just after I hit the 22 pound mark. That's right! I've now lost 22 pounds, and it feels GREAT! And though I have a ways to go, (about 58 pounds more), I'm already feeling younger, fitter, stronger, and all around healthier. Steph says that the diet and exercise has already taken about 15 years off of my appearance, and of course, I won't complain about that either.
I'm nearly 48 years old, overweight, and in the throes of menopause. About a month ago I went to bed feeling like crap. It hit me all of the sudden, I mean menopause. One day I felt pretty good, aside from being overweight and out of shape. But considering, I felt good. Then it seemed the very next day it hit me with a vengeance--every symptom of menopause that could hit--fatigue, memory loss, irritability, debilitating hot flashes, horrible burning and tingling in my hands and feet, lack of energy or motivation, depression... You name it, I had it. It scared me and I made the decision then and there that I was too young to feel old and that I HAD to do something about it. So I immediately changed my diet, went out and bought a menopause supplement at GNC and then I went to the gym where the company where I work has a corporate membership and signed up with a trainer and started a rigorous weight training and work-out routine. Within a week the hot flashes diminished, the tingling in my hands and feet virtually disappeared, and within two weeks the fatigue and lack of energy & motivation disappeared. I went to the doctor this last Tuesday with a mild sinus/bronchial infection and when I weighed in it indicated that I have already lost nine pounds, and my blood pressure, which had been soaring out of control over the last year, (even on medication), was down to 118/82, which is ideal! This all after only THREE WEEKS! I've worked up from 10 minutes to nearly an hour on the treadmill and over doubled my pace. I've already increased my weight limits on some of my exercise machines, and what's so wonderful is that I FEEL GREAT! It's amazing how quickly the body will begin to respond and heal itself once you start treating it well and giving it what it needs.
I did it. I just quit making excuses, kicked myself in the butt, and did it. Now I'm hooked on feeling great. No more "Chicken Fat" for me!
After viewing a picture that Steph took of me the other day, I decided that my once light ash blonde hair had turned gray, and was making my face look washed-out and colorless. I had been noticing, too, that it was taking more and more make-up to give me the needed color in my complexion. So I decided to take the plunge...
I joined the ranks of middle-aged women who color their hair to feel young again. It turned out a little darker than I expected or wanted, but given a few days it will fade into what I intended.
