Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Highs and Lows of The Incredible Shrinking Menopausal Woman

Yep, that's me the Incredible Shrinking Woman or at least that's what I'm trying to be. I'm trying to shrink everything inwards from the neck down. I've been counting calories, eating healthy and exercising since March, it's hard work !! I'm here to report that it's finally starting to pay dividends as some of my accumulated fat is shrinking away and I'm actually building up a wee bit of muscle. But.... I have to accept that no matter how hard I try my legs will not get longer, my menopausal chin waddle will still exist as will my breasts and tush.

Recently I've been asking , some of my peer-aged friends and sisters (as I stand above them), "Are you shrinking?" I ask because they all seem to be getting shorter, while in my mind I'm staying the same. Here's the lowdown ladies, my family measured me over the Mother's Day weekend and I was stunned to find out that I've lost an inch in height. Do you know what that means? It means less calories, it means re-thinking your whole persona, it means that you too will shrink if you live long enough, it means that there is no stopping time even if you can afford plastic surgery.

I've always hoped and wanted to grow old gracefully but I'm fighting it. I don't like, now that I've lost some weight, that I look older in the face. I don't like the hundreds of age spots that are showing up on my hands, face, neck and legs. I don't like dry hair, skin and eyes. I don't like that I can't accomplish in one day what I use to be able to do. I don't like the loss of muscle tone. I don't like that my metabolism which was always high has slowed down. I don't like that I have to now count calories. On the other hand, I don't have PMS or a monthly periods anymore and I don't miss them one bit. Everyone ages differently and much of it has to do with our genetics but there is also a lot we can do to make the last third of our lives the best that they can be. Now is the TIME for you to develop healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle habits because if you're fortunate enough to live a long life those habits will pay you huge dividends..... consider what you are doing by participating in this blog as investment aging.

Reaping dividends, now that's a real HIGH!

5 comments:

  1. Queen Vee- What a great post. I'm so glad you decided to jump on board with us for your wisdom is so amazing!

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  2. You ARE growing old gracefully! You are absolutely beautiful on the outside AND the inside! I LOVE gettting to know you through this blog! As for looking older with less weight my mom has this problem too. She has to keep about 5 extra lbs on so she doesn't look like a skeleton in her face!
    Keep working those muscles and you will be going strong! Congrats!!

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  3. I think you are graceful in everything you do. And beautiful too. And I'm happy that you're feeling better about your self and the dividends of all your hard work. I'm grateful to hear about your journey because it is different than most of ours. Last of all, I hope that I will be participating in my niece's or daughter's health/fitness blog when I'm not just a mom, but a grandmom too. Just like you.

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  4. I'm here to witness firsthand that the changes the Queen has made have really added years to her life and she looks AMAZING! She's giving this 37 year old daughter a run for her money and proving to us all that you are never too old to make healthy changes!

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  5. Hooray for the Queen! How about some before/after pictures? You looked great in the beach photos.

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