Nutricali's Journal, 10 Jan 21

My weight goal remains the same as it was when I was in my 20's. My metabolism started slowing at 35 years old and has dropped steadily every 5 years since making it so much harder to remain at my target weight. I am passed menopause and have found that the weight goes on much easier now and takes longer to get off. But I have never stopped trying to fit into the 'old prom dress' (in my case my board shorts and leather jeans) and never will! (hopefully) 

I think we all want to be what we were when we were younger, unfortunately for us women especially, our bodies change with menopause and pregnancy. first and foremost I feel like we need to embrace our ever changing bodies in a healthy way.  

For me, my priorities have changed over the years. When I was younger I wanted to be good looking and fit into sexy dresses, nowadays I just want to be healthy and consider my children more, I want to live a long and happy life with them. Clothes don't matter but my heart/lungs/cholesterol does!! I had to be realistic, throwing out my old clothes was actually freeing, keeping them depressed me and set me up to fail every day,,we can never go backwards only forwards. ♥️💖 

Anne you’ve always kept in great shape I think 😊 I think I can see my goals changing already but I think it may be more due to a lifestyle change than anything. I mean that I’d rather gain muscle so whereas before I was happy slim 💪  

Amcq you’re right! Accepting the changes is important through life and embracing them too 

Same booty, though I’ve still got a couple of things I’ve not yet thrown away. Change in body shape etc is part of life I guess but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing, maybe even an excuse for a new dress?  

That's more like it Nutri....excuse to buy new clothes!! 😂♥️ 

To be fair Nutri, my goals are more performance based. I perform better when I am lighter both in sport and everyday life. If I am heavier I am slower and I don’t enjoy training as much as I do when in shape. Added bonus fitness, muscles and I can wear what I want.  

Definitely harder as you get older! I used to be able to lose 7lbs in a week without trying. I need to lose 18lbs this year 😬 

Booty it’s always good to treat yourself! Especially at the moment :) Anne I see what you mean, how you feel is what matters the most 💕  

Em 7lbs in a week is amazing! I don’t think I ever would’ve been able to do that. I’m sure you can get those lbs off 💪 😊 

this is a really interesting question. honestly i haphazardly decided to lose weight at 19 when after i bought a size 18 top from the maternity section, i was so depressed and i literally ran out of clothes to wear, it was kind of a crisis situation. I knew nothing about self care through nutrition and I absolutely never thought I'd make it this far 🙂🙃🙂 I did want to look a certain way and be at a certain figure weight wise, but it took a toll on my mental health. I stay on my toes, by counting and weighing my food, as a lifestyle, I also enjoy on Sundays. Now at 23, I don't have a goal per se, I try to be as healthy as I can, and if I'm losing weight in the process, I'm more than happy with that 😄 

Not my strongest subject  

I've been thinking about this since I read it yesterday. I don't think I have ever really had a 'fighting weight' in my head because whatever weight I was there were always so many people or cultural norms that told me I wasn't the right shape. I'm about right in a UK size 12. When I look back at pics of me at size 12 I look like 'me'. What is interesting to me this time around is that I seem heavier at a size 14 than I was last time I dieted and I think I will hit size 12 before I hit what is considered a healthy weight. I am pretty muscled and have never had a petite frame. I'm 49 and have had 2 kids so obviously my body has gone through lots of changes but not the menopause yet. I am much much happier in my size 14 body now than I was as a teen/young woman in a 12. If I can hit and maintain a size 12, and keep good muscle tone I will be delighted.  

Genevive that sounds like a really formative moment. You’ve come so far since, well done 😊 it’s those choices that define you I think 💪 I remember just avoiding buying clothes or wearing anything I used to. The culture any of us are surrounded with makes a huge difference. Looking back at life in Cali many of my friends and I preferred the skinny look, but now I love the curves!  

Chestnut your insight is always appreciated 😊  

Janus ‘fighting weight’ is a much better metaphor than the ‘old prom dress’ 😂 thank you! It’s hard to be the right balance of objective about yourself. Keeping track with numbers is useful but how you feel when you get dressed or look in the mirror is the most important thing. I just get confused when I compare pictures with the weight I think I was, perhaps I never really knew. What matters is what we are doing now 💪😊 

From experience, my weight gained over the last few years of menopause is sitting around my middle- the most unhealthiest place to carry weight but not unexpected. I have a wardrobe full of clothes that are too tight in places ( I refuse to kill myself wearing 'shapewear ') and from an economical point of view, I'm not buying clothes in a bigger size ,its so wasteful. That extra 15 pounds is coming off!!  

The menopause weight does seem to go on to the stomach area. I have always had a flat stomach so was horrified to see a wee bulge appear above the trousers. I am quite vain about these things so I banished that as quickly as I could. It was not easy and a whole lot harder than when I was younger. I will never be skinny or petite. I have broad shoulders and I am tall and like to rock the athletic look. As long as I look fit and strong I am happy (but not fat, just not allowed!) 

Hi Nutricali, how are you going on with your diet? I just plod on and hope for the best. Look a few yourself best wishes Merrymel