posted April 17, 2008 12:11 AM         

I can't take any over the counter or meds...

posted April 17, 2008 03:34 AM         

Sage apparently helps with hot flushes.
Red clover and black cohosh are also reccommended (but there has been some debate about the latter)

Right! Weight gain.
The simplest way to stay ahead of the game is to remember ,that as your body makes its slight adjustments, so should you.
These adjustments are small, if you make small changes now, you wont be left making raadical ones later on.

Your body will start to lose muscle now.
Don't let it!!
Increase weight bearing exercises.
Muscle is what keeps your old furnace firing and burning calories even when you are resting. As we start to lose muscle, so does fat start to be laid down.

Reduce your dense carbohydrate intake (bread, pasta, rice) particularly in the evening. Try and make your evening meal just protein and veg and just before you go to bed, eat a small piece of protein (lean chicken, boiled egg)
This will help your output of growth hormone, which in turn helps muscle growth and so on.

If you have not switched to whole grain do it now.
No more white flour past your lips....ever....pixie!!!!
You will find that you will start to lay down mid abdominal fat or as we call so endearingly in UK....the muffin top....the thin that spills over the waistband of your jeans.
If you see this happening...action stations!!!
Increase fibre (as much as you can get down) without feeling like you are eating only cardboard at every meal.

Green tea and Udo oil are excellent supplements to stop fat deposits.

And an excellent exercise for the stomach is the one from T-Tapp (there is a web site)
We dont have this in UK but I found it easy and effective and through the years as a fitness coach, I have tried them all!!

posted April 17, 2008 06:20 PM         

I am really active - but now really really have to change the eating a bit!

My hubby & I have our own remodeling biz - and we just poured 30 yards of concrete today!

NO WAY TO THE HRT - that is bad news! So I won't be doing that.

I did the black cohosh - and not pleased with it either.

No more white flour - that will be a hard one! LOL

Thx again - I'll keep you posted!

posted April 18, 2008 01:35 PM         

I am 46 and have been expereincing peri-menopause symptoms for several years.

I fix myself a soy latte every morning and if I skip, I find myself with hot flashes and night sweats in the evening.

Soy has some sort of estrogen related properties. I refuse to take synthetic estrogen supplements as my mom had breast cancer and I think this, along with huge amounts of stress had alot to do with it.

I deal with the mood-swings and emotional issues spiritually.

I am not too big on herbal supplements, but I have found soy works for me.

posted April 19, 2008 12:08 AM         

But I am really watching the food and being active!

I don't know anything about soy...so if you could please explain that would be great!

I looked over the foods that I do eat and I'm actually doing better than I thought!

posted April 19, 2008 11:34 AM         

They say the actual soy bean is awful tasting.

It is loaded with protein (vegans, lacto-vegans use is as a meat replacement,) and it has some sort of similar chemical properties as estrogen, that is why it is so helpful for menopause symptoms.

I use soy milk for my lattes, have a soy meat/cheese replacement a few times a week and I really think this has helped. Even with the mood swings.

There is good and bad press regarding soy.

All things in moderation, I suppose.

What I really like about soy curd, tofu, etc. is that is takes on the flavor of what ever it is mixed with. I like a soy chicken strip replacement put out by Morning Star Farms and I load it with onions, garlic and veggies...

Another good thing about soy is it is SO filling!

There is a popular mis-conception that hormones make us fat...they do not...they make us more hungry! So watch your intake and remember your metabolism is slowing down, signifigantly, so make up for it where you can, increased exercise, walking when possible, etc.

Men do not have the same problem in "mid life." They do not experience the decrease of metabolism, that is why they are able to loose weight at a phase of life where women can not.

There is a wonderful book, "The Wisdom of Menopause" by Christine Northrup, MD. She has lots and lots of good info encompassing all factors of this most blessed time of our lives!!!

It is not a time to be feared, regretted, etc. but embraced and loved. This is why I do not want to take any kind of supplements, synthetic to take away from this time of my life. I want to experience it fully!

But to aid in my comfort, I will adjust where I see fit, ie; diet and spiritual practice.

We are entering the "crone" phase of womanhood. And I would not exchange this sector of my life for anyother, would not go back to my 20's or even 30's for anything!

Blessings and good health!