IN THE CLUTCHES OF HORMONES

NOTE: I wrote this on 5/12. At this time, I had been tracking my macros for 5 days. Today completes 3 weeks of steady tracking. I wanted to wait to post until I felt I had a fairly strong base so here goes:

 

Hi again. It's me. Been awhile. Hope you all are well and 2024 has been great so far. I'd like to say I will be more regular with my writing/posting but given my history, I'm not holding my breath. I started January with great intentions but like so many of us, got frustrated and lost steam. Maybe it is spring but at least at the moment I feel a renewed energy and have taken a few steps forward that I hope is the beginning...of something.

 

In late February, I did graduate and now have time back. I did quite a bit of travel in March and can't remember what all happened in April. Per my last update in January, I wanted to dive into a few medical/health needs:

• figure out my knee pain and get it fixed
• get caught up on my well-checks
• learn more about menopause, hormones, and what my body needs in this next stage of life
• As always, work towards a healthier version of myself

 

Rather than get the MRI, after talking with some friends I decided to go the physical therapy route first and see if I can make progress without surgery. My left knee got really bad one night in December after a work bowling party. I didn't "DO" anything specific but the next day I was in a lot of pain just walking and I knew I needed to get help. Now I can walk but have some soreness especially if I do flights of stairs and can no longer do squats, lunges or jumping movements without suffering.

 

I attended my first therapy session and while they didn't give me a specific diagnosis, I am focusing on strengthening my hips and calves and stretching my hamstrings and quads. I'll be starting my homework today with a follow up appointment in 2 weeks to see how it is going. I will try to post again on my progress.

 

Another thing I did was see a gynecologist. I wanted to talk all about perimenopause (am I in it?), hormones and see if my recent, and what felt fast, weight gain was part of it. Unfortunately, the Dr. I saw was, well disappointing doesn't do it justice. She was ZERO help and said there is no way to know anything about menopause but if I have unbearable symptoms to come back and she can prescribe a pill.

 

Drew Barrymore pops up in my Instagram feed and seems to know more about hormones and perimenopause than this gynecologist?! 

 

Then I was listening to podcast with a menopause specialist who recommended not giving up and advocating for yourself. She said most doctors get little to no education on menopause unless they specifically specialize in it. So, per her recommendation, I googled NAMS (National American Menopause Society) and used their search feature to find a Menopause specialist in my area. There was one in my network, and I booked an appointment. I will definitely follow up after. The current symptoms I am experiencing and curious about:

• Acne
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight gain
• Body/joint aches

If you had asked me a month ago, I would have said if they tell me my hormones are normal and my weight gain has nothing to do with menopause, I would have said give me Ozempic. I was totally ready for any assistance and all the ads I see were very tempting. After the sudden and far too young passing of one of Pete's coworkers, I was energized to not waste another day and do something immediately. I fired up my Carb Manager Ap and began tracking.

 

I redid the macros counter and now that I have gained weight my calorie intake is higher than when I last used it. This time around, while I am not following a specific keto or low carb diet, my protein is set pretty high and it seem like to get close and stay under the calories, I tend to eat mostly low-carb foods. So far it has been a lot of meats, eggs, high protein dairy and then veggies and a little fruit to fill the plate and add flavor.

 

I started tracking on Tuesday and have yet to go over on my calories. I am typically at least 100-300 under. Not necessarily on purpose, but I am also trying to eat when I am hungry, and I am having a hard time getting it all in on that alone.

 

I hate how many times I start with great intentions, do a post or two and within a week I fall off, and it is months or a year before I log on for another blog update. This time I am writing to document my journey but probably won't post any of them until I feel I have a strong foundation.

 

How it started:

• 2018 - 245 lbs (highest I remember seeing on the scale)
• 2021 - 198 lbs (lowest I got to but it didn't stay under 200 very long)
• 2024 - 235 lbs (average when I started tracking again 5/7/24)
• Today - 230.8 lbs

The 4-5-ish lbs lost this week is 100% from tracking (maybe water too). I haven't changed my exercise (yet). I did start my stretches for my knee yesterday but even though I joined Planet Fitness, I have only been a few times. The therapist said I could try the lower body weight machines 2 x's a week so as soon as I have a good knee day, that is first on my agenda.

 

Fast forward to 5/27:

 

I learned so much from the menopause certified gynecologist I saw I will have to do a separate post or several. I am reading a book she recommended on hormones and just WOW. I had no idea. I wish I had picked this book up 10 years ago but better late than never.

 

I have so much to work on, first being my sleep. I am having a sleep study consultation tomorrow so sweet dreams and I hope to post more tomorrow.