DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Posts Tagged ‘depression’

Weight Loss and Menopause

WOW – I can’t believe that I am still struggling with weight loss and menopause!

(REPOST FROM 2013) 

The Freshman 15 is nothing compared to the Menopause 20! In college I could skip a meal and lose 5 pounds, now if I look at a piece of bread I gain 5 pounds.

The Personal Summers were handled with portable fans and cotton clothing;

The absence of menses was happily welcomed and handled;

The dryness was handled with personal lubricants like K-Y® YOURS+MINE , Poise and a patient hubby;

The mood swings were handled with red wine Moscato and an understanding family

The weight gain is NOT BEING HANDLED WELL

woman-on-scales

 

A woman’s body is constantly going through changes, some of them good, others not so much. I’m in the 4th 5th year of menopause and was handling it well until the extra pounds began to increase my body mass index (BMI). Initially I blamed it on the stress of caring for my grandmother before her death in 2009; then I blamed it on kicking a 30-year smoking habit; then on the snow storm of 2010, and the chips I ate while watching the flakes fall. Next it was the long commute, 3 hours a day back and forth to work. I would walk in the afternoons and on the elliptical in the evenings but it wasn’t enough to burn the necessary calories or speed up my metabolism. Zumba is fun but I haven’t lost a single pound, I did however, twist my knee and realize that I’ve lost all of my rhythm!

I used Sensa, lost 10 lbs, put it back on, joined NutriSystem, lost 20 lbs, put it back on, cleansed with lemonade laced with cayenne pepper, went carb and sugar free – I hate the bathroom scale! I’ve gone to the doctor, had my thyroid checked, drink shots of ACV with water after each meal but the pounds refuse to leave.

I’ve tried eDiets, me diets, ABC diets with no success. To say it’s frustrating would be an understatement and I’m getting desperate to lose the “Menopause 20”, and refuse to give up the challenge!

menopause and weight gain

Medical reports state that weight gain during menopause is not uncommon or even my fault, that it’s hormonal and I need to increase the intensity of exercise, (where is Richard Simmons when you need him), and decrease the intake of certain foods and beverages. So no more Sriracha flavored chips and beer, Triscuits and Cabot cheese or Mexican and Chinese takeout, a sacrifice that I am willing to make.

Tomorrow I fill the grocery cart with lots of fresh fruits, veggies and fish in an attempt to rid myself of the Menopause 20 – wish me luck!

Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links which may earn me enough for a candy bar piece of fruit if you make a purchase.

Is weight loss a challenge for you, if so, what is your strategy?


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EXCUSES…EXCUSES…EXCUSES….

2008 – caregiver to my grandmother

2009 – grandmother passed away

2010 – kicked a 35 year addiction to nicotine

2011 – pre-menopause

2012 – menopause

2013 – no more excuses

The time has come to get serious about this excess weight gain before it gets out of control – no more excuses!  I want to be 152 by the time I am 52 on September 20th!

FRIDAY’s FOODIE FEATURE (a day late)

NUTRISYSTEM

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Nutrisytem is a convenient way to lose weight, it’s a program that I’ve used before to successfully lose over 20 lbs, however, didn’t keep it off with all the anxieties plaguing me at the time.  Now that I am living a somewhat stress-free lifestyle, I know I’ll be able to keep the weight off this time.  Nutrisystem teaches portion control and the importance of “good carbs”.  Keeping a daily tracker of food intake, water consumption and exercise also helps me with my weight loss goal. The Nutrisystem plan may be a little pricey but I was able to get a slight discount through my employee benefits program at work.

I had the option to chose menu items al-la-carte style but decided on the standard 28-day fare, which includes dinner items such as spinach ravioli, veggie lasagna  pizza, chicken pot pies; lunch items such as tuna salad, red beans and rice, Kung Pao Noodles, fudge bars; and breakfast items such as cinnamon streusel muffins, oatmeal, banana nut muffins, and whole wheat bagels.

These foods in combination with grocery items are designed to keep me full and satisfied long after each meal.  Snacks and desserts are also included with items like, popcorn, peppermint cookie patty, chocolate chip pudding, and almond bars.  I also ordered the protein shake mix in Vanilla, Chocolate, Coffee and Strawberry which are great morning starters.

On Sunday I’ll shop for the supplemental “Smart Carbs” which take longer to digest, foods like fruit, whole wheat bread, beans, hummus and brown rice.  And “Power Fuels” like eggs, lean meat, fish, cheese, yogurt and nut butters, ie. peanut and almond butter.  So with all the variety of foods, the right portions and combinations this should put me back on the right track!

WISH ME LUCK!

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*This is not a paid endorsement nor a sponsored post for Nutrisystem – all opinions are 100% my own*


Book Signing with Author Jacqueline Charmane

On Sunday, a second book signing was held at The Java House Cafe in Middletown with local author, Jacqueline Charmane.  Jacqueline’s book, They Raped Me Once Over and Over Again is her fifth book and the first one not self-published.  In addition to being an author, Jacqueline is a Christian Evangelist and a Comedian (Mother Maeye).  As a student at The University of Delaware she received numerous awards and accolades and was even honored as “Most Likely to Succeed” but her dreams were turned into nightmares and she dropped out of school.

Jacqueline eventually returned to school and began working for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and while commuting on a train she met her rapist and father of her only son.  Rejected she hid the truth and married her boyfriend who thought the child was his.  This true story is of how her courage, determination and faith in God helped her survive an abusive marriage, kidnapping of her son, a divorce, depression, a mental breakdown and then the near death of her son.

They Raped Me Once Over and Over Again is not for the faint of heart, it’s a graphic real life account about the things men do to women and the things women do to survive, it will definitely change the way you think about life.  Jacqueline’s other books are “A Journal of 52 Days To Your Prosperity“, “I Don’t Do “FRIEND” Marry Me or Be Alone”, “Satan’s Dirty Little Secret Is Out” and “Knowing and Possessing The Attributes of God”

For more information and signing dates, please go to www.jacquelinecharmane.com or call 302-357-4969.

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Author Jacqueline Charmane

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Mark, owner of The Java House Cafe introducing Jacqueline

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Members of a local book club discussing upcoming events in Middletown

April 2013 063 Listening in awe of Jacqueline’s life events

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Jacqueline Charmane discussing “They Raped Me Once Over and Over Again”

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My signed copy of “A Journal of 52 Days To Your Prosperity” April 2013 057


OOTD – April a Month of Rebirth & Death

Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday

April is a month of renewal and rebirth and for many years one of excitement and joy – a cousin’s birthday on the 1st; my grandmother’s birthday on the 2nd; my sister’s birthday on the 10th; another cousin’s birthday on the 12th; an uncle’s birthday on the 15th; an aunt’s birthday on the 19th and finally my ‘best friend since 3rd grade’s’ birthday on the 25th.

Now April is a month of death – my grandmother’s death; my sister’s death; and my uncle’s death makes this a sad month for me.  I look at the blooms on the Daffodils and Tulips with sadness in my eyes…my daily routines are muted…there’s no real joy in my heart…dark colors comfort me…my heart aches and my smiles seem forced…but life goes on and “This Too Shall Pass”.

JC Penney Skirt

Traci Lynn Jewelry

Geometric Print Skirt – JC Penney // Top – closet staple – Necklace and Bracelet – Traci Lynn Jewelry // Earrings and Ring – jewelry box

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Chain necklace – Jewelrymax.net // Cardigan – Ross OOTD 4 2 13 006 Linking up today with Whatever Whenever Wednesday – come on over and meet a new blogger

Have a fantabulous afternoon – Smooches!

dedivahdeals signature


OOTD – April a Month of Rebirth & Death

Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday

April is a month of renewal and rebirth and for many years one of excitement and joy – a cousin’s birthday on the 1st; my grandmother’s birthday on the 2nd; my sister’s birthday on the 10th; another cousin’s birthday on the 12th; an uncle’s birthday on the 15th; an aunt’s birthday on the 19th and finally my ‘best friend since 3rd grade’s’ birthday on the 25th.

Now April is a month of death – my grandmother’s death; my sister’s death; and my uncle’s death makes this a sad month for me.  I look at the blooms on the Daffodils and Tulips with sadness in my eyes…my daily routines are muted…there’s no real joy in my heart…dark colors comfort me…my heart aches and my smiles seem forced…but life goes on and “This Too Shall Pass”.

JC Penney Skirt

Traci Lynn Jewelry

Geometric Print Skirt – JC Penney // Top – closet staple – Necklace and Bracelet – Traci Lynn Jewelry // Earrings and Ring – jewelry box

OOTD 4 2 13 001

OOTD 4 2 13 016

Chain necklace – Jewelrymax.net // Cardigan – Ross OOTD 4 2 13 006 Linking up today with Whatever Whenever Wednesday – come on over and meet a new blogger

Have a fantabulous afternoon – Smooches!

dedivahdeals signature


OOTD – Tuesday’s Testimony

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday, it’s another dark, damp and dreary day but my prayers were answered so for that I am thankful!

Driving into work this morning I was thinking about a financial situation and became a little depressed. When I got to my desk instead of reading today’s passage from “Our Daily Bread“, I read the scriptures on page 64, of “Gods Promises for every day“, What to do when you feel Worried“.  In less than 5 minutes my phone rang with an answer to my prayers,

Tuesday’s Testimony – God is Good!

Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you – 1 Peter 5:7

Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and Trust in me.”  John 14:1

Today’s outfit is a Tribal Throwback, hubby had these matching vests made during our first year of marriage in 1991, you know that newlywed stage when it was cute to dress alike!   #2 son wanted his father’s vest, but he said, “no, wait until I retire and then you can have all my clothes”, so I gave him mine.  

This morning I shopped my son’s closet for my vest.

Tribal Vest

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Black Slacks – Closet Staple // Denim (Chambray) shirt – Avon // Mossimo Pumps – Target

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There is Power in Prayer ~ I Pray Prosperity for You and Your Family!

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Linking up with .StyleElixir – join in to meet new bloggers.

Have a wonderful evening – Smooches!

De Divah Deals Signature


OOTD – Tuesday's Testimony

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday, it’s another dark, damp and dreary day but my prayers were answered so for that I am thankful!

Driving into work this morning I was thinking about a financial situation and became a little depressed. When I got to my desk instead of reading today’s passage from “Our Daily Bread“, I read the scriptures on page 64, of “Gods Promises for every day“, What to do when you feel Worried“.  In less than 5 minutes my phone rang with an answer to my prayers,

Tuesday’s Testimony – God is Good!

Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you – 1 Peter 5:7

Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and Trust in me.”  John 14:1

Today’s outfit is a Tribal Throwback, hubby had these matching vests made during our first year of marriage in 1991, you know that newlywed stage when it was cute to dress alike!   #2 son wanted his father’s vest, but he said, “no, wait until I retire and then you can have all my clothes”, so I gave him mine.  

This morning I shopped my son’s closet for my vest.

Tribal Vest

OOTD 3 12 13 012

OOTD 3 12 13 006

Black Slacks – Closet Staple // Denim (Chambray) shirt – Avon // Mossimo Pumps – Target

OOTD 3 12 13 011

OOTD 3 12 13 005

There is Power in Prayer ~ I Pray Prosperity for You and Your Family!

OOTD 3 12 13 015

Linking up with .StyleElixir – join in to meet new bloggers.

Have a wonderful evening – Smooches!

De Divah Deals Signature