Menopause

Getting older is something unavoidable so my recommendation for any woman feeling like the lack of sleep, lack of energy and the bags under the eyes are too much to bear my top tip superficial make up recommedation for under the eye is Touche Eclat from YSL and for the decollete area Mrs Rodial Neck and Decollete Sculting Gel. These two products are not cheap so I keep my eyes peeled on Brand Alley and in TK Maxx to pick them up at a discount.

Now make a commitment to yourself to spend 10 minutes regardless of what you are doing, even if it's absolutely nothing to put a little moisturiser, foundation, blusher and lipgloss on. Over 50 fresh faced doesn't wash even if you're Jennifer Lopez.

Then the next time someone asks your age, instead of going down (lying about your age) and giving the person the opportunity to deduce how bad you look for your years try telling the truth then soak up the compliments when they are blown away by how good you look. I absolutely love telling people I am 64.

The truth is for women in western culture middle age brings nothing but the dreaded menopause, translated as life’s tragedy for every woman, the brutal realisation you are "no longer desirable".

Not surprisingly menopause is rarely mentioned or ever discussed over lunch or dinner. We are more likely to suffer in silence. The prospect of living with the horrific symptoms of menopause and turning into a bitchy, sweaty, bloated, irrational, volatile, moody cow for up to 10 years is something none of us wish to think about.

Don’t be scared. Be prepared.

It has been suggested that some women reach mid life feeling so unhealthy, unwell, overweight and exhausted they don’t even realise they are in menopause. I have found by giving up meat, dairy, wheat and alcohol I have kicked the menopause and all the symptoms associated with the menopause into touch.

Menopausal women in Japan suffer much less than women in the west due to their “no dairy and good for you lifestyle.” Dairy products, cheese, milk, yogurt are full of hormones that have not only have been connected to some female cancers but common sense would tell you to avoid these foods when your own hormones are all out of whack.

If you are drinking coffee/tea eating chocolate, cannot resist cream cakes and guzzle wine every day chances are you have got used to the bloating, the moods, the headaches, the pains and no sleep, all the same symptoms as menopause.

Common Sense tells us, If we are in perfect working order, have a healthy diet, are fit, slim and love who we are, we will sail through life living it to the full and not constantly at the doctors. Listen to your body whisper and you won't have to hear it scream.

Prepare yourself for middle age and menopause. You cannot continue to eat and drink the way you did before your metabolism slowed down. Your body is your temple and deserves to be preserved by you. Start thinking about making some life changes and recognise you have choices. It is up to you, it can be done and costs nothing.

Middle age is a time just for you to regain your life not give up on it. You’ve been round the block a few times, multi tasking for everyone else but yourself. Embrace menopause head on with a positive attitude. Make light of it. Even joke about it if you can. Change the way you think about menopause and it will surprise you how many other women have top tips to help you through.

Giving up dairy has been a miracle for me. I am also a great believer in HRT. For those who still prefer to suffer in silence eat houmous.

Photo by: Brett Jordan Unsplash