My Wellness Story: 2021 vs 2022 | As Our Bodies Change So Do Our Needs

Last year I shared a post on hormones – menopause to be specific and upfront.  Take a read here.  If you were/are like me back then, keep reading and by “like me” I mean:

• Don’t recognize your body?
• Don’t understand your sudden emotional outbursts?
• Your patience low or non-existent?
• Hair thinning?
• Weight gain in the belly and doing all the right things can’t fix it?
• Sleep deprivation?
• …add yours here

Yes, this thing nobody prepared our generation for and the thing that many still don’t want to talk about openly.  A natural part of our evolution that, for some reason many have feelings of shame associated with it.  The need to keep it hush-hush because God forbid anyone finds out what’s really going on.  MENOPAUSE – and all the stages of it.  Say the word out loud.  Say its name and only then can we comprehend and understand what is happening.

To all the partners of my ladies, I urge you to keep reading.  The best thing I did through my journey was talk to my husband about what was going on and even then, it wasn’t always pretty.  I have a handle on it most days but it’s an unpredictable period (see what I did there lol) so, there are still days where I have to either pull out a feel-good vibe to get through the day OR take a day, just for me.

We celebrate growing up and going through the tween, teen, young adult stages but for us, who have lived and experienced life, we’ve been conditioned to hide our feelings, emotions, and bodily changes when we hit “a certain age”.  To that I say: “I’m not the one” and I want us all to know that the change starts with us.  Our previous generations didn’t talk about a lot of things.  They held on to their shame, insecurities and/or trauma and in some cases passed it along to us.  It’s up to us to change the narrative.

Last September I wrote that piece in my health & wellness series on what had helped me to that point.  As time passes so do our bodies and in turn our needs to help maintain that body.  I’ll take that all the way back to when we were babies.  We needed our parents 24/7, all milk and fluids until solid foods are introduced and as time passes, we don’t need them as much.  We learn to become independent and eventually fend for ourselves and I’ll go back to the line above – all those stages are celebrated but here WE are!

I’ve grown and changed in so many ways, my body included, and so what it needs has shifted a little as well.  I’ve made small adjustments and see significant improvements.  The biggest thing, like anything and everything I preach is consistency.  When you eat right or go to the gym that first day, go home and look in the mirror and I’ll guarantee that you won’t see a change.  Even on day 3 or day five for that matter but, you will start feeling better and by sticking to it you eventually will visibly see the changes.

Here are some old things I’ve kept and new things I’ve added to my regiment and more importantly, have helped me get back to feeling like me again:

Coffee:

Many can’t believe this, I CUT OUT COFFEE but, you don’t have to!  It’s been just a little over one year and was through the process of elimination.  Coffee, which I drank for taste, not because it kickstarted my day, was causing the cramping, bloat, and inflammation.  How can I be sure?  Well, I ran out of my mushroom blend coffee substitute about month ago and decided that one cup of java couldn’t hurt.  Wow, was I wrong on that one!

Boxing: 

Being back in the ring sparring regularly has done something for me mentally that is translating everywhere else.  Everything feels like it’s working the way it should be and I got my rhythm back.  Still being able to move and push my body in a sport I love is a blessing and for that I’m grateful.  I’ve yet to compete again and I’m optimistic I’ll get at least one fight before 2023 – and I say that with fingers and toes crossed.  You can manifest for me too!  Thank you in advance.

Movement:

I kept this separate from boxing for a reason.  Moving every day is key and it can be as gentle as a 30-minute walk or a light stretch session to get the bodily fluids flowing.  Give your body what it needs.  All your weekly workouts do not have to be high intensity and for hours at a time.  In fact, during this transition time our bodies appreciate those gentle routines more.

Rest & recovery:

My sleep has improved tenfold.  I shared some supplements that helped me in my previous piece  but I don’t think it’s one thing I can pinpoint.  Rather, it’s a coming together, a harmonious collaboration of all the small changes I’ve made along the way and stuck to them consistently.  I listen to my body religiously, so I take extra rest days when needed and I don’t feel guilty about it.  That is growth for me!

Supplements:

Two small teaks I’ve made this year with regards to my supplements.  I still try different ones but these have been consistent:

1. In January I switched my protein (and some other training supplements and snacks) to Herbalife. I also I work with a certified Herbalife Nutrition Coach.  You can read more about that here and also check out Coach Colette – she’s as motivating as she’s funny.  My gut loves the program and THAT is what makes me stick to it.
2. I also have this trio from Monat and full disclosure, I am a Market Partner so any questions, please feel free to ask. The Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies have become a daily treat – because they taste good and because they work.  I notice a difference in my belly when I don’t take them and that speaks volumes.  I also have a cocktail two to three times per week with the Total Greens and Collagen Key and their combined benefits helps with bloating, inflammation and digestion.  Some take the last two daily and that works too.

I know many will ask about my diet.  It’s always as clean as I can keep it – most days because well, I’m human.  While I’ve increased my protein and fiber intake over the last year, I still include all the good carbs to balance out my plate.  I don’t believe in eliminating a food group but I love a colourful, nutritious, and of course delicious meal.  Water intake is key as we know and on my big training days, I add up to one extra liter to make sure I replenish properly.

There are many different symptoms and bodily changes we go through while our bodies and hormones are changing.  We are all different and there are so many programs and supplements out there which can be overwhelming, I know.  The best advice I’ll give is to remember you’re unique and there is no cookie-cutter program that works for everyone.  You must find what works for you and tweak as you go along.  It takes some work and consistency but, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

This is how far I have come since my last post on the topic of menopause (or whichever phase of it you’re in) and hopefully me talking about it will help you in some way.  I feel at ease again.  Like myself you know and it’s nothing to be ashamed of, period.  There are many more women out there these days talking, sharing, and most of all normalizing it which I love to see!

Good luck in your journey and drop a comment or question.  Feel free to DM me @strongismybeautiful – and listen, I don’t have a degree on the topic but I share my personal experiences as I’m on a mission to use my platform(s) to spread positivity, strength and acceptance of everyone.  If anything, come along for the ride.