The symptoms are vast, advice confusing and for many the journey seems never-ending.
Elevate has been a long time coming and that’s down to me. The wonder of why anyone would want to read my content?
I am fiercely passionate about every element of my profession both within The Ridge Retreat and Spa and Inspire Fitness and Nutrition. This blog will be where the physical and our online Prescence merge. The physical, the calm space we have created to work out and The Ridge Retreat where you can press pause and indulge in self-care, embracing all of the elements we offer and our online presence will keep us as connected as a community, discussing all elements wellness but also topics which are not often taboo. The aim is, and always has been, to improve the quality of life for all our clients, so if my insights can help at least one person and we create that community then these written words were worth it. Our first topic… Menopause.
“I’ve discovered menopause is your moment to reinvent yourself after years of focusing on the needs of everybody else “Oprah Winfrey
Why Menopause as the first Ridge Retreat blog? Well, it’s a topic I feel strongly and passionately about. A vast topic which we will revisit many times, but I think a perfect discussion point to bring our online community together.
As you will have gathered by now, I love a quote, and Oprah’s words should be regarded as wise. Many women struggle to accept the transition, this is a new chapter and should be your time to flourish, theoretically we should make more time for ourselves and take the opportunity to grasp with both hands the next chapter of our lives but let’s be honest most women feel like they have been hit by a bus, constantly exhausted, simple tasks seem impossible and trying to remember the simplest of words is so frustrating and to add a sad but true fact is the only two guarantees women have in life are …… menopause and death! How depressing!
The navigation through both perimenopause and menopause is a physical and mental nightmare, we all know it’s coming but rarely want to accept or address the issue until we must. The symptoms are vast, advice confusing and for many the journey seems never ending. Menopause seems to be the new fashion on social media, a multitude of “So called experts” with advice on everything menopause including diet, nutrition and supplements monopolising on women’s misery and vulnerability. So, the million-dollar question “How do we navigate menopause and who do we listen to? “Firstly, every woman’s journey will be unique, as will their symptoms and experience, what is right for one woman won’t be right for another.
I have seen vulnerability and desperation make many women try fad diets, fashionable supplements and drastic exercise regimes to address weight gain and body changes. Confusion with day-to-day life and with how your body and mind is changing makes the already high anxiety level increase to what feels like boiling point. Sound familiar?
The symptoms seem an endless list of anxiety, hot flushes, skin issues, aching joints, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, aching joints to name a few. The body goes through so many vast changes during perimenopause /menopause, education, support and understanding can make this time an easier transition. I always said I would share my journey when the time came and be honest as a fitness instructor many seem to be of the opinion that’s easier for me as I am “In the know” Yes. I do hold various qualifications in menopause and educated in many aspects of fitness and nutrition, but my journey is still the same. A vast physical and mental change but also a journey of self-discovery. I have had to alter my diet, exercise and nutrition to suit the changes and honestly, I feel I have the balance, but I whole heartedly know this isn’t the case for most. I know sharing experiences and talking really can make a difference, knowing your not the only one experiencing these symptoms and feelings can what seems impossible, possible and that’s why I hope these blogs can help and connect us all, but that million-dollar question remains “Who do we listen too or ask for advice?”
I hope I can be one of our chosen sources. A listening ear, a funnel of knowledge and a friend during this time of life. Although holding various qualifications in Menopause, my education is always growing, both in my fitness capacity and as a therapist including using many elements of Traditional East Asian medicine. I will always feed you knowledge from the best including Dr Louise Newsome, who is a very renowned expert in Menopause, I find her information is easy to navigate as for others well we are out there. My aim is and always has been to support and educate but also provide a space of calm, a place to press pause and feel understood. My biggest advice during this time: Whoever you put your trust in, ask questions, trust your intuition and remember this transition won’t last forever. You have got this!
“Nothing in life is to be feared: it is only to be understood”
Stay healthy and well. Sending much love. Lyndsey x