I had ulterior motives before I signed on to train and blog weekly for the 2011 MORE Half-Marathon challenge. Thrown into surgical menopause, battling weight gain, and discovering that my thyroid had jumped ship (Hoshimoto’s Thyroiditis = hypothyroid), I saw it as an opportunity to take control over a process that was changing my body. Surely 2-hour a day workouts and 13.1 miles of cardio would result in weight loss, I’d drop a size or two, and life would be back at a premenopausal comfort level. A crazy optimist, I had no clue. When people learn I trained for a HM, they always ask if I finished (Yes!) and then follow it up with, “How much weight did you lose?” (ZERO!). PS: I know I’m healthier now and I’m grateful. While there were some carb-loading moments that didn’t help the waistline, I’m putting the majority of the blame for non-budging bulges on menopause. For years, ramping up the exercise arsenal and taking action landed results. It’s not that easy anymore. I’m not trying to scare anyone, but those proclamations of “This isn’t your mother’s menopause”, threw me off. Plus, Mom never warned me. I just thought she was binging on Cheetos after I left for college. Heads up! Everything’s genetic. This IS your mother’s menopause; she just didn’t want to upset you. Of course, none of us have to sit down and take it. I’m tackling it one tiny piece at a time. My goal: Find out where to be aggressive and when to gracefully accept life’s changes. On my agenda: Tackling “Bye-Bye” Arms, Getting My First Facial Peel, Finding The Best Ab Exercises When Your Back is Shot, and Spinning. Let’s rally, ramp it up, and find peace together. Next post: Wrinkle Therapy.
Nancy Berk, Ph.D. is a psychologist, humorist, and author. She was the 2011 MORE Half-Marathon Blogger. View an excerpt from her upcoming book, College Bound and Gagged: How to Help Your Kid Get Into A Great College Without Losing Your Savings, Your Relationship, or Your Mind.
NEXT: Keeping the Weight Off
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