Menopause

Menopausal hair loss – 5 simple tips to help

June 17, 2020

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Menopausal hair loss and thinning is a problem myself and many women encounter. It is something I have suffered with. I became very hung up on it at one point as my hair became thin and lost body and texture. It has now plateaued and does not appear to be thinning further.

My hair dresser, who is also a close friend, was a great help as she is a similar age to me and her clients are too. Therefore she was experienced in this area of hairdressing and was able to reassure me that menopausal hair loss happens to most women to a degree and my hair loss wasn’t as bad as some of her other clients.

I have always had fine hair but lots of it and it held its shape very well and could be styled easily.

There are a lot of treatments out there for combating menopausal hair loss but often they involve expensive supplements and treatments. There are 2 reasons why I didn’t resort to these; 1) Cost – As I am now retired and trying to think carefully where I spend my lovely pennies and 2) I am hopeless at taking regular medicines or supplements – I usually manage a week at most!

Here are 5 simple tips I adopted to deal with my menopausal hair loss

Appearance – my hair used to be brunette but is now blonde with highlights. This minimises the look of scalp areas where my hair is very thin. A patch of scalp is much more noticeable amongst a head of dark hair.
I wash my hair less, it is less greasy anyway and I can do this. This reduces the need for harsh hair and styling products. My hair looks a mess if left to dry naturally and needs help to stay in place. The action of drying and styling with a brush leads to breakage and hair loss.
I towel dry my hair by simply dabbing gently, then comb through with a wide tooth comb, before styling with a paddle brush. All of these actions help reduce dragging on the hair again minimising menopausal hair loss. I have only recently used a paddle brush and find it has really helped.
I use a dry shampoo between washes, this has a double action, keeps my hair fresh and also adds some body at the roots. There are many products out there but I love Batiste, especially the coconut one as I love the scent, and if my roots are beginning to show before my next appointment and I am going somewhere special I use Batiste for brunette hair – it helps cover my scalp and grey roots.
I keep it in a jaw length layered bob. I tried it shorter but found it needed more teasing and products to stay in shape. I struggled to get any lift at the roots on the crown so I let it have its own way and lay reasonable flat. For added body after drying I use self grip hair rollers to avoid over working and therefore causing more hair loss.

All these tender handling strategies have helped prevent further thinning and shedding.

If you have this problem what strategies do you use I’m always eager to learn more. Let me know in the comments below I’d love to hear from you.

5 Life lessons learned during lockdown

June 10, 2020

I thought I would share with you 5 life lessons I have learned during lockdown due to the Coronovirus Pandemic.

UK Lockdown 2020

I am a mature blogger approaching 60 next month – where did those years go????? I learned many years ago that you never know everything and that there are always new things to be learned and new challenges to be met.

As you grow older there are many life lessons that have been learned along the way but these can be changed and relearned differently again.

These have been strange times for us all. We are now in our 12th week and I have been reflecting on my time staying home. I thought I would share with you 5 lessons I have learned during this time.

Life lessons learned

1 Toilet Roll became the symbol of the pandemic. Shopping for food was initially very difficult as we all now, what was interesting to me after following my favourite youtube vloggers overseas is that the search and stockpiling of toilet rolls was a worldwide issue. It was a source of frustration but also humour. I learned some facts about why the humble loo roll became so important. Firstly toilet paper flows from paper mills to retail stores through a tight, efficient supply chain. Toilet paper is bulky and not very profitable, so retailers don’t keep a lot of inventory on hand; they just get frequent shipments and restock their shelves. Once people started to buy in bulk, which in fact first started in China in February and rapidly spread to Australia, USA, Canada and here in the UK. Shelves started to look empty panic set it and the supply chains initially struggled to keep up supplies. Secondly the psychology of it set in the FOMO instict or Fear Of Missing Out .”They think if this person is buying it, if my neighbour is buying there’s got to be a reason and I need to get in too,”

One consumer expert, Dr Rohan Miller from the University of Sydney, believes it is a reflection of an urbanised society and lifestyle where modern convenience reigns supreme.

“We’re not used to shortages and scarcity, we’re used to being able to pick and choose what we want, when we want. So the rush to get toilet paper is just this sheep mentality to maintain that status,” he says.

Soft, white squares of toilet roll – marketed with pictures of puppies and pure snow – are a daily “luxury” that Australians and others just aren’t willing to mentally part with.

“I think people want to make sure they have some comforts in their lives if they’re going to be shacked up with their family for a long time,” he says.

“Toilet paper doesn’t really matter – it’s just so far down the survival list compared to other things like food or water – but it’s just something people cling to as a minimum standard.” The thought of no loo roll filled people with dread!

2. I realised very early on how thankful I was to own a house with a garden. I’m fortunate to have always lived in a home with a garden even as a child. Neither my parents or Mr Fitz have been keen gardeners but have dabbled and enjoy having their own outdoor space. When we moved into this house nearly 5 years ago the aspect of the garden, south facing, was fairly important on our wishlist. We knew nothing about this feature when we bought our first home, but having lived in a house with a sunny aspect we felt it important to have the same again. This was only important to us so that we could sit out and enjoy time reading, contemplating whilst enjoying a beer or a glass of wine. During lockdown it was so important to have our own outdoor space whilst staying home. We caught up on a few maintenance jobs like repainting our fence and metal gates. Then we caught the gardening bug! We started to dig out flower beds and replant them. I even started my own veg patch using the square foot gardening technique. I am now the proud owner of blooming seedlings, tomato plants and potato plants! The other reason we have loved our garden is that we have been so entertained by the birds who inhabit the garden too. A family of Robins have been so fascinating to watch, they have become tame and now have us very well trained. They know when they appear in the morning and the evening we will go out and feed them! We adore them and have seen their juvenile off spring hopping around the lawn.

Enjoying time in the garden

3 How to cut my fringe! Oh how I miss my hairdresser who is also one of my closest friends. I have discussed before that my hair has taken a hit during the menopause, losing body and texture. It is also thinning. I need her talents to keep it in check and looking the best it can. My roots are emerging but I have been able to touch them up due to some great products, but like loo roll they too have been in short supply. However my fringe has become a nuisance, as it grew it became lank and lifeless. I have watched youtube videos and learned how to cut it myself. I now possess a budget pair of hairdressing scissors!

4 Cooking our own ‘treat’ meals are better than takeaways. This is something I’ve discussed before but how to reduce food waste and be creative when meal planning. As we have been social distancing we haven’t been able to indulge in old habits where if we fancy a particular meal or need an ingredient for a recipe. I have continued to reduce food waste and use up leftover produce and meals again. We used to regularly have at least 2 takeaways per week and this is something we have stopped doing now. We have had a couple of curries delivered from our favourite Indian Restaurant but his works out around £30 with delivery. We have now started buying some nice ingredients to cook ourselves and enjoy. This weekend Mr Fitz bought a leg of lamb which was around £11, before lockdown we would have thought that a lot to spend on one meal. However reflecting on the money we spent on takeaways we now don’t think it is. Add in some new potatoes, carrots from Morrisons wonky veg range and a cabbage we enjoyed a fabulous Roast dinner on Saturday evening, enjoyed with homemade mint sauce from our newly made herb garden. Sunday morning I used the leftover potatoes and vegetables to make a Bubble and Squeak for breakfast. It was truly delicious, if you’ve never tried it I suggest you do. As we are not as active everyday we don’t always want a full meal in the evening, so Sunday evening we had lamb sandwiches. Then on Monday with the remaining meat we enjoyed it with salad and pitta breads, making a kebab style dinner. All meals for much less than the price of a takeaway and all delicious. This is a life lesson learned that I will continue to follow.

5 I do not need all the clothes and accessories that I own. I have a self confessed obsession with clothes, shoes, handbags and jewellery. Last count just before lockdown was that I possess around 60 pairs of shoes, 35 handbags and a huge stash of costume jewellery. They have been no use to me whatever during these times of crisis. I have lived in the same 3 pairs of trainers and fitflops. Used 2 bags only, which are 1 handbag and a rucksack if calling at a shop on my daily walk. These items take up so much space in the house. That isn’t even without my vast collection of clothes. I have started to declutter and minimise what I own. There is an old adage that you only need 3 sets of clothing – 1 to wear, I clean to change into and 1 in the wash! Extreme I know but a reality during our time at home. My life lesson learned here is that I truly have too much stuff that has no real value in my life.

Have you learned any new life lessons during lockdown, I’m sure we all have to be honest.

Stay safe lovelies.

The Mrs Hinch effect is positive in my opinion

June 3, 2020

The Mrs Hinch effect is positive in my opinion – a bold statement but continue reading and I’ll explain why

The Mrs Hinch effect

I’m writing this from an age perspective, meaning reflecting on previous times in my life I can compare to the current times of the Mrs Hinch effect. In case any of you don’t know Mrs Hinch is a successsful influencer who shares her passion for cleaning and keeping her house sparkling and tidy.

My mother was houseproud to a point but it was more about the old trend of “keeping up with the Jones’s” – you could say that was an earlier version of the Mrs Hinch effect. In my mum’s case it was more about having the latest on trend decor, clothes, furnishings or accessories. Her cleaning routine was not always her main priority. As someone who can always find positives in any situation at least I developed a good immune system!

As times moved on there was a time when there were many TV programmes showing you how to decorate and revamp your home, the emphasis was on doing it but not on maintaining it.

My habits

When I was working full time as a senior Neonatal Nurse, working long unsocial shifts I was often too tired and exhausted to do any more than the basics of cleaning that was needed to keep my house tidy.

Since retirement I have become a bit of a cleaning freak. With my new found freedom I watch hours of youtube vloggers who share their tips for keeping a clean and tidy decluttered home. I adopt some of their hints and tips – but don’t get me wrong my house is nice but in no way a show home like some of theirs. The Mrs Hinch effect has gradually crept in, I think I was a bit later than many discovering her. However, she appears to be one of the most famous and influential.

My kitchen

Why I think it is positive

I think the Mrs Hinch effect is positive as it has created a whole movement of house proud people who are cleaning away merrily. Yes there is still an element of competitiveness and showing off but if it promotes good habits and cleanliness then that is a big yes in my mind. It was horrible growing up as a child with an untidy house that you didn’t want your friends to see.

Possibly there was a time in society where house cleaning and tidyness was low on the agenda of many people who were depressed, anxious and dissatisfied with their lives. The cleaning movement can provide purpose to a persons day and can introduce structure and habits. I’ve certainly found having a good cleaning routine has helped me through this period of lockdown during the coronavirus outbreak.

Helping with anxiety

Mrs Hinch states that she began cleaning to help her deal with anxiety issues and it helped her mood. As I have bought into the Mrs Hinch effect I agree cleaning does help my mood. I have posted before about how the menopause has affected my life, one side effect has been a degree of anxiety that I haven’t suffered with before. Cleaning and decluttering really does make you feel better. It’s so satisfying and occupies you to stop you worrying or overthinking anything. Plus you have a great sense of pride at seeing your home looking good. I found a video on youtube where a psychotherapist has described why cleaning and tidying does help with anxiety.

a cupboard containing cleaning products demonstrating the Mrs Hinch effect

The Mrs Hinch effect – My bathroom cleaning products

Just as a side note many of the products recommended and used by those who have bought into the Mrs Hinch effect have been around for years and were used by my own mum, they’ve just been revamped and rebranded – 2 such are Zoflora and Stardrops. I’m fascinated to see them being touted as the best thing ever as if they’ve just been discovered, I’m sure the company’s are too with their increase in popularity and revenue. This gives me an idea for a new post – my favourite products!

There are many Facebook groups sharing ideasI am a member of one called We Love Mrs Hinch – if its something you’re interested in I suggest you join in and take a peek as there are many posts by members of how they have decorated or cleaned. Inspirational and the positive thing is that unlike my mum’s day when keeping up with your neighbours was costly – buying the latest decor. These days the Mrs Hinch effect is positive in that many people do fabulous things on a budget from bargain stores like B&M bargains. This reduces the pressure of cost, in fact it’s often the opposite how to improve your home as cheaply as possible.

Thanks for popping by, let me know what you think of the cleaning craze and the Mrs Hinch effect are you a follower or do you find it irritating. I love to read your comments.

Weight gain around the middle during the menopause

May 13, 2016

Weight gain around the middle

Like many women of my age weight gain around the middle has caused me to hate the shape my body has taken on in recent years. I have become the stereotypical middle aged, menopausal apple shape and I detest it with a passion.

I am only 4 foot 10 inches and have been petite most of my adult life. I felt that things started to change in my 40’s for me when I stopped working shifts and became a full time University student to study for my Masters Degree in Health Sciences. It was a great 2 years, studying at home sat in front of the computer for hours not having to dress smart. I could slob about in track suit bottoms. Then I would travel to the University every week along with my colleague. We were sponsored by our employer to attend and retrain. We were staying in a hotel every Wednesday night, eating in the pub, regular breaks in the University refectory. Within 3 months I had gained a stone and a half. No running up and down a busy Neonatal Unit burning calories. From that time onwards I was never able to lose this weight and despite taking up running, going to the gym and paying a Personal Trainer it stayed and I have continued to gain weight. It got worse again when I returned to shift work at 50, again for my role. I then returned to nights, days, 13 hour long shifts, short 7.5 hour shifts. Sometimes working nights and day shifts in the same week. This I feel totally knocked my metabolism off kilter. This coincided with the menopause. Weight gain around the middle has blighted me and nothing helped me shift this. I can lose 7lbs and then plateau. I have tried Slimming World, Weight watchers and an Extremely low calorie diet, living on liquid replacement drinks of 450 calories a day. This did help me lose 1.5 stone, but it didn’t stay off too long after my husband came out of work and took over the cooking. His Desperate Dan portions contributed to more weight gain around the middle.

What I have done to try and lose the weight

18 months ago my GP advised me that I had to try and lose weight due to a medical problem. She had great empathy and prescribed me Orlistat, a fat binding tablet to help me. She and other medical colleagues have all said that due to my hormonal state and irregular shift patterns I could not maintain a steady Cortisol level and this was inhibiting my chances of losing the weight. I was informed by my GP that in some people these tablets do not work. Well yes, you guessed it I was one of the people they did not work for. I lost my usual 7lbs and that was it. If you’re not familiar with these tablets they bind to fat and help you excrete 25% of your fat intake in your stools. (Sorry for those of you with weak stomachs!). It also involves eating a low fat diet or the side effects are very unpleasant!

So here I am half a stone lighter but stuck! I feel I need a miracle worker. I am surrounded by colleagues who are losing weight for fun on slimming world and I’m not.

I am very interested in clothes and fashion. I regularly get compliments on my appearance. I have to say I work hard at buying clothes that disguise my weight gain around the middle. However they are not the clothes I wish to wear. I long to wear the lovely body con dresses worn by Lorraine or Ruth Langford. Sadly it’s not to be, to add insult to injury I also have big boobs! Fitted jackets are also problematic.

This week I decided to go shopping to buy some dresses for summer and a couple of social events I have been invited to. This was an unmitigated disaster on the whole. Changing room mirrors are brutal as we all know. I came away with nothing that I really wanted, no smart dresses, just a couple of casual tops for my summer holiday overseas. I came home feeling very low indeed.

But I am a very positive person – my cup is always half full, and I found some positives. I went to a charity ball this week and wore a cocktail dress that I have had in my wardrobe for a couple of years it had only had one previous outing. I admit it was tighter than when I last wore it, but overall I was happy with how I looked in it.

I then thought about where I had got this from. It was from a design brand called So Fabulous, I have a few of their pieces that I buy online from Fashion World. Reflecting on this I realised that all my favourite dresses were purchased from that website. Other brands I have purchased from Fashion World that suit my shape are Joanna Hope and Closet. This provoked me to have a browse and sure enough I found several that I liked. I ordered them and when they arrived I was delighted with them. There is light at the end of the tunnel – hallelujah! Thank you for this fabulous company.

They are a mixture of dressy and casual and are fabulous. They were a pick me up and made me happy about myself again. My best dresses tend to be A line and I have accepted, that although this shape is not top of the fashion charts at the moment, they suit me and can make me look OK and disguise weight gain around the middle. The message is find a style that suits and stick to it. It’s no point squeezing myself into a body con dress just because I want one if it’s going to accentuate my middle! My pet hate is ill fitting clothes.

There are other fashion brands that I can always turn to such as Wallis and the wonder that is Pepperberry, by Bravissimo for ladies with big boobs. Their clothes are worthy of a blog post of their own.

Now I have decided on my personal style that doesn’t mean I am going to give up the quest for weight loss. I have a new strategy, after much soul searching I realised that I was probably consuming more wine and beer that I cared to admit. If I put my hand on my heart I was not counting these empty calories in my diets. I was probably consuming the equivalent of a day and a half’s extra calories per week. This is one of the pleasures and vices of my retirement. Lots of lunches with friends plus lazy evenings in front of the TV without the worry of an early start for work.

So I am abstaining from alcohol for the next 4 weeks before my holiday and following a slimming world diet. Watch this space and see if there is anything to report on this front. Onwards and Upwards.

Have you got any tips for weight loss in the menopause?
Or is there a go to fashion style you favour for your body shape?

I’d be interested to hear from you