Skip to main content

Pregnant at 47?

I exercise. I diet. I meditate.

And yet – the past few weeks, I was baffled.

Who would have thought that in less than a year I would gain 10-15 pounds?
Who would have thought that my mood would erratically change from “ready to conquer the world” to “I just want to lay down and sleep?”
Who would have thought that I can be bloated in 1 day and then feeling slimmer again the next day?

That's why I thought I was pregnant at 47!
(Yes, kids -- it's all because of Immaculate Conception)
I blurted out to my husband, “What kind of joke is this?”

It wasn’t enough that women have to go through PMS, hormonal changes and giving birth. Just when we thought we got our acts together --- Bhamm! Menopause hits us like a splitting headache!

Right now, my body can’t decide whether I’m hot or cold; bloated or dehydrated; super confident or blah!

The past year I tried different exercise routines: running, yoga, Power 90, The 30-Day Challenge, Belly Dancing, Hip Hop Abs, Zumba and Pilates. But I just lost any enthusiasm. Every exercise seemed exciting at first, but then got boring after a while.

I try not to whine about my weight issues, because I still look pretty small.
The only struggle is that I can’t fit on any of my clothes. The shape of my body changed!
And I don't have any energy! ( And I talk in exclamation points!)


So yesterday, I made an urgent appointment to see my OB/GYN of 23 years. But since he was not available right away, I settled for the nurse practitioner on duty– what a big mistake! Not sure it if was just my moodiness or if it was her, but she was just not “empathetic” to my complaints.

The nurse practitioner told me that clearly I was menopausal. (Duh?)  And that in order to lose weight or even maintain my weight – I have to double the number of hours I exercise, and to really – I mean, really watch what I eat. Gone were the days when all I needed was 30-45 minutes a day of exercise and a sensible diet.

Energy? What energy? My energy level went from 100 to 0 in 4 weeks! I went from being the "Energizer Bunny" to a "Little Turtle that Could". I don't even have the patience to deal with the complexities of the new FB (and how timely is it that my FB account's temporarily out of service?)

Well, at least the visit to the doctor’s office provided me with a prescription to get some blood work done: Thanks to my husband and my MIL, I knew what tests to ask! I had other aches and pains, so the Nurse Practitioner scheduled a few ultrasound here and there!

Around 1pm,, I got my haircut. My hair-dresser and close friend gave me a few tips and words of encouragement. She introduced me to “dates”, edamame and flax seed. (Added those to my Trader Joe's grocery list!)

By 5pm, I came home and vented to my dear girl friend. (Thank goodness, she’s back from Italy and that she had a book that might help me explain things.)

My friend lent me a book she got 10 years  ago -- Dr. Laura E. Corio’s “The Change before The Change” – the essential book for every woman over 35! I’ll read it and let you know. I’m sure I’ll find ways to help me understand and cope with these mood and body swings! I just hope I don't toss the book out of the window --- out of frustration! ( I do have to return the book to my friend, so really , there won't be any tossing going on!)

Luckily I have friends and family I can "vent" to. Oh yeah, one more thing that makes this a lot easier -- my husband! He understands and researches various way to make me feel better: even in my craziest, irrational, “Sybil-like” attitude.

So until next time. Hopefully, by then we can talk about my book!

Keep smiling – it’s really not that bad!

Comments

  1. Oh, Jen, I am totally "empathetic." Yep, everything you mention - body changes, weight gain, hot flashes - I went through. My weight was under control all my life until I hit menopause.

    It's not much of a consolation, but there's a legion of women right there with you!

    P.S. So much fun to talk to you recently!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, Felicia. I had a fun time talking with you, too.

    I decided I can definitely take control over these hormones -- if I can get them to listen to me!

    Take care.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Completed my first 16 Week IsaBody Challenge: Believe You Have A Purpose

My family is what matters most to me.  I’m 51 and a mother of 4 (ages 14 – 26). I wanted to be healthier, more active and stronger not just for me, but for the people I love.  I wanted to set an example for my family that we each possess the tools to master our wellness and vitality. I've always been petite except when I was pregnant ( when I gained an average of 50 pounds per pregnancy - 4 times!) Over the years I had tried various diet and exercise regimens, and I did enjoy a degree of success, but the results were not to the level I hoped for, and they were somewhat short lived.   Achieving stable, long-lasting results proved stubbornly elusive.    Then when I hit menopause everything became more difficult.    My body stopped cooperating altogether, and I was constantly grumpy. My waist and hips expanded and I found myself napping in the afternoons.    I started to accept the idea that there would be this new, less vibrant version of me. I just completed my P

Immigration and Family: Will my mom ever get to see my daughter walk down the aisle

Last year when my father passed away in the Philippines, I went home and took some time to visit the U.S. Embassy in Manila to ask what the options are for my mother to return to the U.S. The consul reminded me of the 10-year travel ban. That on or after November 8, 2015 — not earlier – or 10 years after my mom, was deported in 2005 for overstaying her visa, I can email the U.S. Embassy and inquire about my mother’s approved petition. I asked if I need to file another petition, and she informed me I didn’t have to. I asked if I could… and she stopped me and said to ask everything on or after November 8, 2015. This is where I am, and where my thoughts are drifting as I celebrate this month my 16th American birthday. I am counting the months, the weeks and the days. My daughter is getting married in January 2016 and I would love to have my entire family, especially my mother, to be here when that momentous occasion happens.

SPICE-up a young child's development: social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional

Children are the precious gems of a family. When they’re young and innocent, they are like sponges that willingly and quickly absorb any knowledge and emotion. That’s why at an early age, we encourage our children to read, be creative, be happy and feed their curiosity. With all the technology and instant gratification that children get from playing video or computer games, asking a child to read a good book has been a challenge for some parents .     “Your children are not your children.       They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.       They come through you but not from you,       And though they are with you, and yet they belong not to you.       You may give them your love but not your thoughts,        For they have their own thoughts.        You may house their bodies but not their souls,        For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,        which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” -                     Kahlil Gibr

Helping others surpass their goals and expectations

"It's not about the end goal. It's who you become by consistently pushing to the edge of your limits." - Robin Sharma Do you ever wonder why you stumble on new things?  Do you ever wonder why unsuspecting strangers cross your path? Do you ever wonder why your mind takes you to a direction you didn't think exist? I was walking to StarBucks to meet my husband when I noticed a sign...

Still shaky, skidded in snow, but so blessed my guardian angels are looking after me!

"Never again wonder, what to be thankful for..."   - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life It’s yet another snowy day in New Jersey. Beautiful, yes but dangerous! In line with my goal for this month is to get back on schedule. I got up around 4am to get my 15yo ready for his Model United Nations conference. (Thankful that our neighbor offered to drive him to school by 5:30am ) I got my 9yo ready for school and I'm thankful that my other neighbor offered to drive him to school. I then drove my husband to the train station to Manhattan. I decided to stop by the Community Center and decided to run a fast 5K on the treadmill. I was 1 mile short because I was so sweaty and hot. (Note to self: dress lightly next time) While cooling down inside the car, I read Day 14’s chapter of Rick Warren's the “Purpose Driven Life” book. I felt really good because it just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how awful yo