tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35131983941499706672024-03-19T08:47:14.204-04:00Moments from MenopauseWhether they're sweaty, sleepless, moody, or bitchy, Moments from Menopause are always changing. Let's share information, anecdotes, and tips for coping with these crazy next few years.peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-13642284075364063602018-04-24T04:48:00.000-04:002018-04-24T04:48:22.380-04:00The skinny on my neckSo a few months ago I told y'all I'd started using Crepe Erase on my neck to combat the signs of aging, crepey, old-lady looking skin there. You know: that cracked, ugly, dry and turkeyneck-looking skin that covers your neck and decollate. I've used it consistently and persistently for 2 months, twice a day - morning and night, along with the exfoliating rub in the shower.<br />
<br />
The results?<br />
<br />
While my skin FEELS softer, it looks no younger, no less turkey-ish, no less...crepey. Sometimes my skin even feels a little greasy, especially when I use it at night.<br />
<br />
So the thought now is do I stop using it or keep trying to see if there are any real cumulative, long term positive effects.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nuRc9qFFLkkXkzR54H54vHIiif3FU6n8dOLnykg_f-zr40AnSP9Roc16QB3SFN9_2Hqsi1mSU7mXbsrWOfkzPvlbeUbMZvBNwBwm1cj8PCXPBxdqC7kcv46KxRqUkXFzKgHA8ou_pAY/s1600/decisions.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nuRc9qFFLkkXkzR54H54vHIiif3FU6n8dOLnykg_f-zr40AnSP9Roc16QB3SFN9_2Hqsi1mSU7mXbsrWOfkzPvlbeUbMZvBNwBwm1cj8PCXPBxdqC7kcv46KxRqUkXFzKgHA8ou_pAY/s1600/decisions.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a conundrum. The stuff costs' $49.00 per month and I get a delivery every three months. Right now I'm on round 2 ( the first supply was only for a month.) So I still have some time left before I get to the 6 month mark which is when I typically stop using stuff if I see no marked results or no change.<br />
<br />
Hmmm....decisions, decisions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKz0sJLvdzskTZmvAp9jrkIz-6EgiyFEFZytYeH4src4f_XlRe1rS8fW0AprS6ztZCKDIgnII1xahV-LGwMehLA9fkjjRUjiydcmLHVX1I7C7fBSXf9C3552V3VU-MCdUDoGCm29_euLA/s1600/decisions2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKz0sJLvdzskTZmvAp9jrkIz-6EgiyFEFZytYeH4src4f_XlRe1rS8fW0AprS6ztZCKDIgnII1xahV-LGwMehLA9fkjjRUjiydcmLHVX1I7C7fBSXf9C3552V3VU-MCdUDoGCm29_euLA/s320/decisions2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm going to continue with the current supply, though, and see if time and continual use really does make a difference. I'll be checking back with ya in the future.<br />
<br />
That was harder than it should have been. Hee Hee<br />
<br />
<br />peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-79085816633953681622018-04-17T04:27:00.000-04:002018-04-17T04:27:12.567-04:00It's been a minute...So I've been absent for the past month of Tuesdays because I've been on a blog/book tour for my other life - the writing one. I had a new book release on 4.3.18 and I've been on a daily blog tour, so my writing for here got a little sidetracked.<br />
The last time we met I 'd just been hypnotized to try and lose some of the weight I've gained during menopause. I had a subconscious thought placed to stop drinking all the Diet Mountain Dew soda I drink and instead, switch to water. There were a few other "prompts" that were put in as well. The results?<br />
I no longer drink soda of any kind, which is amazing.<br />
But... I've gained 19 pounds since being hypnotized.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3QNYRqlXPXUgfNVuGa8wn1P1VhFvbRJN6Xs1tApuUpBdNNjwLI2_KjO2-joKxWjcS5MWj_Nw8SIYTRzW9jAtQrS0oR5rECHCdFvnRHOrLkliM0pPumRgUnzhkrBdM53NI-sTWlzUXd8/s1600/killmenow.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3QNYRqlXPXUgfNVuGa8wn1P1VhFvbRJN6Xs1tApuUpBdNNjwLI2_KjO2-joKxWjcS5MWj_Nw8SIYTRzW9jAtQrS0oR5rECHCdFvnRHOrLkliM0pPumRgUnzhkrBdM53NI-sTWlzUXd8/s1600/killmenow.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
Unbelievable, right? The one thing that should have helped me to lose weight, made me gain 19 pounds. I have a theory that the reason i did was because there was so much caffeine in the soda I drank all day long, that it helped rev my metabolism, so I was able to at least keep my weight at a somewhat normative level.<br />
<br />
My husband doesn't believe that theory for a second.<br />
<br />
You're gonna ask if I changed my eating habits and the answer would be yes. The hypnotist gave each of us a meal planner with a caloric intake of between 1800 and 2000 calories per day. I've been living on 800-1000 per day, so in essence, he doubled my caloric intake.<br />
<br />
You'd gain weight, too, if you did that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtqoNxx0h3TTWTL_Q3TkJXxZOEuFPjtyY1qxR2ZTSp9uIhvinrUlnD_LgseEi_kiMtbVvqKUf4gB6fLU77e0dfzcqPYls2lmQf0dVmzhuNVAobSNtKWrnLcFP6ZcoXzP9iWA6EOS0hsw/s1600/weight1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtqoNxx0h3TTWTL_Q3TkJXxZOEuFPjtyY1qxR2ZTSp9uIhvinrUlnD_LgseEi_kiMtbVvqKUf4gB6fLU77e0dfzcqPYls2lmQf0dVmzhuNVAobSNtKWrnLcFP6ZcoXzP9iWA6EOS0hsw/s1600/weight1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So, this past week I went back to eating my "normal" 1000 calories a day.<br />
Result: lost 3 pounds.<br />
Boom!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iJX4h1-pIjNmYvEpP3_zBUTtjpkLbLMcWO92x9rZIJIekDc6x34vnlI-zVmEFZ4cOE5xQbye037oNWgNGMaygCnbqJaqBxEZR7reJBEa1th0LEQjCPlTHe1ZzB8qu8jqa0KUMXhoDxo/s1600/dropthemic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iJX4h1-pIjNmYvEpP3_zBUTtjpkLbLMcWO92x9rZIJIekDc6x34vnlI-zVmEFZ4cOE5xQbye037oNWgNGMaygCnbqJaqBxEZR7reJBEa1th0LEQjCPlTHe1ZzB8qu8jqa0KUMXhoDxo/s1600/dropthemic.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-49665552309406124102018-03-13T05:24:00.001-04:002018-03-13T05:24:21.782-04:00Actions, reactions, and results.Week one post-hypnosis.<br />
Eating patterns: changed. Chew more, feel full quicker, pushing the plate away with food still on it.<br />
Water consumption: 90 ounces average daily; no soda at all<br />
Exercise routine: 6 days last week, 12000 steps daily, weight/strength training x 4 days<br />
Weight: 1.5 pound GAIN<br />
Motivation: ughghg<br />
<br />
So, I guess the theory that when you make plans God laughs is true.<br />
I've done everything - EVERYTHING - I was supposed to do and still, I gain instead of lose weight.<br />
Sososososososososo Frustrating.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeYKsTrDzQAOFs6PBMNullYJra4tvOaNNpVf_LdOWscyxBj-Ut6xAecmCv1iSHif78FJbP4RTn9aQmTOKwUboI_uCsqPQHODlLf5o1FAqq9uov6n_4saMoNcxc_ZruxaKCoDxk50OOzE/s1600/frustration.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeYKsTrDzQAOFs6PBMNullYJra4tvOaNNpVf_LdOWscyxBj-Ut6xAecmCv1iSHif78FJbP4RTn9aQmTOKwUboI_uCsqPQHODlLf5o1FAqq9uov6n_4saMoNcxc_ZruxaKCoDxk50OOzE/s1600/frustration.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But, I do feel better not drinking diet soda, I am sleeping an average of 1-2 hours more each night ( so a total of 3-4 now), and I feel stronger physically than I did last week, so yay for that.<br />
<br />
Maybe the scale is broken? Yeah, that's probably it. I better go to Target today and get a new one ( although I got this one last month, but...you never know!)<br />
<br />
More....progress(?) to report next time, I hope.<br />
Le sigh.<br />
<br />
Looking for me in my other life? You can find me here: <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tweet Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Read Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Picture Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pin Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Peggy-Jaeger-Author-825914814095072/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friend Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://plus.google.com/+PeggyJaeger/about" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Google+Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=77972" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Triber</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> Me</span>peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-48623693289752050112018-03-06T05:28:00.000-05:002018-03-06T05:28:52.521-05:00Unconventional Actions - Don't judge me!I've been talking about my <b>never-ending struggle</b> to lose any/all/something of the weight I've gained during the time I started menopause until this moment in time. Nothing has worked so far, in fact, my weight keeps creeping upward. <i>Creeping</i>? Jiminy crickets, it's on the fast track!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T5fH_ME622Pt0kAw3EV3H8OS_HgUCYIsblc4MSkzgoqd71siPWvBfWSjFhFBYWFjHfP3q6-J-isZGfcnOkFqkcuOXZm56s0sHa5Rsn3dwlvZPvNjTC0m6_Y9ryUCpDoPUid-c5-PBq8/s1600/hypnosis5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="700" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T5fH_ME622Pt0kAw3EV3H8OS_HgUCYIsblc4MSkzgoqd71siPWvBfWSjFhFBYWFjHfP3q6-J-isZGfcnOkFqkcuOXZm56s0sHa5Rsn3dwlvZPvNjTC0m6_Y9ryUCpDoPUid-c5-PBq8/s320/hypnosis5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So, in an attempt to try something different, I went and got <i><b>Hypnotized</b></i> this past Saturday.<br />
<br />
Yes, me, little Miss Naysayer, actually went to a seminar where you can get hypnotized to lose weight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKBtdn-mKhj_h9ftRFlgW_Ha5uxhuXv43ooJ9VhsHaVVuM-GAtR9i7MNWjKNsyUxqtTiCL9laeV3JXviH_Gx_MDbEAcpHSeh9ky2x3uRKeo5IGeVsxIeeJaqpsn2ad-hu5-4HoPgFNh8/s1600/hypnosis.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKBtdn-mKhj_h9ftRFlgW_Ha5uxhuXv43ooJ9VhsHaVVuM-GAtR9i7MNWjKNsyUxqtTiCL9laeV3JXviH_Gx_MDbEAcpHSeh9ky2x3uRKeo5IGeVsxIeeJaqpsn2ad-hu5-4HoPgFNh8/s1600/hypnosis.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was....interesting, to say the least. One of the best things about it is that I was the thinnest person in the room except for the hypnotist. And I realize how horrible I sound saying that, but anytime I can be the thinnest person ANYWHERE is a major plus for my fragile ego. So.<br />
<br />
The seminar was 2 hours. One was devoted to a detailed, medicine-backed lecture on why dieting doesn't work, the way our bodies process sugar and fat, and the ways we've slowly been killing ourselves with dieting due to major nutrient depletion over a course of decades.<br />
<br />
Everything the moderator said rang true with me. The more I diet, the more I starve, the more I eat all the no-cal, low cal, no taste foods out there, the more my weight increases.<br />
<br />
Hour # 2 was the actual hypnosis. I won't go into all the boring details of how it was done, but when it was over, I thought we'd spent about 5 minutes on it when in reality it was 30. I was fully awake - which you're supposed to be -- just realllllllllllllllllly relaxed and receptive to what was being said.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9usm06IyyOsac4jYt_CsmcdpGDfGIMMOWR3J97QnyhWrBzs9k2W8tTXFjnhd91x4giDaun_Sx1bX33cbIlKkA_rp6mOM6kofc9BvjfrwgutrVN7zso7PxOPq3OqQhiqzy3cKQQ9rcH0/s1600/hypnosis2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9usm06IyyOsac4jYt_CsmcdpGDfGIMMOWR3J97QnyhWrBzs9k2W8tTXFjnhd91x4giDaun_Sx1bX33cbIlKkA_rp6mOM6kofc9BvjfrwgutrVN7zso7PxOPq3OqQhiqzy3cKQQ9rcH0/s1600/hypnosis2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Did I feel different afterward? No, just a little refreshed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK_xG1gQ0N8A5irdTFqVI2PZq2qk2YvGmmPiA9fIuBzaZHnkPWZ5uVayEi70OW86WkyNDV2wzL0Oq3bcUeudvC34poqMGDTjKSOZklD33898D5BIZU-V__TERH5Wlw1Uj6tcDZJRkiIE/s1600/hypnosis3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK_xG1gQ0N8A5irdTFqVI2PZq2qk2YvGmmPiA9fIuBzaZHnkPWZ5uVayEi70OW86WkyNDV2wzL0Oq3bcUeudvC34poqMGDTjKSOZklD33898D5BIZU-V__TERH5Wlw1Uj6tcDZJRkiIE/s320/hypnosis3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Did I magically drop 90 pounds? No. But the true test was Saturday night when hubman and I went out to dinner.<br />
<br />
Two of the "Suggestions" placed in my subconscious was that I was going to feel full faster and leave food left over at the end of the meal instead of licking the plate clean as I usually do, and that I would place my utensils down on the plate between bites and chew ( which I NEVER DO!) I'm a shovel-er. I shovel the food in fast, barely chew before swallowing and choke more times than not!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbSEBCt0CAY-kAQ_HP5HAxQ7dNWBAle8_IgMNm8aa_D7-8dp4uzTq0vGi35s_bAbLNbA5-S2r61DuxZp9V5YI6flGyuXBWt9n5EGCCUScmaJMe7AW9E0NZkP6kvZ_ZUL3xaX7MEKWXFA/s1600/hypnosis4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbSEBCt0CAY-kAQ_HP5HAxQ7dNWBAle8_IgMNm8aa_D7-8dp4uzTq0vGi35s_bAbLNbA5-S2r61DuxZp9V5YI6flGyuXBWt9n5EGCCUScmaJMe7AW9E0NZkP6kvZ_ZUL3xaX7MEKWXFA/s1600/hypnosis4.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
While we were out to dinner my husband commented that I was eating much more slowly, putting my utensils down, which I hadn't even realized I was doing, and then I left a decent portion of my food still on the plate before I exclaimed, "I'm full and done." Which I really was.<br />
<br />
Score!! There were a bunch more suggestions "Placed" in my subconscious that I've noticed since the seminar as well, and all that is - hopefully - helping with weight loss.<br />
<br />
I'll report next week if I do lose anything, because, in all seriousness, that's the only way to tell if it truly did work. And if it did - well, little Miss Naysayer will be a converted <i>Believer!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>When I'm not getting hypnotized or doing any other mind altering things, you can find me here, where I blog about my other career: writing. </i><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tweet Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Read Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Picture Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pin Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Peggy-Jaeger-Author-825914814095072/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friend Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://plus.google.com/+PeggyJaeger/about" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Google+Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=77972" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Triber</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> Me</span>peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-79559232707553767462018-02-27T04:40:00.000-05:002018-02-27T04:40:26.268-05:00Sweatin' to the oldies and feeling...oldIn my never-ending battle to rid myself of all the menopause and middle-aged weight I've gained, I've been very diligent of late going to the gym.<br />
<br />
Here's a disclaimer: I absolutely, positively, without exception HATE exercising. I always have. I don't like to sweat. It makes me feel... gross/dirty/slimy/smelly. And I especially hate sweating in front of other people.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXck4XnpqjwvgKmPrDLNWJokFsbt3XsMK3N4fd4GlMCSwC47Cak6jQvlBEXprcuF08PhV_Lk112nHqWwsNE9dGfHChy8hyphenhyphen7VSnzBev0BH9yOEjP2X-IKHCcvkg73iQhtF70llj4Ge1yY/s1600/gym6.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="500" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXck4XnpqjwvgKmPrDLNWJokFsbt3XsMK3N4fd4GlMCSwC47Cak6jQvlBEXprcuF08PhV_Lk112nHqWwsNE9dGfHChy8hyphenhyphen7VSnzBev0BH9yOEjP2X-IKHCcvkg73iQhtF70llj4Ge1yY/s320/gym6.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I know...weird. But that's me.<br />
<br />
Anyway...<br />
<br />
Because it's been drilled into me by every single person - professional and non- that I've spoken to about my weight struggles, I am now becoming a devotee of gym-going. I still hate it, but I recognize I need to do SOMETHING. The fat is not going to magically slough from my a**. I'm not going to wake up tomorrow and my arms will no longer jiggle like congealed jello. And I'm sick and tired of investing in Spanx.<br />
<br />
So...to the gym I go.<br />
<br />
Since I hate it so much, I've found I am very anti-social when I am there. I have a headset that is attached to my ipad and my iPod so whenever I am doing something like walking on the treadmill or lifting weights, I can listen to music or watch a tv show and I don't have to...socialize. There are decided cliques at the gym - just like in life - and I do not want to be part of any group of people who compare the amounts they sweat to one another. I don't like competition.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZN3iRg7NNIY7d4w-PS914TuqVftZgg-Z1e-B5KYrjVTb7CDue9plZZOWs-fgDSZx5XX1gd_cofxPhWKxpbllDa86Shu7sMqaIZVpRPWqEjSpAEzFodqvjEgpfNGuFnklfmN9pjop-WY/s1600/gym3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZN3iRg7NNIY7d4w-PS914TuqVftZgg-Z1e-B5KYrjVTb7CDue9plZZOWs-fgDSZx5XX1gd_cofxPhWKxpbllDa86Shu7sMqaIZVpRPWqEjSpAEzFodqvjEgpfNGuFnklfmN9pjop-WY/s320/gym3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And I know that makes me sound like a complete a**hole and troll. I get that, believe me, I get that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CX4q912sZjqc5qbOqhFz0rI5GwiXw7IHG8-HZ7IGch94iYwabHMe9vziaW5HdDq9eBIDU4bbmhRCZC5nvFfXctki_xxrzAoboEbQYoNaXbe-MydjyakN1RVPwp4fMviCIs_Vjx4jwtc/s1600/gym.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="736" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CX4q912sZjqc5qbOqhFz0rI5GwiXw7IHG8-HZ7IGch94iYwabHMe9vziaW5HdDq9eBIDU4bbmhRCZC5nvFfXctki_xxrzAoboEbQYoNaXbe-MydjyakN1RVPwp4fMviCIs_Vjx4jwtc/s320/gym.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I have no problem smiling or saying good morning to people I recognize. The very fact I have a headphone on lends itself to a brief smile, wave, or a mouthed hello from the person, which is just about enough for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoWWCM9vTeWGJopUqUiTBeBZVQ_drduRlNNfPzpa9JLSEb2jvhjW6iE0VIF22jeUzx35TpOAab3fuU_q04nVS0lUWnc35K9JKrXVFu2Vy0gt4R6Xd4m9nG4NfDb2mwOghUNSo7j3txeE/s1600/gym2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoWWCM9vTeWGJopUqUiTBeBZVQ_drduRlNNfPzpa9JLSEb2jvhjW6iE0VIF22jeUzx35TpOAab3fuU_q04nVS0lUWnc35K9JKrXVFu2Vy0gt4R6Xd4m9nG4NfDb2mwOghUNSo7j3txeE/s1600/gym2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
I told this to my husband, who, himself, is like the Mayor of the gym. When he goes after work every single person there he knows. He stops what he is doing, chats, makes small talk, etc, and then continues on with his workout. It takes me an hour beginning to end. It takes him 90 minutes to 2 hours beginning to end because he stops so much to schmooze. Anway. I told him I just listen to music or watch a show but don't engage in socialties. He was horrified.<br />
<br />
Okay, horrified is a little dramatic. What he was, in reality, was thoughtful. And when my husband is thoughtful, you can expect some wisdom to be imparted in a timely fashion.<br />
<br />
It was.<br />
<br />
He told me he actually likes exercising more now than he ever did because he has so many friends at the gym. He doesn't work out with anyone, like a buddy, so no one is slowing his workout down, and he's not worried about keeping up with anyone else, but's its nice for so many people to smile and encourage him, like he does to them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKEmtuxmm2Gg73eTWjSlRZ3nK0pPQKwNi5OShpUFG32NqNHg3q5APqEC3QMz_Nua9tnqUq011CBhAl6tXpuzSrcn7jgy99OtBNr4mlaz2zAknYq5Yrui7jLKi5nVRYPXcIthsImfEd4U/s1600/gym4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="450" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKEmtuxmm2Gg73eTWjSlRZ3nK0pPQKwNi5OShpUFG32NqNHg3q5APqEC3QMz_Nua9tnqUq011CBhAl6tXpuzSrcn7jgy99OtBNr4mlaz2zAknYq5Yrui7jLKi5nVRYPXcIthsImfEd4U/s320/gym4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hmm.<br />
<br />
I guess I never thought of it that way.<br />
<br />
See? Wisdom.<br />
<br />
I made myself a promise that this week on the days I go to the gym I will engage. In small talk, in how are you's, in good jobs! Let's see if it makes any kind of difference in my mental attitude toward gyming.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LYuh66vbuFX-V5qHaUmYsVdFceeEScgNq7Yp1jOORN3bctHDcOQMlOG8I02FmLAEeMPIx6b5GyrVCUiZWk6ysSasWmjDOcXtG5MSe3N-oHuiVqCONc20oELujRlfU2JKU0XX35pk01U/s1600/gyme5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="420" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LYuh66vbuFX-V5qHaUmYsVdFceeEScgNq7Yp1jOORN3bctHDcOQMlOG8I02FmLAEeMPIx6b5GyrVCUiZWk6ysSasWmjDOcXtG5MSe3N-oHuiVqCONc20oELujRlfU2JKU0XX35pk01U/s320/gyme5.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Stay tuned.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-25570629573125765562018-02-20T04:51:00.001-05:002018-02-20T04:51:12.685-05:00Society and weight...I've been very honest with my weight struggles over my lifetime. A 40-year eating disorder that started in my early teens has turned my metabolism into a non-functioning nightmare. Add in this hormone-crazed time called MENOPAUSE, and my weight, like the stock market, has been steadily climbing. The stock market may have in-place corrections, my menopause metabolism does not, so while the market gets, well, <i>corrected,</i> my weight continues to spiral upward, no federal trade ceiling mandates to stop it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAfTDS4ElumWcYhqVkP2cv0oBBrrrbjkepZmCTcfygv6ZWS_6q0va-ymFP9d5lSlIEmua9G6uB7N_XWUwkmBYV4Fb79M2Jgl-T4u9qxb6Em2zxSsj5OMVcEvMlHXymFpmMarkpAfzALs/s1600/overweight.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAfTDS4ElumWcYhqVkP2cv0oBBrrrbjkepZmCTcfygv6ZWS_6q0va-ymFP9d5lSlIEmua9G6uB7N_XWUwkmBYV4Fb79M2Jgl-T4u9qxb6Em2zxSsj5OMVcEvMlHXymFpmMarkpAfzALs/s1600/overweight.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My eating disorder bloomed out of a random statement my father made to me when I was 12. A little backstory is needed: My parents divorced before I was born. My father's mother had been a very famous fur model in the 1940's and 50's in NY. My father had even been a child model.<br />
<br />
So, back to me.<br />
<br />
When I was 12 I was the tallest kid in my class and had been since second grade. My father is waaaaay over 6 feet and everyone thought I'd gotten the tall DNA as well. I didn't, but we wouldn't know that for another two years. Anyway. I was going out to dinner with my father and his wife for my birthday and my father made the comment that if I lost a ton of weight and got my teeth fixed, I could try modeling like he and my Grandmother had. There was no market for overweight models, he said, so if I wanted to earn some easy money, I'd need to drop pounds. Now up until this time no one in my family had ever made a comment about my weight. While I was in no way obese, I did have a few pounds of chubby, pre-teen fat on me. That one comment - and the implications inherent in it, namely that I wasn't good enough, sent me into an out of control weight reduction and yo-yo dieting and eating spiral that plagued me for decades - and is still present even today.<br />
<br />
And it seems my father wasn't the only one who thought that being a little over the usual weight limit was a bad thing. Look at every magazine cover geared for women from the 1950's until the present day. While the emphasis has switched from anorexic to fit and healthy, you still don't see a NORMAL shaped, sized, and weighted woman on any of those covers. Nor inside the pages.<br />
<br />
Some headway is being made, like model Ashley Graham's emergence on the scene. But she's still considered a "Plus sized model" and not just "a Model." The distinction screams a lot about how designers, magazine owners, and the fashion and beauty industry still feels about women's bodies and weight, doesn't it?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxxYPDqcMxPIfuka368QmfquXSHS5uEJxejBvVSbZdxW1GaFB9wkje_4n2dAvWvLcbZbZB4EBFKzI9BT6QzgSmprihvUi322nJuQydOaCLCX130di9SsxGlbTEtPedti6IShIH_byrdc/s1600/ashley.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxxYPDqcMxPIfuka368QmfquXSHS5uEJxejBvVSbZdxW1GaFB9wkje_4n2dAvWvLcbZbZB4EBFKzI9BT6QzgSmprihvUi322nJuQydOaCLCX130di9SsxGlbTEtPedti6IShIH_byrdc/s1600/ashley.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I was at the gym recently and I overheard this conversation between two women whom I know are in the same hormonal throes as I am. They'd been giving the stink eye to a gaggle of fit and fabulous 20-somethings who were getting changed after their workout. Not one of them had broken a sweat. They were makeup perfect, too. Once they were gone, this is part of the conversation that ensued.<br />
<br />
<i>Woman 1 : Remember those days? </i><br />
<i>Women 2: Eat all you want, stay out all night partying, pretend to exercise, and still look like that? Have every guy staring at you? Yeah. I do.</i><br />
<i>W1: This is ridiculous. I'm here 6 days a week, 90 minutes per day, and I still can't get rid of this belly fat.</i><br />
<i>W 2: Hear ya. I tried cutting my calories but got so hungry I ate everything in the pantry that wasn't expired! My ass has its own zip code.</i><br />
<i>W1: I tried Paleo, Weight Watchers and now I'm doing Atkins. I'm never hungry but I'm not losing any weight either.</i><br />
<i>W2: I think I'm gonna try that cool sculpting. Freeze the Godd**m fat off, once and for all!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Okay, full disclosure here: I wanted to scream DON'T DO IT, but it's been something that's crossed my mind a few times as well. It kinda feels like cheating, tho, to me. I'd rather this belly fat ( and ass, hips, back, too) would just burn off from all the exercise and calorie counting I do.<br />
<br />
57 years old and I still hear my father's voice berating me - subtly- about my weight. You'd think at this advanced age I would be over the hurt and shame of not being perfect. You would be wrong.<br />
And I don't think I'm alone in this, as evidenced by the above conversation.<br />
<br />
Why does society make it a crime or a sin to not have the perfect body, be the perfect weight? And who decided what those were, anyway? A bunch of insurance adjusters sitting in a dark room? The fashion designer icons who view women as objects and not living beings? The so-called beauty industry whose sole focus is to prove all women need to be changed ( read: Makeup) to be better and beautiful?<br />
<br />
I'd like to say I'm over it. Over the shame of not being perfect, over the eating disorder, over the feelings of total inadequacy. But I'm not. I really don't know if I ever will be, especially when everything I do is for naught.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eW-R7MzxlZgGU37c7BW4ZLJtgr7pDAWsrwzpWcqeJLM7E-xd0CDgdJBnkB7PBaCsxBUe78K-2CVIOwlRhfYw4I8obOIV9fB58HDvZO63MmKOJRfx-eKuoZ_VoXxzhAHdWlGUjUU_xAU/s1600/overweight1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eW-R7MzxlZgGU37c7BW4ZLJtgr7pDAWsrwzpWcqeJLM7E-xd0CDgdJBnkB7PBaCsxBUe78K-2CVIOwlRhfYw4I8obOIV9fB58HDvZO63MmKOJRfx-eKuoZ_VoXxzhAHdWlGUjUU_xAU/s1600/overweight1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I sound like I'm whining. I'm trying not to.<br />
I sound like I'm bitter. I kinda am.<br />
I sound a bit resentful.You got that right!<br />
<br />
Stay tuned...this subject's gonna stick around for a while ( like the jiggly fat on my inner thighs and butt!)<br />
<br />
In my other life as a writer, I'm a little more positive and less hormonal! You can find me here:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tweet Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Read Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Picture Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pin Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Peggy-Jaeger-Author-825914814095072/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friend Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://plus.google.com/+PeggyJaeger/about" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Google+Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=77972" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Triber</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> Me</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-92163666850511525842018-02-13T04:52:00.000-05:002018-02-13T04:52:03.591-05:00A weighty subject....I recently had a doctor tell me that if you change nothing about your diet and exercise regime, you will gain 10% of your current weight every decade after 50. No matter what. 10%!<br />
<br />
So if I weigh 150 pounds at 50, by 60 I will weight 165. By 70, 181.5 and so on until you die. If I do nothing, make no changes.<br />
<br />
Why I didn't know this before I ever hit menopause is mind-blowing to me, because if I had, I certainly would have made sure I weighed waaaaaaaaaaay less than I did when it hit me!<br />
<br />
I think I mentioned once before in this blog that I was on Nutrisystem when menopause hit me full force. I'd lost 30 pounds in three months. The second menopause reared it's ugly head, I gained 32 pounds within 1 month... and still while on Nutrisystem.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EDptLwtNmyZ7BFgzizOVproov_9jIVIr7hMVaL8vdnIvmOgOpSl2z5l3CVKhvCfR98FZnxg6nA7Ji0xjs071gn5pyp1qOTNXYfJtXRn6wZVvRXCSSl8UabiQy0OxJfswmznwkG5E-Fc/s1600/nutrisystem.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="105" data-original-width="481" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EDptLwtNmyZ7BFgzizOVproov_9jIVIr7hMVaL8vdnIvmOgOpSl2z5l3CVKhvCfR98FZnxg6nA7Ji0xjs071gn5pyp1qOTNXYfJtXRn6wZVvRXCSSl8UabiQy0OxJfswmznwkG5E-Fc/s320/nutrisystem.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Yes, you read that right: I gained 32 pounds on a weight reduction program.<br />
<br />
It wasn't the program's fault. I did everything I was told to do to the letter. It was that my body had suddenly been thrust into a cauldron of swirling hormones, effectively destroying the poor metabolism I already possessed.<br />
<br />
So, the first thing I did was go to my doctor because I was convinced I had a rapidly growing abdominal or intestinal tumor, or that my thyroid gland had gone wacko. I mean, come on: who gains 32 pounds in 1 month while on a reduced calorie weight loss program?<br />
<br />
Um, me. This girl here, that's who!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd9cFMlGlxpFYl8Lg3vC02sTN5HVIpXT4puIBM591UqoN1UYvrdCdY9yu4VloQnMfsVZSmDTQWxmAHJqSGOZ9_Vc6iZZOJVuTWTLWLuhEG7nQ5C0QEVSqcjoZlKiHNJ9cofEKA_hQrCk/s1600/wavinghand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="523" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd9cFMlGlxpFYl8Lg3vC02sTN5HVIpXT4puIBM591UqoN1UYvrdCdY9yu4VloQnMfsVZSmDTQWxmAHJqSGOZ9_Vc6iZZOJVuTWTLWLuhEG7nQ5C0QEVSqcjoZlKiHNJ9cofEKA_hQrCk/s320/wavinghand.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After he assured me I was fine - trying not to laugh out loud at my craziness, I'll add - he attempted to explain the reason my already poor metabolism was being a pain.<br />
<br />
One of the main reasons women gain weight during this time is because we tend to be less active and our muscle mass decreases and our muscles turn to fat. ( I fought with him about this one because I was - hello! - on a weight reduction program and hitting the gym 5 times a week!)<br />
<br />
He suggested increasing the poundage of my weights during training to keep my muscle mass high.<br />
Did that - looked like the Incredible Hulk for a few months and still kept gaining weight!<br />
<br />
He suggested trying to eat a normal diet not a calorie restricted one in an attempt to get my body to realize it was going to be fed and not starved. That whole starvation cycle is what causes people to gain weight more easily once they go off a restricted diet. Did it. Gained 10 more pounds that I still haven't lost 3 years later.<br />
<br />
He suggested I try going on estrogen replacement to stabilize my hormones. Okay, this one I did, and had one good result with: no more hot flashes - 6 more pounds gained, though.<br />
<br />
Right now, today, I weight what I did when I was ready to deliver my daughter 28 years ago.<br />
Yeah, I'm not happy.<br />
<br />
This is a continuous struggle, folks. But I'm a fighter by birth, so I'm ready for the battle. The only thing I have to discover is how bloody I'm gonna be during - and after - I take up the weight loss sword!<br />
<br />
Le sigh. Menopause is not for the weak-willed.<br />
<br />
When I'm not writing about menopause issues I can be found here writing about...all things romance . <a href="https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tweet Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Read Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Picture Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pin Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Peggy-Jaeger-Author-825914814095072/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friend Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://plus.google.com/+PeggyJaeger/about" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Google+Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=77972" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Triber</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;"> Me</span><br />
<br />peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-31009757268799558772018-01-30T04:26:00.000-05:002018-01-30T04:26:59.145-05:00A final word about skinAll month I've been complaining, <i>er, blogging,</i> about the changes that Menopause wrecks on our skin, so I figured one more post for the month and I'd be done with this topic. Like, <i>seriously</i> done.<br />
<br />
The End.<br />
<br />
<i>Fine.</i><br />
<i><br /></i> In all the research I've done on-line, in speaking to skin care experts, and even in barraging my own derm-guy with questions, the two most important pieces of advice I've heard over and over and over again about care, maintenance, and protection of your skin at any age is:<br />
<br />
1. Sun block, and<br />
2. Hydration<br />
<br />
From the age of 6 months old we should start skin protection when out doors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxA2cpPXZSkpaA8h3efKBclYauyAb9e03-s6iapM7077HKWqyWeKqQnjAYfV65Eyjgf9_kg9aOdCVACSlYP9m3oKcJmfQWktWpHfUZZL5wZfn9eJfyWN-W7UCSDehuRAlaYfiuznX2z0/s1600/hydration4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="638" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxA2cpPXZSkpaA8h3efKBclYauyAb9e03-s6iapM7077HKWqyWeKqQnjAYfV65Eyjgf9_kg9aOdCVACSlYP9m3oKcJmfQWktWpHfUZZL5wZfn9eJfyWN-W7UCSDehuRAlaYfiuznX2z0/s320/hydration4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Every major skin care manufacturer now has a sun protection line, and many of their products include an SPF protection/additive in productions like daily body lotion and makeup.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyPf1Vwtuqv9zg5iOtToWRzCWBD2902UXDUTQHQwp8P19m5PVaL6CkRQeCMD6yRd1up3QEgj2eXX7ej0QniBZCPX_z7al7TuSYy-_FegSTY8oIGEPxYbS106q4XIptnpErOhdcKj3MEM/s1600/hydration5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyPf1Vwtuqv9zg5iOtToWRzCWBD2902UXDUTQHQwp8P19m5PVaL6CkRQeCMD6yRd1up3QEgj2eXX7ej0QniBZCPX_z7al7TuSYy-_FegSTY8oIGEPxYbS106q4XIptnpErOhdcKj3MEM/s1600/hydration5.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Johnson and Johnson's <i>Waterbabies </i>products are excellent for children who are outdoors, swimming, sweating, etc.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWZ9UBirCu4borQHqOCbXNSV9AhqPoNbD5lTNVwVEfIxtuuxYvdznJew89xlN-72WsN_zjQFwzHrmJghcUcdpVB1VZkJN89sfOPB8qPPvosPZEYxPkfgJu82t-MKsmsB4fGUmvtST21M/s1600/waterbabies.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWZ9UBirCu4borQHqOCbXNSV9AhqPoNbD5lTNVwVEfIxtuuxYvdznJew89xlN-72WsN_zjQFwzHrmJghcUcdpVB1VZkJN89sfOPB8qPPvosPZEYxPkfgJu82t-MKsmsB4fGUmvtST21M/s1600/waterbabies.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
Protect their skin when they are young and your children will be thrilled when they get older. My daughter is almost 30 and looks 20! Plus, they will be healthier and the risk of skin cancers will decrease. And don't forget to reapply often when outside, esp. on hot and sweaty days, or if swimming. Slather that stuff on!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
That old saw about drinking 8 glasses of water a day is true.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFncsBgT6LlDAbQVrB0FJ-ZSAAY44EmGPxEx_qi4fo_-ZS5Q0fvf2E_nbl4RQ-_j57JuIwXTvwE-nldv9GkQkLal4nxXRoWTplpFuCaQA8tdRIyK2FphQYYKOiBh7HA7LlQfaDzUPk114/s1600/water.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFncsBgT6LlDAbQVrB0FJ-ZSAAY44EmGPxEx_qi4fo_-ZS5Q0fvf2E_nbl4RQ-_j57JuIwXTvwE-nldv9GkQkLal4nxXRoWTplpFuCaQA8tdRIyK2FphQYYKOiBh7HA7LlQfaDzUPk114/s1600/water.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
Nowadays, we have busy and active lifestyles and we tend to take in our hydration/liquids in the forms of <i>Venti caramel lattes </i>and <i>BigGulps</i>. Not good, people! Water is the best hydration liquid - pure, simple H20. Not flavored, not adulterated, not with sixty different additives. Plain H2O is best. First, last, always.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM7aOpvAq1u4JxOl6aF_p7JP_vRZM14XSDJdEA2XzLB5dQCGP7Gd6B7ilaOpqzdArqPrDXTJh4ij0h-ZsqLYFdWlC2Hjk3Ga8l4Hlj23WkYLETpbB-Zzikm4gaHdJ8wrzjq3mU2Ix7Wg/s1600/water1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM7aOpvAq1u4JxOl6aF_p7JP_vRZM14XSDJdEA2XzLB5dQCGP7Gd6B7ilaOpqzdArqPrDXTJh4ij0h-ZsqLYFdWlC2Hjk3Ga8l4Hlj23WkYLETpbB-Zzikm4gaHdJ8wrzjq3mU2Ix7Wg/s1600/water1.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now I can hear those of you saying I can't drink 64 ounces of water a day; or those that complain about water bottles polluting the planet. Well, I get the second one, for sure. That's why I have a reusable glass bottle I fill up all day long and drink from. Excuse number 1 doesn't fly with me because if you're drinking 2 designer 20 ounce cups of coffee every morning, and then a 20 ounce bottle of soda at lunch, you're already drinking 60 ounces before the afternoon. Suck it up and change one of those coffees to water, and throw out the soda and replace it with something that doesn't have the chemical composition to remove stains from toilet porcelain instead. Don't believe me? If you've got any soda in your house, take a 20 ounce bottle and empty it into a dirty, scale-y toilet bowl. Wait an hour. Flush and see how clean your porcelain is. Need proof without doing that? There are dozens of You-Tube videos on using soda as a toilet bowl cleaner. Moral of this story? Drink water. It's best for hydration and the more hydrated you are on the inside, the more hydrated your skin is. Hydrated skin is glowing, healthy skin.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIzkDCX_ndsOfEHzFhnAzVQtolTPr0XfgKKOrpA-2UYV2CD6YN-esfiQMgLcyRAJ9b3fL1Nu3ahtMvoDM7x0f9KUbI8BEQcMQ1PnhOEDTFnjntCAdTJXJOx7__1COvPz3n9F0sIULpKs/s1600/hydrate2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIzkDCX_ndsOfEHzFhnAzVQtolTPr0XfgKKOrpA-2UYV2CD6YN-esfiQMgLcyRAJ9b3fL1Nu3ahtMvoDM7x0f9KUbI8BEQcMQ1PnhOEDTFnjntCAdTJXJOx7__1COvPz3n9F0sIULpKs/s1600/hydrate2.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sorry for sounding so preachy, but water truly is best!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO2ddg6PzhvmLDP1m7uYx2WS71HIfmjqB03t7qZXVg0E7zkDLYLN4jxWcKNPgX5Ju5a4KJUK_RDUn9Vdhv05Sn-m4IgP7I7e7nSCoLLywCZIzMi7m302fdSe6pS0QVfPEi9xIKv7LIQ0/s1600/hyrdate3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO2ddg6PzhvmLDP1m7uYx2WS71HIfmjqB03t7qZXVg0E7zkDLYLN4jxWcKNPgX5Ju5a4KJUK_RDUn9Vdhv05Sn-m4IgP7I7e7nSCoLLywCZIzMi7m302fdSe6pS0QVfPEi9xIKv7LIQ0/s320/hyrdate3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, that's my final word ( or a couple hundred of them!) about skin care and protection during menopause!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now I have to come up with a topic for next month...stay tuned.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I'm not writing about Menopause, I'm writing about Romance. You can find me talking the talk about all things love and romance related here: <a href="https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tweet Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;">//</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Read Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;">// </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;">//</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Picture Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;">//</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pin Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;">//</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Peggy-Jaeger-Author-825914814095072/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friend Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;">//</span><a href="https://plus.google.com/+PeggyJaeger/about" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Google+Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;">// </span><a href="http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=77972" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Triber</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;">// </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"> Me</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;">Stop by and leave me some love!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-20709217412670533322018-01-23T05:01:00.000-05:002018-01-23T05:02:23.951-05:00Wanted: Second job to pay for Menopause skin care products!I've always taken good care of my skin. It started when I was in my twenties and started earning my own money through my nurse's salary. I'd rather buy face and skin lotions than new clothes. And did!<br />
In my 30's and 40's I was always the first person in my crowd to try new and improved products, like lotions labeled age-defying and youth in a bottle. In my later 40's and then 50's serums and self-professed wrinkle creams became the norm. You state the brand, I've tried it. These products don't come cheap, and just FYI, the older you get, the more expensive the products become. I really believe this is a marketing ploy by the manufacturers. Don't believe me? Go out and price Johnson's Baby lotion, and then get a price for Neutrogena products, which is also owned by J&J. Which products do you think are less expensive?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-QjAUnCA1AJ_foxBzBz9dLIOzyNz7czZ3jB3cPyLa5wrbPwl1oXmPSLy7eg_EZDI_odsz3D4d3kMYR7ghMFW1cUJbB6DUxiMVdtdqXELAdRBiu88zMc1VSaq9VOY-kiCw0cDemaSjEE/s1600/skin.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-QjAUnCA1AJ_foxBzBz9dLIOzyNz7czZ3jB3cPyLa5wrbPwl1oXmPSLy7eg_EZDI_odsz3D4d3kMYR7ghMFW1cUJbB6DUxiMVdtdqXELAdRBiu88zMc1VSaq9VOY-kiCw0cDemaSjEE/s1600/skin.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our skin is our largest organ. It acts to protect the underlying structures of our bodies as a first line of defense against bacteria, disease organisms, and the damaging byproducts of the sun. As our bodies age, so too does our skin, and the earlier you start to protect your skin and develop a preventative care regime, the healthier your skin will be and look for the long term.<br />
<br />
When menopause occurs, all bets for keeping your skin healthy are off unless you are actively taking care of it before perimenopause ever hits. Collagen, a protein that makes your skin firm and elastic, dwindles during menopause. This is why we start to see wrinkling, sagging, and lackluster skin during our 50's. The outer layer of our skin also gets thinner, drier, and more prone to bruising and tearing. If you get a cut, it takes longer to heal than it used to. Some poor chicks even get acne. Yeah, you thought that was a once in a lifetime occurrence, didn't you? No such luck.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrLnPmEpEJhO3thRGT-AKyvJQmkDK6RvgMtydYpARIuaRAF8JLVu-994eNKaq51HZQjKHPd2kL8N3WrLeWm5m9Ed9FSRn-6aZWZ48znCTuUoahrn2PCJn_a3bqhddb9YESgv3n237wD8/s1600/skincare4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrLnPmEpEJhO3thRGT-AKyvJQmkDK6RvgMtydYpARIuaRAF8JLVu-994eNKaq51HZQjKHPd2kL8N3WrLeWm5m9Ed9FSRn-6aZWZ48znCTuUoahrn2PCJn_a3bqhddb9YESgv3n237wD8/s1600/skincare4.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In my 20's, Retinol was used exclusively for the treatment of acne. With time and research, beauty product manufacturers found it helped not only those afflicted with acne, but aided in anti-aging of the skin as well. Retinol, and the retinoids it is extracted from, are a derivative of Vitamin A which has been shown to stimulate collagen and help keep the skin from thinning. A vast majority of anti-aging products sold commercially now contain some amount of retinol.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKmTGahHjieA-NxboV671lEIVBWLAUJIvYjerIYnXWNJF6_5GOuxsYeX7PuI_tuYzkGfi6io_kJwXXzftJscKj1Du_ZUWCnmjLfYG7wUsJ2_ro345AZpEZMMvO-ENjuWjxVgYBUHsCNw/s1600/skincare5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKmTGahHjieA-NxboV671lEIVBWLAUJIvYjerIYnXWNJF6_5GOuxsYeX7PuI_tuYzkGfi6io_kJwXXzftJscKj1Du_ZUWCnmjLfYG7wUsJ2_ro345AZpEZMMvO-ENjuWjxVgYBUHsCNw/s1600/skincare5.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
When I was a kid my mother used to slather baby oil and iodine on me during the summer and then send me out to play to "get some color on my face." I can't be mad at her because she was skin-ignorant, but sending me out into the stark light of the summer sun without any protection, but in fact with products that enhance the absorption of the sun's harmful rays, was so not the right thing to do. It probably was a direct link to the melanomas I've had develop the past few years. Sun protection is a must in anyone from the age of 6 months up. The earlier you start slathering your babies, the better and more protected their skin w ill be. And if you have teens, PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE don't let them use tanning beds. You may look healthier with a tan, but you are literally killing your skin and setting yourself up for potential skin cancer in the future.<br />
<br />
So did you go check the prices on products labeled anti-aging and wrinkle protection, et al? I wasn't kidding when I said they were expensive.<br />
<br />
I need to go find myself a part time job just to pay for the products I use! No lie!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SQmPsVqJ5mVzFdU_vyzwYqCrlb4eIqSyrWtWc53d4t_n6xU2qWGVHVgXUpgFjRS9iZhTICGhXcpszUakr8XblJZxz-TlITW3w_pDDCjswCO1QQFZ0lPHJI06CTEwqJckZ8ZR16jLQIQ/s1600/skincare1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="490" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SQmPsVqJ5mVzFdU_vyzwYqCrlb4eIqSyrWtWc53d4t_n6xU2qWGVHVgXUpgFjRS9iZhTICGhXcpszUakr8XblJZxz-TlITW3w_pDDCjswCO1QQFZ0lPHJI06CTEwqJckZ8ZR16jLQIQ/s320/skincare1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hee Hee<br />
When I'm not protecting my skin, you can usually find me in these places where I try my hand at fiction writing: <a href="https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tweet Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Read Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Picture Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pin Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Peggy-Jaeger-Author-825914814095072/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friend Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://plus.google.com/+PeggyJaeger/about" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Google+Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=77972" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Triber</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> Me</span><br />
<br />peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-65228920714016127042018-01-09T04:34:00.000-05:002018-01-09T04:34:06.319-05:00Crepey skin or Creepy skin?So last week I wrote about how there's a humongous marketing push for women of a certain age - read MENOPAUSAL! - and skin care. Every major cosmetic and skin care line now sells a separate line for the woman over 50. These lines are branded as youth in a bottle and non-surgical corrective cures for saggy, wrinkly, aging skin.<br />
<br />
If only.<br />
<br />
One particular line deals with an aging skin issue ( and don't I hate that phrase!) called crepey skin. The definition is skin that looks thin and dull and wrinkly, like crepe paper.<br />
<br />
Seriously?? When did this become a "thing?"<br />
<br />
Well, I'd never heard about crepey skin until I saw Jane Seymour hawking her line of skin cream called CREPE ERASE.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VrVyRiIn2lh5QhOdKXDTrD0k_Mj9BaSFQLerHFnXKinuMB7LMXpIJL6y5uyieS4mfhBl0hJgbmm4mA8qcUvLw0xKAi7avB5BdVsHPwS_cTWcdpERQEEPUvPrC4NwlW6c7OH2iVnkd0k/s1600/jane.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VrVyRiIn2lh5QhOdKXDTrD0k_Mj9BaSFQLerHFnXKinuMB7LMXpIJL6y5uyieS4mfhBl0hJgbmm4mA8qcUvLw0xKAi7avB5BdVsHPwS_cTWcdpERQEEPUvPrC4NwlW6c7OH2iVnkd0k/s1600/jane.jpeg" /></a></div>
Jane has Dr. Andrew Ordon explain why the skin turns to the consistency of<a href="https://www.crepeerase.com/en_us/newcc/" target="_blank"> crepe paper</a> and shows you how, after using this product, within 60 days there is a quantifiable and visible change in the appearance of the skin.<br />
<br />
So, for full disclosure here, I have this affliction. Crepey skin. I never knew that's what it was called. I just referred to it as my elephant skin.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTzrfDZpXzcARaIX7oHD8WD8gIdmM6C19MHdqG6ueO-aohvab7cxNe09tiDUjmgeaENq9R1HWtbYDKXZZE7lZ_Md_z19icuU8hn7NgOz_geGFmrtVBlHfMOtTy4Z0dXSGtQVaKmbJAeQ/s1600/neck3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTzrfDZpXzcARaIX7oHD8WD8gIdmM6C19MHdqG6ueO-aohvab7cxNe09tiDUjmgeaENq9R1HWtbYDKXZZE7lZ_Md_z19icuU8hn7NgOz_geGFmrtVBlHfMOtTy4Z0dXSGtQVaKmbJAeQ/s1600/neck3.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
My neck is lined like a cross-country road map and is the consistency of crepe paper. As is my decollete. I've never taken care of my neck and chest skin and because of that they've suffered the ravages of time and that loss of care by becoming weathered and dry and very wrinkly. Full disclosure here: these are NOT pictures of me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RJX-9yKcu-2fGKADZueFBcN44ILpb7c4pKMYjKLZp6bAmg8jvEsGUuPvGzV_IGaMb-p8lUrb8LGIF_VMvSKOaPh-kO3XHHapqROEfMFODJFIdnyvEnkuyCqN9ZY8gQ35MbCc8pkI5xQ/s1600/neck.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RJX-9yKcu-2fGKADZueFBcN44ILpb7c4pKMYjKLZp6bAmg8jvEsGUuPvGzV_IGaMb-p8lUrb8LGIF_VMvSKOaPh-kO3XHHapqROEfMFODJFIdnyvEnkuyCqN9ZY8gQ35MbCc8pkI5xQ/s1600/neck.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
So I ordered the 30 day supply and used it religiously for the month.<br />
<br />
Did I notice any change in my skin? Marginally. When the next month supply came I continued using it because Dr. Ordon said you see results "over time." Well, I'm six weeks into it now and I am starting to see subtle changes in the skin of my neck. My decollete, not as much, but the skin is looking a little more hydrated.<br />
<br />
<br />
Crepe Erase is a very emollient product, and by that I mean when you put a dollop on your fingertips and then spread it over your skin, you really need to rub it into your skin to be absorbed adequately. I wonder if all this rubbing actually wrinkles the skin even more. Prior to spreading it over your elephant skin you need to use a cleanser that has an exfoliant effect to it to scoot away all the dead skin cells and leave your skin ready to suck in the crepe erase. There's something counterintuitive to me about using a grainy, sandy, rough product on such delicate skin, but oh well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxoNgZEjpY0802q8tSkm9NYE89xjNcsSb77Ho6eEzlse6fR-Np9vY66Bm6G8NpOG0nbh7I0KT69OekvWrXvij8N0QwouQd860CdxS-gxqwU7RVpChjsdmF2aHCaRxg2wxYg3CvJ7QyOg/s1600/neck1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxoNgZEjpY0802q8tSkm9NYE89xjNcsSb77Ho6eEzlse6fR-Np9vY66Bm6G8NpOG0nbh7I0KT69OekvWrXvij8N0QwouQd860CdxS-gxqwU7RVpChjsdmF2aHCaRxg2wxYg3CvJ7QyOg/s1600/neck1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I will admit after using the scrub my neck and decollete "feel" smoother. When I apply the crepe erase product to them, though, you can see all the imperfections in my skin magnified because now they are greasy from the product.<br />
<br />
I'll check in when I've gone 60 days using the product to let you know if there is any long-term change.<br />
<br />
Menopause...the gift that keeps on giving.....peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-16740071350019047892018-01-02T05:16:00.001-05:002018-01-02T05:16:41.406-05:00Menopause Skin....Have you ever heard what the 7 dwarves of Menopause are called? Grumpy, Sleepy, Itchy, Sweaty, Boated, Moody and Forgetful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5707Z6OKjw-aIJqBMISGu5kDSWWzVhyphenhyphenbYugkkCoY_HiLXo7X6LtyrcdFr1vUeyBYyPz81Ex22yFL-0L86PTRP6f5tLwXsvbe7UDVTb6ejvam92feliFRAcWI7v11TWpuNY6SJ-2e3_Y/s1600/7dwarves.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="299" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5707Z6OKjw-aIJqBMISGu5kDSWWzVhyphenhyphenbYugkkCoY_HiLXo7X6LtyrcdFr1vUeyBYyPz81Ex22yFL-0L86PTRP6f5tLwXsvbe7UDVTb6ejvam92feliFRAcWI7v11TWpuNY6SJ-2e3_Y/s400/7dwarves.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I have a few of my own Dwarves to describe Menopause skin: Saggy, Crepey, Ashy, Pore-y. Wrinkley, Freckley and Dry.<br />
<br />
I've always ALWAYS been a fanatic about my skin even when I was younger and didn't have any wrinkles. I've always used sunscreen, even when I used to worship the sun, I always have moisturizer on my face day and night, I use serums, gentle cleansers, and ultra moisturizing moisturizers around my eyes. I've never used soap to clean, only body soap/lotion. You would think my skin would look pristine, procelain, and wrinkle-free like a new born baby's butt.<br />
<br />
You would be wrong.<br />
Nope. Not a chance.<br />
<br />
I never had a single pore on my face until I hit menopause and then overnight these friggin' craters appeared along my chin.<br />
<br />
The corners of my eyes - despite the liberal and continual use of specific eye creams - resemble road maps with the lines fanning out and running in all directions.<br />
<br />
And let's not forget the skin on my arms and legs. I believe the term used most commonly to describe that skin is...crepey. Move the second E back two spaces and you'll know what I really think my skin looks like.<br />
<br />
I drink gallons of water daily, use sunscreen with a 100 SPF - despite never going in the sun! I wear a hat any time I<i> am </i>outdoors, and sleep on satin pillowcases.<br />
<br />
And still my face marches along the sands of time....<br />
<br />
There are more products on the market for aging and aged skin ( a deplorable term) now, than ever before. A quick trip to Target and to the cosmetics aisle and you will see mutliiple brands devoted to skin care of women over 50. Every major skin line now has a separte moisturizer or serum to deal with "aging" skin. Deplorable, I say!<br />
<br />
Diane Keaton hawks L'Oreal for older woman<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNC7XGfQRs8Rt0vDiQTZ_0sCewHVTqypQGAldvdHcF21epf9U9rdAM_1RBHdSmhWfrWRCdbJAYQjUXjO0fMFRcnAV4wdMbN9AN68BLhXVzR7Psfe-Y0O8L0ITj0QxhfQn3NR6zBbbbTo/s1600/diane.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="274" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNC7XGfQRs8Rt0vDiQTZ_0sCewHVTqypQGAldvdHcF21epf9U9rdAM_1RBHdSmhWfrWRCdbJAYQjUXjO0fMFRcnAV4wdMbN9AN68BLhXVzR7Psfe-Y0O8L0ITj0QxhfQn3NR6zBbbbTo/s400/diane.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Jayne Seymour has her own line called Crepe Erase<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnwEVn5-FnMACHn2HGdHOP7FAC_9qvtaNj3jsAdiH_rQhWSOgll3DpkIkw2TDh8rifEFTfExT02dhO_w3VKmpEnuKgosUXLkeVlhsQxotZSPZQn0O603TIaIHm0tSGxOEmPXKWiPxclg/s1600/jane.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnwEVn5-FnMACHn2HGdHOP7FAC_9qvtaNj3jsAdiH_rQhWSOgll3DpkIkw2TDh8rifEFTfExT02dhO_w3VKmpEnuKgosUXLkeVlhsQxotZSPZQn0O603TIaIHm0tSGxOEmPXKWiPxclg/s400/jane.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Christie Brinkley has her own skin empire called Complete Clarity and Authentic<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5bxT-DGUT5XNUhIz-2JYa279aA6NTX7Dq0VpbnWNEhs1TOqiYwBBcyxqJelcxuubFwBfr1ybbvKzhJ_CjdElSB3ORq8luj0TLm-WSK-S9HEWLdTqh0Ke_5ySnA2A06B7Ak1BfBL12BU/s1600/christie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="285" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5bxT-DGUT5XNUhIz-2JYa279aA6NTX7Dq0VpbnWNEhs1TOqiYwBBcyxqJelcxuubFwBfr1ybbvKzhJ_CjdElSB3ORq8luj0TLm-WSK-S9HEWLdTqh0Ke_5ySnA2A06B7Ak1BfBL12BU/s400/christie.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Selma Hayak endorses Nuance<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPKEwVzfU5LWXp_AHUjZfykgFHQ8s7Sg2P5-kTs3UM3fXEn-EdimZSyowkLwp8-S3_MpecdyNBfBLZov6zmTu_P2BrRI3xfhwbQ2brnDWA2RaWB0FWf1s8mPLtHMPbq2cHm1BL9HFlkY/s1600/selma.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="137" data-original-width="367" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPKEwVzfU5LWXp_AHUjZfykgFHQ8s7Sg2P5-kTs3UM3fXEn-EdimZSyowkLwp8-S3_MpecdyNBfBLZov6zmTu_P2BrRI3xfhwbQ2brnDWA2RaWB0FWf1s8mPLtHMPbq2cHm1BL9HFlkY/s400/selma.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The list goes on and every year it seems to grow. Skin care is a multi-gagillion dollar business and baby boomer women and the women born the decade after them are shelling out<i> beaucoup</i> bucks in order to keep their skin looking like it did when they were in their thirties.<br />
<br />
I'd be happy if my skin looked like it did five years ago, never mind two decades ago!<br />
<br />
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm using one of the above products right now. Next week I'll tell you what it is and how it's doing. Or if it's doing. Anything. Anything at all!!<br />
<br />
You know you can follow my travails as an author and a menopause victim here: <a href="https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger" target="_blank">Tweet Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger" target="_blank">Read Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://peggyjaeger.com/" target="_blank">Visit Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/" target="_blank">Picture Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pin Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Peggy-Jaeger-Author-825914814095072/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friend Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://plus.google.com/+PeggyJaeger/about" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Google+Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=77972" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Triber</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> Me</span>peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-37868974926339146142017-12-19T06:00:00.000-05:002017-12-19T06:01:24.489-05:00Time flies, pounds add, and skin wrinkles...I was on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PeggyJaeger.Author/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> this morning and you know that tab that pops up once in a while ( okay, every friggin' day!) that says Y<i>our Memories on </i><i class="">Facebook</i>? Well, my last blog post to this blog popped up. It was dated October 2015! Wow. Over 2 years have passed since I blogged here. I started reading some of the entries I'd made during those horrible initial days of menopause. I laughed, I cringed, I nodded my head in agreement. Some of those blog posts still hit home today so I decided to resurrect this blog and start posting every now and again about my life now that I'm 3+ years into this dreaded condition.<br />
<br />
So....what's new?<br />
<br />
Well, I'm still....chubby ( okay, that may be putting it mildly). It seems that nothing -and I mean nothing - I do will take the weight I've gained off. If I eat 5oo calories a day, if I eat none. If I do the healthy route and 2000, or if I do a structured weight loss machine like Weight Watchers, nothing happens. In fact, if I do 2000 per day and increase my exercise schedule, I gain weight.<br />
<br />
There's just something so wrong with that, you know?<br />
<br />
I spoke to my GP a few weeks ago about this because I'd been doing Weight Watchers religiously for 1 month. I gained 7 pounds. First thought in my head was that I have a pituitary tumor or something going on because no one should gain weight on a weight reduction program. But it's happened to me twice now. Doc took blood tests - thyroid and a boatload of others - the diagnosis? Nothing's wrong with me. This is just my body now that I'm 3 years away from 60.<br />
<br />
Shoot me now. Just...shoot me.<br />
<br />
Another thing that's a tad different is my skin. I've always been vain about my skin. I've shunned the sun like a vampire for 12 years. No new freckles have cropped up. What has is this skin that looks like cottage cheese that's flesh colored. There's a word for it now: Crepey skin. Look at that quickly and you think it says CREEEPY skin, which, believe me, is what it looks like to me! Jane Seymour has this new product out called <a href="http://www.crepeerase.com/en_us/crepey-skin.html?uci=US-CS-O-PS-BR-MA-XXXX-096942&medium=tsa&gclid=CKGy5-bQkdgCFcqzswodWbQHbA&gclsrc=ds" target="_blank">Crepe Erase</a>, and it's not about how to make a thin breakfast pancake! I succumbed to my own mental pressure and ordered a month's supply. I'll let you know if I see any changes.<br />
<br />
Until next time, sweaty peeps. Be well. Try to sleep and if you can't click on my blog!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHoDGsUS6tHdGyYEzLbDLVpTLCok2ZtJCn8NtXrdZegQlzN5Ejfcs97M1NpDAcTV1igOz6U4mxFx1ZunoTsohVSU7TTVBN71tGe_LCmNMJzzNMvE8nNpxh2C4LjAKoOH051dKLmErV48/s1600/menopause.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="390" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHoDGsUS6tHdGyYEzLbDLVpTLCok2ZtJCn8NtXrdZegQlzN5Ejfcs97M1NpDAcTV1igOz6U4mxFx1ZunoTsohVSU7TTVBN71tGe_LCmNMJzzNMvE8nNpxh2C4LjAKoOH051dKLmErV48/s320/menopause.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I now have a bunch of Social Media sites you can follow me on. Just click and follow:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tweet Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Read Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Picture Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pin Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Peggy-Jaeger-Author-825914814095072/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friend Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://plus.google.com/+PeggyJaeger/about" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Google+Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=77972" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Triber</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "bitstream charter" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> Me</span>peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-89060230186824028262015-10-14T19:30:00.000-04:002015-10-14T19:30:10.963-04:00Hair today....gone tomorrow?I was taking a shower a few months back and after I'd washed then conditioned my mid-back length hair, I was ready to clean the tub when I noticed a small animal circling the drain. I think I screamed. I know I jumped because I dropped the shower cleaning bottle on the rodent - which is what I assumed it was. Only, after a moment I realized rodents aren't champagne blonde in color, are they? No, they are more of a deep silvery gray. Petrified, I also realized it wasn't moving, so I did - into action. Armed with the spray solution bottle poised as a "gun" with the nozzle pointed at the inert mammal, I bent into the tub and gave it a shove with the bottle head. It didn't move, but it did sort of stick to the plastic nozzle. It was then I realized it wasn't a dead or drowned mouse, but a clump - a<i><b> huge </b></i>clump - of my own hair.<br />
<br />
An immediate flashback clouded my vision as I stood there, naked and dripping, leaning into the tub. About 12 years ago I'd contracted a really weird virus. Weird because it couldn't be isolated - and believe me, my docs poked and prodded and took enough blood that they should have found something - and the underlying symptom that did the most damage was 75% of my hair fell out. In clumps, like a chemo victim.<br />
<br />
When I saw that champagne colored mass, wet and inactive sitting at the drain, I got scared just as I had those dozen years before. I mean, really...who loses their hair twice in a lifetime??<br />
<br />
Since I was a little older ( okay, <b>a lot</b>) and a little wiser ( okay, less actually) I dried myself off, put my pj's on and ran to my computer. I googled <i>hair loss in women in their 50's </i>and got dozens upon dozens of hits. I isolated the medical ones ( I really didn't want to comb through ads and learn about androgen pills to increase male vim and vigor, and women's hair production) and especially the ones that linked hair loss to menopause.<br />
<br />
Yippie. Another wonderful symptom to contend with during this lovely time ( cue the sarcasm): hair loss. And not just on the head. Oh no, menopausal hair loss is non-disciminatory hair loss. Any body part is given equal access to falling out and fading follicles.<br />
<br />
So, here's a little of what I learned:<br />
- the imbalance in hormone levels during this time can lead to hair loss referred to as <i style="font-weight: bold;">hormonal pattern loss </i>on the head hair, the pubic hair and armpit hair.<br />
- concordantly, you may also <b>sprout </b>hair on your face or chin. <i>Lovely. </i>Lose it where it counts, get it where it doesn't.<br />
<br />
You can battle against the hair loss, though, something that gave me reassurance. A few articles I researched stated the following as preventative or palliative measures:<br />
- try to keep stress levels down by exercising frequently and deep breathing. Stress, apparently, adds to the hair loss. <i>Who knew</i>?<br />
- make sure your diet is loaded with low saturated fats. Whole grains, mono-saturated oils, fruits and veggies, plus incorporating Vitamin B6 into your diet can help restore any loss you've experienced. Essential fatty acids pay a role in maintaining the health of hair, so eat salmon, tuna, almonds and walnuts as well.<br />
- Keep hydrated with water. Not coffee, tea, diet soda or juice. Water. H2O. Clear, odorless, good-for-you water.<br />
- Wash your hair with gentle cleaners and conditioners, not harsh ones. And that old saw of lather-rinse-repeat? No-no. Big no-no. Lather and rinse and condition. That's the way to go. Unless you're doing a MUDRELLA race, your hair isn't going to get that dirty, even if you don't wash it everyday. Be gentle with it. And that means not blow-drying it with 2000 degree heat every day and/or straightening/curling/dying it at every possible turn.<br />
- some medicines can cause temporary hair loss, so talk to your MD/GP about any meds you are on that might have hair loss as a side effect.<br />
<br />
Now, months later, my hair looks great. Yes, I still get it dyed ( I'm not having a head of white hair at 55) but I take care of it way better than I did in the past. It is thick, healthy and I love it!<br />
<br />
Vanity, thy name is Peggy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOUUKm8HRioUO6hrGF-SO4G0cPfbPT7U5igfInzlBgNHtZDo0BCLRgwasyKwFBn3x2uIiyxrcPEBZjM8FVppQggPiGZOY-NY3hhhXDo1Ybrs8KpLhwzviF-Vt-zoQ2-_2S6BaE07NHh4/s1600/hairloss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOUUKm8HRioUO6hrGF-SO4G0cPfbPT7U5igfInzlBgNHtZDo0BCLRgwasyKwFBn3x2uIiyxrcPEBZjM8FVppQggPiGZOY-NY3hhhXDo1Ybrs8KpLhwzviF-Vt-zoQ2-_2S6BaE07NHh4/s320/hairloss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-5474214032957196002015-10-08T06:06:00.002-04:002015-10-08T06:06:53.856-04:00Is it Menopause or Adolescence all over again??Remember when you were about 14 years old and whenever your parents looked at you you'd either:<br />
a. fall into a tear streaming crisis<br />
b. scream at them to leave you alone<br />
c. want to curl up into a ball and hide<br />
or, d. want to run away from home?<br />
<br />
If you do, then you know how it feels to be in the moodaltering era of menopause.<br />
Yesterday I went postal on a telemarketer. Instead of simply hanging up like I usually do, I actually cut the woman off mid-schpeal and started demanding to know how she got my number, who did she think she was calling me when she didn't even know me, and I ended by telling her to get a real job and leave innocent people alone.<br />
The woman was calling from the Susan Koman Center for Breast Cancer research.<br />
When I scraped myself off the floor after landing there when I hung up the phone, I dried my voluminous tears, took a deep breath and said a prayer for forgiveness, vowing if the foundation ever called me again I'd make a sizable donation.<br />
I'm beginning to really see a resemblance between being an angst-ridden teenager and a mood melting menopausal chick.<br />
And I'm not <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwlF3uQEOyTVSwh0tKN7db8bskjuFh1Iv1413xVcgQqOX-g6j7TKlfx3-C_OT8Qqaii_XVM1255tuqAqy2ijv_c64ZlHKso5DV9XYn_X45zcI7oRnLI1u2j62bdAphNsI33OePuIXbS4/s1600/moodswing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwlF3uQEOyTVSwh0tKN7db8bskjuFh1Iv1413xVcgQqOX-g6j7TKlfx3-C_OT8Qqaii_XVM1255tuqAqy2ijv_c64ZlHKso5DV9XYn_X45zcI7oRnLI1u2j62bdAphNsI33OePuIXbS4/s320/moodswing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
happy about it.peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-24973859514092785022015-09-29T05:46:00.000-04:002015-09-29T05:46:21.119-04:00Menopause Is NOT a 4 letter word...I was a guest on a radio program last week to promote my newest romance novel. During the interview, I mentioned the word menopause and I actually watched the host cringe.<b> Cringe! </b>For a second I grew a little anxious - was menopause, like George Carlin's famous 7 words - banned from radio? Had I committed a huge broadcasting faux pas in blurting out the word?<br />
<br />
No, I hadn't. I realized after a moment, menopause is not a topic most men feel comfortable discussing. My own husband, who is a physician, doesn't like to talk about it with me.<br />
<br />
This got me to thinking why? Any man married or with a woman between 50 and 60 years of age is going to experience the condition firsthand at one point. I had one of my first hot flashes at a huge graduation party with family and friends and when my sweating became painfully apparent, I watched the men seated around me run for the hills. In a nanosecond I cleared the table of all Y-gened humans, to be left with sympathetic - and napkin fanning - double X-genes who understood what I was going through.<br />
<br />
What is it about the word MENOPAUSE that turns men into little cringeballs? Maybe they're remembering what their mothers were like during the time pre-hormone replacement therapy and symptomatic control. Maybe they're squeamish in general and talking about anything "lady parts related" makes them shudder. Maybe they're old fashioned and don't like seeing tampon commercials on television and hearing their womenfolk talk about "the change."<br />
<br />
Whatever the reason guys, suck it up! If you love a woman - mother, wife, sister, girlfriend, aunt, niece, cousin - they are going to experience this...well... <i>experience, </i>at one time or another, so you will be a witness to a flash, a mood swing from hell, zombie-like sleepiness, etc. Deal with it.<br />
<br />
We have to, so... so do you!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6G_ZhMojjIo4UzvtQ0iOLqH5pCHEPvrNw7izQVQNUeNtr6ljc25wig1FGMh5NbQyHeeSQJAl3k8l_ySYyKKIxTt7UDtQr4F_aYZ9JUtO-a1KgFlWBpatUvJ0YRAxgY2mEi3Vf8oEJrv4/s1600/menopause2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6G_ZhMojjIo4UzvtQ0iOLqH5pCHEPvrNw7izQVQNUeNtr6ljc25wig1FGMh5NbQyHeeSQJAl3k8l_ySYyKKIxTt7UDtQr4F_aYZ9JUtO-a1KgFlWBpatUvJ0YRAxgY2mEi3Vf8oEJrv4/s320/menopause2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-880885221354362112015-09-24T06:31:00.000-04:002018-02-06T04:35:52.529-05:00Spare tires don't only come on cars<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bleck! </i>That's the only way I can describe my mid-section now that I am BFF's (NOT!) with Menopause.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I used to have a waist. <i>Really</i>. It dented in and everything! My pants buttoned without straining in agony and looking they were going to rend at the seams; my skirts clasped in the back without closing off the circulation to my abdominal area; and when I wore a fitted shirt - it did! Not anymore. No, now I've got an actual roll - and I don't mean bread, although it is doughy - around the area I used to fondly refer to as my waist.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">When I was a kid I heard references to "middle aged spread" and didn't understand the term. Now, I have a first hand view of what it means.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The experts will tell you it occurs because of the hormone changes. Your body tends to store fat more when your female hormones go wonky. Conventional wisdom might tell you to stop eating fattening foods and the spare tire won't happen. I'm here to tell you NO! NOPE! Won't do a thing. I starve STARVE myself most days and it's still there, happy and flabby. ( Sounds like 2 of Snow White's dwarves).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Some nutritionists say it occurs because our body's metabolism slows down and we tend to not be able to burn as easily as we once did. Okay, maybe. But I'm eating energy burning foods, not storage ones - no difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Other's blame the hormone cortisol. When it goes up or down stuff happens in our body that I don't understand. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Still other theories accuse of us being more sedentary when we reach this age. Another No! NOPE!. I exercise more now than I did in my 20's and 30's and I'm fatter than ever. Most of the women I know exercise heaps more than then did as younger gals - same results. Still chubby in the midsection. I could do sit-ups until the proverbial cows came home and I'd still have this mound of mush in my midsection.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Whatever the reason, I hatehatehate the fact that my pants don't close, my skirts don't clasp, I'm forced to wear unattractive elastic waisted garments and muumuus so that "my roll" isn't on display.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I really wish men would have to go through this...then there'd really be a cure!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLNTuzki4ag8S16aoDEyJ8PEtcTkn_isMxpn1qlnr0swonDOWMQ8dX0mI2clcc4BJ-iqIyc6EaRk1ojNukTPA2XdDr2zobalxf_oSwp8UO6QaZ10DKJpancNetT48omZRHAcCpSuqLRc/s1600/menopause11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLNTuzki4ag8S16aoDEyJ8PEtcTkn_isMxpn1qlnr0swonDOWMQ8dX0mI2clcc4BJ-iqIyc6EaRk1ojNukTPA2XdDr2zobalxf_oSwp8UO6QaZ10DKJpancNetT48omZRHAcCpSuqLRc/s320/menopause11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
when I'm not bemoaning my chubbiness, you can find me here in my other life of romance writer: <a href="https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tweet Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Read Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Picture Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pin Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Peggy-Jaeger-Author-825914814095072/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friend Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">//</span><a href="https://plus.google.com/+PeggyJaeger/about" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Google+Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=77972" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Triber</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;">// </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px;"> Me</span></div>
peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-89452870189530139762015-09-21T19:44:00.000-04:002015-09-22T09:06:07.265-04:00Insomnia isn't for sissies<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've
never been what you'd call a <i>sound sleeper. </i>If I averaged 5-6
hours a night in years past, it was a good amount. But since this beautiful
event called <i><b>MENOPAUSE </b></i>entered my life two years ago, I will
venture to say if I get 2 hours straight a night, that's cause for celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ridiculous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who
can survive on such little sleep? We need sleep. It's rejuvenating to our
brains, our bodies, our psyches. Without sleep our mental focus is nil. Our
brain cells can't function and our synapses mis-fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To
try and understand this a little better I – of course – did some research. Here’s
some of what I found related to <b>insomnia and menopause:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To
classify as true insomnia, you must experience 1 or more of these symptoms:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Difficulty falling
asleep (duh!)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Waking up frequently and
not being able to fall back to sleep<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Waking up in the middle
of the night and being “awake”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Non-refreshing sleep
(awake but tired throughout the day.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You
need 1 or more of these? Hell, I have all of them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here
are some things that contribute to insomnia symptoms:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-<i>Waning
levels of <b>estrogen</b> contribute to the inability to <b>fall</b> asleep.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>-<b>Cortisol,
</b>which is released by the adrenal glands, serves to preserve and protect the
body during stress. When the cortisol level is out of whack, it can have terrible
consequences. These include: interference with restorative REM sleep,
interrupted sleep rhythms, panicky thoughts, heart-racing, and even panic
attacks. Out of whack cortisol can lead to the <b>tired but wired </b>sensation so many women experience throughout the
day.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>-Chronic
insomnia (me!) has health implications attached to it as well, such as obesity,
diabetes, high blood pressure, depression (another Duh!) and an increased risk
of alcoholism and drug use due to the tendency to self-medicate to cause sleepiness
( booze and pills.) </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yikes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So,
now that I know what causes it, what can I do to <i>get rid of it? Forever!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well,
you kinda can’t. But you can try to control it from getting worse.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here
are the <i>Duh </i>ones that we all know already:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Limit
caffeine, alcohol and surprisingly, nicotine throughout the day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Don’t
take a nap no matter how tired you are and don’t do a caffeine shot to stay
awake instead of napping (Vicious cycle, anyone?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Exercise
in the early day, not at night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay,
so I do all those things and I still can’t sleep.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here
are a few more suggestions I’ve culled:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Keep your bedroom cool. I should have put this one in the <i>Duh c</i>ategory, because HELLO! <i>Night sweats</i>. I sleep in air conditioning during sub zero temperatures outside. I am buck naked on top of the sheets; hubby is under six blankets and flannel pjs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Wear light clothing (or in my case none at all!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Don’t go to bed until you are tired. Again, HELLO! <i>Menopause:</i> tired all the time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Avoid sleeping pills. Okay this one makes sense for two reasons. #1 – the addictive tendencies, and # 2 the morning after grogginess.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Don’t watch television or read a laptop in bed – do it in another room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Reduce stress levels (not gonna happen!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Don’t eat soon before retiring, avoid spicy foods or things that could give you heartburn; don’t drink wine or alcohol close to bedtime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, did ALL of that. Still awake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When all of this fails, talk to your MD. Sometimes there are underlying sleep issues menopause compounds that can be controlled using pharmacology in short term time frames. Some drugs that might be helpful include:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tibolone, a synthetic hormone or Clonidine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't take the dumb <i>Duh</i> route and try over the counter sleep aids. The kind of sleep disturbance they usually can help with is not the one that is making your life miserable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When all is said and done, human beings NEED sleep. Menopause robs women of sleep. Wouldn't you think by now medical science had done something to eradicate menopause? It sure would eradicate all those zombie-like 50 and 60-somethings walking around, wouldn't it??! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thoughts? Comments?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rFnW4pXkIl_YFGmvs-i2gy7F-Dy84ueBb1GAEvTOVGzc5oH-3ZhrlxH-XmTCjz7gPDcLjBx3vNg7aJGrHKoZoz9gN3y-RAPBqOLRp-DN6mkdnGnBXc9dhEln8ejhswl8-Yxqpf8c-1M/s1600/menopause3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rFnW4pXkIl_YFGmvs-i2gy7F-Dy84ueBb1GAEvTOVGzc5oH-3ZhrlxH-XmTCjz7gPDcLjBx3vNg7aJGrHKoZoz9gN3y-RAPBqOLRp-DN6mkdnGnBXc9dhEln8ejhswl8-Yxqpf8c-1M/s320/menopause3.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">
</ul>
peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-90612049408609032862015-09-15T05:09:00.000-04:002015-09-15T05:09:39.159-04:00An insider's peek into a hot flashI would be the insider... the hot flash, my own. I'm just lucky that way, thanks.<br />
If you've been fortunate enough to never have experienced a hot flash ( I hate you!), then this will be informative. If you have, well, welcome. You know what I'm going to say.<br />
<br />
Here's the medical book definition of a hot flash<a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/basics/definition/con-20034883" target="_blank">: <span style="color: #111111; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">sudden feelings of warmth, which are usually most intense over the face, neck and chest. Your skin may redden, as if you're blushing. Hot flashes can also cause profuse sweating and may leave you chilled.</span></a><br />
<br />
Yeah, yeah. That's what it's supposed to feel like. Want the reality? Take your hand, put it in a 550 degree oven, leave it there for an hour or so and see what happens. Really...this is how it feels, only on your entire body not just your hand.<br />
<br />
Some of my favorite descriptions of hot flashes that I've read are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>someone put a frying pan on my face. And it was still filled with hot crisco</li>
<li>your body deciding to spontaneously combust while taking you on a ride through hell</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Real women don't have hot flashes, they have power surges.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't have hot flashes: I have little vacations to the tropics every hour or so...every day...all day.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But seriously. They come any time of the day or night, no amount of powder, deodorant, air conditioning or ice-imbibing can stop them, and no matter what you think - you are never prepared for when they hit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first time I experienced one I actually thought I was having a heart attack. I was sitting at an outdoor cafe, reading a book and enjoying a solitary salad when a sudden, intense, over the top heat flashed ( hence the name) like wild fire on dry prairie grass up my chest, over my cheeks, through my hair and then down my back. I was instantly wet from sweat...everywhere! The ends of my hair were dripping like I'd jumped into a hot tub; my bra was stuck to my skin as if it had been seared against it; my thighs were chaffing from the now moisture-rubbing fat slipping against one another. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone noticed, and I mean everyone, even some strangers who were just walking by. Two men stopped to ask me if I was okay and did I need an ambulance. A teenage girl took one look at me and started to laugh. She pulled out her phone and took a picture. All I could think was there is a snapshot of me somewhere in the cyber-verse with the hashtag "gross sweaty old lady" attached to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My breath was coming in spurts and my body - amazingly - only got hotter. As a Catholic I have a terrified vision of Hell stuck in my mind and soul. Well, right then and there I was being given a close-up, first person view of it and let me tell you, I swore if I lived through it, I would be a better person, Christian, human being, <i>whatever, </i> just so I'd never have to go through the fires of Hades again. Once was more than enough. More. Than. Enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The furnace continued to blaze. Salvation came in the form of another gal who looked to be about my age. With a woman's ( and fellow sufferer's) instinct, she grabbed several table napkins, a glass of water from a nearby unoccupied table and shoved them into my wet, sticky hands saying, "It's okay, Sweetie. It'll pass in a few minutes. Drink this and just breathe." I gasped that I was having a heart attack, and she waved a hand at me, pulled her lips into a wry line and replied, "Nah. It's not ya heart. You're flashing. Trust me. It'll pass."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Damn it, she was right. To this day I almost wish it had been a heart attack so that it would have been over and done with. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When my body morphed back into some semblance of normalcy again - albeit drenched - a few minutes later, my savior smiled smugly and said, "See? Done. That was your first time, wasn't it?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I replied yes, and said I hoped it would be my last, knowing how ridiculous that sounded. I mean, I'm a nurse. Of course I knew it wasn't going to be my last hot flash. Salvation Sally chuckled and dropped a ten minute lecture about flashes on me. I didn't stop to tell her I knew all about them - just had never experienced one up close and sweatingly personal before today. She'd been the one kind human in a sea of horrified and uncaring people, that I let her have her say, thanking her about a half dozen times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that I knew what they actually felt like I was prepared for the next one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah. <i style="font-weight: bold;">NOT!</i> Like I said before, no amount or preparation actually<i> prepares </i>you for the fire-in-the-hole heat that suffices through your system in the time it takes to bat an eyelash. They're sneaky. They show up all hours of the day and night, no rhyme or reason to the timing, and no let-up in intensity. Despite what some women may delude themselves about, their flashes are not stronger during some times than others. They are always strong, intense, and horrible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Always. <b>ALWAYS.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, now you know...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7T1l1jzr0z55DYRWgMUZjaJkvXMKCPnYm7cWpA-mfNMhT2piXUGJ1_qUAv7X3HTT-nEUHMHaKwfz_5qJb6g1Rb5cGc57GiLS4KUcJJDLBfudnxK3MoV2u6_MzdSKy9rfCUjLeoW11cY/s1600/hot+falsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7T1l1jzr0z55DYRWgMUZjaJkvXMKCPnYm7cWpA-mfNMhT2piXUGJ1_qUAv7X3HTT-nEUHMHaKwfz_5qJb6g1Rb5cGc57GiLS4KUcJJDLBfudnxK3MoV2u6_MzdSKy9rfCUjLeoW11cY/s320/hot+falsh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-76400228092257831522015-09-11T05:35:00.000-04:002015-09-11T05:35:54.963-04:00So..the GymIt is absolutely amazing how quickly a body can get out of shape - especially one that wasn't in the best of shape to begin with. I think I shared that when I was on Nutrisystem last year and menopause hit me hard - almost a knockout! - I actually started gaining weight on the diet. Now, no sane<br />
person ever wants to gain weight on a calorie reduction diet. At this point in my menopause struggle I was ready to jump off a ledge. I'd been exercising like mad, eating the nutrifood and nothing else and here I was creeping up the scale. So what did I do? I'll tell ya: I did what any self respecting moody and flashing woman would have done if faced with the same situation : I gave up. On everything. The diet. Exercising. Basically, life.<br />
<br />
How did that work out for you, you ask? Not well. A year later and all the weight I lost came back on and my muscles can't be detected under the fat anymore because I stopped moving them.<br />
<br />
I'm sure with my psych background of knowledge I was going through a mild clinical depression brought about by body changes I couldn't control, hormonal mood shifts, and total lack of sleep. And I probably could have benefited from some sort of pharmacological interventions - either anti-depressants or intravenous chocolate infusions. Kidding on the last one, but wouldn't it be great if there was such a treatment??!!<br />
<br />
After basically being a lump of coal for a year I finally decided last month to end this self imposed ridiculousness. I joined a gym and have been trying TRYING to cut down on the crap I eat, opting for better and more nutritious food items. I've been to the gym twice this week (yesterday and today because it just opened yesterday!) and I can already feel some changes. And by changes I mean muscle spasms and pain, but I'll just suck them up and keep going.<br />
<br />
After 50 years of age a woman's body can no longer be called her own. I've read enough menopause treatises that claim this as fact. Well, I'm here today to actively reclaim what's mine. My body. My moods. My mental and physical health. I actually took a selfie of what I looked like yesterday before I started my new life at the gym. I'm not brave enough to post it yet...maybe after some real changes are evident I will. For now, it's safe to say that picture is motivating me to get off my butt and keep my mouth closed to junk food.<br />
<br />
God help me, this is hard!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9xB7WIwgdOiGWYeYXlQmH3BcTcvujdhlxx3zed8hDFEu2UZPcGO5mYozmSN4IU2jOv8BGlLeBnemBceGgMOpjJURo-E8t0_TM9InjQOcjuul4imFPaY1mAUK1nJM-wVhhD7cq8bLtA/s1600/menopause2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9xB7WIwgdOiGWYeYXlQmH3BcTcvujdhlxx3zed8hDFEu2UZPcGO5mYozmSN4IU2jOv8BGlLeBnemBceGgMOpjJURo-E8t0_TM9InjQOcjuul4imFPaY1mAUK1nJM-wVhhD7cq8bLtA/s320/menopause2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-24851215610936834522015-09-09T05:26:00.000-04:002015-09-09T05:26:38.120-04:00My poor heart....I read an article recently that stated "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25.2px;"><b><a href="http://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/post-menopause.aspx">Postmenopausal women are at greater risk for heart disease, so redirect your diet toward low-fat foods and lower your salt intake — this reduces the risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis."</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<i>Great</i>! The one part of my health that has always and - I mean <b>ALWAYS - </b>been good, has been my cardiac status. Resting pulse of 68 and blood pressure that is routinely 90/60. Never a worry, never a care about heart attack, etc. Except now.<br />
<br />
Another factor that plays heavily into heart disease in women is weight. I resurrected this blog because I wanted accountability to get rid of the 35 excess pounds my poor heart and knees are carrying around. If post-menopause is now a time where cardiac issues pop up, then this weight needs to be taken out of the equation for good.<br />
<br />
For the next few months I am going to stick to a regime of diet and exercise that I'll be documenting and sharing here. Because I know menopausal and post-menopausal weight is a bitch to get rid of, any and all way I discover that helps with this I will share. Promise. I will not be doing fad diets or afflicting myself with exercise bulemia. No. Those days are done...buried...hasta luego! It's all about health now. Looking good is a secondary goal - hopefully one attainable - but I'd rather be a size 12 and live to see my grandkids than a size 4 and look good in my premature coffin. Agree? Disagree?<br />
<br />
If you meni-peers (menopause peers) have any suggestions, let's hear them. I'm open to almost anything that is not going to kill me.peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-52367886103027734142015-09-07T11:56:00.000-04:002015-09-07T11:56:11.414-04:00Been a while...Hey all you menopause peeps...it's been a while since I last posted. Lots <b>LOTS </b>has happened in my life since we last met. More about that later, but one thing that hasn't changed is <i><b>I'M STILL IN MENOPAUSE!!!</b></i><br />
<br />
Okay, it's a little better I have to admit, since I broke down and went on some estrogen drugs last year. It came to the point where I needed to be talked off a ledge between the continuous hot flashes, the upending mood shifts from crying to mania, the non-ending weight gain, and the lack of sleep. After a week in which I was on the Nutrisystem diet and managed to <b>GAIN</b> 6 pounds, I knew something had to give. So. I buckled down, saw my GP and started on low dose estrogen to try and combat some of the symptoms. The flashes stopped, the moods evened out, I still don't sleep ( and probably never will) but the weight kept coming, so much so that now I am officially 35 pounds over the weight limit my heart needs to be healthy at.<br />
<br />
This is the reason I've resurrected this blog. I joined the newly opened PLANET FITNESS in my area and am buckling down on diet and exercise to try and stave off anymore menopause weight gain and to try and lose some ( please Jesus -ALL) of the weight I've got packed on since this horrible next phase of my life started three years ago.<br />
<br />
Personal accountability is very important to me so blogging about this struggle and hopefully adding some humor to it will keep me motivated.<br />
<br />
As before I'll be posting new info I gleam about all aspects of menopause to share and my hope and intent is to make the next girl who has to go through more informed about choices and the issues involved.<br />
<br />
Join me on my adventure.....let's see what happens next.peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-1321690334527963372014-02-01T09:32:00.000-05:002015-09-17T06:44:22.831-04:00Is 60 the new 30? 40?<i>Here's a #tbt post from February of 2014. I recently saw Christie Brinkley in anew commercial and she looks the same so she is doing something right!</i><br />
<br />
Check out this week's edition of People Magazine and you will see an amazing picture of ubermodel Christie Brinkley on the cover, with a article about her and her life inside the mag. This woman is 60 years old and is wearing a bathing suit on the cover of a national magazine and looks like ten million bucks. I know women in their thirties - beautiful women - who don't look as good as she does at 60. I don't want to hear from anyone about air brushing, computer pixal fixation, or anything else negative. This chick looks great! She embodies the notion that if you live healthy, you will look and feel healthy.<br />
She is a strong vegetarian/vegan ( something I am not, nor can I ever be) and she is devoted to exercise, taking care of her skin, and generally espousing the <b>happiness dictum</b>: if you feel good, look good, take care of yourself, and act happy, you will be all those things.<br />
<br />
This woman has had her share of negative press and unhappy events. Life hasn't been a total bed or roses for her. But she manages to push through and maintain her happy psyche.<br />
<br />
I think it is extremely important during this time of our lives, when our bodies are rebelling against us, and our hormones are pulling us ten ways from sunday, when we just don't feel like ourselves, that we remember the <b>happiness dictum</b>. I have never taken such good care of my skin and hair as I have in this past year, and I have people tell me daily - and this is <i>not</i> hubris - that my skin and hair look great. They should. I've devoted the equivalent of a small nation's GNP to it! But I'm glad I have. I remember what my mother looked like when she was in FBM (Full blown menopause) and it isn't a happy memory.She was never one for taking care of her skin, washing it twice daily with some kind of cheap, on-sale, off brand bar soap. She wore her hair in a pseudo military crew, designed for ease and comfort. Her idea of exercise was walking out to the mailbox to get the mail. And it was - literally - a foot from our front door.<br />
<br />
Today, we women want to look and feel our best no matter what age we are, whether we are in peri-menopause, FBM or beyond it. Seeing someone like Christie Brinkley, who is just seven years older than I am, look as good as she does, makes me want to continue taking care of myself, inside and out. While I will never be a vegetarian - I'm sorry, I like chicken and burgers too much! -I am all about taking care of myself. Exercising, eating as well as I can, keeping occupied and pursuing my passions, devoting time to my outward appearance as well and my inside soul, all these factors will go towards making me a happier woman.peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-83889557882617909722014-01-30T05:26:00.002-05:002014-01-30T05:26:38.132-05:00Pursue your passions.A while back I blogged about how being in menopause could be a time for reflection about your life, and a time where you begin to try or learn new things. Without kids at home, schedules to rule you, and anything other than your own psyche to contend with, you could make this time all about you and your dreams. No one will be mad at you for being selfish. No one.<br />
<br />
Well, I took my own advice. Shocking, isn't it?<br />
<br />
For all of my life I have had a passion for writing. Truly, a passion. I've been an avid reader since I first learned my alphabet. By the time I was nine I'd read all the children's books in my local library and had graduated to the young adult series. At that time, Nancy Drew, Trixie Beldon and the Hardy Boys were the only real series books available. Goosebumps and The Babysitter's Club hadn't been written yet.<br />
<br />
I started writing my own stories when I was in second grade, and actually won a prize in third grade for a story I did about a clown. During Highschool and college I always took creative writing courses and actually got pretty decent grades on things I handed in for review. During my first nursing job, I got published three times in Nursing magazines for articles I'd written on patient care. When my daughter was born and I took an extended leave ( 8 years!) from work, I supplemented my income with non-fiction articles in local newspapers and magazines from topics which included child care to how to save money in a household budget.<br />
<br />
But I always drifted back to fiction writing. I was lucky to get several short stories published in various magazines during this time, plus I won a few nice honorable mentions in local and national writing contests. I even had a piece about motherhood published in one of the Chicken Soup Books. That was a real ego booster. Two children's books for a small press didn't hurt either.<br />
<br />
Life intervened though, and I had to go back to work full time, putting my writing life on the back burner.<br />
<br />
But the dream was always inside me, lying dormant, waiting for some kind of rebirth.<br />
<br />
Last year my job was downsized and my hours were cut. Drastically. At the same time, I entered FBM ((Full blown menopause). My daughter was off on her own, forging her own life, my husband was still working full time, the old cat had died after 18 years of a good life, and I was suddenly left with gobs of time on my hands. I figured I could either mope around the house bemoaning my state, join a gym, eat, or start writing again.<br />
<br />
Well, that decision was an easy one. I bought my first laptop, had my tech savvy daughter teach me the ins and outs of the word processing program, and I went to town. All the characters that had been looming around in my brain for the past 23 years started popping out in full force. Plot lines that I'd run for years mated with them and by december I had four new "novels" done. One of them I actually wrote during NANOWRIMO, in november. I entered a few contests, came in first place in two, third in another, and was able to secure a literary agent. Plus, I started this blog.<br />
<br />
My fairy tale hasn't ended yet. I have a few publishing prospects on the line, but the truth is this: even if I never get a publishing contract, never have one of my books go to print, I will still be happy and fulfilled because I am back doing the thing that gives me the most joy and pleasure in life. I look forward to the times alone now because I know my dream, my passion, can be played out across the keys of my laptop.<br />
<br />
While suffering through hot flashes, chronic insomnia, weight gain in unusual body areas, and chin hairs, I have been able to explore myself through my writing, and have once again come to know the absolute pleasure of doing something I are passionate about.<br />
<br />
So, I never like to give advice - usually because I don't like taking it - but this is one topic I will be happy to take a stand on. Take some time today and think about what truly makes you happy, where your passions are vested, and what you can do about it right not. Whether it be gardening, painting, scrapbooking, or learning how to skydive. You deserve the time spent on just you and your pursuits and passions. Make this time of your life the best time of your life.<br />
<br />
I know I am. And I'm writing it all down!peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-25188320095821787442014-01-26T10:01:00.000-05:002014-01-26T10:01:53.441-05:00Is it foggy out today, or is that just me?<div class="MsoNormal">
A few days ago I was walking out to my car, keys in hand, and
I suddenly forgot where I was going. I’m
standing in my garage, purse slung over my shoulder and I had no idea where it
was I wanted to be. It was a Tuesday, my regular day off from work, so I knew I
had to be running some kind of off-from-work-day errand, but for the life of me
I didn’t know what it was. I went back into the house, took off my coat, laid
down my purse on the table and then rifled through it. When I saw a grocery
list and a wad of coupons, it dawned on me: I was heading out to the grocery
store.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Phew! </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That mystery was solved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would have laughed this incident off it was an isolated,
one-off. But it wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I’ve been
in FBM ( Full Blown Menopause), my short term memory has taken a decided hit,
like a linebacker getting tackled, and it isn’t funny, pretty or cute by any
means.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I distinctly remember when my mother was going through
menopause. I’d tell her something in the morning, then she’d ask me a question
later on that she already knew the answer to, because I’d told her. She would
swear on a stack of bibles that I never told her anything and was only trying
to make her crazy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No I wasn’t, because she already was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are whole chunks of memories that she doesn’t have
about this time period. Events, occasions, people that she can’t bring to mind,
even today. When I started forgetting little things, like paying a bill, or the
above trip destination, it got me worried. When I forgot what the next word in
a sentence I wanted to say started happening, I got scared. Was this brain fog
related to my menopause, or is it some sort of early onset dementia? Was it a
brain fart, or a brain tumor?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As usual when I’m worried I may have a potentially fatal
disease, I went into research mode and found the following data.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center
gave 75 women from the ages of 40-60 a plethora of cognitive exams. These tests
included determining attention span, and the ability to learn and retain new
information. Women who complained of having “foggy memory” ( like me)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>didn’t do well on the tests to determine
working memory, or the ability we have to learn new info and use it. Although
they could find no hormonal link to these findings, the researchers did make an
issue of stating that women with memory problems during menopause were more
likely to exhibit other menopausal symptoms as well, such a problems sleeping
and feelings of anxiety. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So which came first: the chicken or the egg? Do the problems
inherent in menopause actually cause the forgetfulness? Or is the forgetfulness
just another symptom to add to the others?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hormone depletion can lead to memory problems, though, a
fact that should be addressed. I found one study that stated thyroid problems,
adrenal fatigue and primary low estrogen levels can contribute to this
fogginess feeling and short term memory problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When estrogen is low, neurotransmitters become
unbalanced, Neurotransmitters help regulate our moods, cognitive functioning,
and help us deal with stress. Low estrogen + out of balance neurotransmitters =
mood disorders, brain fog ( the inability to think clearly) and short term
retention problems. Insomnia can also lead to mental fog, due to the brain’s
not getting enough rest. And who do we know suffering from insomnia? Hot flash women,
that’s who. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hello!! </i>Does this
sound like you, because it sure sounds like me. I used to be able to repeat a
series of 6-8 numbers in a row with only seeing them once. I tried that today
and I got 3 right. HALF! I find myself with more lists that I ever needed
before. Lists to remind me to go to the bank, pick up milk, take the clothes
from the washing machine and put them into the dryer. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh crap</i>! I need to go do that now. See? I should have written that
one down, but I forgot to!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>585</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3335</o:Characters>
<o:Company>personal use</o:Company>
<o:Lines>27</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3913</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513198394149970667.post-65143597967934331562014-01-21T14:08:00.002-05:002014-01-21T14:08:18.233-05:00The Seven Dwarves of Menopause:<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
Online the other day I saw a cartoon with Disney’s seven
dwarves, depicted as the seven dwarves of menopause: <i>Psycho, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Moody, Bloated, and Forgetful.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Somehow I can’t quite imagine these guys walking a straight
line and singing “Hi Ho Hi Ho it’s off to work we go,” can you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been each of these dwarves at one time or another
during my FBM time ( full blown menopause). Psycho, Bitchy and Moody all go
hand in hand and need no explanation, while Sleepy and Sweaty are fraternal
twins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweaty actually gives birth to Sleepy
due to rearing its ugly head at night. Bloated can lead to Moody and Psycho,
and Forgetful just hangs out by himself, making my life miserable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I’m writing this I realize how NEGATIVE this all sounds.
Really, is there one descriptor above that you can say is a POSITIVE one? I
can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m going to dig deep and try
and find some positive words I can attribute to menopause.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I mean <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">deep.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Freedom:</u> Okay this one is easy. Freedom from monthly
periods and all the hassles that go with that. Freedom from the worry of an
unplanned pregnancy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Spontaneity</u>: This one’s easy too: sex anywhere,
anytime without worries about the above two ( period and pregnancy).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Economical:</u> I don’t need heat or sweaters anymore to
stay warm. My body does it naturally for me now, so I can save some bucks on
oil and clothes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Effective Time Management</u>: I had to dig a little for
this one, but it makes sense so listen: I don’t sleep as much as I used to
before FBM, so if I am up at four in the morning, I am usually doing something
productive ( like writing this blog) or laundry. Because of that I have more
time during the day and never feel rushed anymore to get tasks completed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Unconcerned</u>: dug a little deeper here, too, but for
this one, I’m at the point in my life where I really don’t care much if someone
doesn’t like me. I used to be a humongous people pleaser. I wanted – no<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, needed – </i>to feel that people liked me.
Now, I don’t give a f**k. Like me, hate me. It’s all the same to me. I know the
person I am. I don’t need to prove anything anymore. I guess this one, even
though it sounds positive, really is a little closer to the negative scale.
Maybe, just a titch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What positives can you come up with for being in menopause.
Share them with me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>350</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1997</o:Characters>
<o:Company>personal use</o:Company>
<o:Lines>16</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2343</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
peggy jaegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767089116387597036noreply@blogger.com0