I am 55 years old, & I’ve been involved in the symptoms & stages of menopause for over five years.
I now deal with constant insomnia and restless sleep. It’s nearly impossible for me to fall asleep at night. It’s no surprise to me when I wake up several times during the night, need to pee & have difficulty getting back to sleep. I get so frustrated & bored just lying in bed. I sometimes get up in order to accomplish something. I wash floors and windows, fold the laundry or workout. I manage some of my most beneficial workouts at four o’clock in the morning. I have seen that it’s a great way to get rid of the stress & annoyance caused by insomnia. I understand that high intensity exercises won’t help me to relax & fall quickly asleep, but I feel good that I’m being productive. It’s especially helpful because menopause led to my metabolism slowing down. I haven’t done anything different with my workout routine or eating habits, but I’ve gained weight. I have noticed a bulge in my tummy & there are handles at my sides that were never there before. Because I exercise every single day for about an hour and am very conscientious about eating clean, weight gain is especially frustrating. My workouts are rigorous. I usually jump rope for 30 to 60 minutes. I go on six-mile runs or ride my bike for several hours. I’m always wet with sweat at the conclusion of my workout. I stay away from fast food and don’t drink coffee. I have been a vegetarian for many years, & I am careful about eating sweets. While weight gain is a normal side-effect of aging, I find it unacceptable.