MOVING INTO A NEW SEASON
Why understanding your changing needs can be an important part of looking after yourself through menopause and midlife
Can you believe we’re about to step into September?
For me, September always feels like the beginning of autumn. The evenings begin to draw in, there’s a different feeling in the air and nature gradually starts to shift.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Element thinking, this transition into autumn is significant too. It’s a time of change, and recently I’ve found myself wondering whether sometimes we need to change with it.
Because one thing I’m increasingly noticing is this:
My needs aren’t always the same as they used to be.
And that’s okay.
This week was busy again, with zooms, coaching, acupuncture and conversations with women at very different stages of their menopause journeys.
Interestingly, bloating and fatigue came up repeatedly, alongside familiar conversations around sleep, aching joints and memory.
It reminded me that women might all be experiencing perimenopause or menopause, but they’re certainly not experiencing the same menopause.
One woman may be struggling with sleep.
Another with digestion.
Another with aching joints.
Another simply doesn’t feel like herself anymore.
That’s why I believe so strongly in looking at the whole woman, rather than chasing individual symptoms.
Jackie
UNDERSTANDING OUR CHANGING CAPACITY
There was plenty of fun this week too. I travelled to Scotland after a personal invitation from Adele Johnston for a wonderful event filled with fabulous women, conversation, dinner and even an exclusive cinema viewing.
It was great fun. But the travelling reminded me of something I’ve noticed recently. Travel tires me more than it used to. Even sitting on a train, navigating stations, carrying bags and being surrounded by people uses energy. Rather than being frustrated by that, I’m learning to factor it in. That’s not becoming less capable. It’s becoming better at understanding my capacity.
The week ended rather appropriately with a beautiful mindfulness event with Tasha at Healthy Habitz Hub, a reminder that amongst all the doing, there also needs to be space for simply being.
IN THE MENOPAUSE WORLD: DO WE NEED ANOTHER ‘MENOPAUSE DIET’?
Some fascinating research has recently looked at nutrition, weight and metabolic health around menopause.
Some fascinating research has recently looked at nutrition, weight and metabolic health around menopause.
Researchers examined data from more than 38,000 women and compared a range of dietary patterns.
Two patterns - the Planetary Health Diet and a low-insulinaemic dietary pattern - were associated with less weight gain and a lower risk of obesity around the menopause transition.
But here’s the part I think matters.
There was nothing particularly magical or extreme about the foods involved.
The stronger-performing patterns tended to contain more vegetables, fruit, whole grains and nuts, while being lower in foods such as red and processed meats, potatoes and chips, and sodium.
And importantly, this was an observational study.
It found associations. It didn’t prove that following a particular diet will prevent menopause weight gain. So my takeaway isn’t:
“Everyone needs to start another menopause diet.”
Quite the opposite.
It’s another reminder that supporting metabolic health through sustainable nutrition matters and that what works needs to fit the individual woman and her real life.
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PDF
If this feels familiar, you can download a free PDF with more information and practical next steps.
TIP OF THE WEEK: ADD ONE THING
Instead of looking at everything you’re apparently supposed to remove from your diet, I’d like you to try something different this week.
Choose one meal you already eat regularly. Don’t count it. Don’t weigh it. Don’t completely redesign it. Ask:
“What could I ADD to make this meal support me a little better?”
Perhaps it’s:
- A handful of vegetables
- Beans or lentils
- Whole grains
- Nuts or seeds
- A good source of protein
- A little more fibre
That’s it. One meal. One addition. One small change that you could realistically repeat. Because sustainable health rarely comes from becoming an entirely different person overnight.
FINAL THOUGHT
As we move into autumn, I’m thinking more about working with change rather than fighting it.
The season changes.
Our bodies change.
Our capacity changes.
Our priorities change.
I still have so many things I want to build and women I want to help.
But I also know I need sleep.
I need good food.
I need movement.
I need people I love.
I need quiet.
And sometimes I need to sit down and do absolutely nothing.
So perhaps this week, instead of asking:
“What should I be doing?” try asking:
“What do I need as I move into this next season?”
Your answer might surprise you.
With you,
Jackie
Menopause Health Specialist
Creator of The Menopause Vitality Reset
WHERE TO START
If you are feeling confused by conflicting advice or unsure where to focus your efforts, support starts with understanding your body and your symptoms.
You can begin with:
