Ann Marie McQueen | perimenopause, menopause + midlife strategy(@hotflashinc) instagram tagged download

What if the story you’re telling yourself about menopause is quietly shaping how you experience it?

“I’m getting old.”

“I’ve let myself go.”

“My body doesn’t work anymore.”

“Maybe this is just who I am now.”

Here’s what I want you to understand.

Your brain is not a passive observer of your life.

Your expectations influence what you pay attention to, how you interpret experiences, and what you remember.

Psychologists call some of these processes selective attention and confirmation bias.

And when you’ve spent years telling yourself you’re failing, it’s easy to turn every disappointing weigh-in, missed workout or difficult day into another piece of evidence against yourself.

While overlooking the progress you’re making.

But this goes so much deeper than your weight.

What happens when you start believing menopause is the beginning of your decline?

That your energy will never return.

That you’re not as capable as you used to be.

That your best years are behind you.

You may start lowering your expectations.

Stop pursuing the things you want.

Stop believing you can feel phenomenal again.

And that’s the part I want to challenge.

Because your hormonal changes are REAL.

Your symptoms are REAL.

And none of this means you can simply think your way out of perimenopause.

But your beliefs can influence how you respond to what you’re experiencing.

And that’s something you can begin to change.

Start noticing what’s working.

Look for evidence of the promises you’re keeping.

Approach setbacks with curiosity instead of self-criticism.

And stop treating every difficult moment as proof that you’re failing.

Menopause is not the beginning of the end.

You have an extraordinary amount of life left to live.

And I want you going ALL IN on who you’re becoming.

Not someday.

NOW.

Save this for the next time your inner critic tries to convince you that you’re failing and share this with your midlife besties who need to hear it. ❤️

$As National Osteoporosis Day comes to an end, I’d like to say something about a term I’ve been hearing a lot about recently.... Bone Bashing I don’t like this phrase and this is why... Jumping is a highly effective way to improve bone density... But a recent meta analysis reported benefits mainly in one site only - the femoral neck, and less significant results for older adults PMID38305252 Progressive Strength Training however can improve bone density in all sites.... And most importantly is safe for everyone, if taught effectively and with an individual focus... Theres so much more I could say about the wonderful benefits of jump training! but it needs to be taught effectively, considering mechanics, load and effective recoil, spring, speed agility etc. All of these things I teach in my classes every morning! But they don’t happen over night and they need careful consideration of who they are suitabel for an how... We don’t bash bones (I’ll leave that to the professional kick boxing athletes!) But we do spring, bound, react, propell and bounce! And I would like to see more research that compares this to the crash style landing proposed by many.... It’s so not just about bone density, its about form, technique, function and most important of all POWER. We need it all to prevent bone fracture. Let me know your thoughts. Personally I think ‘‘bone bashing’ needs abandoning! And Comment BONE if you’d like help from me. I have a new strength course starting in a few weeks designed for anyone with joint/bone issues.$

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🛑 anxious late 30s/ 40s ?

Perimenopause Story Time Series- 4-Anxiety!?

There are links between anxiety and perimenopause and there can be a hormonal component.

This can look so many different ways- but it feels so horrible and women can feel so out of control. There are many reasons and there are ways to manage and improve our experience- unique to each of us.

Prepare:
Complete the symptoms checker on @menopausemandate @balancehormonehealth
and track your symptoms.

The Greene Climacteric Scale is simple and you can take it along to your physician appointment.

Why?
There can be many reasons for anxiety that you haven’t experienced intensely before to show up- please don’t leave it.

Speak to a professional.
For mental health support
UK 116123 @samaritanscharity 24/7
US 988 @988lifeline
Australia 131114 @lifelineaustralia

You know your normal- track your mood and track your cycle, educate yourself about symptoms.

Download my guide 5 ways to Manage Perimenopause and Midlife (before they manage you) for 5 ways to support yourself with lifestyle and mindset.
Comment “5” for the download below.

You are not alone
Share with a friend who needs this- help them too 🫶🏼🫶🏼
love
Sophia
(I am not a mental health professional or physician and do not offer specific advice around your health- your health is always your responsibility) #midlifewomen #perimenopause #over40 #menopause #anxiety