Menopause and Swimsuit Season

By Ellen Dolgen

Welcome to the sisterhood of the shrinking bathing suits!

It’s that time of the year when I get out my box of bathing suits. I am pretty sure that I accidentally washed them in boiling hot water and dried them on extra high heat before I folded them neatly in this box, as they all seem to have shrunk! Especially in the tush!

How am I going to keep my tush inside these bathing suits this season? Staples and tape anyone????

So what’s a gal to do???

• Thanks to the Internet, I can shop for a new bathing suit from the comfort of my own home. You canfind a swimsuit that’s flattering and You also can camouflage a lot with a stylish cover-up. Check out these sites: Swimsuitsforall and Miraclesuit.com.
• Maintain good posture.Holding your head high, tummy in, and shoulders back, projects an image of self-assurance… and makes you look taller and slimmer, too. Instead of flats, wear sandals with a bit of a heel to give you a longer, leaner look.
• If you’re not already eating healthy, you can start now! Check out my Menopause Infographic – Weight Gain for some helpful tips!
• Give your exercise program a boost! Weight-bearing exercises are not only important for toning those muscles, but it is very important for your bone health as we age. Walking with a friend is always fun. You get to keep up on the latest scoops and shed some of those extra winter pounds.
• Drink lots of water. If you’re spending time outdoors, don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Take a filled water bottle with you wherever you go. Sipping throughout the day is easier than chugging your daily intake all at once. Keeping hydrated will result in healthier skin and hair… and a more beautiful you. Ice-cold water will also cool you from the inside out when you’re experiencing a hot flash. Stay away from carbonated beverages, as they can cause bloating.
• Stay polished. Treat yourself to a pedicure.There are so many fun, happy colors to play with this season. My new blush color is OPI – Tiramisu for Two – I promise it is not fattening!
• Wear a big, floppy hat. After all, you should be protecting your skin from the sun, right? Pair the hat with oversized sunglasses and — voilà! — you look fabulous!
• Let go of that negative chatter in your brain. Unfortunately, while many of us have outgrown our teeny-weeny-bikinis of yesteryear, we haven’t outgrown our negative self-image. Positive thoughts are the first step to projecting a positive image. Leave the mental baggage at home.
• Put on your smile.If you’re having fun, no one is going to give your swimsuit-clad body a second thought.
• Grab your sunscreen! Take good care of the skin you are in.

Don’t deprive yourself of the joys of summer. This summer, realize your self-truth and know you are beautiful, inside and out.

Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN!

Download my free eBook MENOPAUSE MONDAYS The Girlfriends Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Perimenopause and Menopause.

Ellen Dolgen, spurred by her own experience struggling with the symptoms of menopause, is devoted to helping women everywhere. Through EllenDolgen.com and her FREE eBook, MENOPAUSE MONDAYS The Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving During Perimenopause and Menopause, she shares the expertise of numerous specialists to replace confusion and embarrassment with medically sound solutions, presented in an entertaining and informative way. From hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, mental fogginess, loss of libido, heart health, and lots more in between, EllenDolgen.com provides empowerment for women to become their own best health advocates. Her motto is: Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN!