Throwbacks, learnings and excerpts from old blogs
What my life and health was like then vs now...
I’ve been thinking lately about my personal journey as a woman (and hormone health coach). How I started and what my relationship with my body, health and menstrual cycle was like before I started this journey compared to what it is like now.
I realised I often forget how far I’ve come. How much knowledge and wisdom I’ve gained through (often painful) life experiences.
I still have journals and blogs from 20 years ago. It’s such a throwback to revisit them. To remind myself of the girl I was in my 20s — which was quite the girly girl actually!
“I love girly schtuff. Romantic movies and books... girly singers (eg Mandy Moore).. doing make-up.. getting facials.. having girly nights cooking scrumptious dinners and desserts... dancing... girl heart-to-heart talks. It rocks being a girl! :) And I'm sure there are many girls out there who agree wholeheartedly.”
Karen, 24 years old - Tuesday, 3 June 2003
Well, my love for dancing hasn’t changed in 20 years. I am still a sucker for a good rom-com and heart-to-heart girl talk. And scrumptious food? Well that goes without saying!
Looking back through my old blog posts, I can see I viewed much of life through rose-tinted glasses. I can also see (with a certain envy) that I had the energy to power through hobbies and commitments every night of the week (though I did get sick often, having colds many times in a winter)!
I wanted to be healthy, but didn’t know much about nutrition or hormones, and I wasn’t very connected with my body.
I was definitely addicted to sugar (which was likely the reason for my acne) and had rather poor self control when it came to resting (likely the reason for my frequent colds).
I was an overachiever — juggling weekly dance and music classes, youth leader commitments, band practice, gym sessions, socialising, going clubbing, and full time work (damn I feel tired just thinking about it)!
Blocked runny nose, stuffed head, blocked ears, headaches, sore throat, unstoppable coughing, phlegm.... Gah.
Karen, 24 years old - Tuesday, 10 June 2003
I wasn’t particularly connected with my menstrual cycle either, nor did I talk about it much. I noticed symptoms like PMS but for some reason thought that talking about it would make guys “squeamish”. 🤦🏻♀️
So, last night I just started crying for absolutely no reason at all.. I felt all emotional and helpless and weak! I think my poor bf wasn't sure what to do. It was weird, I never used to get pms that much or very bad at all. It reminded me of what my dance teacher Sue-Ellen Chester said once before class.. she was saying she'd just had one of "those" days where you feel like everything's on the surface of your skin, and if someone just looks at you wrong, you'll start bawling. I like totally identified with her last night! Well, I'm sure any guys who are reading this are starting to feel a bit squeamish so I'll stop now. :)
Karen, 23 years old - Monday, 15 April 2002
I am definitely not shy talking about the menstrual cycle now!
Then I hit my 30s — growing older, more confident, having less of the rose-tinted glasses, a little sadder and wiser, more self aware… the start of my journey connecting with my body and improving my health. Pain can be a powerful motivator.
“Last year I ended up working late much too often and that had a negative impact on my health and body – I was tired and sick a lot, and I never had time to exercise (which is really important for my back problems), either because I was too busy, or too tired, or sick. Well, enough of that!! I’m not getting any younger, having just turned 31 (argh!!), and I refuse to give in to age. I refuse to settle for a mediocre life with mediocre health & mediocre fitness. I refuse to spend most of the year trying to combat my colds and/or combat the pain in my back!”
Karen, 31 years old - Friday, 22 Jan 2010
It took me another 5-10 years of learning and experimenting, but I eventually found my way.
So what are the differences between then and now?
Back then..
I lived off carbs and sugar, ate cereal for breakfast and thought juice was healthy and fat was bad (let’s leave that myth in the 90s!)
I had no bedtime boundaries or sleep hygiene and constantly struggled to wake up in the morning.
I was skinny but had very little muscle, and thought hitting the gym daily for cardio was the best thing I could do for my health.
I was frequently in pain especially from my late 20s onwards with hypermobility driven joint problems and a lack of muscle.
I got sick ALL the time, was given antibiotics multiple times for chest and upper respiratory infections and inhalers for my asthma.
I knew nothing about hormones, the menstrual cycle or when my bleed was going to arrive. I had debilitating period pain and a lot of mood issues in my 30s.
I had bad cystic acne on both cheeks throughout my mid 20s (which was a sign of hormone issues) and recurrent thrush in my late 20s.
And now..
I prioritise protein for breakfast usually in the form of eggs, sometimes even steak, I’m not afraid of healthy animal fats and treat juice as a treat or energy drink because of its high sugar content.
I try to set boundaries with my bed times and sleep hygiene, use red light for circadian health (it can help with melatonin production) and more often than not, wake up before my alarm.
I wouldn’t consider myself “skinny” and actively try to maintain good muscle mass for better insulin sensitivity, metabolic health, and to protect myself from osteoporosis (bone loss) and sarcopenia (muscle loss).
I predominantly lift weights and do resistance training, with occasional fun activities like dance or skating for cardio. Resistance training is how I stay out of pain.
I rarely get sick (even when my partner is sick, I rarely catch it). I avoid antibiotics like the plague, no longer take the flu jab (only took the C double jab once). I no longer need my asthma inhalers (but keep them for the rare occasion I get sick).
I am intimately acquainted with my hormones and menstrual cycle, know exactly when I ovulate and when my period will arrive because I track my biomarkers (body basal temperature and cervical fluid). I no longer experience period pain or PMS.
I have enjoyed clear skin (make up free) for the last 5-6 years because of the changes I’ve made with nutrition, breaking up with sugar, healing my gut, and balancing my hormones.
I realise not everyone has an intense interest in all things health like me, and doesn’t have time (or inclination) to voraciously devour podcasts, books, hormone health trainings or read pubmed articles (and actually understand them). It’s helpful to have someone knowledgeable guiding you, especially when you’re first starting out.
I would have saved a lot of time if I had someone to guide me when I first started my health and wellness journey. I eventually found someone to work with, and once I did, my progress improved rapidly. I’m still learning of course — my health is not perfect by any stretch. Perfection is not the goal!
If you’re in the same place I was — needing guidance and knowledge about hormone health and wellbeing — I’m here for you. My one-to-one coaching is designed to meet your unique needs, offering personalised support every step of the way.
If one-on-one coaching isn’t in your budget right now, don’t worry! I have a more affordable group coaching program launching soon! 🤩 If you’re interested, join the early bird waitlist here.