Who Stole My Body?

That’s the question I’ve been asking myself for a few years now. Everyday I look in the mirror and wonder what happened to that drop dead, gorgeous size 3 figure that used to turn heads and stop men dead in their tracks. I’m turning heads these days but not in quite the same way.

Middle-age spread is one issue I never thought I’d have to deal with, but honey, let me tell you, it’s no joke! My middle-aged, baby boomer years have resulted in some spreading, sagging and cellulite---while my breasts, belly and lap are getting better acquainted. My gynecologist says the weight gain is a result of my metabolism slowing down and MENOPAUSE.

I am convinced there is a thief on the loose who is running around attacked middle-aged women. I would have felt much better about the burglary had he taken my Hot Flashes too!

See what I mean by checking out my You Tube video: http://www.youtube.com/babyboomerbev

Robin Roberts' Breast Cancer Diagnosis is an URGENT Wake-Up Call

This week’s announcement that Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts has breast cancer came as a complete shock to me.

I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news!. I always thought of Robin as the epitome of good health but this just goes to show you that cancer can strike anyone at anytime.

In her own words, Robin outlined how she came to discover the cancer:

“It all started a few weeks ago. We had gotten the news that our dear colleague and friend Joel Siegel had passed away and we began preparing for our special tribute show for him. I did a piece about Joel's courageous battle with cancer, reporting on the way my friend had lived his life and been such a successful advocate for the importance of early cancer screenings. That very night when I went to bed, I did a self breast exam and found something that women everywhere fear: I found a lump.

At first I thought, "This can't be. I am a young, healthy woman." Nevertheless, I faced my fear head on and made an appointment to see the doctor. Much as I was hoping the doctor would say it was nothing, she did a biopsy and confirmed that the lump I'd found was indeed an early form of breast cancer. Hearing the doctor say those words out loud was surreal.”

Just last year I was so excited when Robin agreed to read a copy of my book Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age. I named her one of my “Spectacular Baby Boomer Divas” in the book.

I'm really glad she caught her breast cancer early because that may have saved her life and her actions should be a wake-up call for ALL women---especially African-American women. We must be vigilant when it comes to our health. What happened to Robin can happen to any one of us and if we ignore it we are doomed.

How to Keep your Sex Life Sizzlin' after 50!

I'm not ashamed to tell you that my husband makes me hotter than a hot flash! We share a healthy sex life because we share INTIMACY. That intimacy takes us beyond the bedroom and into each other's hearts and minds.

If you're trying to enhance or re-create the sexual magic in your relationship, here are a few tips:

Manage Your Menopause
Symptoms may begin up to 10 years before you reach the menopause at 50. As your body stops producing estrogen, your interest in sex naturally diminishes. Althought I'm NOT AN ADVOCATE of hormone replacement therapy, some doctors say hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be incredibly effective, helping to give your sex drive a boost as well as reducing symptoms such as hot flashes. There are lots of treatments, including sprays, creams and patches, so consult your doctor. Natural alternatives include the red clover and agnus castus supplements.

Banish Guilt
Just because you're 50 (or older) doesn't mean that you shouldn't want sex. Sex is a natural part of life. It connects the passion between a couple and there's no reason for you not to enhance and appreciate your sexuality.

Check Your Medication
Certain drugs are known to lower your libido, so it's worth checking out side effects. Culprits include medicines for heart disease, blood pressure, arthritis and high cholesterol, among others. Ask your doctor if there's an alternative you could try.

Test Your Hormones
Testosterone is important for sex drive in women and men, and a deficiency can lead to a dwindling interest.
Other symptoms include depression, fatigue, memory and concentration problems. See your doctor for blood tests.

There's no reason you shouldn't turn up the heat of passion in your relationship—even after 50.

Menopause Myth #5

Menopause leads to other deadly diseases.

First of all, menopause is NOT a disease. It is a natural occurrence in a woman's life. It is a part of the aging process.

Depending on how intense your menopausal symptoms are, you may want to seek some type of treatment. I don't advocate synthetic drugs but that's just me. I have found natural herbal supplements coupled with a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits work wonders for me.

What is important to remember is you should take good care of yourself by eating healthy and getting some exercise. When I exercise on a consistent basis, my hot flashes are kept to a minimum. Exercise is also a wonderful way to help you maintain a healthy weight. Excess fat CAN lead to other medical problems.

To learn more about how to enjoy your menopause and to learn how to live drama free with a dash of humor, why not pick up a copy of my book, "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age" available on Barnes and Noble.com and Amazon.com.

Menopause Myth #4

If you're under the age of 45, you're TOO YOUNG to be menopausal.

OH, SO WRONG!!!

It might be unusual for a woman to go through menopause before the age of 45 but it's definitely not impossible. There are women in their mid to late thirties who have been known to experience what is known as perimenopause. The symptoms include:

mood swings
depression
tension headaches
vaginal dryness
lack of sexual drive
inability to focus
night sweats
hot flashes
sleep problems
joint and muscle pain
irregular periods

There are actually 34 symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.

If you're experiencing some of these symptoms, talk with your doctor. There is a test you can take to confirm whether or not you're going through the change. And don't accept medication as the end all answer for what ails you---especially if someone wants to give you anti-depressants.

For more information on how to enjoy your menopause, I invite you to purchase a copy of my book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

Let's enjoy this journey together!

Is it Gym Sweat or a Hot Flash?

I just returned from another invigorating 40 minutes of aerobics at the gym. This is the only place where I can sweat like a pig and not freak out about it being a hot flash.

I must admit, working out these days is quite a challenge, especially when a hot flash seems to be the order of the day. It's also tougher since I seem to see little or no results for my efforts. My doctor says the weight gain is all a part of growing older and that I should keep exercising for health maintenance. WHATEVER! I want more than maintenance. I want to see some pounds drop off EVERY TIME I go into the gym. When I've finished my workout, I want to pick up my towel and water bottle and leave about five pounds of fat on the gym floor. Well actually I would have the decency to pick it up and throw it away because just leaving it there would be gross!

I'm really not complaining because I really do thank God that I'm able to get up and go workout because I know there are others who can't for one reason or another. And yes, the sweat is good because not only am I releasing toxins...I finally realize the gym is about the only place I can enjoy my "personal summer!"

Hello menopause! Welcome to MY world.

Where are all of the Baby Boomer Men?

Since I’ve been networking on line, this baby boomer diva has searched long and hard (excuse the pun) to find where the baby boomer men hang out. Not that I’m looking because I have a man---thank you very much---and he’s a fine baby boomer man!

I’m just curious if baby boomer men network on line like women do. Is there a site exclusively for them? I see scatterings of men here and there who kind of blend in with the rest of the crowd but I can’t say that I’ve seen them in clusters.

Why aren’t they getting together and talking about their so-called male menopause? Why aren’t they exchanging information and advice on the best sports cars to buy; the best exercises to keep them vigorous in the bedroom; or gathering business tips? Could it be that baby boomer men are several steps behind us baby boomer women when it networking on the almighty internet? God forbid!

The internet is probably the best place for baby boomer men to find out what’s going on with their wives and menopause. If they’ve ever been caught in the midst of a hot flash tantrum, there’s a woman somewhere who is more than willing to offer advice. Surely, we’re all out here talking about the symptoms and how our men just don’t quite understand it all.

Listen up guys, why don’t you come to the internet table and join us for some engaging discussions. We guarantee you’ll learn a thing or two!