Don’t let Menopause and Body Image Issues affect how you see yourself- embrace your ageing body

Menopause and Body Image two topics that are the bane of most women’s lives. October is Menopause Awareness Month and whilst I am now in Post Menopause that doesn’t mean I don’t remember, or still experience the symptoms and the way I felt about myself.

Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. While the experience can vary from person to person, common symptoms that can be associated with menopause are:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood swings
• Vaginal dryness
• Decreased libido
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Changes in hair and skin

It’s no wonder that our self-confidence takes a dive and we start feeling down about the ageing process.

Embracing our Ageing Body and feeling confident in who we are

At 66, I’m certainly starting to see signs of an ageing body despite keeping physically active and working out without it taking over my life. Sure, my body is certainly not perfect by societal standards, but I’ve accepted my flaws and life is too short to be concerned about defying gravity. It’s all a part of living, and living well to me is to experience all I can in life, seeing the world and enjoying every moment with family and friends.

Like many women, as a teen and beyond, my appreciation of my body was not a positive one.

I decided when I turned 60 to embrace my body, appreciate what it is capable of. Proudly wearing my wrinkles and sagging body as a sign of life experience and wisdom.

This body has given birth to two children, has run marathons in it’s 60s, has lost and loved, grieved and celebrated. I’m proud of what it can do and has done.

I wish I had had this mindset earlier in life rather than always feeling self-conscious about how I looked, what I wore and let’s not even go to the swimwear section!

Once I accepted myself for who I am and the unique woman that I am, a weight lifted from my shoulders.

Life is so much more enjoyable when you aren’t worrying about first world problems such as how you look. We are more than our outer beauty and we need to take ownership of that and run with it.

Sure, I like to take care with my appearance. I love wearing bright clothes, putting on some makeup especially when I have somewhere special to go or maybe just want some added colour. I enjoy having regular hair salon visits with the odd eyebrow/lash tint and wax BUT that isn’t my main focus in living well and enjoying life.

An opportunity to embrace my ageing body & step out of my comfort zone

Recently, I was approached by a UK company, JulieMay Lingerie with a kind offer to gift some of their garments for me to try and provide a review. I had not heard of the company here in Australia, but was impressed when I delved into who they are and the beautiful range they offer.

Me model lingerie????? Now that would certainly be a test of ‘living my words’. How could I be saying to embrace our bodies if I was too self-conscious to wear the beautiful garments from JulieMay and post to my blog and social media?

What I love about JulieMay Lingerie

• The first lingerie brand to use Pima Cotton and Pure Silk.
• Locally designed in the UK , responsibly manufactured and sustainably produced
• All of the pieces are hypoallergenic, suitable for even the most sensitive skin
• Certified by Allergy UK
• Recommended by breast surgeons
• With brief sizes from 8-18, and bra sizes from 32B to 42DD, JulieMay has a collection for everyone with sensitive skin or without
• Sizing is true to size. I used the Measurement Guide on the website and was a little concerned as sometimes buying this type of product on the internet can be ‘hit and miss’ for sizing. However, you an see that both the bras and briefs fit perfectly.
• Great selection of ultra-comfort bras; non-wired bras; bras with back support; sports bras; front-fastening bras; bras for multiple skin tones and flattering bralettes.
• Basically, whatever your lingerie requirement, JulieMay have you covered.
• You can find more information about JulieMay discover their beautiful garments at https://au.juliemay-lingerie.com

My selections and review

I enlisted the help of my darling husband to for the photo shoot and to take some video and photos of me ‘modelling’. Definitely out of my comfort zone but I faced my self-conscious fears and bared some of this 66 year old body for the camera. I was very happy with the result – plus no filters were used!

I’m a petite Size 6-8 so have difficulty finding clothing and underwear that fit well.

From the moment I put on the bras and briefs they felt so comfortable, yet I felt stylish and yes dare I say it just a little bit sexy! The product is excellent quality and design and certainly a good investment for underwear that fits well and is comfortable to wear. I particularly like the back support and lace detail.

My first selection was the GEORGIA – SILK BACK SUPPORT FULL COVERAGE WIRELESS ORGANIC COTTON BRA

The Bra comes in Sizes 8 – 18 and 3 colours – White, Aqua Blue and Peacock blue which was my choice.

• Cup  100% Pure Silk
• Body Fabric: Silk-Cotton Blend (78% Organic Pima Cotton, 22% Silk)

Features:

• This wire-free bralette features super soft and breathable Pima Cotton accented with pretty lace trim.
• Pima cotton is incredibly soft and naturally hypoallergenic as it doesn’t irritate the skin

I matched this with CORAL- SILK & ORGANIC COTTON FULL BRIEF IN PEACOCK BLUE

• Available in Sizes 8 – 18
• Crotch 100% Pure Silk
• Body Fabric: Silk-Cotton Blend (78% Organic Pima Cotton, 22% Silk)

II love the lace detail with bow which is pretty special and the fit is so comfortable. A high-waisted brief, that provides great coverage for tummy and hips, I didn’t feel like I was wearing Grandma’s briefs. I love the colours and design. I’m wearing Size 8 in both bra and briefs.

My second choice was VALENTINA – SILK BACK SUPPORT FULL CUP NON WIRE ORGANIC COTTON BRA

This is a lovely set with a delicate pattern and although it is wireless and non-padded I still felt supported and it fit well across the back. The briefs have a double let cuff and inner gusset cut from 100% Silk which feels special.

• Sizes 8 – 18
• Cup  100% Pure Silk
• Body Fabric: Silk-Cotton Blend (78% Organic Pima Cotton, 22% Silk)
• Recommended by Breast Surgeon
• Wireless & Non-Padded

I matched with the VALENTINA – HIGH WAISTED SILK & ORGANIC COTTON FULL BRIEF

• Sizes 8 – 18
• Crotch: 100% Pure Silk
• Body Fabric: Silk-Cotton Blend (78% Organic Pima Cotton, 22% Silk)

JulieMay are offering Women Living Well After 50 readers a discount code: JULIEMAY for 10% off your first order so you too can try these comfortable yet stylish bras and briefs.

An Upcoming Event hosted by JulieMay

JulieMay are hosting an intimate menopause social in early November where two special guests will be diving into how menopause impacts physical, mental and social health.

With 25 attendees and an online live stream, JulieMay are hoping to educate women who have been left in the dark to discover how menopause works and the difficulties that they many experience.

Hosting a safe space for learning, understanding and supporting one another, JulieMay want to lose the taboos of menopause and open the conversation up in a way that inspires change.

You will be able to learn more through their social platforms Instagram and monthly newsletter which you can sign up to on their website.

Do you have a healthy body image or are you still struggling coming to terms with how you look and the ageing process? Embrace your beauty from within!

You were born to be real, not to be perfect – Unknown