Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Red Hot Mamas
Published: April 23, 2025
From the Editor…Karen Giblin
“All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of yesterday”
– An Italian proverb
Dear Red Hot Mamas,
Spring Cleaning My Clothes Closet…
It’s finally spring and that means many of us are going through our closets. For me, this is a major feat because I like to hold onto clothes ‘just in case’. And really do I need five iterations of the same black pair of pants or ten white tee shirts? And I never ask myself “will I ever wear those specific items again”. And, every year at this time, I become overwhelmed at the buildup in my wardrobe because I have kept so many items that I do not especially love to wear. I truly have neglected to put a closet maintenance plan in place!
I don’t know if you all can relate to this or not, but I look at the clothes in my closet as if it was an art collection. And I typically never look at the bigger picture as to what has been worn and how many duplicates of the same piece of clothing I own, especially when it comes to black pants.
And each year I become overwhelmed and wonder if it is worth the time and effort to tackle decluttering my closet.
Menopause Weight Gain…
Since menopause, I also have gained weight especially around my midsection. Yes, I now have a “meno-pot”, a “swelly belly” because of the menopause related belly fat that seemed to happen overnight.
And, very quickly I became 20 pounds heavier just eating the same things. At menopause a decrease in estrogen triggers metabolic changes, specifically a decrease in muscle mass which results in fewer calories being burned. That coupled with a lack of sleep and a sedentary lifestyle explains what has contributed to my weight gain. I just hope that the number on the scale doesn’t keep going up!
I must be more cognizant of my diet to optimize my health and lower my risks of health concerns. My diet preference will be a Mediterranean diet. That diet combined with exercise will help me fare better at menopause. I presume that menopause is unavoidable, but perhaps weight gain does not have to be. I must just stick to a plan which includes some basics: moving more by becoming more physically active, eating less calories, keeping my sweet tooth in check eliminating things I should not be eating or drinking; and limiting my alcohol consumption.
Decluttering My Closet…
It’s time to look at each piece of clothing in my closet, try it on and honestly asking myself “Does this item of clothing fit well? Do I feel confident wearing it? “Have I worn it in the last year? If the answer is no, it’s time to say goodbye to those items. As you can see, editing my closet is very difficult for me! But maybe it will be worth it in the long run and just think of all the added space in my closet.
So right now, I’ve mustered up the courage to donate items in my closet that are in good condition that have been sitting there for years. Things like all those low-rise skintight jeans which are unflattering and uncomfortable; T shirts I’ve received as souvenirs; the dresses that I would love to wear if only I could lose 20 pounds; baggy holiday sweaters just to name a few things. And, I have come to the realization that shoes, handbags and matchy-matchy outfits are now passé and they will only make us look older. So, it’s time to say goodbye to those things as well.
And, as I am making this overstuffed closet purge, I certainly will not just go out and buy more. That doesn’t make sense at all!
In closing, I hope that you too won’t be afraid to toss out things from your closet or even out of your life. And now that I can see things better in my closet, I’ve found my workout clothes which are tempting me to hit the gym. This might be the answer to my menopause weight gain!!
Happy Spring Cleaning.
Good health to you all,
Karen Giblin
