It will help tremendously to put the gym on your to do list with the same priority as a big meeting. It's hard when you need to be on site or when you're physically involved with project. So hard to be physically exhausted without actually getting a good cardo workout! Food is tough during remodeling, particularly if stress is a trigger for you. (It is for me.) Seems no matter what we end up eating mysteriously prepared food. Is there an end in sight? I've lost 28# since finishing the kitchen. (After some initial "Wow! We can cook!" gain.) I planned the kitchen with new eating habits in mind, and that is actually making a difference. But the big thing is moving -- particularly in the gym. No spring chicken here either. Maybe you could add your energy, or quest for inspiration, to the Mojo & Fitness threads. You're not alone!

I took Paxil for a year and a half for depression. At first the it did indeed take the edge off the depression, for which I was thankful. *However,* during that timeframe I gained 40lbs !!!!! And I was not thin to begin with. So, my advice is -- consider switching to something like Welbutrin rather than taking an SSRI (Paxil, Lexapro, etc.) Cutting carbs and sugars is something we should all do, but I am the queen of carbs. It's a struggle, but one thing I want you to bear in mind is that in time, your hormones will stabilize and the terrible anxiety you are coping with will settle down. Anxiety can take control of your world if you let it. Don't let it. Get outside, take some walks, practice deep breathing. Here's what I did -- when I felt the panic kind of anxiety coming, I immediately took half of a 5mg Xanax pill -- and I told myself that between the medication and understanding what was happening, the panic attack would stop. And it almost always did. Things will get better!!

I free fed my cats for 20 years and had no fat kitties. Until Saul & Mikey came along 7 years ago :-) For whatever reason, those two cats would eat everything in sight (still do.) It was hard to make the switch as I too felt that my other kitties might not get enough food if a bowl of dry wasn't available all day and night. But what happens is that the grazers learn to eat at meal times, and the fat ones do lose weight if they are given appropriate portions twice a day. You may have to stand guard when you feed them, and remove the fast eaters from the room when they're done. Otherwise they'll move on to the next dish and help out the slender slow eaters. Good luck.

Thanks everyone. I am still waiting on the tests. Thankfully I have not had to have a hysterectomy and was lucky enough to be 57 when menopause hit. Re the food and products from the health food store, I did try both both but couldn't handle the recommended foods (actually I used to eat a lot of them which contributed to my acid based kidney stone at age 40 - but, hey, I probably owe my skin to said foods). In Canada - at least according to my GP, the Gyno and the pharmacist I have to take both Prometrium and Estrogel - not just the Prometrium - who knows? I just hope the doctor was able to get enough from the biopsy that she did without sedation so that I don't have to go into the hospital for a larger biospy - I figured it would be under a local - nope they knock you out. I had the mammo last Tues. - the results will come in the mail with a copy to my doctor. I may end up like SunnyDJ - taking something every 3rd or 4th day depending on the results and how I fare without it. Of course a lot will also depend on my test results. Cost wise it isn't cheap but since they are my only prescriptions and I will be covered under my husband's office plan for 18 months I won't worry about that. Our provincial insurance does not cover the cost of prescriptions until you turn 65 and then only some are covered - and not fully, there is a deductible and they are about to cut back on a lot of them - somehow I don't think HRT will be covered! I guess I should feel grateful that I have never experienced a hot flash. I don't sweat - ever - which of course is not good and no doubt accounts for my high body acid. And why I love the heat - but not the sun.