A quick fix? We ALL want one don’t we? Whatever the problem.

And if you’re like me, you want it for a good price and a solution that lasts.

I don’t know about a quick fix, but that’s ONE BIG ASK.

The Definition of a Quick Fix

Out of interest I looked up the definition of a quick fix on good old Google.  I found this.

“Quick fix: an expedient usually temporary or inadequate solution to a problem”

Mmmm.  But I want long lasting results. Not a temporary solution.  More often than not, anyway.  Pinning up my flapping hem with a safety pin until I can sew it – that’s quick fix I’d go for to save me tripping over my own trousers and falling base over apex in the street. But I’d fix it properly as soon as I could.

 

 

Many of the women that send me questions or approach me to work with them want a quick fix.

And I totally get it. I’d love a quick fix to shed this menopausal extra 7lbs I’m carrying by tomorrow too. I really would.

But is there such a thing as a quick fix? When it comes to health, wellness, hormone balance and fertility, I mean.  Here’s what I think… as I embark on tackling my own meno muffin top!

 

Quick Fix Questions?

Many of the quick fix questions I’m asked are along the lines of “I’ve read that if I take X (insert some powder, potion, supplement, superfood) it will really help me with my Y (insert health condition, life stage, challenge, goal).

As an example “I’ve read that if I take maca powder it will boost my fertility”.

And that’s a good question. I get some really good questions. And I do love getting your questions. Keep them coming. Please.

 

Quick Fix Answers

My responses are usually structured in similar ways.

I give the skinny on the supplement, herb, remedy or superfood – what it is, what I’ve learned, how I use it (if I use it), what the benefits are, what risk factors I know.   I’m totally honest with women. All good you might think.

Then, I usually end by saying something like, BUT on it’s own it’s probably not going to help you greatly in the short term: combining that with a hormone/fertility friendly diet and lifestyle is probably a better option to reaching your goal. Quicker.

Because it’s often a combo of a lot of little things that make a difference.

And that’s the truth.

The women who have already made some changes to take control of their health and hormones get it.

Some women get curious and want to know more about how they can help themselves get healthier, have more balance and boost fertility.  No-one teaches us this stuff, remember? I’m back in my  “broken record” groove *winks*

Occasionally, some don’t. And that’s okay.  No judgement.

Some people want instant gratification. They want whatever it is fixed and right now. Without any effort.

And I get that. I’d love the muffin top to disappear overnight. With a wave of some magic muffin-top-marmalising wand. But I learned already that life isn’t like that. I’d have to go and have it hacked off or sucked out by a Plastic Surgeon if I wanted “magic wand”.

 

There ARE “Quick Fixes”

So plastic surgery would be my best quick fix.  Aha, there ARE quick fixes, Kathy!

Obviously there are situations where surgery is necessary. Life saving even.  And massive hurrah for that.

In many ways conventional medicine offers a quick fix.  Again, I’m not knocking ALL medications, procedures or treatments. Some are totally necessary. Sometimes they are the only option or every other possible option has been exhausted.

But they are not always the only option. And they are sometimes given when other options haven’t been explored fully.

And that’s when I feel a bit icky about the “quick fix”, personally.

But, it’s personal choice, as ever.

I’m not considering conventional HRT  (Hormone Replacement Therapy) during menopause, because there are lots of steps I can take through food, supplements, lifestyle and complementary therapies that I’d much prefer to use.  HRT could be my quick fix, but I’m not choosing it.

And not just because I feel I’m managing my symptoms just fine.

 

The Potential Downsides of a Quick Fix

No.  I wouldn’t consider any quick fix without knowing the risks as well as potential benefits.

Let’s go back to my example of  HRT for my menopause symptoms.

Artificial hormones rob the body of nutrients …leading to other symptoms.  Side effects include bloating, breast tenderness, swelling, leg cramps, headaches, nausea. Not to mention increased cancer, blood clot and heart disease risks.

Plenty of possible downsides to weigh up.  It’s not for me.

And they tackle the symptoms not the cause.  It’s just my view, but in my example, it’s not even a disease; it’s a life transition.

Plus HRT can be made from pregnant mares’ urine. And I just plain don’t like the sound of that.

So my point isn’t don’t take medicines or have procedures, it’s make an informed choice based on info from different sources.

It’s that a quick fix might come with baggage.

 

The Long Quick Fix

So when is a quick fix, not a quick fix? But IS in fact a quick fix? Confused?

What I mean is, we often think something is too hard, too boring and will take too long, but is it really?

My 10lbs has crept on over about 18 months…sure partly menopausal, but also because I wasn’t very well at the start of 2016 and back, neck and shoulder problems meant exercise was off the agenda for a while. No excuses. I am where I am. And I’m tackling it.

So it crept on over 18 months: it won’t take 18 months to get rid of it with some persistent effort. I reckon that it will take 3 months maybe?

Now that seems like a pretty quick fix for a medium term challenge to me.

It’s kinda like when I speak to women about preconception care. I recommend getting baby-fit for at least 3-4 months before starting to try to conceive. Many look aghast.  I get that it seems ages if you have planned a baby later in life.  But it’s not long where time is on your side.

And that few months of improving health to boost fertility just might save months of peeing on sticks and negative tests later. We just don’t know. I’m all for stacking odds in our own favour.

 

The Voice of My Mother

As I’m here typing, I’m also hearing the voice of my Mother in my head.  And that’s a good thing. I think, anyway.

I’m hearing …

“Anything worth having is worth working for Kathleen”.  Er yes, Kathleen is my full on, Sunday, getting-a-disapproving-look name.

And “If something looks too good to be true, it probably is”.

Of course, whether you buy into those depends on your personal values. We know we INHERIT some of these from our parents and guardians.

Me? I believe in the first one.  In working towards what I desire. Taking responsibility.  Managing the things in my life I can control.  Doing the best I can at the time. Not making lame excuses for myself. That’s one of my values.

The second one is a bit trickier. I don’t believe there’s some miracle cure for my extra 10lbs.  But I DO believe there are miracles in the universe. I mean, I am one.  7lbs extra or not.

 

What do you think?   Is there such a thing as a quick fix? Tell me in a comment.

 

Love