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Climbing the mountain

For the past 2 days I have been feeling like shit. Muscle aches, headache, body feels like lead, tingling feeling all over my body, general fatigue and just feeling like what’s the point? Feeling like I’m failing at life — motherhood, business, finances.

I’m on my period after missing it last month, and when that happens, I generally feel like this. Right now as I write this 4ME I’m needed by the kids and now my Mum. I don’t mean to sound selfish but whenever I decide to do something for me that requires (hold on, going to put number 4’s shoes on for him) me to just sit, be and get on with it I can’t.

So this is day 2 and I was considering HRT — not through the GP because I have been down that road and just been offered antidepressants. I searched the internet for over the counter HRT and saw that Boots sell various options and you can also pay £5 for a consultation. I hit the book button — but then I reflected, have I given alternatives a chance? Have I been doing what I’m supposed to be doing? And the answer is ‘no’.

I haven’t been going to the gym regularly due to excessive tiredness — why am I tired? I haven’t been drinking enough, so my body is dehydrated. I haven’t been taking my supplements — iron, vitamin D, vitamin B complex, magnesium and ashwagandha — were they helping? I think so.

(phone call – number 3 on the way to school with Dad – “Mummy put icepacks in my snack box please”)

But falling off the wagon when I had missed a period and my hormones were most likely in a tailspin probably wasn’t (hold on – second phone call from my husband at the kids request because they had forgot something – except this time number 4 wanted to say “Thank you and I love you so much”) the best choice.

In fact I have heard, and just read for my own interest that when a period is missed during perimenopause it’s highly recommended to increase magnesium intake. Ohh and on top of that I have been consuming an increased amount of confectionary which has led to inflammation.

So basically instead of sitting and wallowing in self pity (which I think can’t be helped sometimes) I just need to get my shit together — but you know what I don’t like? When I start getting my shit together my kids and husband think “cool she’s okay she’s over it” but I’m not — I’m just walking back up the mountain to get to me again.

(stopped to drive my Mum to urgent care – back to finish this post and drink the rest of my green smoothie)

(ohhh I forgot to put the ice pack in the snack box – hold on)

Okay — where was I?

The mountain analogy — I was on my back at the bottom of the mountain and now I’m climbing back up. But hey, I could end up on my back again — but I’m hoping to get a little further up the mountain than before, which henceforth I shall call Mount Peri.

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First step in climbing back up Mount Peri

I looked up some iron-rich smoothie recipes — nothing hard, all ingredients must be in the house right now and I must take my supplements — vitamin D, iron and Lion’s Mane.

When I made the smoothie I didn’t measure. I used 1 kiwi, 1 fresh banana, some frozen pineapple (we regularly have frozen pineapple and frozen mango in the freezer), chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, frozen spinach (something else we always have) and I added maca root powder — just had some hanging around.

What’s actually in the smoothie (and why it helps)

Nothing fancy — just using what I had and giving my body something it can actually use right now.

Kiwi
High in vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron better. Also supports immune health and can help with fatigue.

Banana
Great for energy and rich in vitamin B6, which can support mood and help regulate hormones.

Pineapple
Contains vitamin C and bromelain, which may help reduce inflammation — something I definitely need right now.

Spinach
A quiet hero. Full of iron, magnesium and folate — all important for energy, hormone support and reducing fatigue.

Chia seeds
Packed with omega-3 fats, which can support hormone balance, reduce inflammation and help with brain function.

Pumpkin seeds
High in magnesium and zinc — great for mood, sleep, and supporting the nervous system during hormonal fluctuations.

Maca root powder
Often used for hormone support. Some women find it helps with energy, mood and balancing those ups and downs.

A quick note on the supplements (for me as much as you)

*Click supplements to see where I purchase them from

When periods start becoming irregular in perimenopause — like missing a month — it usually means hormones are fluctuating more than usual, especially oestrogen and progesterone. That fluctuation can impact everything: mood, energy, sleep, even how your body handles stress.

Magnesium is often recommended during this time because it can support:

• Nervous system regulation (helping with that wired but tired feeling)
• Muscle relaxation (aches, tension)
• Sleep quality
• Mood balance

Iron is important too, especially when your period does come back and may be heavier, which can add to fatigue.

And hydration? That one’s basic but massive — even mild dehydration can make fatigue, headaches and brain fog feel so much worse

Vitamin D
Supports mood, energy and immune function. During perimenopause, low vitamin D levels have been linked to low mood, fatigue and even muscle aches — all things I’ve definitely been feeling.

Iron
Helps carry oxygen around the body. If your periods are irregular but then come back heavier (which can happen in perimenopause), iron levels can drop — leading to fatigue, weakness and that “body feels like lead” feeling.

Lion’s Mane
This one is more for brain support. It’s known for helping with focus, mental clarity and brain fog — which, let’s be honest, hits hard during perimenopause. It may also support mood and reduce that overwhelmed feeling.

Vitamin B Complex
Supports energy production, brain function and mood. During perimenopause, fluctuating hormones can zap your energy and make you feel foggy — B vitamins help your body convert food into energy and support a balanced nervous system.

Ashwagandha
An adaptogen, which means it helps your body manage stress. It may help with mood swings, anxiety, fatigue and sleep — all things that can get tricky during perimenopause.

Everything I did, every action I take to climb Mount Peri isn’t random.

Nothing magic.

Nothing extreme.
No pressure.
Just giving my body a bit of support while I climb back up.

That’s what I did 4ME today.

What are you going to do 4U?

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One more note, look for he did 4ME today