I think a woman’s life should be measured by how successfully she has managed to control this beast called hormones. Approaching one’s 50th birthday is no doubt a milestone; it is, however, yet again the end and beginning of a decade of hormonal pandemonium. Hormonal achievements, dreams, failures and disappointments all shine in a new shade. The face also gleams in a new light as you start noticing those stubborn crinkles near the eyes, deeply embedded laughter lines, the stubborn waves on the forehead and the mini pillows stuffed under the eyes. And not to mention the chemical nuisance on the inside, which is more tsunamic than those ripples and quivers on the face.

"Nature gives you the face you have at twenty, it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty." – Coco Chanel

These gradual, yet persistent pre, post or menopausal dips of estrogen and progesterone may lower the metabolic rate of the body, this is the rate at which the body converts the stored energy into working energy, leading to general sluggishness, bone loss, loss of muscle mass, lowering of resting metabolism, eventually leading to weight gain. As if PMS was not enough to handle all these years – come 50, and women might (or might not) suffer from a new facet of mood swings, depression and anxiety. Lethargy, headaches, hot flushes and the likes are part and parcel, when the devil is playing up.

"When you’re 50 and wake up without any aches and pains, you know its going to be a good day." – Melanie White

The need for balanced meals and consistent exercise becomes all the more important at this semi centennial stage of life. While the hormonal trapeze might make you half deranged and imbecile – nutrition and physical activity might just help you restore these demented half-a-century trophies.

"Maybe it’s true that life begins at fifty, but everything else starts to wear out, fail out or spread out."

Given below are a set of exercises, which do not require elaborate gym equipment or special locales – all it requires is some will power and determination to maneuver the ageing process towards balance and control, increase the metabolism, maintain bone density and attain an ideal weight. And of course manage this swine, we all know as hormones

Ball Squat: With your back pressed against the ball, and your feet shoulder width apart, squat down until your thighs are at right angles with your calves. Stay there for a count of ten. Repeat 12-15 times

Ball Crunches: Lie down on the ball, with your head tipping backward slightly, crunch up, using your core and go back to the original position. Repeat 25 times

Ball Plank: Rest your elbows on the ball, shoulder-back-legs – straight down in a line – like a wooden plank. Hold for a minute

Knee Push-ups: Get down on your knees, your hands next to your chest, do pushups keeping your core muscles tight. Repeat 12-15 times

Side Crunch Single Leg: Lie on your side, crunch up using your side and same leg up. Repeat 12-15 times each side

Side Crunch Both Legs: Same as above, except that you raise both your legs. Repeat 12-15 times, each side

The above exercises, with their specific numbers will make one set. Try and do at least three sets to gain the maximum benefit.

…And then she discovered exercise, that helped her combat this exorcist and they lived hormonally ever after!

"I wouldn’t mind these hot flashes so much if they would just burn a little fat off my butt and thighs in the process." – Unknown

Photo credit: Mr. Shahid Armaan, aged 35