This is one of those things we all know… but it is "easier said than done."  It is something that a few of us here in Dallas are starting to do to hold each other accountable.  It's not like we are getting buff on a Bowflex or anything.  Just some basic stuff to get the blood flowing and increase the benefits of exercise.

Yes, it’s true. Most women who keep exercising during menopause see an obvious decline in some of their symptoms than others who don’t. However, what people don’t appreciate is it is the lack of hormones which contribute to a feeling of ‘I don’t want to exercise today’ in the first place, so really it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Menopause relief is something all women going through it would love, just a couple of days with no symptoms, or maybe even the ability to switch it off while on holiday – anything! A recent report in the Medical & Science in Sports and Exercise magazine says that after intensive research on postmenopausal women, and watching some monkey species (whose hormones are just like our own) researchers found that women who were used to more physical exercise saw a positive decrease in perceived stress levels in comparison to women in the lowest physical exercise group thus giving menopause relief. This research was conducted over an eight year period and concentrated specifically on women who walked daily for varying times (between 15-90 minutes per day).

With the above in mind, what does that mean for us? Certainly a decrease in stressful feelings during menopause would be wonderful, and the exercise can only help. That study was based upon people walking to get places so not exactly a full shift at the gym; it’s very possible that we can integrate exercise like this into our daily routine. Stress is a common factor in many ailments, both during menopause and otherwise, so there is real potential there with regards to other common problems women experience during menopause which aren’t directly related to hormone imbalances. Rather than just abandon ourselves to getting older and taking all the issues ‘on the chin’ so to speak, if we can begin to achieve at least some menopause relief with exercise then it’s definitely something to consider doing – combining exercise and menopause could mean a ‘change’ (sorry!) for the better.

If you’ve never really exercised much, then you’re more likely to suffer in other ways too. ‘Middle-aged spread’ being the most common problem and the best way to start is ‘slowly’. No need for rushing, or going overboard in the mission to get fitter. If you plan to combine exercise and menopause, then you need to take other things into account; after all you haven’t always exercised anyway and you really shouldn’t overdo it. Walking is enough to start with and apart from being healthier it is also better on the environment.
 

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