Move, Move, Move - Move Your Body!
Jersey City
January 24, 2025
Hi there!
Movement is key to good health and it’s so necessary when it comes to weight loss whether that’s during menopause or at any other time.
That being said, you don’t need to spend hours in the gym, although that wouldn’t be a bad thing but who has time, right?
If you’re someone who goes from sitting at your computer to sitting on your sofa, get up and start moving! Take a short walk around the block a couple of times a day, maybe after lunch and before dinner. If you work or live in an elevator building, use the stairs instead of the elevator. Get creative! Try jumping rope. I have a hula hoop in my office and take hula hoop breaks during the day. Do you like to dance? Go dancing or sign up for dance classes. Our bodies are meant to move.
Once you get in the habit of moving, get more specific about exercising. During menopause weight bearing exercises are important because they build muscle and bone mass. We start losing bone mass in our 30’s. By the time we reach perimenopause, we’re losing bone mass faster because of the decrease of estrogen. If we ignore this, it can spell big trouble in our 60’s and beyond. Decreased bone density can lead to fractures and that is something you really want to avoid. The earlier you start weight bearing exercises the better for your body. You may not notice the numbers going down on your scale because muscle weighs more than fat, but I guarantee your clothes will fit better and you’ll look leaner.
Most of us have struggled with losing weight at some point in our lives. During menopause losing weight can be challenging because our go-to weight loss strategies don’t work anymore. Skipping meals and working out more may not make a difference. Now you’re dealing with decreasing hormones and a slower metabolism. And that’s what you need to think about. Working out is still very important, just make sure you’re adding in weight bearing exercises. In addition to walking (which is weight bearing) add weights. If you’re doing yoga be sure to hold those chaturangas longer. They’re also weight bearing. Swimming is great exercise, but it is not weight bearing unless it’s water aerobics class weights.
Sometimes it helps to have an accountability partner, someone who works out with you. She’ll give you the added incentive to get going and keep going.
So, what are you going to do to add movement to your day? I want to know. You’ve got this!
Be well,
Laura
And more...
· The fires are still raging in LA. I can’t believe the devastation! If you want to help, here are some organizations that are working hard to help those impacted.
· If you came to the M Factor screening, thank you! It was a great evening. I especially enjoyed catching up with some moms that I hadn’t seen in a very long time. I massaged you when you were pregnant and now your “baby” is in college. Say what!!! I’m going to keep the great conversation we had going at my monthly menopause meet-up. It’s free, so mark your calendar and join us. March 11th at 6:30 at Narra Collective.
· Have you thought you should try herbs for your menopause symptoms but which ones and what is the right dosage? Sign up for “Think Like an Herbalist” with Bonnie Rose Weaver, clinical herbalist and me. We’re hosting a webinar on Feb 18th at 8:00pm. It’s an hour long.