If you only exercise to look good, you’ve got it totally wrong! Yes, of course, exercise is necessary for weight loss and improving appearance. But exercise is so much more than simply just a way to lose weight. It’s a mood and health booster too. Doing the right type of exercise can help to target different problematic areas, providing a wide range of health benefits.
If you’ve reached the age or are nearly menopausal, you might want to consider adding weekly exercise into your life if you don’t already.
During menopause (and the ageing process in general), we are at an increased risk of osteoporosis. This is a disease that weakens the bones and therefore puts you at an increased risk of breaking them. Yoga poses can help improve bone density as wells as the following:
- Better flexibility
- Balancing metabolism
- Increased muscle strength and tone
- Protecting cardio and circulatory health
Yoga can also be performed as a type of mindfulness. This can help reduce anxiety and depression. Many people are sceptical about the impact of Yoga/meditation, but this simple act can be truly life-changing. Focusing and clearing your mind for just 10 minutes a day enables you to automatically clear negative thoughts and worries when they pop up. Think of it as training your mind.
Cycling
If running isn’t your thing, cycling is a fun way to get your cardio in. Start with a light bike-round every few days and work up to a more frequent routine. You don’t need to bike for miles and miles along challenging terrain; even a trip to the local corner shop will help. Try replacing short car journeys with cycling instead.
Benefits of cycling:
- Builds Muscle
- Reduces heart disease
- Improves sleep
- Improves brain power
Weight-Training
Strength training is often overlooked but it’s an excellent way to build muscle and bone strength. Strong muscles are the basis for everything else in relation to movement. You can lift, carry, reach and move about freely with minimal effort. You might currently take this for granted, but as we’ve mentioned, menopause puts you at an increased risk of osteoporosis.
- Other benefits of weight-training:
- Lower blood pressure
- Relieving arthritic pain
- Metabolic improvements
- Improved sleep
Don’t Enjoy Exercising?
If you’ve never really enjoyed exercise, this might be putting you off. Rather than let past experiences of a brutal spin class, or an expensive (and unused) gym pass put you off, consider this: Try an exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise. There are so many creative classes or activities you can do with friends and family that feel more like a day out. Wall climbing, rowing, Zumba, team sports.
On the side of the fence, you might be keen to fit in a high level of fitness. Just try to find that balance which fits in with your lifestyle. Don’t overdo it and push yourself to the absolute limit; you might like a challenge but consider the sustainability of extreme exercise.