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The Importance Of Fitness During Menopause
By
Susan Megge
Learn About the Crucial Links Between Fitness and
Menopause
Did you know that a regular fitness or exercise routine
plays a major role in reducing the symptoms of
menopause? One particular symptom of menopause is weight
gain, which, unfortunately seems to develop just as a
woman finally reaches a point in her life when she's
mature and self-confident, and then the fat starts
piling on. This weight gain is quite common and the
result of declining hormone levels which causes the
metabolism to slow down significantly, even in
pre-menopausal women.
The majority of women will especially notice an
increased amount of fat deposition around their
mid-section, which plays a significant role in
contributing to heart disease, the number one killer of
middle-aged and older women. Not to worry; this weight
can be managed quite easily by simply getting into a
regular fitness and exercise routine. Fitness and
consistent activity really are the keys to decreasing
weight and avoiding the pitfalls of aging. By committing
to a regular exercise routine, one which includes weight
bearing exercises, women will change the muscle-to-fat
ratio, enabling them to increase their metabolic rate
and burn calories, even at rest.
In addition to weight gain, women in their thirties
begin to lose bone mass at a rate of approximately 1%
per year and that rate increases to 2%-3% per year after
menopause. Studies have shown that exercise can actually
increase a woman's bone density, thus reducing the risk
of osteoporosis and the incidence of falls and bone
fractures associated with osteoporosis. Unfortunately,
osteoporosis often goes undetected until bone fractures
occur, but by taking preventative measures, such as
getting into a regular fitness routine, women can indeed
reduce this risk.
Exercise and fitness can also be beneficial in reducing
the incidence of hot flashes, a common symptom of
menopause. Hot flashes can contribute to impaired sleep
patterns and a decreased energy level. Additionally, hot
flashes can also affect one's overall mood, which has
the potential to negatively affect both personal and
professional relationships. While estrogen replacement
therapy has been shown to decrease these symptoms, for
many women a regular exercise routine appears to be a
very viable alternative.
Simply stated, making fitness and exercise a priority
will benefit most women who are approaching or
experiencing menopause, and the positive results, both
physically and emotionally, are well worth the extra
time required to begin and continue a regular exercise
routine. It's easy to make excuses to not make time to
ensure that fitness is a priority, but it's crucial to
understand that being regularly active will lead to
overall good health now and in the future. The only
results you'll see from your added physical activity
will be those that are very beneficial to you and those
you love.
Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist mature women as they approach and experience menopause. She is a mother and grandmother, who started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched different avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her discovery of the significant role that exercise plays in making menopause a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life. Susan Megge is the author of "Being Beautiful Beyond 40," a book dedicated to helping women feel confident and beautiful as they approach menopause.
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