Managing Menopause Workshop Wrap-up: it’s time to party ladies!
Menopause is a topic a lot of us shy away from. Either you are going through it yourself and feel embarrassed about sharing your symptoms, or you have seen your mum breaking out in hot flushes in the middle of an air-conditioned restaurant and have no idea why she can’t control herself. Many ladies and their loved ones have been in this situation, yet here we are, still feeling awkward about the topic and avoiding the conversation in the first place.
The thing is, thousands of women are experiencing menopause right now, and the changes they are going through are very real and sometimes quite confronting. After surviving a life of periods you’d think the arrival of this stage of life would come with balloons and cake.
Sadly, a lot of women don’t even feel comfortable making the announcement to family and friends, let alone celebrating the occasion. The fears associated with growing old start to sink in, and it’s far deeper than just worrying about some wrinkles. Women can feel out of touch with their identity, questioning how they will continue to be active, what they should be eating and whether they will ever feel like their younger self again. All these thoughts combined with physiological changes makes menopause a wild rollercoaster ride to be on. However, as we all know, rollercoasters can be fun, and this time of life doesn’t have to be as nauseating as it sounds.
To see why you need to buy cake and throw a party, you need to start with three key things: exercise, nutrition, and psychology.
Last night, we had the pleasure of hosting a very special Managing Menopause Workshop where our trio of specialists shared their knowledge on these three elements. Held at our Platinum Studio, we jumped right into the nitty gritty of what menopause is, the changes that happen and what can be done to manage these symptoms, so that women can continue to feel like the amazing, strong beings they are.
First up we had our Exercise Physiologist, Frankie Sills sharing how exercise and movement plays a vital role in not only managing symptoms but also preventing associated health concerns.
3 key exercise tips:
It’s not about slowing down but learning to adapt (variety is vital).
Think about intensity, and aim to work at moderate to vigorous levels.
Recovery is just as important as movement itself.
Next, we had Accredited Dietitian Dorelle Thompson from Wellness Nutrition Solutions explain why binge-eating chocolate when feeling emotional might not be the best solution to problems (sad face). Instead, she gave the audience tips on what a healthy, balanced diet looks like and how it can improve overall health and wellbeing. Surprisingly, it’s not as complicated as most think!
3 key nutrition tips:
Consume fruit, vegetables, seafood, nuts, whole-grains, and low-fat dairy products.
Vitamin B6 is one of the key nutrients to help reduce brain fog (try lebanese cucumbers and eggplants).
Increase your protein intake through various sources (not just read meat).
Lastly, we had our Wellness Consultant, Provisional Psychologist and Exercise Scientist, Emma Sanelli reminding everyone that the emotions they experience during menopause are completely valid. It’s normal to feel upset and isolated, especially when people around you are struggling to understand.
3 key psychology tips:
Be aware of unhelpful thinking styles and perceptions towards your symptoms and experiences.
Embrace the transition, reflect on the things you have achieved and validate the experiences you are having
Work towards finding the best way for you to incorporate healthier behaviours to help manage your symptoms.
With these things in mind, we believe every woman has what it takes to thrive through menopause.
Ladies - don’t be afraid to own menopause with pride. You're in control.
Gentlemen – show support.
Kids – if your mum is having a hot flush, wave your hands for her like a fan and tell her she’s a queen.
Business aside, it’s time to have some cake (in moderation) and celebrate new beginnings because this is not the end.
If you loved this advice but still need a little assistance, we can help.
If you’re looking to get back on the fitness bandwagon and don’t know where to start, see our group classes here. We’d love to have you in for a free week trial.
If you aren’t sure about your diet, Dorelle offers tailored programs, view her website here.
If you are feeling anxious and need help with well-being strategies, you can book in a consultation with Emma, email emma@scienceoffitness.com.au
Happy Women’s Health week everyone!
#teamSOF
