2 minute read
Building confidence through exercises
THROUGH EXERCISE DURING MENOPAUSE
By Karen Ramirez,
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Sporting Sheroes
These were the words of a fitness instructor I have a huge amount of time for and who, like many of us, is at “that age” where are bodies are experiencing change!
What I love about this lady, is that she keeps it real and talks openly about the days we want to eat rubbish, lie under the duvet and feel fed up with the world and the people in it!
What she and I also know is that by keeping fit and healthy those moments are less frequent, we pull ourselves out of them faster and our physical and mental health - and overall CONFIDENCE - are more resilient.
The physical benefits of staying fit and active are well-documented, amongst them:
1. Preventing weight gain 2. Reducing the risk of illness and disease 3. Strengthening your bones, lowering the risk of osteoporosis 4. Boosting your mood
But three out of four of the above are about avoiding problems rather than looking forward to the fun stuff!
What do I mean by that?
In addition to the above, I see my fitness as investing in the future me, and she wants to have the confidence long-term to:
•Try adventurous new activities
•Carry on playing hockey, swimming in open waters and running with the dog
•Develop new work opportunities and inspire those I work with
•Travel and explore different cultures and societies
•And, most of all, enjoy grandchildren (eventually) without physical limitations!
On this coach’s Instagram bio, she says “I want to dance The Funky Chicken at my 100th Birthday Party!” I say Amen to that! It’s easy to lose confidence as we age. It might be:
•When children leave home and we are looking to go back to the workplace; or
•We are made redundant and have to find another job; or
•We feel we’ll never find a new partner if we lose ours unexpectedly; or
•We have to walk into a new group of people for work or social purposes.
We might avoid getting out of the front door to run, cycle, walk or go to a fitness class if we’ve not done it for a while.
Statistics show that women’s activity levels suffered more than men’s during the pandemic. However, if this is you, I urge you to make TODAY your DAY 1, and not to leave it to “one day”.
Day 1 is always the hardest. Day 2 will be easier.
By Day 7, you’ll be walking out of that door with your head held that bit higher, perhaps a slight swagger in your gait and your soul feeling a good deal lighter!
If it’s been years since you’ve exercised, start with a 15-minute walk or jog around the block.
