Going through the menopause or the years leading up to the menopause, called the perimenopause, can be an overwhelming time. You may feel lonely, confused, upset and anxious, as well as dealing with symptoms such as mood swings, night sweats, hot flushes and brain fog. 

Dealing with the symptoms of the menopause and the perimenopause is individual to each woman, as we’ll all experience our own symptoms to varying degrees. For example, if you struggle with hot flushes, wearing cool, layered clothing made from natural, breathable fabrics can help. 

If you’re struggling with emotional symptoms such as mood swings, a low mood and anxiety, then a talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, can be beneficial. Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, significantly helps many women with a wide range of symptoms.

Another way of helping to manage both the physical and emotional symptoms of the menopause and perimenopause is exercise. Here’s why regular exercise could be helping you manage your symptoms…

1. Exercise helps us manage our weight, something that can become more difficult as our hormone levels change during our menopausal years. We might notice that in particular, it becomes more difficult to lose weight around our middle. Aerobic exercise, where our heart rate significantly increases, such as during our six week F.I.T Combat programme is great for burning fat and managing our weight. 
2. Regular resistance exercise, where we exercise against our own body weight such as during squats and lunges, or by using weights will help us not only burn fat, but strengthen our bones. One consequence of the declining levels of oestrogen during the menopause is the risk of a loss of bone mass. This can lead to weakened bones and eventually the possibility of osteoporosis later in life. So exercise during our middle years is important for keeping our bones strong and healthy.
3. Not only that, exercise that strengthens our major muscle groups (our Strength Plan is amazing!) helps to improve our posture as well as strengthening our core. A stronger core means we have less chance of trips and falls and their resulting injuries as we age, protecting our bones from fractures and breaks. 
4. Performing regular exercise releases feel good endorphins – they’re what’s responsible for that post exercise high we experience after we’ve worked out. This means that exercise can also help ease the emotional symptoms of the menopause and perimenopause. 
5. The feel good side of exercise doesn’t end there. Exercising helps us maintain a sense of control over our bodies and this can help to boost our self-esteem no end. Especially so if we feel our bodies changing shape and becoming stronger as a result of exercise. We’ll even feel more confident in our favourite clothes! 

Sounds good, right? Our Menopause Programme has been developed specifically for women who are experiencing their perimenopause and menopause. It contains workouts that target all areas of concern, from bone and heart health to mood boosting sessions and mind calming routines that help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and insomnia.