My Five Secrets To Navigating Menopause - And Living Your Best Life!
All us women will go through menopause - instead of dreading it, let’s embrace this time of life! We have so much to be proud of, grateful for, and to look forward to! Now is the time to take stock of our accomplishments, plan for the goals we want to achieve, and congratulate ourselves for all we have done.
Think of menopause as a chapter in your life - not your whole story! This helped me when the lows of menopause were in effect… so today I am sharing my secrets for navigating menopause so you can live everyday with joy and positivity! Grab a notepad and get ready to make some easy, effective lists that will help you during this stage!
1. Compliment yourself. Getting and giving compliments is one of the best ways to boost your mood - and the mood of others. Today, I want you to list out three to five things you like about yourself. Maybe it’s your sense of humor, caring nature, resilience, or kitchen skills. Write them down, and add to the list whenever you think of new positive attributes. Giving yourself accolades reinforces what a wonderful person you have been throughout all stages of life!
2. Find joy in movement. Fitness is vital during menopause - it has positive benefits for every part of your body, mind and outlook! Today, think about the movement you enjoy doing now - write down five activities you enjoy and that make you feel great. Mine include pickleball, beach walks and bike rides… By doing the exercises you enjoy, you are more inclined to do them daily. A win-win for your health!
3. Add in weights. My one piece of advice that may be new to you is to begin lifting weights. As hormones shift, so do our bodies - and weights help build strong muscles, better flexibility and posture, and improved heart health! It’s very easy to start: my Denise Austin Membership includes a Menopause Program with short, effective weight routines you can do anywhere, anytime… your body WILL respond in a positive way! List out the days you have 10-15 minutes for resistance exercises (aim for 2-3 days per week) and you are on your way!
4. Remember the good things. Every day has a glimmer - a beautiful flower, a group of kids playing, a joke that made you laugh. I love the Three Good Things Practice: before bed, write down three things that day that made you happy. Do this for two weeks, and it is shown to improve your mood for months!
5. Create future goals. Having something to look forward to sparks creativity and gives you something to work towards. I look forward to a trip every year with Jeff, and love looking up food, sights and hotels with him. I also enjoy trying out new types of exercise, to stay on top of my passion and to bring you more fun workouts to try in my Membership! Make a list today of local places you want to see, new restaurants you want to try, and a larger goal you would like to work towards, like learning a new language, visiting the Grand Canyon, or volunteering.
These tips all helped me - and they can help you too! Staying positive is so important, and these simple lists can help you stay physically and emotionally strong, vibrant and looking to the future! It’s just a chapter - YOU are the whole story, and YOU are worth it!! If you want more insight into menopause, check out my Fit Over 50: The Menopause Issue - I have articles on sleep, hot flashes and oral health, all backed by insight from physicians and experts in the field.
Let's live FIT, HAPPY and HEALTHY - together!!
Denise
P.S. If you want more menopause guidance, join my Premium Membership and try my Menopause Strong Program - it includes short, effective workouts to help you keep the weight off and build strong muscle; positive pep talks to keep you motivated; meal plans to nourish your body during this chapter; and more, including my walking motivations! It's just $10 a month and you will love it!!