Several years ago, I attended a course that chatted about menopause, among other Women’s Health-related topics. One of the main tips I found surprised me – how our attitude towards menopause can influence how we move through this phase, despite what else is going on in our bodies at the time.

It would have depended on what kind of household you grew up in as to whether the commencement of menstruation was celebrated or not. I don’t know about you, but it certainly wasn’t something to be celebrated or even talked about very much for me. Thankfully these days, there has been a shift to celebrate this coming-of-age milestone for our teens/pre-teens, which I think is such a healthy thing. Despite the difficulties it can bring, it is really the main thing that sets us apart as women, and is something amazing that men just can’t do!

So – this course I went to really got me thinking of my attitude and societies attitude in general surrounding menopause. I was pretty horrified that I had a largely negative attitude towards this impending part of my life – like it was a coming doomsday experience. I began noticing that many of my clients, family and friends also shared this common mindset. Even recently, while chatting to my teenage daughter about it, she said “isn’t that when you get fat”. Noooo – not what we want our teens or any of us thinking that has to be a part of this natural process. It is NOT a disease! Hell – I think it is actually something to celebrate if you ask me! We spend on average 40% of our life in the post-menopausal phase. There is plenty of living to be had!

Out of all the research, the best advice I can gather is how we prepare for this phase in our life. Yes, there is a tendency to gain weight due to changing hormones. BUT – going into this phase with a healthy weight helps to maintain this during menopause. Looking at our lifestyles NOW in our 40s can also influence how we travel through the phase. For example, how much alcohol we drink, are we eating the best diet for our body type, are we exercising enough? Most people know about potential for bone density loss and risk of development of osteoporosis. Other factors too, like stress, mood – anxiety and depression tendency, already having difficulties with your cycle, can all influence how we move through the menopausal phase. 

Most of us have been pretty flat out through our 30s, whether it be working, caring for family or otherwise. The 40s seem to creep up quite quickly, and it is pretty easy to be in denial that the 50s will ever happen. BUT, if we are lucky – they will! Let’s start looking after ourselves now and see this next phase as something to embrace, not dread. Our door is always open at Physique if you need some direction and inspiration to get you started.