What Women in Menopause Learned About Exercise May Be A Lie | Debra Atkinson | TEDxMountPenn

This video made me smile. It reminded me of the time I told a "weight loss specialist" that after work, I spent 2-3 hours daily walking and jogging up and down a 200 foot long arena in deep sand giving riding lessons. Her response was, "And then what do you do for exercise? Do you make time to get to the gym?"

As a yoga teacher and lifelong fitness instructor in post menopause I agree 100%. I used to run and cycle a LOT. Now I swim and dance, and always I do yoga and meditate .I've learned to trust my body and give it pleasure and joy. I don't diet. I even eat an almond croissant for breakfast if I feel like it. Joy and pleasure and spending time with those we love is healthy. The post industrial military complex based ethos tells us we must work hard to achieve results like robots . Bodies thrive on balance

Totally agree. I am 56 post menopausic. I only exercise 3 days a week for 15 minute sessions. The rest of the days I walk. I eat normal, not diet. I am fit and strong. No belly. Happier than ever

What a wonderful talk! As a geriatric physical therapist, I can vouch that strength training is SO important for healthy aging. As a weight loss coach I can also attest to how the "eat less, exercise more" philosophy for weight loss doesn't work. I love your "restore before more" phrase and appreciate you point out the value of how different types of exercise serve different roles. Walking, movement, and play can be excellent for stress relief to reduce cortisol and help with weight loss, whereas strength training is great for mobility, tone, joint pain, and boosting metabolism for weight loss maintenance.

I am a 52 year old menopausal woman. When I started on my road of menopausal symptoms, the doctors I spoke to (all male) told me to make sure that I was doing high impact exercise at least 30 minutes per day, five days per week. I have always been an avid walker and hiker, but I was told that this was not enough...I have been so paranoid and anxious that my walking and hiking 7 days per week is not enough to help me navigate the rough waters of menopause. This video was a relief and an affirmation of something I already knew deep down: to listen to my body first and foremost. Thank you for this post.

54, menopausal, and I'm finally feeling great and at a very good weight. Dr Jason Fung's Obesity Code was a revelation. Eat plenty, but not all day long. Intermittent fasting, consistent sleep schedule, light exercise like walking, hiking. All the crazy dieting and relentless cardio and high impact exercise did me no favors. Haven't been sick in years (including during the pandemic) and life is sane and fun again.

Walking outdoors is the best. the wind in your hair the trees giving you oxygen the different colours to see. Honestly first thing in the morning is so uplifting. Start off slow and if you continue to walk you won't even know that you've started to walk fast. Please if your thinking about it just do it you will feel great after it

I feel like most people are not overexercising, they are sedentary.

I always think of my two grandmothers who lived into their late 90‘s. They ate average diets. A typical meal was pork chops & canned peas. I remember garden raspberries with milk & white sugar for dessert. Neither was ever overweight. And neither one ever owned a pair of sport shoes. Ever.

Exercise is my alone time I don’t want to share it with anyone

I haven't weighed at home for 8 months. I judge my weight by my clothes and how my stomach looks. I pretty much eat to my hunger. I walk 3-5 miles with my husband or daughter 1-3 times a week. I hike 2-3 times a month. I stretch every day for pain. I pretty much stay steady in my weight. I eat organic, little sugar or gluten.

Heavy cardio is muscle wasting and highly repetitive motions which are classic for injuries. Especially with muscle imbalances and poor form. I’m 59 years old and lift heavy weights 3-4 x week and compete in powerlifting. I’m 5 feet tall and 110 pounds and have never felt better. My bone density is that of a 25-30 year-old. One doesn’t have to go crazy and work out all the time, but it’s critical for women to do some type of resistance training — starting with one’s body weight is great. But again, always listen to your body - restore and explore. You’ll be amazed what it feels like to be strong

Menopause totally sucks. Hormones are your fountain of youth so when they flatline everything changes.

“I quit the treadmill .. lost weight .. & found my family” …. That’s great 😀

Thank you, Debra! I’m a personal trainer and I agree with you completely. I will be sharing your phrase “restore before more” with my clients for sure!❤️🙏🏻❤️

When you say eat more you should say more of the right kind of food. Not everyone will get what eat more means and exercise less. I was prepared for more details.

I was always in shape. Gained Covid weight. I added running 3 miles a day no change in weight and I was walking around the rest of the day tired an an old lady. I remember I was happiest and skinny doing yoga and weight lifting. I think I was overdoing it running and it hurt my body You just reminded me of that. I’m starting the happy yoga and weight lifting again

in support of what Debra Atkinson says: I have desk job. When I've tried to loose weight with just exercise,(running, boot camp classes, weights) I have failed. When I monitor my food, work with horses 3 days a week, work one day a week in the barn and walk with friends I have lost weight.

Don't fully agree with everything you say. I follow what you said years back. Yes i lost and maintain but my muscle was flaccid. So i took up moderate weight training and it improves my mind and helps my depression. Sedentary lifestyle sounds like what you are promoting. As one age strength training is important. Prevents falls, keep you strong, helps with depression that happens to some women during menopause. My opinion ladies 50 and up, start strength training. Quality of live goes up. Human growth hormone is elevated. So run, lift, yoga but don't overdo that's all.

I’m 55 now and have been post menopausal since 51. I’ve never been a high intensity fitness person, but rather just an avid edible gardener and swimmer. I swim daily in a lake and feel that’s plenty of exercise along with gardening. I never skimped on food either. I’ve been eating whole food plant-based for over 25 years. Menopause was a breeze for me probably due to that eating and exercise lifestyle. I think if we get back to how our great great ancestors lived in closer relationship with nature, exercise and food shouldn’t be anything we obsess over, but what rather do naturally. Stay strong ladies. ;)