Do you feel increasingly less flexible in your joints, and more inflamed compared to a few Years ago?
If you feel stiff, you are not alone…and your hormones may have a huge role to play in this!
Why is that ladies over 40 can suddenly wake up feeling so stiff?
Our oestrogen levels have got a huge role to play. Now oestrogen is not only for reproductive purposes…here are some other extremely important purposes of this juicy hormone:
- oestrogen supports our muscle mass
- oestrogen turns down activity of inflammatory cells. As oestrogen declines inflammation can go up
- oestrogen protects joints from damage + supports connective tissue
Peri-Menopause can start with rollercoaster levels of oestrogen. Whilst the age you may start experiencing symptoms can differ, most ladies can be in peri-menopause by age 40. The later stage of peri-menopause through to post-menopause is a time when our protective oestrogen is at its lowest.
Both of these phases need support, in order to off-set the changes in our hormones. Lifetsyle factors, including the way we exercise can contribute to a calmer journey rather than the feeling of being on the Oblivion!!
Here are 3 ways the right kind of movement can transform our physical body, when our protective buffer of oestrogen starts to decline:
- maintain and build your muscle mass. Resistance work like using light dumbells, resistance bands and some body weight exercises will improve bone density, resting energy expenditure AND muscle mass which will support the joints.
- Pay particular notice to your alignment. We absolutely CANNOT get away with poor form in peri-menopause and beyond due to our protective joints buffer of oestrogen which is in decline. Make sure you get assistance with your technique. I know you’ll think I am biased, but Pilates is my number one choice for good posture as you move!
- Support your connective tissue. Connective tissue, also known as fascia, is our webbing throughout our entire body, cushioning and surrounding our muscles, organs and joints. Oestrogen helps to support our connective tissue, but as this hormone declines, we can often feel stiff systemically. We can offer support by paying closer attention to hydrating our fascia, via movement and mobility on a daily, hourly, basis. We cannot get away with sitting crunched at a desk. Active mobility sprinkled into your day makes a marked difference in helping support the feeling of freedom in your body.
Try these 3 pilates-based moves to get you started (I really like the last one!)
Join me for a week of “Nourish” on 10th July. I will be going ‘live’ for 20 minutes a day, with the replay emailed out afterwards. We are covering 7 top perimenopause and menopause subjects with action you can take staright away to feel amazing. Join here for £25.
Your e-book will be sent in advance with all the details + recipes. I cannot wait to get started!