Women’s health research and writing tends to focus on the childbearing years. As our population ages, however, we need to consider women’s wellness through the decades. By shifting our lens to the midlife and later, we can reach a portion of the population that is currently seriously under-served.
Perinatal Power
For most of the past decade, I’ve worked as a personal trainer who specializes in women’s fitness. I have a special affinity (and specialty certification) for working with prenatal and postnatal women, as I think that the perinatal period is one where women should spend extra time and focus taking care of themselves.
Some women have always been avid exercisers. They seek a little extra expert direction about the dos and don’ts of working out while pregnant. Other women have never had a consistent exercise habit. Those moms-to-be need a workout plan suitable for their fitness level. The focus is always keeping both the mom-to-be and the baby healthy.
Women who exercise in pregnancy and when their kids are young are doing great things. There are exercise benefits for babies in utero, including better cardiovascular function. Moms who exercise reap a multitude of benefit themselves, too.
I love supporting new moms during “the fourth trimester,” especially working to ensure that the core muscles work efficiently and effectively again after pregnancy. And then there’s the positive role model kids see when Mom is taking her health and wellness seriously. What’s not to love?
That said, I’m getting older.
(Sigh.)
Women’s Wellness Through the Decades
Now the far side of 40 and feeling the changes of my body aging, I decided to invest some time into educating myself about the body’s changes as I move towards menopause. While it’s been socially taboo to discuss “The Change,” I find mass ignorance unacceptable. If I can learn more about supporting women through midlife, then that’s a worthy goal.
So I started at the beginning: what’s the difference between menopause and perimenopause?
Because I wanted my information to be grounded in the latest scientific research, I went with a trusted resource. I undertook a certification course offered by Burrell Education, a leading women’s wellness organization based in London. Its founder, Jenny Burrell, is well-known and highly respected for her science-based, practical fitness and wellness education.
In the course focusing on “The Third Age Woman” in perimenopause and beyond, Burrell partnered with fellow women’s health gurus Jessica Drummond and Michelle Lyons. The trio delivered a twelve-week course that covered the gamut of women’s wellness topics. I learned everything from shifting hormones to optimal nutrition to ideal workouts. The course stressed the importance of rest for women. By slowing down, we don’t just survive menopause but learn to THRIVE during the “third age” period of life.
Health Coaching for “Third Age” Women
If you’re looking to keep fit at 40 or figure out fitness over 50, I can help! But I don’t want to help you with just your fitness. I want to help you create a life that is healthy, happy, and whole.
I am confident that I can help women learn real, practical, and do-able strategies for creating a well-balanced life. This requires addressing nutrition, exercise, health screenings, and how daily habits affect physical health. In doing so, I support women through the small behavior changes that will result in improved health and greater ease of living. My perimenopause POWER program has me all fired up to help third-age women feel fierce!
So while I continue to work with perinatal clients– and am honored to be part of the excitement of motherhood– I am eager to share my new-found knowledge about surviving and thriving during menopause with clients. Because this work is more holistic than simply personal training, I am looking forward to working with women in Austin and well beyond. There is much good work that can be achieved through phone coaching, virtual training, and other digital support. As a certified women’s wellness expert and certified health coach, I am uniquely suited to support you through this change of life.
Harness Your Perimenopausal Power!
My work has always been focused on helping my clients find and maintain balance. Never is it more important to feel balanced than when riding the hormonal rollercoaster of menopause. For some women, this period can last a decade. That’s a really long time to feel “off” or “not myself.” There are strategies that can be employed to regain a sense of balance that will let women live boldly with both mental and physical strength.
Perimenopause health coaching focuses on
- stress relief in perimenopause
- exercise over 40
- dietary changes for perimenopause, and
- basic physiological education.
Check out my online course Survive & THRIVE Perimenopause to become an informed citizen of your own body!
So if you’re pregnant, post-partum, curious about your body’s changes at 40, or just starting your journey to fitness over 50, please contact me! My favorite part of my work is designing a women’s fitness program to suit YOUR stage of life . Regardless of your age, feeling healthy and strong shouldn’t be a luxury. You’re worth it!
[activecampaign form=12]