Part 3: Hormonal Mayhem
In our final blog on ‘Mastering Mid Life’ I’m going to talk to you about hormones, what they are and WTF is going on!
Hormones: The Body's Busy Bees
First things first, what are hormones? Think of them as your body's communication network. Little chemical messengers buzzing around controlling a whole bunch of processes like metabolism, mood regulation, growth, sleep, and so much more.
Ladies, the thing is, all our hormones are interconnected. If one starts acting up, it affects the rest. They should work in harmony, but sometimes, it's more like yelling at each other and that’s when things start going haywire in our bodies.
The Menopause Mayhem
Enter perimenopause and menopause. This is when our body’s communication network faces serious disruption. In simple terms, it's the decline, and eventual goodbye, of our female sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and yes, even testosterone (fun fact: we produce more testosterone than estrogen!).
Menopause is officially marked one year after your last period, usually around the age of 51, but perimenopause can start much earlier, even in our mid-30s. This can bring on symptoms way before our periods stop.
Hormone Havoc and Its Effects
During a crucial 5-year period – two years before, the year of, and two years after menopause – these hormone changes significantly impact us. We’re talking about increased risks of muscle loss (sarcopenia), bone density loss (osteoporosis), and yep, fat gain. But don't worry, there’s hope!
Muscle and bone health are super important. Without intervention, we’ll continue to lose them at an alarming rate. Poor bone density can make us fragile and prone to fractures, leading to more inactivity and further muscle loss – it's a vicious cycle.
Other Roles These Hormones Play
These hormones influence other body functions in addition to their role in reproduction. As they decline, other hormones like cortisol and insulin try to pick up the slack, often becoming overwhelmed in the process.
Cortisol – The Jekyll and Hyde Hormone
Cortisol, our stress hormone, can be a bit of a double agent. On one hand, it wakes us up, giving us energy when needed. On the other hand, too much cortisol can lead to anxiety, bloating, digestive issues, and increased belly fat. It's like our body's ancient survival tool, not so useful in our modern world of constant stressors.
Insulin – The Key That Can Get Stuck
Insulin helps our bodies manage sugar from the food we eat for energy. As female hormones dip, insulin has to work overtime, often leading to insulin resistance. This means higher blood sugar levels and more fat storage. Essentially, insulin can lock those fat cells and prevent fat burning.
What Can We Do?
Ladies, don't despair! There are ways to help manage these hormonal changes. Exercise, particularly strength training, eating well, managing stress, and getting enough sleep are all key. It’s all about balancing and tuning into your body’s needs.
So there you have it—a whirlwind tour of our hormonal mayhem in 3 blogs! It might feel overwhelming, but understanding what’s happening is the first step in regaining control and navigating this wild ride of midlife with confidence and health.
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At LOKfit, our mission is clear: we aim to revolutionise fitness for women, aligning it with the latest research and shifting mindsets about training. Fitness is more than a goal; it’s a lifestyle, and it’s about preparing for and mastering mid-life. We provide a blueprint for women to understand their bodies and future-proof their health.
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