Women and menopause
Just saw this study: Menopause linked to faster lung function decline: http://www.physiciansbriefing.com/Article.asp?AID=717485
Personally, I have noticed a decline in my performance over the past few years despite working just as hard - particularly my swim times have been about 15sec/100 slower this year than in the past. Also, have been going through menopause (now post-menopausal, which has it's perks!).
Anyone else experiencing this?
Susan
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Absolutely! Run slower, swim slower but working just as hard. Also, body composition changed even though my eating has not changed one bit. Very frustrating. Really have to watch my portions now - took awhile for my hunger to get with the program
My feet even grew a 1/2 size - so now my pretty new Sidis no longer fit! Only good thing I can see about menopause is no visit from our monthly friend. Glad to hear I'm not alone
Ellen
Yes, all sorts of challenges besides just being slower. Although my BMI has always been on the low side without much effort on my part, I now have to watch what I eat or my weight creeps up. And it used to be that I could loose what I gained quickly & easily. Not so anymore.
Night sweats, hot flashes - all have been an issue. I found I was cramping more, so made an effort to drink a glass of NUUN if I had a particularly sweaty night. But, to also watch how much gatorade I was drinking due to the weight issue!
But, on the other hand, we are protecting ourselves from the bad effects of aging: osteoporosis, heart problems, we are decreasing our risk of cancer & dementia. This is what keeps me motivated.
Since I decided I am not getting faster, I decided to have more fun doing triathlons. To that end, I am doing Puerto Rico 70.3 this year. A tropical adventure!
I got the book from the library and decided it was worth purchasing after reading it. I will re read a lot of it. Some of it you already know...lift heavy to gain some muscle back (know it, but don't really do it...my bad) but some of it was very eye opening!
I also have had gut issues in 6 of 7 IM races and am hoping to solve this as well. She is one of the brains behind OSMO drink and advocates drink your hydration, eat your food for racing, which is pretty much the opposite of what I've done trying to be all or mostly liquid.
It might be worth a read to see if there are any tips you can implement to make life and/or sport more pleasant!
Trish,
Thanks for the suggestion, I read another book (or article?) by Stacey Sims a while ago - will check out "Roar". I tried Osmo, but didn't like the taste, instead I use Skratch & powerbars. I do find that eating my nutrition and drinking my electrolytes works best for me.
Since I am still on the low end of the BMI, weight is not a big issue, but I am having to work harder to make it stay that way! I wonder if building up my muscle mass would help with that (muscles are supposed to boost resting metabolism). I am trying to do more weights, but find it hard to fit in with all the other work-outs. I used to hit the gym 3x week, and have noticed that recently I am weaker than I used to be. I had to get my husband to lift my suitcase into the overhead bin the last time we traveled.
Yesterday I read another study that said women in general adapt differently to exercise than men, and perhaps they should be training differently or receiving different types of PT than men do. Makes me wonder about the plans we currently train with. On the over 50 forum on EN there has been some discussion about the unique needs of older athletes, and how the plan can be tweaked to meet these needs.
I don't think she is involved with OSMO any more, and I know she referenced Scratch in the book. If it works for you, carry on!
I think you will enjoy reading "Roar". I am definitely going to read it again to see if I can start implementing some of her ideas.
Okay, I'm going to have to re-read my copy of Roar, I have to admit I've been slacking in the hydration department. I get so tired of water! Also, I'm on an estrogen inhibiting drug to prevent breast cancer recurrence so my entry into menopause was rather "sudden" and the changes to my skin have been a bit depressing. But I guess I can sit around in front of the mirror and cry over saggy bits or just go get to work! Love this thread - please keep it going!
Thanks in advance for any advice.
let me know if you want the science team to answer any questions with more blogs/webinars etc for endurance athletes specifically
I just read the blog post, very interesting. As far as next steps, would you suggest working with Inside Tracker, Core Diet or both?
InsideTracker hands down - they check your blood not guess - your body dictates what you should do not a human guessing.
Plus our discount is higher with InsideTracker than Core Diet.
I am at wits end here. Nothing I am doing is working or changing anything and it is beyond frustrating. I was never a skinny Susie but I do not like being this heavy.
our bodies change constantly, that is why I am a huge advocate to blood testing. There is no guesswork here, your body tells you what you need, period. They give you the foods, supplements and lifestyle changes to fix each biomarker towards your goal. All on a platform you can track with scientific data (we love the data!)
Use the code ENDURANCENATION - its 20% off and you will not regret the knowledge you will gain. I would choose the Ultimate panel first so you can see the whole picture, then you can drop down to more affordable ones, or upload your past or future bloodwork from your doctor for free.
I'm always here to help if you want, its a process and the knowledge is the starting point, your game plan will be easy to follow once you know exactly what you need and WHY!
I am making the investment today
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