So how does a menopausal movement coach like myself celebrate an absolutely beautiful day?
By taking a walk and turning it into a run!
While running isn’t for every woman, I enjoy it very much.
I particularly like spontaneous runs.
What’s a spontaneous run?
This has happened to me twice already this month.
I’ll start out on a walk.
I have the location and distance already chosen. It’s minimally an hour or about 4 miles, and like most of you who walk I have my favorite loops.
I walk briskly. I tend to do these walks in the morning hours, so it’s a way to check in with myself and the new day.
This morning the sky was clear and the air particularly fresh and sweet. No wind, which was a welcome change from the windy past few months.
After about 40 minutes I’ll get this urge and know that I want to start running.
It’s a VERY different feeling than starting out knowing I’m going to run.
I get this urge, and say to myself, “Why walk when you can run?” and off I go.
It’s important that I check in with myself as I start to run.
How do my legs feel?
How’s my breathing?
How’s my energy level?
It’s not always appropriate to start running 40 minutes into an exercise session, but during these last two times it felt TOTALLY appropriate.
I finish my run sweaty, well spent and ready to start my day!
As an athlete I train in a way that’s commonly called “cross training”.
I swim, bike, lift weights, practice yoga and tai chi, play tennis and golf and generally stay fit by training across the physiologic spectrum.
This produces a well-rounded Shelli!
I have good endurance, good strength and I feel GREAT with lots of energy for the life I lead.
I encourage you to train in the same way, choosing the activities that YOU ENJOY.
Do not let your fitness go by the wayside………..move, breathe, feel how great it is to be alive and make staying active and fit a HIGH PRIORITY during menopause.
I guarantee that you’ll feel better if you do!
Enjoy your own spontaneity!
shelli
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