Outrun Menopause Symptoms by Increasing Your Cardio Activity

Do you wish you could outrun menopause? Maybe you can. Women who are physically active tend to have a less severe menopausal symptoms during their body’s transition into the postmenopausal years. If you are on the verge of menopause, including running as a cardio and social activity into your lifestyle could be the answer.

Run a Marathon

Okay, I admit that most of you reading this are rolling your eyes at me and considering clicking away from this article. But, I beg you to hear me out. Running a marathon can seem to be as much fun as having an ice pick stuck up your nose, but it really isn’t all that bad.

Full disclosure. I have never ran a marathon and even though I am writing this article telling you to run a marathon, I am not sure that I ever will. However, I have ran half-marathons (because as the stick says, I run 13.1 miles because I am only half crazy) and numerous lesser races from 5ks – 10ks.

Running is a sport that is accessible to all. It requires little cost aside from some decent shoes to prevent injury and sensible clothes to avoid uncomfortable chafing. You can run in any weather, inside or outside. You do not need a gym membership. You can be a lone runner or join a running club. The choices are all up to you.

Okay, so maybe to outrun your hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms you don’t need to run 26.1. But I do want to challenge you to try to include some form of this cardio into your week – just 3 times a week and you will start to feel the changes inside and see results on the outside. Remember that other menopause symptom, weight gain? Yep! Running can help with that, too.

Beginner Runners

A beginner runner can be someone who has never even ran to the mailbox for a  package or women who may have ran off and on here and there, but haven’t ran seriously in quite a long time. If running is going to be enjoyable to you, you will need to ease into it. Unless of course you’re that person who will ultimately love it from the very beginning. If you are that person, you make me sick. Of course, I am joking. Well, kind of.

Start out with a run/walk method. 30 seconds walking then 30 seconds running. Do this run/walk interval for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for the first week. The next week increase the amount of running to a 45 second walk/run ration. Gradually, you will include more running time. Aim for about 8 weeks into this beginning program to be running 3 minutes/ walking 1 minute.

You Can Do It!

Yes, you can. I know right now it may seem impossible, but our bodies are fantastic machines that are built to withstand and overcome obstacles. Cardio is essential to keep your heart healthy, your weight maintained and your blood sugar stable. Relieving menopause symptoms is just another added benefit. So, what are you waiting for? Grab some rockin’ tune, lace up your shoes and just go for it. You can do it! See you at the finish line.

Do you run to keep menopause symptoms at bay? Did you set a marathon, half-marathon or race distance goal when you reached at certain age?