The Menopause and Exercise Thread

[videofit]

Originally Posted by bethlakey

I'll This makes me wonder about other hormones like testosterone and DHEA; is it worth getting those tested. Thinking on it, I wonder if my insomnia problems had more to do with progesterone deficiency. It's a bummer we can't stay on hormones long term.
~Beth

If your doctor says you can't use bioidentical hormones long term, find another doctor, preferably an antiaging specialist, endocrinologist or menopause specialist. Hormones are the cornerstone of every anti-aging protocol. I take DHEA and have done for twenty years. I should use my testosterone cream Rx but haven't bothered in about a year.

As for progesterone, I tried taking the oral progesterone and it was like taking a powerful sleeping pill (drowsiness is common side effect) so switched to ProGest natural progesterone cream, which I only use two out of four weeks or so. I go by how I feel.

[cherimac]

Eh, just another opinion. Bioidenticals don't work for everyone. They were a nightmare for me-and at was working with someone who specialized in them . YMMV for sure.

[ealakey]

Thanks videofit. I've read progesterone can be tricky to get the right dose.

Cheri, if you don't mind me asking, which bioidenticals were you taking?
~Beth

[hedygs]

My doctor did not want me on biodenticals for more then two years. By the end of the first year, they weren't working so he upped the dosage but was not happy about doing so. They stopped helping me with my night sweats and hot flashes anyway.

I am still looking for some relief from all or frankly, any, of my symptoms. I'm waiting for the fun that people say they enjoy when they are menopausal. So far, no fun for me. Just anxiety and depression.

I never thought of looking for an anti-aging doctor. How would I go about that. Because I'm aging horribly these last few years.

[DHKWriter]

Originally Posted by Castella

I was going to post about this...when I had the energy

I've been in perimenopause for 8 years (maybe more)? Until a year ago, I still had energy and put a lot into my workouts. Something has really changed in the last year. I've lost strength, I don't have energy, and frankly I FEEL old. And yes, I weigh more than I've ever weighed before (but my clothes fit and I just don't care).

I'm still doing kettlebells, but now I'm really using the rests built into the workouts. I can't do as many pushups and it feels like death when I do them. I've put traditional weight workouts on hold, due to what I think is tennis elbow although it may start from the shoulder. I got a band at Walgreens for the tennis elbow, but it smells toxic and airing it doesn't help. Side question--does anyone know of brands of elbow/knee bands that don't smell like poison?

I still walk a lot and still do my workouts, but with less enthusiasm since it feels more like going through the motions than working towards something (and the returns are diminished). Maybe I'm moving closer to menopause although everything is still regular.

Work and life and family are all stress producing, but I find moments of enjoyment and take care of myself. I've been trying new DVDs with the idea of changing things up. My elbow thing is a minor complaint, but it's enough to make things that were easy before difficult now.

I could have written this post myself; this is exactly how I'm feeling. My workout habit is so ingrained that I don't think I'll ever not do it, but I don't enjoy it, have more dread than I've ever had. Everything seems harder, and I've definitely lost cardio capacity and push-up ability. But the worst thing of all is that my feet hurt if I do anything for too long--40 minutes seems to be about the max for walking, running, step, before I become so conscious of my feet hurting that I have to stop. I try to alternate those activities with things like kettlebells or weights or kickboxing that don't have a lot of foot stress. Anybody else dealing with something like that? It's not PF or stabbing pain or anything like that, just discomfort across the whole bottom of the foot.

Donna H

[DHKWriter]

Originally Posted by Nuggie's Auntie

I also hope #3 is not true!

It's a good idea to avoid soy, too.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about soy.

http://blogs.webmd.com/healthy-recip...s-exposed.html

[mandie123]

I've been on and off reg estrogen and bio-identicals for years.I really liked the bio pellets that go under your skin,gave me more energy etc.Would have kept them up but caused hair thinning(which I can't afford to have!)I know there's another drug they can give you to help prevent that,but than again I just don't want to take anything else!

hedygs-you can google anti aging Dr.s for your area,or alot of alternative Drs do the same thing. Can also find ads sometimes in local papers

[bjones]

Originally Posted by DHKWriter

I could have written this post myself; this is exactly how I'm feeling. My workout habit is so ingrained that I don't think I'll ever not do it, but I don't enjoy it, have more dread than I've ever had. Everything seems harder, and I've definitely lost cardio capacity and push-up ability. But the worst thing of all is that my feet hurt if I do anything for too long--40 minutes seems to be about the max for walking, running, step, before I become so conscious of my feet hurting that I have to stop. I try to alternate those activities with things like kettlebells or weights or kickboxing that don't have a lot of foot stress. Anybody else dealing with something like that? It's not PF or stabbing pain or anything like that, just discomfort across the whole bottom of the foot.

Donna H

Yes, I have the foot thing also and find 40 minutes is my limit. I am losing the fat padding on the bottom of my foot. And yes I have custom orthotics and New Balance 990's top of the line.
One thing I've taken up is the spin bike because I can alternate sitting and standing on it. I can go about 50 minutes that way. My feet are much happier. Also I swim. The key is just cross training all the time so no one body part gets over-used.

I get the dread factor. Fortunately Cathe's workouts are really easy to modify and they still have a fun factor for me, in the modified state. Especially her new ICE series of intermediate workouts.

[videofit]

Margaret Richard's Getting Better is for people who have foot problems, whether from surgery or anything else. All done lying or sitting.