I am 49 and just entering menopause and have noticed that my muscle mass is depleting( and unfortunately slowly being replace by fat cells). I swim about 15000 ( 3000 5 days per week) meters a week and lift weights 2-3 days per week. My last meet was horrible and wonder if my poor performance is linked to this loss of muscle. I am not taking hormone replacement therapy because I don't have the other nasty symptoms of night sweats and hot flashes. My only other complaint is not sleeping well. (awake at 2 a.m. and have trouble returning to sleep).
My question to you women who have already come out the other side is really this- menopause is here to stay, no way around that. But does that mean I have to swim so poorly?? Obviously there are still 45-55 year old women who are still quite fast. Would horomone replacement therapy help me there? When lifting weights, should I do more weight and less repetition? Should I cut my yardage some so that I have more rest?
I know there was an article on this in Swim magazine, but it didn't address these specific questions. Thanks for any input.
I am 54 yrs. old and not taking HRT.
Like most of you I have experienced sleeping difficulties. Caffeine, sugar, and alcohol make it almost impossible for me to sleep so I try to keep them to a minimum. I use 1.5 mg. of Lunesta most nights; it helps me tremendously!
The other menopausal symptoms (sweats, headaches,craziness) sort of come and go with me. I'm not sure what causes the cycles but I feel like fruits, vegetables, and a low fat diet help tone the problems down.
Swimming always makes me feel better. Nothing relieves stress, sweats, headaches, and craziness like a great workout!
I know I should start some type of weight training. I was trying to do Kettlebelle workouts 3X per week. I probably need to cut back a bit on swimming if I'm really going to do it; my work schedule, swimming, and the rest of my life leave me tired and unmotivated for any more workouts.
I will look forward to learning some new tricks from this thread. :angel:
I am 54 yrs. old and not taking HRT.
Like most of you I have experienced sleeping difficulties. Caffeine, sugar, and alcohol make it almost impossible for me to sleep so I try to keep them to a minimum. I use 1.5 mg. of Lunesta most nights; it helps me tremendously!
The other menopausal symptoms (sweats, headaches,craziness) sort of come and go with me. I'm not sure what causes the cycles but I feel like fruits, vegetables, and a low fat diet help tone the problems down.
Swimming always makes me feel better. Nothing relieves stress, sweats, headaches, and craziness like a great workout!
I know I should start some type of weight training. I was trying to do Kettlebelle workouts 3X per week. I probably need to cut back a bit on swimming if I'm really going to do it; my work schedule, swimming, and the rest of my life leave me tired and unmotivated for any more workouts.
I will look forward to learning some new tricks from this thread. :angel:
