According to a study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care, breathlessness can be due to inflammation in the body, and, in some cases, estrogen can play a role in inflammation.  As you are likely aware, estrogen levels fluctuate during a woman’s cycle and can be more dramatic as she moves through perimenopause and into menopause.

Also, on a concurrent note, a study by the journal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, was done on regularly menstruating females to determine their CO2 sensitivity during the phases of their cycles.  It found that a woman’s sensitivity to CO2 increased during the luteal phase, or the phase leading up to her menses.  Progesterone levels rise during the luteal phase, and progesterone is a respiratory stimulant.  In other words, breath rate can change during the phases of a woman’s cycle as hormones fluctuate.  If progesterone can stimulate a faster breath cycle, this can drop the CO2 levels, and in a...

Recently, you’ve started to notice that Samantha, a client you’ve been working with since she was in her mid-thirties, is exhibiting some concerning behavior, and after knowing her for 15 years, this is uncharacteristic of her.  She comes into the session seemingly content.  Then, when you throw in a new exercise that’s an appropriate increase in challenge, she blows up and barks, “What is the purpose of this exercise?!  This is too confusing!”  

What.  Just.  Happened?  

There are a few clues that something more could be going on here.  

1. Samantha is now in her mid-forties.
2. This mood swing is unusual for Samantha.
3. She normally enjoys an [appropriate level] increase in challenge to her exercises.
4. You know these things because you’ve worked with her for many years.

What might you need to be thinking about as the Fit Pro?  

You might need to have a conversation with Samantha about...

According to a study reported in Obstetrics & Gynecology, women who had a partial hysterectomy were 2 times more likely to experience early menopause than their counterparts who did not have hysterectomies.

 Why would you, the Fit Pro, need to know whether your client had a partial hysterectomy, let alone a full hysterectomy vs. none at all? 

How does this make a difference in her exercise program? 

These bits of information are the puzzle pieces that, once put together, illustrate the full picture of a woman’s health history.  Knowing that she had a partial hysterectomy means she might experience the symptoms of menopause sooner than anticipated.  Not only will a post-surgical core influence her posture and movement, it means these hormonal changes will also influence what exercises she can tolerate, what exercises might be contraindicated, and what ones need to be modified, so she can safely, effectively, and sustainably achieve her functional...

 Because hormone fluctuations can impact how well a woman executes an exercise pattern, there might be days/weeks when she struggles with her program. 

This might mean:

• You need to manage her expectations 
• Meet her wants with what she actually needs

It’ll be especially important at this time to monitor her form as well as decrease the number of reps and the amount of load. 

We have all experienced at least a client or two who does NOT like putting on the breaks. 

However, we can pave a smoother path.  It simply means doing a “Recovery Day/Week.”  Assure her that you’re still working toward her goal and that this week appears to be a week that her body is needing a bit of recovery.  Perhaps it can be phrased, “In an effort to help you maintain a successful workout, we’re going to modify your program in a manner that allows you to perform exercises that still move you toward your goal but won’t...

As the Fit Pro, do you experience any of these challenges when working with a client who is going through perimenopause/menopause?

• My client has engrained exercise beliefs & abides by them, yet they are no longer appropriate for her physical health.
• She’s exhausted but still wants to do her high-intensity workout.
• You’re following appropriate strategies to help with her weight loss goal, but she’s still not losing weight.
• She’s used to exercising 2 hours a day, every day, but she can no longer successfully maintain this volume.

These could be signs that your client is experiencing perimenopause or menopause.  Stay tuned for the next issue to discover a tip you can use to help with these scenarios.

In the previous installment of Sara’s Segment, I discussed that you, the Fit Pro, need to be aware of signs and symptoms of a woman experiencing perimenopause.

Have you observed or has your client shared with you these challenges she experiences?

• Difficulty doing her usual exercise program due to inability to keep her form or keep control of the exercises
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lack of motivation
• Hot flashes
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes (increased mood swings, depression, mania, hysteria)
• Vaginal and bladder issues (infections, incontinence, etc.)
• Painful sex

All warrant further investigation and a recommendation that your client reaches out to her healthcare provider.

 First of all, what is perimenopause? 

So we’re all on the same page: it is the period of time during which the female body starts to transition to menopause (the end of the reproductive years). This occurs partly because estrogen levels start to rise and fall unevenly. 

This typically lasts 4-8 years in most women & typically begins in her mid-forties, but it can last a decade or more if a woman starts the process in her mid-to-late thirties. 

Yes, according to Mayo Clinic, I said as early as her mid-thirties.

If your client is experiencing something different than her normal physical or even mental status, this could be a sign of hormonal changes. 

As a Fit Pro, watch for any change that your client can’t quite attribute to a specific cause or acute incident/diagnosis. These can also impact her posture and movement habits, making it difficult to progress toward her posture and movement goal. 

It’s time to refer her to her...