I’ve been active most of my life--from formal dance training in my teens, to becoming an award-winning pole dance performer and personal trainer in my 40s and even honing my sprinting skills at 51.

 

And while I still train intensely at 53 (and love it!), I have to be a lot more strategic and thoughtful with how I program my exercises, nutrition and recovery than I did when I was 40 (and most certainly the decades before).

 

The menopausal transition amplifies the natural changes that occur with aging and introduces unique challenges (good times!), so it’s necessary to evolve our fitness training to keep up with our shifting priorities and goals, and to also significantly slow down (even reverse) the effects of aging. 

 

Now, solidly in my 50’s, my primary fitness goals are to stay healthy, supple, strong, spry and injury-free so I can keep enjoying my favorite activities–hiking, sprinting and bragging about carrying all of my groceries from car to kitchen in one trip–now and well into the future.