Most women know all too well what it means to "change shape." As the years pass, so do unwanted pounds, which can change the shape of the body even in people who are still pretty slim.
Dr. Pamela Peeke, a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, best-selling author, and creator of the "Body For Life For Women Workout" DVD, says, "One may go from an hourglass to more of a shot glass" (rodale store.com). "The only way to age gracefully is to keep your waistline in check."
Not to mention knowing how hormones work in women.
Peeke says that the key to getting and keeping a peak body for life is to understand what she calls "women's unique hormonal hard-wiring." There are four important hormonal moments:
Teenagers and young adults. This is when the body makes more oestrogen. Women who were thin as teens may find that their breasts, hips, and thighs gain weight all at once. Now is the time to start building a strong fitness base that will last you the rest of your life. It's also a good time to get stronger and keep body fat changes to a minimum.
The Years of Bearing Children. Science has shown that if you are healthy and fit when you get pregnant, you will have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby. This is the time when your metabolism starts to slow down, whether you have kids or not. During this time, you should do more weight training to keep your metabolism as hot as possible.
It was the 1940s. This is a time when things change. Many women gain three to five pounds during menopause because their oestrogen and progesterone levels change. Toxic stress also makes you want to eat more. You need to take a break, get more active, look at your life, and bring things back into balance.
• Menopause. Once you reach this point, it's important to keep your mind and body in shape so you stay smart and healthy. Continue to learn. Try to add resistance training and walks that get your heart rate up every day. Your goal is to take good care of yourself so that you can live a long and independent life.
"Body For Life For Women Workout," Dr. Peeke's new DVD, can help you whether you're 20 or 50.
