The depression of menopause can swoop in like a vulture, but you can fight back by learning to lift heavy things!
Chase away the menopause blues by training your body to lift and carry heavy weights.
What causes menopausal depression or blues?
For some women, it’s strictly the fact that this is a so-called change of life. She may not even be experiencing annoying symptoms such as hot flashes and weight gain.
However, it’s what menopause symbolizes that’s troubling: the exit of youth and the induction into the aging process.
The idea of no longer being fertile – even for women who’ve never had kids as a choice – can be troubling, causing depression and moodiness.
Lifting Heavy Weights will Neutralize Menopausal Depression
The label of “postmenopausal” can cause some women to feel that their youth and vitality ship has sailed into the horizon.
Look, it’s simple: You cannot feel the blues of menopause and “old” when you can effortlessly handle heavy things.
If you feel a twinge in your back every time you rise out of a chair, then yes, this can make you feel old.
But come on, deadlifting 225 for reps? You won’t feel old and “dried out” when you can do this!
How much weight must a woman lift to feel young again?
It need not be 225 pounds. But imagine if you COULD lift this much. Would having “dried out” ovaries really matter?
Acquiring very impressive physical strength will take a long time for women who have never strength trained.
But then again, this depends on how you define “impressive.” The thing is, you will begin getting stronger very quickly.
It’s this obvious progression, even if you’re still unable to do a military-style pushup, that will boost your morale.
You will be on the right trajectory – one that leads to impressive upper body and lower body strength.
So there’s no reason to feel hopeless because your first-time-ever deadlift is only 75 pounds.
This starting point is the beginning of your new trajectory, and your near-future goal is 95 pounds, not 225.
Your distant goal may be 225, but steadily achieving smaller incremental goals will be enough to wipe out the menopausal blues.
Some Ways to Lift Heavy Things
• Deadlift
• Squat
• Bench press
• Pushup
• Pull-up
• Kettlebell swing
• Overhead press (third image above)
• Tire flip
• Farmer walks
Squat. Shutterstock/UfaBizPhoto
Deadlift at the start.
Deadlift at the completion. Freepik.com
The following strength training moves will have significant carryover to the tasks of daily living: deadlift, squat, bench press, kettlebell swing, overhead press, bent-over dumbbell row (below) and tire flip — just to name a few!
However, being able to knock off solid pushups and pull-ups is always a morale booster.
If you’re overweight, don’t fret about the pushup and pull-ups. Being overweight is NOT an obstacle to the other exercises listed here.
Crush Menopausal Depression by Lifting and Carrying Heavy Objects
Perhaps your gym has those black heavy medicine balls, ranging from 10 to 50 pounds each.
Imagine being able to pick the 50 pound one off the floor, straighten and press it over your head.
Yes, this is possible. Imagine the reclaim of youth you’ll feel, being able to do this.
But if you must start out with the 10 pounder, that’s perfectly fine, because this is the starting point of that trajectory.
What are you waiting for?
Whether you smoke, are a compulsive overeater, drink too much or have never stepped foot inside a gym, you CAN put yourself on that trajectory.
Will you bulk up?
Certainly not! If you’re overweight, serious strength training will make you smaller. If you’re already, say, a size 8, serious strength training will alter your body composition: You’ll go from “skinny fat” to “lean toned,” and if you want, “lean sculpted.”
Stop crying and brooding over menopause and hit the gym. Focus on the moves mentioned here. You won’t become strong overnight, but I can’t say this enough:
Once you start on that trajectory, you will begin FEELING stronger and younger almost immediately, and it will be so exciting every time you add even five pounds to your barbell.
