You need to hear this: perimenopause and menopause can be powerful catalysts for change.
Sounds crazy, right? Especially in a world where we shy away from talking about these stages of our lives, or view them only in a negative light.
However, what if this period could be one of transformation, instead of mere survival?
Recently, my Inner Circle and Elevate Community were beautifully gifted a masterclass by the incredible Sheryl Carroll, where she talked about nutrition to thrive. The audience of female business owners and former corporates received so many aha moments that I knew I had to share Sheryl’s message with you too.
Sheryl is a former banking professional who has pivoted to become an integrative health practitioner and coach. Her journey into health and wellness began with the tragic loss of a close friend to bowel cancer in 2015, which spurred her passion for understanding what true health means. Now, Sheryl dedicates her expertise to helping women connect the health dots and achieve elevated wellness, empowering them to prioritise their health and reach their fullest potential.
Today, we’re talking about how menopause can actually be a time of empowerment for women, and a chance to realign your goals and build a legacy in your forties, fifties and beyond.
Whether you’re a business professional or a business owner navigating this phase, Sheryl’s practical advice will show you how to turn this life stage into your greatest asset.
The Opportunity in Menopause
Menopause is often misunderstood and surrounded by a lot of negativity, and knowing how to navigate its maze can be tricky. However, menopause is not just about managing symptoms—it’s an opportunity for transformation in both health and career. Sheryl shares that menopause signals to our bodies that we need to make changes that can prepare us for a long and healthy future. This reframe is essential for shifting our mindset from seeing menopause as a troublesome phase to one brimming with potential.
Elevated Wellness: What Does It Mean?
Elevated wellness is more than just exercise and eating healthily. According to Sheryl, it’s about having the energy, motivation and zest for life to engage fully in the things that drive you. It encompasses a holistic approach that includes mindset, emotional health, stress management and sleep. Imagine thriving through menopause and beyond, using this period to realign your goals and maybe even build a lasting legacy!
Navigating Physical and Cognitive Changes
Many women report feeling less cognitively sharp during menopause and may struggle with symptoms like brain fog and anxiety. These can severely impact our professional lives, making us question our capabilities. Physically, changes in body composition, such as increased belly fat and sleep disturbances, are common complaints. Sheryl emphasises that these symptoms are your body’s way of asking for something different and are interlinked with our overall wellbeing.
Shifting Your Exercise Regimen
One of the largest adjustments we need to make during menopause is altering our exercise routines. Many of us are accustomed to high-intensity workouts that served us well in our younger years, but these might not be as beneficial now. Sheryl suggests incorporating a variety of exercises that include strength training, short sprints, and low-intensity activities like walking. This approach helps maintain muscle mass, improve bone density and boost our cardiovascular health.
Nutrition: Fuel for Transformation
Nutrition also plays a pivotal role during menopause. Sheryl stresses the importance of protein in our diets. Women should aim to consume as much protein as their teenage children to maintain muscle mass and stabilise energy levels. She advises getting about 30 grams of protein per meal to meet what’s known as muscle protein synthesis.
Prioritising Self-Love and Wellness
Taking care of ourselves can often be our last priority, but Sheryl advocates for putting our own oxygen masks on first. This means considering our health non-negotiable. Women give so much to their families, careers, and communities, but if we don’t invest in our own wellness, we’ll eventually reach a breaking point. Remember: a healthy, thriving woman lifts everyone around her.
Top Three Tips for Transforming Through Menopause
Sheryl gives us her top three practical tips for navigating and thriving throughout menopause:
- Acknowledge Your Body’s Signals: Your body isn’t broken; it just needs something different. Embrace the changes as a call for action.
- Simplify and Focus: Choose two areas to focus on, be it nutrition or exercise, and dedicate the next 30 to 60 days to incorporating those changes until they become habits.
- Think Long-Term: Avoid short-term fixes and focus on sustainable, long-term strategies. Ask yourself, “Does this serve my 90-year-old self?”
With the right mindset, menopause can be a time to re-evaluate, realign and reinvent ourselves for a vibrant future. Sheryl’s expertise and practical advice inspire us to embrace this period with confidence and optimism. Let’s make menopause a chapter of empowerment rather than one of despair!
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Connect with Sheryl:
Instagram: @sherylcarroll_
Website: https://www.ytvhealthcoaching.com/
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