Why Women Over 50 Struggle with Exercise (And What Actually Works) - Ep 015

🎙️ Episode 15: If you're a woman over 40 who's been putting off strength training or struggling to stick with exercise, this episode is one that you won't want to miss.I'm joined by Michelle Lyons, a physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience specialising in women's health, who reveals why conventional fitness advice fails women during perimenopause and menopause - and what actually works instead.In this episode, you'll discover:🔹 How perimenopause and menopause create real barriers to exercise (fatigue, joint pain, pelvic health issues) affecting 1 in 2 women over 50🔹 Surprising research: women lifting over 50kg reported FEWER pelvic health symptoms than those lifting under 15kg🔹 Why strength training reduced hot flashes by 44% in just 12 weeks (and results were still improving)🔹 Why women start losing muscle mass in their mid-30s (10+ years earlier than men) and what this means for your strength training approach🔹 The truth about "bulking up" - why it's virtually impossible for menopausal women (and why that's actually a challenge, not a benefit)🔹 Practical solutions for common barriers: from bladder leakage to joint pain to crushing fatigue🔹 How just 12 minutes of interval training 3x per week plus 2 strength sessions can transform your energy and confidence🔹 The shocking statistic: only 6% of sports science research is done exclusively on women - and why this matters for your resultsKey Quote: "As long as you're above ground and you're still drawing breath, it's not too late. You can make some really good changes in a fairly short period of time."Michelle's manifesto is powerful: "Women deserve better healthcare. Feeling comfort, safety, and joy in our bodies is not only attainable, but our birthright."This isn't another generic fitness conversation - it's about understanding your body as a woman and working WITH your physiology, not against it.Connect with Michelle:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellelyons_muliebrity/Website: https://celebratemuliebrity.com/Mentioned in this episode:- The role of estrogen and progesterone in exercise capacity - Why tracking your menstrual cycle is crucial (even in perimenopause)  - Specific adaptations needed for women's strength training - The connection between sleep, stress, and exercise motivationPerfect for women who feel like they're "not gym people" but want to feel strong, confident, and independent as they age.Episode Length: 70 minutes Guest: Michelle Lyons, Women's Health Physiotherapist Host: Chris Tiley, Physiotherapist & Creator of Stronger for LifeIf this episode resonates with you, please share it with a woman in your life who might benefit from this information. Your support helps us reach more people who need to hear this message.For the full show notes page, go to:https://nevertoooldtolift.com/podcast015/🔗 Free Strength Training Masterclass: nevertoooldtolift.com/masterclass📘 Free Never Too Old to Lift eBook - https://nevertoooldtolift.com/ebook📖 Paperback version of Never Too Old to Lift from Amazon - https://geni.us/ntotlbook🏋️‍♀️ See me for an in-person physiotherapy appointmenthttps://christileyphysiotherapy.com/📧 Got a question for a future Q&A? Drop it in the comments or email me at: [email protected]✅ Don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated with new episodes!