Diet and Regular Exercise During Menopause

A balanced diet and regular exercise will help you to stay fit and healthy before, during, and after menopause. Be sure to include enough calcium in your diet. Most doctors recommend a total of 1,500 mg/day. If you cannot get enough calcium from eating dairy products and certain vegetables, you may want to use calcium supplements. Spending a little time in the sun helps, too. It provides vitamin D, which is needed to absorb calcium. Use of alcohol and tobacco can decrease calcium absorption.

Follow a program of regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking, aerobic dancing, or tennis. Weightbearing exercise slows down bone loss, keeps your weight down, controls your appetite, and improves your overall health.

The life expectancy of women has increased. Many good years lie ahead after menopause. The physical changes that occur during menopause should not prevent you from enjoying this time of your life.

To function at your best, you should:

• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a balanced diet that contains enough calcium.
• Visit your doctor for routine checkups.

Discuss any problem you may have with menopause. This will help your doctor find any serious problems and decide whether treatment is right for you.

Remember: menopause is a natural event. You can deal with it and benefit from it in a way that is unique to you. Adjusting to the changes of menopause can help focus your attention where it belongs–in a healthy life in the years ahead.

Source: Patient education material from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology was used as a source of information to develop the content for this topic.