TRIM, TONE & BOOST YOUR MOOD

Going through the menopause? With this easy workout, you'll build your strength and get a handle on hormonal weight gain

Is your body shape changing with each passing year? Are the pounds creeping on much quicker? You're not imagining it. Declining oestrogen levels during perimenopause and the menopause can lead to weight gain. Plus, shifting hormones may also be to blame for your stiff joints and loss of muscle tone - not to mention that low mood. But don't get disheartened, with the right kind of workout you can turn things around.

'Exercise is so important throughout the menopause, as it can ease some of these unwanted symptoms,' says fitness coach Suzy Alvarez*. Ready to look and feel better? Here are the moves that will help to keep you stronger and slimmer as you navigate this time of life.

Movement is medicine

Women who have a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to suffer severe menopausal symptoms, according to a study**.

WHY IT'S TIME TO GET STRONGER 

If you've reluctantly recognised the arrival of wobbly thighs and a flabby bottom, you're not alone - in fact it's common for women to experience a decline in muscle mass after the age of 50. 'There's a very strong link between the menopause and losing muscle, due to the decline in oestrogen, which works to stimulate muscle growth,' says exercise physiologist Lindsy Kass. 'The most noticeable sign of muscle loss as we age is the lack of definition - the body becomes softer. And this can happen even if you're doing the same amount of exercise as you did when you were younger.' Weakness and a loss of stamina are other signs of reduced muscle mass - and a sedentary lifestyle is one of the top causes.