HOW UNDERSTANDING HOW MY BODY IS CHANGING HELPED STOP ME FIGHTING MY BODY
I compete as a lightweight rower – so body weight is important to me at the moment. I never used to have to worry about making the weight, but this year I have noticed a big change in my body.
Despite following the same training and nutrition plan I always had, my body hasn’t adapted so well and losing that 1 kg to make weight is a lot harder than it used to be.
But I’m ok with that! Understanding why it is inevitable my body will change, has helped me massively in accepting what is happening rather than fighting against it.
Whereas my instinct is to burn more calories and eat less, I know this will be counterproductive to my long term health and performance. I now realise that by changing the way I train and fuel my body, I can optimize my changing physiology, and still feel and perform at my best in years to come.
WHY DO WE LOSE MUSCLE AND PUT ON FAT?
• Oestrogen Decline = Muscle Decline
• Blood Sugar Is Harder to Manage
• Stress Hormones Soar
• Hunger Hormones Fluctuate
• You Can’t Sleep
• Symptoms Wreck Your Training Routine
• The Natural Decline of Muscle with Aging
• Eating Less and Exercising Harder Make Matters Worse
When I knew all of this, I stopped beating myself up. I appreciated I have a lot going on physiologically right down to the cellular level. It doesn’t mean I can’t make a lightweight – I just have to accept that my body needs a different stimulus now with different training and nutrition strategies.
The take home is it’s okay to want to be your healthiest weight. It’s okay to want to be leaner for health and performance. But understand that your body is changing, and by accepting that and appreciating your current self, you will be in a better position to move forward. Instead of always falling back on what has worked in the past, try new training and fueling to optimize your changing physiology. You still can perform and feel at your best – no matter what your age!
If you are a mature female athlete who wants to understand exactly what is causing these changes, then join my free FB Group ‘Age Without Limits’ for the full article. Click here to join!
If you would like to work with me online coaching is available. Contact me to book a complimentary call.
I also run a free Facebook group for mature female cyclists where I share lots of tips for improving on hills, endurance, speed, power, health, strength and hormones. Here’s the link if you’d like to join:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/agewithoutlimits
Or if you’d like to see more info about the Online Cycling Transformation Program for Mature Females, where we transform your health, performance, enjoyment and longevity on and off the bike, here is that link:
https://go.heidivilesperformance.uk/apply-now