Bone health, not breaking

My health and vitality have always been a priority. 

I thrive on hard physical exercise. The type that leaves you sweaty, out of breath, and pushed to your physical limit. Not only does hard physical exercise make me happy, but it is also an anger and stress release, and goodness knows, I have to find a healthy way to discharge anger.

A long time ago, I told myself the truth. If I did not do my exercise the very first thing in the morning, I would not do it. 

Since my early thirties, you would have found me, seven days a week, out in the predawn light, running or swimming.

I learned to be smart. My body, like yours to you, talks to me all the time. ‘You need to go easy today, Christine.’ Our physical intelligence is amazing if we give our bodies the respect of listening.

A few years ago, I knew things had to change. That postmenopausal change required a different approach. My bones needed attention. I wanted to commit to a program that allowed me to stay strong, powerful, agile, balanced and explosive in my moments. Running and swimming were not the path.

My body shape changed. After decades of the same, this has been discombobulating. Boobs? Seriously? I was always happy with small boobs. And that belly fat. Ugh. 

In my typical style, I did the research. I had been looking for years. Where is the research on super fit postmenopausal active women? Not there. 

As Dr Stacy Sims says, women are not small men. What works for men does not work for women.

It was to Dr Sims that I turned. I decided, after a disastrous appointment with a forty-something female doctor who put herself out as a specialist in menopause, who told me to get over it, being old, suck up the changes…that I was going to be the experiment of one. 

I have stopped running and swimming. I go to the gym. I lift heavy. I jump a lot. I do explosive movements a lot. I do balance work. And stretching. It is gloriously hard and sweaty. My diet has changed. As a vegetarian, I have deliberately added more protein and worked to get the bone-building food on my plate.

I am appreciating my strength. This morning I lifted 11,144 kgs in total. That is not a typo. Leg presses of 110 kgs, 8 per set, 4 sets, followed by hip thrusts of 80 kgs, 8 per set, 4 sets, with other lifts and jumps added in between, is how I get to lift that much. 

My balance is better. My agility has always been strong. 

I am working on a two-year program before we reassess. Increase my bone density. Increase my strength. Get that belly fat shifted. It is a long game. 

I recognise that I was probably under-eating for decades. Hence, bone density is down. I look at the walking skeletons still called attractive, and I only wonder at their bone and muscle health. I choose bone health, not breaking.

To age well is a privilege. I have the services of medical people that so many other people do not. 

To age well is also a choice and a commitment. 

I like the experiment and the direction it is going. One step, one day at a time.  

My body and I partner with deep respect. Ever stronger. 

Published September 7th 2026. Photo taken September 6th 2026