A women’s health is as complex as a woman herself. Hormones, stress, weight, aging, family, diet, the list of the many things a woman needs to consider daily in order to stay healthy could take up a page. As you age, your body can seen almost foreign to you. You may reflect and wonder how you ended up on blood pressure medication, with brittle bones and what appears to be an inner tube around your middle. There is good news! Many of the changes that you are going through can be improved. The first step is establishing a good relationship with your primary care provider. Whether he or she is a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, what matters most is that you trust his or her opinion and feel comfortable discussing private concerns and asking stupid questions; you cannot get help if no one knows you are looking for it. 

Whether in the early stages of menopause, or hearing from your trusted doctor that you need to lose weight to prevent heart disease which runs in your family, much of the responsibility for you own health will rest on your shoulders. Some treatment may come in the form of medication, but so much of your own health depends on eating well and exercising regularly. Eating well means eating real food; taking the time to make a tuna sandwich instead of having fast food again. Eating well means swapping out the ice cream for a fruit salad a few nights a week. Eating well means reducing your dependence on processed foods and trusting yourself in the kitchen. 

Exercise is also important for aging women. As you age it becomes harder to maintain muscle mass, and regular weight bearing exercises (not bodybuilding) can help keep your muscles, bones and brain healthier. And don’t forget about good old walking. Walking can be done almost anywhere, by nearly everyone. In addition to weight management, regular exercise is great for your cardiovascular system. 

Perhaps the best thing you can do for yourself is ask for help. Many women are used to taking care of their families and neglect to take care of themselves. Take the time you need, and ask for help from friends and family. Explain that your health is very important to you, and although taking care of your health, both mental and physical, has been on the back burner for some time now, it’s time for change. Maybe this means no more soda in the house or no more nachos with the girls after a rough week.