What Does Strength Mean to You?
In a recent session of our online program, the Menopause Movement Mission, we listened to each other as we each shared our responses to the question, "what does strength mean to me?"
We'd recently learned that around 66% of women over the age of 74 cannot lift anything heavier than 10 pounds.
To put this into perspective, 10 pounds is similar to...
a sack of potatoes
a medium sized cat or dog
a vacuum cleaner
2 reams of letter sized paper
a laundry basket full of clothes
a gallon of paint
an average 3 month old baby
a gallon of milk
GASP! Could you imagine life not being able to lift 10 pounds??? It's startling and yet also clear that this could happen for some of us.
So, to ask yourself the question "what does strength mean to me?" is VERY relevant as you age.
Have you thought about this? What does strength mean to you?
The Menopause Movement Mission women had an overwhelming consensus in varied ways.
They thought, at the granular level, that strength means INDEPENDENCE.
The ability to do what you want to do, how you want to do it, when you want to do it and with who you want to do it- at ALL ages!!
NO matter if you're transitioning through menopause or not!
Merriam Webster defines Independence as:
: not dependent: such as : not subject to control by others : self-governing : not requiring or relying on something else : not looking to others for one's opinion or for guidance in conduct : not requiring or relying on others (as for care or livelihood).
To our group of women, independence was the top factor for dedicating time and energy to exercise, by lifting weights and moving their bodies purposefully and safely, and they LOVE to do it with other women like them in a supportive, kind and fun way.
How about you?
What does strength mean to you? And, how will you maintain independence in your vital body as you transition beyond mid-life?
Let me know! Email me back with your answer- as it's important to have these discussions as powerful women!
xo Nicole
Nicole Vienneau MSN, RN, NC-BC is a former ICU nurse turned holistic wellbeing advocate, with 25+ years in nursing and 30 years in fitness and health coaching. A retired Reebok-sponsored athlete and national presenter, Nicole is the founder of Tucson’s Restoration Room, where she empowers mid-life women to reclaim their joy, confidence, and ease through holistic menopause and lifestyle strategies.
Her personal journey from burnout to peace fuels her integrative approach, blending integrative health coaching, fitness, Reiki, and sound healing. Nicole is also an author, speaker, and host of the Integrative Nurse Coaches in ACTION! podcast.
