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Healthy ageing for women
Hi, I’m Dr Rhonda Anderson, a Brisbane-based exercise physiologist specialising in women’s health and healthy ageing.
Want a quick, insightful (& fun) guide to thriving as an older woman?
Subscribe to download The A-Z of Healthy Ageing e-book now.
Why I started Fit and Well
Three reasons
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First, I don’t think older women’s health gets enough attention. Until recently there wasn’t even much research in this area, so it’s been hard for women to educate themselves. I wanted to create a business where older women’s needs are front and centre.
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Second, too many women miss out on precious years of their life because of disease and disability. They commit so much of themselves to others, and when finally it can be their turn, many are dealing with chronic illness. As the research shows though, we can do a lot to prevent this.
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Third, I’m an exercise physiologist and for decades I’ve been struck by the difference that exercise and movement can make, mentally as well as physically. It’s like a wonder drug. Yet most older women either don’t do it, don’t do enough of it, or don’t do what they need.
To sum up, I wanted to provide education and exercise for older women, to give them choices in how they live the second half of their lives.
Problems I solve
I feel stiff and ‘old’
Our tissues do change with age, but they also change through lack of movement. If we don’t regularly move in a way that uses our full range, our mobility slips away. The good news is that by being patient, gentle and consistent we can start to reverse this process and gradually look, move and feel 'younger'.
I want to avoid or treat chronic disease
The main diseases that claim the lives of Australian women are dementia, heart disease and stroke. But others — such as cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis — are prevalent too. I focus on exercise, diet, sleep and stress reduction because these are central to either protecting us from chronic disease or improving our lot if we already have it.
I want to feel good within myself as I get older
There's a big difference between our chronological and our biological age, and that difference comes down to our lifestyle. Simple practices that improve our mindset, posture, breathing, movement, sleep and nutrition can help us to feel vibrant and alive at every age.
I’m carrying too much weight
You're not alone. At least two-thirds of women over age 50 are overweight or obese. The combination of menopause and ageing can result in extra weight, especially around our middles. But as much as an expanding waistline is common with age, it’s not inevitable, and women who adopt a healthy lifestyle do vastly better at avoiding or minimising it.
I want to retain my independence
Older people — and especially older women — often lose balance, strength and physical function with age. We blame this on getting older, but the truth is that we lose what we don't use. I help women to build or maintain strength, balance and mobility so they can continue living full and satisfying lives.
Life After Menopause
5 Key Habits of Healthy, Vital Older Women
Our older years can be some of the best of our lives, as long as we’re healthy. So what does it take to be a healthy, vital older woman?
Good habits.
This book outlines those habits and steps you through them. It includes interviews with women who’ve successfully put them into practice, and a quiz to help you identify what you need to focus on.
I’ve had women tell me it’s their bible.
Listen to 'The #1 Habit of Vibrantly Healthy Older Women
- and How to Develop it'
Blog posts
Four essential ways to stay healthy at home
If we’re spending most of the next few months inside, it won’t help any of us to emerge from our cocoons fatter, weaker or less fit and healthy. In fact, good health will be a great asset. Even without a pandemic on the doorstep, these four areas are important every year to build our resistance […]
A message for these times, and for all time
When author Liz Gilbert recently visited Australia, she had a big and probably unexpected message for women. R-E-L-A-X, she said. What was especially sobering was her discussion of the stress levels of so many prominent, high-status women, i.e. women who have ‘made it’, the ones we look up to. “I’ve been in their homes”, she […]
We’ve heard a lot about older people being the ones at risk from this virus, so let’s look at some facts. Older people aren’t more likely to get it or spread it. The problem is that older immune systems can be more vulnerable. While health is a bigger issue than age — our risk doesn’t […]
