Exercise is the answer and I refuse to believe anything else.
When it comes down to it, women have a wide range of concerns and worries, which can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances and cultural backgrounds. However, some common worries that many women may experience include:
1. Health and Well-being: Women often worry about their physical and mental health, including concerns about chronic illnesses, reproductive health, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and overall well-being. Access to healthcare, preventive measures, and healthcare costs can also be sources of concern.
2. Financial Security: Financial worries, such as job stability, income disparities, retirement planning, and managing household finances, are common concerns for women. Achieving financial independence and ensuring a secure future for themselves and their families are often top priorities.
3. Family and Relationships: Women may worry about their relationships with partners, children, parents, and extended family members. Concerns related to marriage, parenting, caregiving, and maintaining a work-life balance can be significant sources of stress.
4. Safety and Security: Personal safety, both in public and private spaces, is a concern for women. Worries about harassment, violence, and discrimination can impact daily life decisions and activities. I was chatting to a male friend who didn't quite understand the priviledge he has of being able to just walk about the town on his own.
5. Societal Expectations and Gender Equality: Women may worry about societal expectations, gender stereotypes, and the challenges associated with gender discrimination and inequality. Achieving equal opportunities in education, employment, and leadership roles can be ongoing concerns.
That's what I do with my free time, I put together lists of things that I'd like to know. My clients, friends, family, media - all have influenced this worries list. Those are some big worries, I'm pretty sure I share all of those. So read on because I'm not being facetious when I say that I sincerely believe that exercise and fitness are the answers. That or winning the lottery. Some people say that having your health and having access to a way of making improvements is like winning the lottery.
Number one is obvious, you really haven't got a lot if you haven't got your health and well being. How do you get those? Some things you can influence - such as appropriate exercise, nutrition and sleep/recovery/rest. Others you cannot - your genetics, age and gender all are set and cannot be changed. So who knows what's appropriate, well you, and of course me. Developing a sound plan that is the right challenge at the right time is key to keeping you happy and excited about exercise. My clients tell me they don't know what to expect and sometimes they distrust my process - however as one client realised, it wasn't until she wasn't able to exercise and make our sessions, that she needed it to stay pain free.
Number two, bear with me... if you are mentally and physically fit, you make better decisions, sleep better and generally win at life. You're more in touch with your feelings and relationships. Even if you lost your job, your healthy outlook and good wellbeing would mean that it wouldn't be long before something new and exciting would come your way.
Number three - this one is close to my heart. I am a better person when I exercise. I feel better, I cook healthier meals and I am a joy to be around, no really, I AM. I don't have to do much, just something that lifts me from my normal day. It could be a walk or a workout. You should all come and spend the day with me and see that I don't do that MUCH exercise at all.
Number four - Being built like a Jack Reacher isn't really a possibliity for me (GENETICS bah!) but being able to run, kick, punch and have a confident posture means I am less likely to be targetted and I'm no pushover. I never learned these things for self defence but for fun.
Finally, number five - Being mentally and physically well mean that those things don't need to affect you. There is a lot to be said for true confidence. It's true that as women we have to work harder but if you have the stamina, prepare to outshine them all. A long time ago, I let go of a lot of the expectations that others had of me - we get to choose, WE GET TO CHOOSE!
I know that I am fully biased about exercise and I am passionate about bringing the benefits to everyone who trains with me. Saying that, who would you want to train you, someone who didn't appreciate the effects on the rest of your life?