The gender exercising gap
WHY DON'T WOMEN EXERCISE MORE?
A survey by the Nuffield Health Healthier Nation Index found that 8,000 adults - almost 38% of women - had done no exercise in the last year, rising to 48% for those between 16-24 years old. The figure was lower for men. The NHS on their website stipulate that a person between the age of 19-64 should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week.
So why is there this gender gap?
I looked at the social and emotional barriers that women face, from body image, to lack of inclusive activewear, feeling like an outsider, fear for personal safety and emotional and mental caring and parenting load. Then there is the pandemic and long covid that has affected women more, even though we know that women’s pain is dismissed and ignored and women are more likely to be considered hysterical.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE IN WOMEN’S HEALTH MAGAZINE
Then there is also the definition of what counts as exercise. Is it just the formal activity, or the hoovering, laundry, running after children, going up and down the stairs, and dog walks that can count as physical exercise too?
And, also there is a life lived with chronic illness and chronic pain that can be a huge factor in how much a person can exercise and what form of exercise they can choose.
I would really love to hear your experience of sports, and exercise.
Do you exercise regularly?
Have you always been sporty and physically active?
Did you find this a struggle?
How do you motivate yourself?
What stops you from exercising regularly?
Please do comment below and share if you are able to.
On another -but related - note, it is just 4 weeks to the publication of Hysterical: Exploding the myth of gendered emotions.
Mary Ann Sieghart calls Hysterical ‘Hugely readable and meticulously researched'.
I am nervous, of course. But also excited. But mainly nervous. It is nerve-wracking putting a book out there that you’ve lived with and worked on for many hours, days, weeks, months, years. And it doesn’t get easier even if it is my 4th book. So much of it is dreaming, thinking, reading rather than putting down words, many rabbit holes to go down and hundreds of links and research articles to read for just that one note or sentence. One research study that leads to hundred others and this is why this newsletter ‘Too many Tabs’ perfectly sums up my life. So many tabs that I haven’t looked at for many weeks but there is this anxiety of losing them just in case you need it for something, or for that one footnote! Do you relate? Or are you the one who likes a neat, no-fuss browsing experience?
I will be writing more about my experience of writing this book and non-fiction in general in the next few weeks. Hope you can subscribe and share.
I really hope you can pre-order and support HYSTERICAL. It would mean a lot. Because as you must know pre-orders are really important for authors like me, those who are traditionally not represented in publishing.
THANK YOU!!
I was always someone who exercised. My mother was Swedish and here everyone seems to exercise. It was ingrained from childhood.
But during my busiest career year, juggling children, and my ageing mother exercise dropped to the bottom of my list. It was a health scare when living in Sydney that got me back on track 14 years ago.
It isn't easy and I have to motivate myself but through working with a great trainer I learnt about my own style - I like variety so pumping at the gym over and doesn't do it for me.
I mix Pilates, different forms of yoga, weight lifting, walking and boxing. More importantly if I miss a day - well it's the not end of the world. Mindset really does matter. And recognising that gardening, housework etc count as exercise.
I have always exercised, it makes me feel grounded and connected to my body and mind. I choose activities that make me connect with others as well in ways that are uplifting and fun - so running with someone, local ladies Back to Netball sessions, Azonto boxercise classes in the park, classes at the gym, walks and talks with friends. There are times when I just can't face it and drag myself but never regret it once I have done it. When I had small children and a full-time career I worked it around that by running and cycling my commute, or pushing the kids around the park in their buggy, or getting them to scoot or cycle to cheer me on.
Over time, as my body changes after children, or now in perimenopause, it has helped me to abandon some exercise and tailor a new regime that acknowledges my body as it evolves. Netball and running suddenly became too high impact and punishing for me in my 50s and I am exploring weight training, core strength and cardio things at the gym.
I love the feeling of exercised muscles and strength, I love the stretching and make sure I attend stretch classes at least once a week so it's not all about self-flagellation and body sculpting to fit some anti-feminist impossible body standard. It's about connection, pushing myself, but loving myself as well.