"Next Level" is a great resource for the currently active woman who is staring down menopause and its inevitable changes to her body. The authors discuss different approaches to exercise since the tried and true may no longer be enough as well as adaptogens and supplements. There is also a discussion of currently relevant assistance for the common problems associated with menopause like hot flashes, night sweats, etc.

This book is geared toward those women who have remained very active and may not be quite as useful for women who have not although the section on adaptogens was certainly very useful information regardless.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Next Level is an extensive reference manual for active and sporty women reaching peri and full menopause. It is a brilliant book that addresses athletes and women already in serious sport programs and training. A wide variety of related issues are tackled, and female biology and hormones are clearly explained. I was particularly interested in the weights section and was very reassured by the 'Lift Heavy' advice. It is a very positive book that doesn't take the softly and lightly approach. You will be brimming with confidence and encouragement and will really want to push your own limits when you have read it. There was some interesting bits such as the 'jumping' advice. Overall an extensive and excellent resource that should be read by all sporty women over 40.

I read Sims' first book, Roar, and really enjoyed it. I appreciate the publisher's ARC for this book. Sims has a wealth of information on the menopausal athlete. It will be a book that will be referenced often.

www.goodreads.com

As a woman whom has already gone through menopause at an early age, I think that this book Next Level should be a keeper on every women's bookshelf and read at some point in their lives. I enjoyed reading this insightful and informative menopause book which includes ways to help you transition through the stages of having menopause and making you understand that your life is just beginning again, not ending!


*Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an e-copy in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

Staying Fit During Menopause

Menopause sometimes feels like a time when your body is betraying you. Certainly, there are problems: hot flashes, weight gain, and losing strength. While the symptoms are caused by a real condition, you don’t have to give in to them. There are ways to stay healthy and active even though you don’t feel the same way you did only months ago.

A problem for those entering menopause is a lack of a good, comprehensive source of information. This book seeks to remedy that problem and provide a guide for how to stay fit and come our of menopause better than ever. Sims and Yeager cover the symptoms that may be driving you nuts like sweats and weight gain. They also provide information on diet and how to maintain your gut health.

One of the most useful parts of the book is how to work with your body instead of against it to keep your training routine. Their advice includes supplement advice, advice on sleeping, and training suggestions.

This book may not work for everyone, but it you’re interested in keeping active while going through the challenges of menopause, it’s worth reading.

I received this book from Penguin Random House for this review.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book.

Wonderful addition to any meno lady that is already using exercise to stay healthy and fit.
This book is a great guide for those women who are transitioning thru the last stage of womanhood. Lots of great information health-wise, food-wise and exercise-wise. This book should be on every ladies radar.

Perfect timing!! I am two years into menopause and have needed this book! It all makes sense and has information I will immediately use in my life as it relates to nutrition and exercise. I feel like there are lots of books out there about health and fitness but appreciate the focus and specialization of this one for women like me confronted with new way our bodies are reacting snd “being”. Thanks to Penguin Random House for the advanced copy!

Are you tired, sluggish, fighting weight gain or having hot flashes? Do you struggle on your daily run or in the gym? Are you in perimenopause or menopause? If you answered yes to any of these questions or if you are just interested in improving your eating, sleeping or exercise habits, Next Level is for you. Full of well researched information, Next Level will help you understand the affects of menopause on your body. Sleep habits, weight distribution, loss of muscle and depression are discussed here. Most of the solutions involve both medical and alternative medicine solutions. Next Level describes menopause as a positive change for the active woman. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rodale Books, Stacy T. Sims, PhD and Selene Yeager for this ARC.

This book is a must-read for all women. I am (hopefully) many years away from menopause, but it was SO nice to learn more about what to expect and how to combat some of the negative effects. The authors empower women with not only knowledge but encouragement. Women don't have to passively accept menopause, but can be as strong as ever, with a little planning and the right approach. Highly recommend.

Once I started reading NEXT LEVEL by Stacy T. Sims, I could not and would not stop. I am by no means an elite athlete -- nor an athlete of any kind, but this authoritative, information-packed guide showed me ways to thrive and enjoy this time in my life rather than settling into sedentary and waiting to die. The clear and straight talk was complemented by real-life examples and inspiring stories of women who have thrived during a time of life when women have traditionally become invisible and discounted, further highlighting that we are not alone with the strange, unsanctioned, and daunting challenges we face. I received an advance copy of this book and these opinions are my own unbiased thoughts.

I am not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination but I found this both informative and useful. The exercise and diet advice, while not new to me, was presented in a way that felt fresh. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Wish I'd had this sooner.

The best part of this book is its empowering attitude toward menopause and that it is specific about what women can do to in terms of fitness in this stage of their lives. It will best serve women who already know something about Crossfit. For a broader audience, it may feel too specific. I found it a bit of a chore to read with all the acronyms that pertain to Crossfit vocabulary (MetCon, LHS, HIIT, SIT) and it took away from the ability to generalize the information and apply it more broadly to my lifestyle.

I am a nutritionist and also post menopausal and was interested to read this book. The author encourages 50 plus women to eat more protein than is the conventional wisdom in order to maintain muscle mass. This makes a lot of sense to me. She also encourages strength training and sports like walking, running, dancing and tennis to maintain bone density as well as muscle mass and strength. A number of exercises are included in this book. It would be an excellent overall resource for women over age 40 who want to be assertive in maintaining their health for a long life. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for a fair review.
Oh thank God. As a female of a certain age this book is so relatable I want to yell it out.
Just recently I was telling a patron that I don't even talk to my doctor anymore about the symptoms of menopause. Since the dawn of time, women have been experiencing these symptoms, yet instead of solutions we are told to get over it, that it will pass, or its in our head. Millions and MILLIONS of women stare back at the doctor in disbelief and disgust at them (yes, we really do) and a system that refuses to find help, solutions, or literally anything except "wear less clothes or turn the heat in your house down" - well, thank you or the privilege of paying you for THAT stupid answer!
Finally a book addressing the elephant in the room - while not a breakthrough, it gives a good solid playbook for what to try and why - and what to do if you've already tried everything else. Its a book for those of us who are exhausted of telling doctors what's happening only to see them gloss over and pat us on the head.
4*
This review appears on Goodreads where I keep all book reviews.

I received an ARC of, Next Level by Stacy T. Sims, PhD, Selene Yeager. This book was very much like a text book, clinical and cold. The book has a lot of information for menopausal women.

The philosophy behind ‘Next Level’ is to bring your health and training to the next level as you reach the next level of your life. This level is the second half of a woman’s (and people with a uterus’) life span and encompasses the peri and post menopausal transitions. It is a great book. Stacy Sims’ voice is positive and affirming. She doesn’t use the term hormone replacement therapy because we are not replacing hormones we are using a transitional therapy to help us even things out at a time when our hormones are at their most imbalanced.
She explains female biology and our hormones to the reader. She then explains how and why adaptogens work, the medical options, and she explains what training needs to look like. Women (etc) need to do bursts of high intensity training - to reduce insulin sensitivity, balance hormones, boost mitochondrial function and more. We need to lift heavy - to boost our metabolic rate, for bone health and immune function and so much more. We need to jump - for power and strength and to help build bones. We need to focus on our core strength - for pelvic floor health. She suggests supplements that may be worth trying - vitamin D, Magnesium, DIIM, Creatine, Caffeine.
And she covers the stuff that everyone else talks about - eating for gut health and focusing on sleep hygiene.
I will refer to this book often it is a brilliant resource. I do hope that for the second edition they think about using an older model - perhaps a woman in her early fifties? I also worried about the model’s elbow alignment (slight hyperextension) in some of the foam rolling images - but this is my niggly perspective as a movement coach.
Still a five star read.

Excellent background and actionable information for women in midlife and beyond (and their trainers). The last chapter, Putting it All Together, lays out a weekly plan for training and fueling -- read that first, then go back to the beginning of the book to get the science behind the plan. Highly recommended.

Yay!! In the past I’ve had to cobble together information about nutrition and training for young people and menopause information for women who don’t train and try to “mesh” it all together for my specific case (post menopausal athlete). Thankfully, Sims and Yeager have researched and written all of the information we women need in one place. This book is so thorough! From the training and staying fit aspect, nutrition, keeping strong and healthy, there is so much excellent practical advice and specific information, I’m overwhelmed in the best way! I made so many highlights and now I’m eager to put the advice into action! I will definitely recommend to my other female athlete friends! Highly recommended!

This is a book that needed to be written (much earlier!). Loaded with information and targeted for athletes, this book is perfect for all women who are going through menopause or pre-menopause whether they are athletes or not. Highly recommended.

An informative source on menopause. I liked that the data applies to different body types and experiences. The eating and exercise suggestions are reasonable to work into my lifestyle. I recommend this book to women who are near or experiencing menopause.