Celebrating Women’s Health & Fitness at KAIZEN
Ladies, it’s time to unite in strength because we are excited to celebrate National Women’s Health & Fitness Day today and the power of women every day!
National Women’s Health & Fitness Day is Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
Women’s Health & Fitness History
Beginning in 2002, the Health Information Research Center recognized the last Wednesday of the month of September as National Women’s Health & Fitness Day for a National Health Observance, which aims to promote physical fitness and health awareness among women of all ages.
This year Women’s Health & Fitness Day celebrates 30 years since the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Revitalization Act of 1993, which mandated and established guidelines for inclusion of women and minorities in clinical research, including clinical trials. Prior to the passing of the Revitalization Act, it was typical for drugs and vaccines to be tested only on men–and even exclude women who may become pregnant.
Today, the NIH provides significant data showing that about half of the participants within NIH-funded clinical trials are women, and this policy for inclusion has expanded to other research funders in places such as Canada and Europe.
Despite progress however, there is still a need for the promotion of research into women’s health as inclusion rates of female participation in clinical studies continues to remain low, according to a study about inclusive research in March 2023 from the Women’s Brain Project of Guntershausen, Switzerland.
It is important to continue the push for health-research funders to consider the inclusion of women in all stages of life, whether that be young women in adolescence, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, and even women experiencing menopause. The consideration to include women in all stages of life for clinical studies would hopefully open the doors to unlock more funding for under-studied health conditions, stages of life, and more.
Health Benefits of Physical Exercise for Women
Engaging in physical activity is important for everyone, especially women. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 60% of women in the U.S. do not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity, with more than 25% of U.S. women who are not active at all.
With physical inactivity reported as more common among women than men, KAIZEN wants to support women around the South Shore and beyond with a few health benefits of physical ACTIVITY:
Reduce the Risk for Heart Disease: Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 leading killer of women, but with the education and healthy lifestyle changes cardiovascular diseases can be prevented. According to the American Heart Association, regular physical exercise can reduce coronary heart disease in women by 30% - 40%. The American Heart Association suggests that a good starting goal for physical activity is at least 150 minutes a week, but they remind us to not get lost in the numbers, the important piece here is that you just move more!
Boost Your Mood and Let Go of Anxiety or Depression Symptoms: Moving your body can help ease symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, helping to boost your mood. Physical exercise releases those AMAZING feel-good endorphins that are natural brain chemicals positively supporting your sense of well-being.
Improve Your Sleep: Moderate physical exercise can improve the amount of deep sleep you get, which is the stage where the brain and the body have a chance to rejuvenate. When you move your body, stabilize your mood, and slow down your mind there is “a cognitive process that is important for naturally transitioning to sleep,” according to Charlene Gamaldo, M.D., a medical director at Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep. Dr. Gamaldo also recommends that exercise too close to bedtime may keep one awake at night. Be mindful that exercise should occur at least 1-2 hours before going to bed to allow the body time for endorphin levels and body temperature to return to equilibrium.
We know that sometimes it is easier said than done to maintain a healthy lifestyle or stay committed to a healthy routine. At KAIZEN, we encourage you to set reasonable goals for yourself, identify the types of physical activities that make you feel your best, understand that physical activity is a tool to help you be better, and as always find positive support with friends, family, and, of course, the KAIZEN family as we all move our bodies more!
Celebrate the Women of KAIZEN
KAIZEN is led by several female owners, entrepreneurs, and instructors offering classes, trainings, workshops, and more for women to get their bodies moving.
Yoga classes, barre, body sculpt, Zumba, and more are offered in The Studio at KAIZEN for women to get their bodies moving and experience those benefits of physical activity listed above. Adult Jiu Jitsu classes have female black belt instructors leading the trainings every week.
We encourage women all over the South Shore to explore our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes that offer improved self-esteem & confidence, basic self-defense, a sense of friendship & community, and the strengthening of physical activity.
Check out the full list of our female staff on our Meet the Team page and read their bios.
KAIZEN is proud to celebrate our female family of instructors, students, moms, and more! It is important that we support the women around us to move their body, and of course, be One Percent Better Every Day!
From the women of KAIZEN, we wish you and all the female power around you a Happy National Women’s Health & Fitness Day!