Next Level: Your Guide to Kicking Ass, Feeling Great, and Crushing Goals Through Menopause and Beyond

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 1,959 ratings

Price: 15.75

Last update: 01-10-2025


About this item

A comprehensive, physiology-based guide to peak performance for active women approaching or experiencing menopause—from the author of Roar, renowned exercise and nutrition scientist Dr. Stacy Sims

For active women, menopause hits hard. Overnight, your body doesn’t feel like the one you know and love anymore—you’re battling new symptoms, might be gaining weight, losing endurance and strength, and taking longer to bounce back from workouts that used to be easy. The things that have always kept you fit and healthy just seem to stop working the way they used to.

But menopause doesn’t have to be the end of you kicking ass at the gym, on the trail, in the saddle, or wherever you work out. Once you understand your physiology, you can work with it—not against it—to optimize your performance. That’s where Stacy Sims, PhD comes in. In Next Level, you’ll learn the underlying causes of menopause: the hormonal changes that are causing all the symptoms you’re feeling, and their impact on your wellness and performance. Then, what you really came for—what to do about it. Inside you’ll find science-backed advice about training, nutrition, sleep and recovery and supplements, as well as sample exercise routines, meal plans, macronutrient planning charts, and case studies from real women Stacy has coached through the transition. It’s the ultimate guide to navigating the Next Level.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of exercise routines, meal plans, planning charts, and other useful resources from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.


Top reviews from the United States

Susan Leger-Ferraro
5.0 out of 5 stars Spot on info for women committed to fitness
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024
Ground breaking research and, more importantly, practices that women who are Committee to a healthy and strong body will totally appreciate. So many recommendations are meant for men and Stacy Sims turns it all upside down. From why Intermittent fasting does not work long-term for women as well as the importance of weight training is exactly what is needed for optimal health . She has an app that supports the work as well. Totally love her work !
Zimges
5.0 out of 5 stars Entering/ed Menopause? This Book will Change Your Athletic Arc
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024
This book has real, usable exercise and nutritional support information for the peri- and post-menopausal woman, from those who just fancy ourselves gym rats to outright athletes. I favor fact over opinion, with any science noted being geared toward the regular person in the health and exercise books I read; and this book is factual, contains doable suggestions, and does not pander to the latest fads. The cover was bent and torn when it arrived, but I missed the window to report it (busy professional, needed the info STAT- hot flushes and night sweats and muscle loss, oh my!). Great information from a writer and trainer who have been where you are, and trained people like you, if you are an athlete anywhere in the menopausal phase.
Kim Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024
Something that makes sense! I’m so grateful that this resource was available to me and that Dr. Sims broke down philology into simple terms that were easy to understand. I spent so much time nodding and verbally saying, “Oh, that makes so much sense!” I can honestly say that I’ve recommended this book to so many people even some with the caveat, “Remember Dr. Sims when you hit menopause as she cleared up some sources of confusion for me in really easy to understand ways and when it’s your time she’s the resource you’ll want at your fingertips!”
Athena
4.0 out of 5 stars Book Geared to the Elite Athlete; Read the Adaptogen Section with Extreme Caution
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2022
I struggled with how to rate this book after reading it twice. I am a newbie exerciser and was hoping to come up with a plan moving forward. I recently joined a gym and was looking for a book that would discuss weight training and how to begin this. I purchased this book because the author is a PhD like myself and I was hoping for science and a fitness approach. Many of the books and magazines have taken a consumer sales (i.e., supplements, clothing, fillers, surgery, cosmetics, lotions etc...) focus.
1. 4 stars: There were many references on how to "maintain" shape if you are an avid exerciser/ultrarunner/triathoner. The book clearly explains the importance of high intensity training and rest days (particularly after menopause). There were explanations on how to deal with the off season. Unfortunately, there were many exercises and acronyms I didn't know what they were.
2. Not a log of images of weight training or how to incorporate kettle balls which were stressed in the book. The training routines briefly outlined with details on interspersing activity with intense training days.
3. The chapter on adaptogens ("complementary alternative medications/supplements") gave me pause. I teach pharmacology and the information provided was largely sound (i.e., accurately dispelled myths and hype) but it only told part of the story. I was stunned at the cursory attention to drug-drug and drug-disorder interactions with the few supplements that were mentioned. Given this books focus toward perimenopausal/menopausal women who are more likely to be on medication (i.e., thyroid medication, hypertension, diabetes, anticoagulants) this glaring ommission was surprising. I will illustrate this point with one plants - Ashwagandha. The section contains a caution about impact on thyroid hormone and ends there. No mention of category C (probable) liver toxicity (reference: livertox.NIH.gov). It also lacks a warning about miscarriages. It's dangerous to assume your perimenopausal or even menopausal reader isn't pregnant. Ashwagandha may activate the immune system which may increase symptoms for many autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, SLE or RA (reference: Medline). If you are going to the operating room beware that Ashwagandha may impact the anesthesia - lowers blood sugar and blood pressure (reference: Medline).
4. I was expecting a textbook style. I found the writing a curious mix of styles - part scientific journal and part fitness magazine. The style of writing was friendly like a blog or to a friend and not serious (which is I guess what I was looking for).
When I re-read the description - I see the word "maintain" your fitness and this message is key in this book. The 5 star reviewers mention this authors blog and this is clearly the intended audience for this book.
End assessment: This is a great book with excellent information for the avid exerciser or elite athlete. I don't think I was the correct audience for this book. I would caution the reader to follow the recommendations in the supplement section with extreme caution.
For all of the body positivity (aging) in this book it would have been nice to show the entire face of a menopausal woman on the cover without part of the face cropped out.
Karoline Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Results
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2024
Loved this book! Written for active women at or after menopause it is helpful for navigating the hormone imbalances that necessitate a change in approach during these years. I quickly found out where I was making crucial mistakes. Now I am eating more calories and protein and have shorter, more focused workouts and the weight I gained is coming back off!
Jannette N. Joly
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST for all of us in our menopausal years
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2024
If you want the truth to get lean and strong even in these challenging years of menopause and perimenopause than this book is a must read!
Cindi Cee
5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading for the Menopausal Athlete
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2024
This was a great book and so much better for me than her first book. This was far more relatable. I could identify with so much in here! I will be referring to this often!
Dana E
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024
This is exactly what I needed. Definitely geared towards the athlete during menopause but can be applied for all women during this stage of life. I have seen great results implementing some of her recommendations, and got me over a plateau I was in. There is so much conflicting "science" out there and who to believe. She covers a lot of what's out there and if you should or shouldn't. The only thing I can't get to is her protein recommendation, but again, this is really geared for the athlete, so I do the best I can. Highly recommend!

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