This episode of "Fit, Fun, and Frazzled" is dedicated to midlife women’s health, focusing on the importance of essential health screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, blood work, and bone density scans. Host Nikki Lanigan shares her personal experiences and practical advice, encouraging women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond to prioritize preventative care, advocate for themselves, and normalize conversations around these vital health topics. The episode also covers the emotional side of health screenings, the challenges of self-care, and offers motivation to schedule overdue appointments, emphasizing empowerment and proactive wellness. 00:00 – Introduction and Substack reminder00:20 – Subscriber perks: fitness programs, challenges, Zooms01:16 – Wellness, work, motherhood, and stress overview01:38 – Host introduction: Nikki Lannigan02:00 – Episode focus: midlife health screenings02:24 – The importance of preventative care for women02:48 – October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month03:16 – Mammograms, blood work, bone density, colonoscopies03:36 – Colonoscopy at 45, preventative care matters03:54 – Taking care of ourselves, not just others03:57 – Mammogram guidelines: annual/biannual at 4004:01 – Dense breast tissue: yearly mammogram + ultrasound/MRI04:26 – Self-advocacy: bring up dense breast tissue with your doctor04:47 – Self-exams, colonoscopy at 45 unless family history05:14 – Pap smears, blood work, thyroid, hormonal panels05:36 – Hormonal panels, bone density scans, advocating for yourself06:18 – HRTs, migraines with aura, stroke risk06:52 – Fear factor and discomfort with screenings07:23 – Empowerment: making appointments, stop procrastinating07:45 – Changing bodies in midlife: perimenopause, stress, health07:58 – Hormone testing, thyroid, energy, mood, weight, lifestyle tools08:40 – Self-love, body changes08:52 – Mammogram and colonoscopy experiences09:19 – Colonoscopy prep, Gatorade story09:48 – Normalizing conversations about screenings11:18 – Women and health conversations, HRT, self-exams11:38 – Normalize asking questions, sharing experiences11:59 – Homework: make your appointments this month12:03 – Self-care is proactive health, not just pampering12:44 – Closing: motivation, accountability, and empowerment
