Women Like You - podcast cover

Women Like You

Gab Burkeomny.fm

The podcast for women who hate working out but know they should. You won’t find any diets, fads or body transformation tips here, just evidence-based health and fitness advice for women over 30. Hosted by lifelong exercise sloths, Gab and Sarah.

Produced and edited by Gab Burke
Music by Hamish Camilleri

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Episodes

Are you looking after your lady bits?

Do you ever keep wearing your exercise clothes after you’ve worked out? If so, you really shouldn’t. Wearing sweaty, synthetic activewear for extended periods of time can lead to conditions like thrush, bacterial vaginosis (BV), and Group B Strep (GBS). All things we want to avoid in the interests of good vaginal health. On this episode, Gab and Sarah look at how to keep your lady parts healthy. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.com WLY newsletter subscription The Women Like You podcast is r...

Jun 06, 202228 min

Have you heard about “Hot Girl Walk”?

There’s a fitness trend doing the rounds online called “Hot Girl Walk” and we actually think it might be ok. Don’t be fooled by the name, it’s not about exercising to look hotter (we haven’t completely lost our minds). It’s a combination of low impact exercise and mindfulness. On this episode, Gab and Sarah explain what the TikTok trend involves and what evidence there is to back it up. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.com Exercise and mindset (the Langer & Crum study) https://omny.fm/s...

May 30, 202225 min

What’s the best way to start exercising?

A few weeks ago we received an amazing email from a WLY listener asking for tips on how to get started exercising. If you’re a complete beginner, or if you’re coming back to exercise after an extended break, how should you actually start? On this episode, Gab and Sarah talk to Gab’s brother Adrian (an exercise scientist) about safe and sustainable ways to get fit. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.com How to build core strength Pt 1 https://omny.fm/shows/women-like-you/how-to-build-core-stre...

May 23, 202244 min

Is it ok to exercise before bed?

If you’re struggling to get good sleep, exercise might be your saviour. Sleep helps to restore the building blocks of the human body and is essential for longterm health. Several studies show that insufficient sleep increases the risk of developing insulin resistance, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and ultimately affects life expectancy. Unfortunately, 30 to 48% of the general population experience symptoms of insomnia. This can mean difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, waking earli...

May 16, 202225 min

We’ve lost the plot

It’s episode 40 baby! And we’ve lost the plot. If you’ve ever “fallen off the wagon” or gone “off-plan”, this episode is for you. Between work, life, Covid, study, podcasting and a total lack of motivation to exercise, Gab and Sarah are struggling to keep up their fitness habit. On this episode, we go back to ground zero and revisit where our exercise journey began. We look at how we created our daily exercise habit and whether we can use those same tools, or if we need to look at new ones. Our ...

May 09, 202236 min

The BEST tights ever

This week we’re talking boob support, chafing and bladder leaks. We received a gorgeous message from WLY listener Keryn who is getting back into exercise in her 40s after having children. Keryn asked for some practical advice on how to manage the unglamourous side of exercise that nobody ever talks about. On this episode, Gab and Sarah share their favourite workout gear and how to make exercise more comfortable as you get older. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.com Organ donation register h...

May 02, 202233 min

Are you drinking enough water?

Water is essential to our survival. Staying properly hydrated is critical for pretty much every single system in the body. From carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells, to helping digestion, protecting organs and tissues, and regulating body temperature. But how much water do you actually need to drink? And do you need to adjust this depending on how much exercise you’re doing? On this episode, Gab and Sarah look at recommended daily fluid intake and how to know if you’re well hydrated. Also...

Apr 11, 202229 min

How to build core strength Pt. 2

Gab is joined by exercise scientist Adrian (her brother) to talk about core strength. Adrian explains why building core strength is essential for stability, alignment and injury prevention. He talks you through how to gradually progress from pelvic floor exercises to planks and other abdominal workouts. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.com The Prehab Guys https://theprehabguys.com WLY newsletter subscription The Women Like You podcast is recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eo...

Apr 04, 202235 min

How to build core strength Pt. 1

This week Sarah is on a study break so Gab enlisted the help of her brother Adrian who is an exercise scientist. Adrian works predominantly with dancers, focusing on strength and conditioning. After her recent foot injury, Gab wanted to know if it's possible to strengthen the muscles in the feet to avoid re-injury. In part 1 of this two-part episode, Adrian explains some of the underlying causes of foot problems and how it might actually be a lack of core strength that is leading to alignment is...

Apr 04, 202234 min

“Healthy” trends you should ignore

Have you seen those “What I eat in a day” videos? What about ads for a meal replacement shake for breastfeeding mums? On this episode, Gab and Sarah look at some truly awful “health” and “wellness” trends that are doing the rounds on social media, all of which you can absolutely ignore. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.com WLY newsletter subscription The Women Like You podcast is recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. We pay our respects to elders past, present and ...

Mar 28, 202228 min

Does sex count as exercise?

We’re all about making exercise more bearable and sex is way more fun than going to the gym. So does a sexy sesh between the sheets count towards your daily 22 minutes of recommended physical activity? On this episode, Gab and Sarah look at some of the reasons why sex is really good for you and whether it counts as exercise. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.com WLY resources and recommendations: Positive sexuality and its impact on overall well-being Positive sexuality and its impact on ove...

Mar 21, 202226 min

Does the weather affect your exercise?

Have you ever used the weather as an excuse not to exercise? Common excuses we’ve often used are things like being too tired, not having enough time, finishing work too late, exercise feels awful… and yes, we’ve definitely avoided exercise because the weather is bad. Freezing temperatures, torrential rain, blistering heatwaves and terrible air pollution - research shows that weather is impacting rates of physical activity all over the world. On this episode, Gab and Sarah look at how bad weather...

Mar 14, 202227 min

Did you know you can be healthier just by thinking that you are?

Your brain, and therefore your mindset, plays a key role in the way your body responds to exercise. When you think you are doing the right amount of physical activity, it has a profound effect on the way your body processes that physical activity. And the reverse is also true, if you’re getting enough physical activity but you don’t think you are, your mind can prevent your body from reaping the full benefits. On this episode, Gab and Sarah dig into a fascinating study by Dr. Alia Crum and Dr. E...

Mar 07, 202225 min

Emmy had kidney failure and waited years for a transplant. Exercise got her through it.

Emmy was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure in her early 30s. She underwent grueling 4-hour dialysis sessions twice a week for two years, while waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant. There were times when she was so exhausted she couldn’t get out of bed. During these years she faced some of her darkest and most challenging days. So Emmy began to exercise. She started slowly with gentle swimming. Then she added a boxing class, yoga and weight training, progressively increasing her exerc...

Feb 28, 202233 min

Have you checked your insulin, glucose and cholesterol levels lately?

Do you worry about your clothing size or whether your butt looks too big or not big enough? (hello everchanging and unrealistic beauty standards). Let’s take a look at some of the numbers that REALLY matter. On this episode, Dr Sarah explains what your insulin, glucose and cholesterol levels should be. Come for the juicy science, stay for the nickname Sarah once gave her liver in Med School. The information in this podcast is for general use, always consult your doctor or physiotherapist before ...

Feb 21, 202233 min

Toned abs don’t matter. Your blood pressure does.

When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked? Do you know what your resting heart rate is? If you're exercising to lose weight or change the way you look, there are some important health markers you can use to track your progress instead. On this episode, Dr Sarah explains why you should keep an eye on your blood pressure and your heart rate. The information in this podcast is for general use, always consult your doctor or physiotherapist before undertaking a new exercise program. ...

Feb 14, 202231 min

How long does it take to get fit?

The good news is it doesn't take long to improve your fitness. The bad news is you lose fitness very quickly if you stop exercising. On this episode, Gab and Sarah look at what happens if you stop training for more than a few days at a time, and how interval training can help improve your fitness a lot faster than you might think. The information in this podcast is for general use, always consult your doctor or physiotherapist before undertaking a new exercise program. Contact us: womenlikeyoupo...

Feb 07, 202228 min

When can you exercise after COVID-19?

Either you've had COVID-19 or you know someone who has. Once you're on the mend, how do you get back into exercise? And what's actually happening to the body after you've been sick? On this episode, Gab and Sarah look at how to safely approach exercise after an illness like COVID-19. Sarah outlines a brilliant 5-step plan which was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 2021. The information in this podcast is for general use, always consult your doctor or physiotherapist before under...

Jan 31, 202224 min

What did you learn about exercise this year?

It’s the final episode of 2021! After launching the podcast in June, it’s been a huge and very challenging 6 months (most of which were spent in lockdown in Sydney). Thank you for supporting our little pod and helping us grow our community of amazing WLY women. Before we call time on this absolute shitstorm of a year, Gab and Sarah share some of their biggest lessons from the year, and some of their favourite workouts too. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.com WLY resources and recommendatio...

Dec 20, 202133 min

Why you shouldn’t exercise on holidays

Have you ever taken your exercise gear on holidays? You’re packing your bags, figuring out what to bring and you throw in your running shoes and some activewear just in case you feel like going for a run on your trip (even though you haven’t “felt like going for a run” at any time over the previous 12 months?!) Maybe you’re holidaying at home and instead of relaxing and having fun, you’re mapping out an extensive new exercise regime that will magically transform your life in the next two weeks. ...

Dec 13, 202136 min

Do you need to stretch before exercise?

Were you taught that you always had to stretch before any type of physical activity? Your sports teacher might have stood at the front of the class demonstrating while you followed along holding the stretch, pushing your muscles a little bit deeper with every breath. For a long time it was thought that stretching before exercise prevented injury and muscle soreness, but the advice around stretching has changed dramatically. Gab and Sarah explain the difference between static and dynamic stretchi...

Dec 06, 202135 min

Is yoga actually any good for you?

There’s so much pseudoscience in the fitness industry it can be hard to know what’s good for you and what’s not. Yoga is definitely one of the more popular exercise trends which comes with a fair amount of woo-woo. There’s a lot of overlap between the physical and the “spiritual” because it’s a practice that incorporates elements of deep breathing and meditation. But is it actually any good for you from a scientific perspective? On this episode Gab and Sarah look at the health benefits of yoga. ...

Nov 29, 202136 min

We used these simple tips every day to get fit

Have you always struggled to do regular exercise? On this episode, Gab and Sarah share their tried and tested exercise tips for unfit people. These are simple tools you can use every day to build a regular exercise habit. Plus, holiday season is nearly here and that means fitness influencers are out in force trying to sell you programs to "shred for summer" or start the new year like the "dream version of yourself". Don't believe the hype, especially when you're being sold fake images and chicke...

Nov 22, 202136 min

When was the last time you were on a trampoline?

Hold on to your pelvic floor! We’re going for a bounce. When Gab was on one of her morning walks she noticed a group of women exercising on the trampolines in the local playground. These women were chatting and bouncing away and it looked like a whole lot of fun. So she wandered over for a chat about trampoline exercise. On this episode you’ll meet Khairul Bariyyah (KB) who migrated to Australia from Malaysia two years ago. KB has recently become an exercise junkie because of her newfound love o...

Nov 15, 202132 min

What’s the best time of day to exercise?

Have you ever wondered if there is a more effective time of day to work out? Is it better to exercise in the morning, the middle of the day, the afternoon or at night? The answer is both simple and complicated. On this episode, Gab and Sarah look at why you should tailor your exercise to suit your sleep/wake cycle. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.com WLY resources and recommendations: The Huberman Lab Timing light, food & exercise for better sleep, energy and mood WLY newsletter subscr...

Nov 08, 202141 min

Why you shouldn’t comment when someone has lost weight

Have you ever had someone make a comment on your weight? It might be a family member, a work colleague, or an acquaintance you haven’t seen in a while, and they make an unsolicited remark about how your body looks. Instead of saying, “Hello, how are you?” they lead with, “Wow you’ve lost weight!” or, “You’re looking... healthy.” Whether it’s well-meaning or not, commenting on women’s bodies has become so normal we don’t even register it’s happening half the time. It might seem complimentary but ...

Nov 01, 202136 min

Why you sometimes cry during exercise

Have you ever cried during exercise? And not because it feels so bloody awful. Sometimes exercise can ignite an unexpected emotional response. One minute you’re minding your own business, quietly jogging down the road, and the next minute tears are streaming down your face. If this has ever happened to you, you’re not alone. On this episode, Gab and Sarah look at some of the reasons why we unexpectedly cry during exercise. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.com WLY resources and recommendatio...

Oct 25, 202135 min

Weights vs cardio: what are the health benefits of each?

Do you prefer weights or cardio? A few months ago we surveyed some of our listeners about their exercise habits. One of the questions we asked was what type of exercise do you do? 42% of our survey respondents said they do mostly cardio and half of that said they do mostly weight training. Another 21% said they do a combination of both. On this episode, Gab and Sarah discuss weight training and cardio exercise and look at the many health benefits of both. Contact us: womenlikeyoupodcast@gmail.co...

Oct 18, 202134 min

How to overcome “summer body” anxiety

Do you avoid going to the beach or the pool because of the way you look in swimwear? For decades we’ve been made to feel ashamed of our bodies. We’ve been told to hide our wobbly bits, defuzz our hairy bits, and conceal our pink bits. Body confidence is something many of us struggle with and as a result the summer months are a major source of anxiety. Getting your kit off and being seen in your swimmers can be terrifying. Gab and Sarah share their tips for overcoming your “beach body” fears and ...

Oct 11, 202137 min

Why walking is underrated

Walking is a brilliant form of exercise but it’s often overlooked in favour of running or yoga or HIIT workouts. Because we are exercise sloths and busy women, we’re always looking for quick and easy ways to get moving. If you’re trying to get fit and healthy, walking is one of the most accessible types of exercise you can do. Gab and Sarah look at some good quality research which shows why walking is really, really good for you. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Women Like You newsletter. To be ...

Oct 04, 202133 min
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