 [ Symptoms ] why should i exercise after menopause [ Disease ] exercise is effective at influencing your levels of total body fat and abdominal fat the more active you are the less weight you are likely to gain a national institutes of health review showed that people who participated in aerobic activities every day for 10 or more minutes had 6 fewer inches around the waistline compared to people who did not exercise and exercising while you are in the process of losing weight    as well as after you have lost it    may be critical to maintaining weight loss it is also good to remember that exercise has many benefits separate from weight loss and fitness the list of exercise benefits is too long to include but here are a few benefits that are especially helpful after menopause exercise helps lower risk of osteoporosis reduce risk of metabolic syndrome heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases keep joints and muscles strong maintain good bowel function relieve depression and anxiety improve overall health