Paula Abdul went through perimenopause 'pretty early' at 42: 'It was a tough time'
The Emmy award-winning choreographer and singer shared how she prioritizes her health 40 years into her career.
Paula Abdul's busy career as a singer, dancer and choreographer has taken its toll on her body. In a new interview with Canadian TV host Melissa Grelo for her podcast "Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo" the 62-year-old, who recently wrapped her "Magic Summer Tour," shared how years of performing and sustaining injuries have impacted her relationship with her body and her views on aging.
“I’m 62, but sometimes I act like I’m 26. Trust me," she told Grelo.
The "Hit and Run" singer spoke candidly about everything from menopause to exercise — here's what we learned from the interview.
Abdul went through perimenopause in her early 40s
Abdul, was dealing with several injuries when she began experiencing "classic symptoms" of perimenopause.
"I started pretty early. I started at 42..." she said. "It was a tough time because not only was everything changing for me... everything [was] happening rather earlier in life than most people when they start going through menopause.”
Abdul said she didn't know that her physical pain, like her muscle aches and joint pain, could be a symptom of perimenopause.
"I thought it was just pain and my joints and I was just getting old," she said. “...But to actually get blood work done, tests done and have my doctors explain to me that I'm going through the change of life — it's always weird to hear...because you're thinking, really? Already? This is weird."
The 'isolating' realities of chronic pain
Abdul's body has been her instrument throughout her career. After getting her start as a dancer for the L.A. Lakers, she became an Emmy award-winning choreographer and a pop star in her own right. Abdul's success came with a physical price tag, and she developed osteoarthritis and chronic pain from previous injuries.
“I think I've broken almost every bone in my body," she joked. "I've had multiple surgeries on my knees, I have had multiple surgeries on my neck. I had a spinal cord injury. I know what it's like to go through the daunting aspect of being in pain and trying to recover. It's very isolating because you can look like you're okay, but if people don't see or understand that pain, they don't think that it's real."
I know what it's like to go through the daunting aspect of being in pain and trying to recoverPaula Abdul
Abdul said many people shied away from her because "people don't want to be around someone who is experiencing pain."
The importance of mixing up her routine
Abdul's injuries motivated her to take control of her health and find a lifestyle and fitness routine that works for her.
"Everything changes and as you get older, things get harder," she said. "I think that's been the biggest challenge for me going through change of life: Re-engineering the food that I intake, certain exercise programs that I try. My body needs to have change a lot. I have to change up my routines in fitness and in dance."
Although she doesn't follow diets due to her previous eating disorder, Abdul has worked with a nutritionist who helps her fuel her body.
“Sleep is the most important thing," she added. "Without proper sleep... I'm no good."
The power of supplements
Abdul began experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition, in her early 50s. The "Forever Your Girl" singer said she tells young athletes and performers to start taking calcium supplements to help protect their joints and maintain a healthy bone density — something she wish she knew when she was younger.
Everything changes and as you get older, things get harderPaula Abdul
“Especially as we get older, bone density is critical. When you start losing bone density, it gets into a dangerous area," she said. "So all of that is extremely important to me. I know [from] being a dancer, doing things that my body shouldn't be doing, having all those injuries and having to overcome the injuries and heal...."
A strong connection to Canada
Although she may have been born and raised a California girl, Canada holds a special place in Abdul's heart: Her mother, Lorraine (Rykiss) Abdul was born in Minnedosa, Mb. and raised in Winnipeg.
Although Lorraine died in 2018, Abdul and her sister, Wendy, are in the process of obtaining dual citizenship in addition to touring Canada in the fall.
"It's something that our mom wanted us to do," she said. "Life happens, and we lost our mom several years ago. I know she's smiling from ear to ear, and the fact that I'm going to be actually playing where she was born and raised— it's too good to be true. It feels complete — a full circle, and it's exciting.”
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