I have always been conscious of my appearance, and maintaining a healthy routine for women over 50 has become a new focus as I age gracefully. Eating well-balanced diets, exercising, taking care of my skin, drinking water, and trying to get adequate sleep are part of my daily routine.
In my 20s, it was easy to lose weight. I would look in the mirror and notice a few unwanted pounds, then stop eating rice and bread and increase my exercise. In just a few weeks, I’d be back in amazing shape. After I had my kids, it took a little longer to lose the weight, but with attention to my diet and exercise, the pounds came off. Even into my 40s, I lost weight easily.
However, things started to change when I turned 50 and began experiencing pre-menopausal changes. I noticed my body composition was shifting. It seemed like my stomach was moving closer to my breasts. Not only did I have a fupa, but now I had an upper stomach too!
The thing about these gradual changes is that you don’t always notice them right away. It became painfully clear to me when I had to videotape a training session with my dog. The trainer asked me to send videos of the training sessions so he could offer feedback.
One day, I asked my husband to videotape me during a session with my dog. When he handed me the phone to watch the video before sending it to the trainer, I couldn’t take my eyes off my midsection. I played the video over and over again, thinking, “Is this how people see me?” “Is this because my phone is an older version?”
The thoughts wouldn’t stop. So, in the end, I deleted the video. That day, I decided to commit to a new wellness routine—one that would keep me healthy and confident at this stage in my life.
My New Routine:
I started focusing on consistency—exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and adding intermittent fasting into my routine. Already, I feel better. I’m doing what I need to take care of myself and look my best in my 50s. I’m not trying to turn back the clock or be in my 20s or 30s again. I simply want to be the best 50-something version of myself.
Aging gracefully means being strong, flexible, curious, playful, and embracing your most beautiful self. It doesn’t mean reversing the aging process or wishing for the past. You can be your most beautiful self at any age, and I’m here to show you how.