When everything changes
As you have probably noticed, our bodies, energy, muscle strength, caring for everybody and about everything changes as we beautifully mature.
The positive side to this is, is that, it is the perfect moment to make those ever so important changes.
Always remember to make small thoughtfull changes instead of big radical ones.
Instead of saying “Oh, my god, my nails are constantly breaking or becoming brittle”.
Take care of them!
Treat yourself to a manicure or invest your time in learning how to look after them and make them look better than they have ever been.
Instead of saying “I’m putting on weight or nothing fits or looks good on me anymore”
Start exercising more, take yourself for a walk…literally! Go to the gym, take up swimming, try out padel ball which seems to be very popular at the moment.
You’re probably saying “tried that, doesn’t work”, “I hate sport”, “If it worked, I would have already done it!”
I get you, but sometimes we’re looking at the wrong sports that just don’t appeal to us.
When I rode horses, I could never have imagined myself walking through fields, hills and woods. It just seemed so pointless and too much of an effort. Now, you’ll only find me walking in the woods or up and down some hill or two.
Cycling. I hate cycling….and cyclists (sorry cyclists). E-biking has become extremely popular, unfortunately.
Of recent, there have been so many people who would never have considered cycling before e-bikes were invented, let alone attempt a hill or ride over a stoney track through a wood.
Happily and effortlessly riding up hills and never looking back.
You never know until you try.
Another way to attempt you to do more sport is by matching the sport to the season.
Every four months, you can change the sport to another one.
For example, in the winter, late autumn or early spring you can do indoor sports, whereas in the summer, late spring and and early autumn, you can do outdoor sports.
By rotating the sports, they will help you concente on working on different parts of your body…giving you a more complete body balance.
This way, the sports may seem less monotonous.
Changes are inspiring and motivational.
They can reduce stress and fear.
They can be exciting and fulfilling.
Exercise and not only is paramount for our well-being, especially during and after perimenopause and menopause.
Exercise is crucial for strengthening our muscles and bones which dimish and become frail in our later years.
Making it our daily routine, only helps us to become more consistent. The body and mind will crave exercise which will also make us feel so much better. agile and happier.
It takes time but remember it is all about the journey and not the destination.
The risk, only thinking about the destination is that, once you have arrived, most people will return to where they had just come from…the beginning where all the stress and unhappiness lies.
When you go on a journey, you must move forward. There is a flow….towards new and better things.
Now, let’s move onto the discussion of, “my clothes don’t fit me or look good on me anymore”
Perfect…change them!
As I’ve already said, this is the moment, where we must make changes.
We start desiring for more comfy and soft flowy materials, simple designs and lets not forget “yes” a more sexy feminine look.
Magically, we start to feel more feminine and spiritual inside and out.
If you feel shy or say “I feel embarassed about buying clothes like that”, take a look at some pictures of other women who are going through a similar experience as you, for inspiration.
Buying a new wardrope which is only tailored for you, it not only gets rid of the “old you”, it brings out the “new you”.
Be bold, playful and sexy. Enjoy yourself and enjoy your body.
You are what you eat.
My kitchen cupboards have radically changed since becoming an “empty nester”.
And “No”, I haven’t filled my cupboards up with alcohol. I just liked the picture.
Most alcoholic beverages contain a large amount of sugar, therefore, not for me!
Apart from my cupboards being considerably empty as well as the food shopping bill being drastically reduced.
I now only buy what I want or need to eat and which requires as less effort as possible to make.
I could say that my diet (choice of food) has turned a little bit boring as I eat more or less the same thing every day.
However, the healthy ingredients that I use, are the correct type of foods that I should be putting into my body to help me through this horrendous perimenopausal period and reduce pain and inflammation.
If these foods help me feel good and reduce pain (which they do), why would I eat anything else!
Another reason why making changes are important and bring better well-being is that we can use mindfulness while buying, preparing, cooking and eating food.
Knowing about the benefits of “changes” and changing our mindset to make these changes is not only life-changing/saving but essential.
If we listen to our bodies and carry out what they are asking of us, we can only reap the treasure.
Resilience can work both ways; one side: being strong and moving forward. This is the positive side. The other side: putting up barriers and blocking our paths due to fear and living the unknown can only bring out the negative side.
Instead of looking at our bodies and saying “Oh, my god”, “why”, “I hate this body”.
Take a better look and say “Ok, this is the situation……what am I going to do about it” and move forward.
Go out and pamper yourself. Enjoy buying and making good food. Start building up your new wardrope. Enjoy exercising and looking good. Be creative and bold by changing your colour palette in your clothes, hair, furniture and so on.
Life only gets better……believe me!
Enjoy your life!
Enjoy your fifties!
Pictures are from Pexels.com and the authors are: Jesus Colan, eliasdecarvalho-1006985, rdne-5847653, ian-panelo-4502492