Fit and Fab Over 50

Sep 30, 2018 | 4 comments

weight loss
You are proud of having achieved this milestone, but when you look in the mirror, your feeling of pride goes out the window. Lines have appeared where they ought not to be, and the contour of your face is no longer where it used to be. Before you turn away in despair, here are some tips to help you reverse the signs of your chronological age and acquire a younger biological age.

1. Be careful what you put into your body. Proper nutrition helps your body cooperate with your fitness goals. It’s no use working out in the gym for an hour then going home and eating a tub of ice cream. Unless you are one of those people who can eat whatever you want and never gain a pound. A balanced diet of macronutrients – carbs, healthy fats and proteins—combined with micronutrients—fruits, vegetables and other foods containing vitamins and minerals—will keep you in good shape.

2. Don’t skip meals. In their effort to stay slim, some women tend to skip meals. This is not a good idea. Skipping meals, breakfast for instance, slows down your metabolism. Your body says, the next time she feeds me, I’m going to store some of that fat in case she starves me again. The result is you gain, rather than lose weight. Skipping meals may also lead to snacking between meals or overeating at your next meal.

4. Exercise. Overweight or not, if you are over 50, you need to exercise at least 150 mins a week. Exercise helps control the symptoms of menopause –hot flashes, irritability, joint pain and insomnia. It also helps reduce high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and so many of the ills that beset us. Simply by increasing your physical activity, you can improve your fitness level.

5. Keep a fitness journal. This helps you keep track of how you are doing. You may absent-mindedly reach for a pack of chips or accept a cookie from a co-worker. There’s nothing wrong with doing this occasionally, but when you write it down, you can see how many you have had and know if you need to apply the brakes. Journaling also helps you avoid emotional eating, as sometimes happens to perimenopausal or postmenopausal women.

6. Stay committed. The true test of being fab over 50 is to stay committed. Journaling can help you do that, as well as enlisting the support of your loved ones and friends. By staying committed, you will get to the point where going a day without exercise or consuming sugary foods seems strange to you.

Maintaining your appearance and your health does not come easy. It takes some effort at first, but by following the above tips, you can wear your age with pride. Proper nutrition, daily exercise and rest, combined with the support of your loved ones will help you achieve your goal of being fit and fab over 50 … and beyond.

Our Her Nexx Chapter Community invites you to join us where women are connecting with each other’s stories, exploring different experiences, and transforming ideas.

The Future of Connection for Women

About Our Author

Angela Joseph

Angela Joseph is a novelist, freelance writer, occupational therapist and health coach, helping women achieve their physical and emotional wellness goals.

Additional Posts