It has nothing to do with the way you look! It has everything to do with how you want to feel and experience life! Time after time, I hear women express opinions about real or unrealistic body images and what is or isn't possible as we age. Here's the simple truth from someone halfway there!!
You are 100% responsible for taking care of yourself at every age. Getting older is not an excuse to slow down; it should be the reason to keep going!
I have been a strong advocate of fitness since my early 20's. Even back then, I remember how much clearer my mind was on days I worked out or at least somehow broke a sweat. Not only did my body feel stronger, but the added mental focus was the driving force behind it. The added clarity enhanced everything thing I did.
As I got older and in a corporate career, exercise made me feel more alert and productive. It made making calls and creating relationships easier. Breaking a sweat was about so much more than just fitness. It improved my mind and helped me think better.
When my daughters were born, staying fit was vital to staying present in a hectic life. With life at its busiest, I had to find a way to get it done, so I changed my routine to get up a few hours earlier to get it in. The added energy was always worth whatever I needed to change.
Fast forward twenty years, and if I don't move my body, it feels achy and stiff. It seems counterintuitive to how you may think, whereas I should take a day off for the aches and pains. However, moving my body releases the stiffness and boosts my overall capacity to keep going.
Last summer, I went to an outdoor music festival with an old friend of the same age. As we walked up and down the park listening to the various bands, she got angry because she didn't want to walk anymore. She was too tired.
I was shocked! We had gone there to walk around the park and hear the bands, but she was too tired. She didn't want to take another step. The words were like something foreign to me. It was eye-opening to see how different our energy levels were.
At this stage in the game, it's not about looks or weight gain. It's all about the energy and thus how you experience everyday life! Experiences are so much better when you feel vibrant and energized.
A fit body reframes everything you thought you knew about getting older! It changes the game from slowing down to heightening every experience along the way!
You don't need to join a gym or run a marathon. It only takes small incremental steps every day to make a difference. Take a walk, stretch, or find a beginners yoga class on Youtube. There are so many options available today.
It's never too late to get started, and it's easier than you think! It's always the simplest shifts that make the most significant impact.
Please join me for my upcoming challenge, Simple shifts in 5 minutes a day starting Monday, February 22nd.