Get Healthy Stay Healthy
We travelled to Perth recently my hubby bound for a Footie match with our son, and me heading for an afternoon’s shopping with my son’s lovely girlfriend. I felt lucky to be living the good life … and grateful, in as much as I had enough time on my hands to be sociable, the good health to allow me to be physically active and mentally engaged, and a little disposable income with which to splurge.
Together we pounded the pavements of sunny Subiaco, talking about this and that, learning about each others’ interests in clothes, drinking mochas and cappuccinos, and browsing books in Elizabeth’s Second Hand bookshop. It was great to have one on one time together, but it did get me thinking about the differences of being twenty something rather than fifty something.
On the way home, I started thinking a little deeper about how the years have changed me and how I have a different take on life these days. Mostly I realised that it’s important to get healthy and stay healthy – at least as much as you can. After 50 we can’t let things slip like we did at 20, and we can’t take things for granted so much.
A healthy mind, healthy body and a good sense of humour is what I’m trying to achieve every single day.
So my tip is if you’re not already doing so is, please try and get healthy stay healthy and have a little fun now you’re over 50 🙂 At least as much as you’re physically able.
My non scientific tips for living the good life
If you’re looking for ways to keep healthy in body and mind, I hope you’ll find some of these suggestions helpful (or humorous).
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A little list for how to live life well.
Get healthy Stay Healthy – in body and mind, for as long as you can.
- Surround yourself with people who laugh and try always to make people feel good about themselves.
- Do something good for the planet on a daily basis, and do a good deed every day for a human too.
- Have your children left home? Keep busy. Inactivity or disinterest can make you depressed. Join a club, get a job or volunteer.
- I read this somewhere the other day, and I have to agree. At the exact date you turn 55 you will develop a muffin top just above your trouser line. Don’t ask me why, it just happens. So plan your wardrobe accordingly and stop fretting about it. Just Keep On with the exercise and healthy eating anyway. Do not give up!
- Enjoy your home, enjoy your clothes, enjoy baking and entertaining while you still have energy – make the most of your faculties and attributes.
- When I was 20 I didn’t like my face or my body very much. When I was 30 I thought how good and how unwrinkled I looked at 20. When I was 40 I couldn’t believe how slim and fit I looked at 30. Now I’m over fifty I realize that how I look today is as good as it’s going to get and I’m grateful for that. Keep your attitude upbeat!
- Try not to interfere in your grown-up children’s lives, but be there for them and always be supportive. Don’t offer advice unless asked for it. On the other hand do ask your grown up children for advice – they know more than you might give them credit for, and you’ll make them feel good.
- Nightclubs are for twenty to thirty somethings. Don’t go. Not even for a laugh.
- Technology is not your enemy. Embrace it. Your children will use it even if you don’t, so get learning and understand what’s what especially in the communications arena. My Mum is 88 and regularly communicates with her grandchildren on Facebook. Just do it.
- Enjoy your clothes. Dress with style. Oh and please don’t ever wear onesies or dungarees – leave them to your daughters.
- Yes you can wear yellow jeans (or any coloured jeans) just make sure they are good fitting and consider turning them up at the ankles and wearing them with flats or cool trainers.
- Spend money on good shoes that are stylish and comfortable. After the age of 50 we don’t need an Imelda Marcos stash of shoes in the cupboard and anything uncomfortable will rarely be worn. (Yes, Dave, I know I need a clear out)
- When it comes to your body image, for God’s sake have a sense of humour. After 50 everything heads south to the Bermuda Triangle – never to return. Just remember, you mostly cannot wear what 20 year olds wear so choose wisely.
- Fat though is significant when it impacts your health. For a healthy life remember to eat well and exercise sensibly. Get help from a personal fitness trainer or devise your own fitness plan and stick it on the fridge.
- Good fabrics, good cuts and timeless elegance are now your friends – with an accessorized nod to what’s fashionable. (Actually, I haven’t embraced this rule yet … but I know I should!) As my son’s girlfriend alluded, “Cheap clothes made from cheap fabrics don’t wear well or wash well.”
- Get healthy and stay healthy – Eat a balanced diet, get your health check-ups done regularly, and keep those joints moving. Exercising alone is boring (well it is for me) and the thought of cardio fitness and getting all sweaty makes me grumpy. Do it anyway because it feels good afterwards and good health will make you happy. If you have time join a gym or an exercise class, or get some friends together to walk.
- Keep positive and have good thoughts about life. A life that’s good is a balanced one, with a bit of irrevarance thrown in.
Do you agree, or do you have a tip to add about how to get healthy and stay healthy in body and mind? We’d love to hear.
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Haha, I love this! #1, #3, and #6 are my favorites, though I absolutely agree with them all. Except maybe the one about the muffin top at 55; I think that comes a little earlier…
Thanks and Haha Wendy 🙂 Yes, we probably can’t put too fine an age limit on that one 😉
Love the humor in this list! All very good advice, Jo! And a little irreverence is key!
Thanks Linda 🙂
I enjoyed reading your list and your sense of humour, Jo. Thanks for sharing both with us 🙂
Thanks Natalie 🙂
I love your list of things to do to be happy at midlife. i laughed at the versions of your prior self- I thought I was so fat at 20 but now I realize that I was ridiculous. Now can be our best time of life so we should enjoy it!
Absolutely Michele, and thank you 🙂
Thanks for making me laugh and think at the same time with these perfect tips for being healthy and happy. Number one might be the most important in my book, but they are all good. Numbers 4 & 6 really hit home for me. That cursed muffin top! Also, I look back at the body of my 20s and 30s and wonder why I didn’t appreciate its beauty more. I’ve said several times that I do not want to look back on my 50s body and ask why I didn’t appreciate what it could do! So I’m making a conscious effort to appreciate my body now and condition it to work as well as possible for as long as possible. Thanks again for a lovely post!
Thanks Christie 🙂 And yes I so agree, we have to appreciate our bodies for how they are and what they can do for us and cherish them, Today!
I must be an “overachiever” as I developed my muffin top at the age of 45! This is a great list to live by 🙂
Lol Cherie! Overchievers unite x
Such a positive post Jo and that is the key isn’t it – being positive. I actually don’t believe we have to accept our bodies if we aren’t happy in our own skin by keeping fit, active and eating healthier to keep you healthy both physically and mentally. In saying that, I DO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO LOVE OURSELVES for who we are, not what we look like. However, at the end of the day we do have a choice and if we aren’t happy with any part of our life we do have the power to change things. Thank you so much for joining us at #MSTL and sharing your positive list which we can all follow. I’ve shared everywhere!
Hello Sue, and thank you. Yes, I totally believe in loving ourselves for who we are and we shouldn’t be dictated to by society at large.
Jo these points are PERFECT! I loved every one of them and they also made me smile. My friend told me the other day that after 50 your fat moves from the poles to the equator (hence skinny arms, legs, face – and new muffin top!) I thought it was a pretty good description for a lot of us. I’ve shared this all over the place and thanks for linking up at #MLSTL x
Thanks Leanne 🙂 That’s a great description about the redistribution of fat 🙂 Lol!
Some good ideas. And I agree heartily with the comment about nightclubs! Def time to leave those behind!! And the six inch heels that often go with it. But I do love a pair or bright red or yellow jeans!
Me too Chris!
I think it’s great to have a goal. In my case a travel goal. I’m currently dreaming about and tentatively planning a trip through the Greek Islands.
Ooh that sounds great Jan 🙂 Will you be road-tripping and ferry-tripping? We are planning a biking holiday this year too.
add..joining music class / singing group / golf / some health affordable sports
Great tips and I also (like Kathy) think keeping in touch with young people is a great way to stay young. This is something my Mum did really well.
I agree Jan – and they are such fun and haven’t developed the cynical traits that we acquire as we get older 😉
I agree totally with all of these points. Life is way too short to wear ill fitting shoes or cheap clothing that does nothing for our figures. I think mixing with young people (like your son’s girlfriend) is also a good way to keep in touch with what is going on in the younger generation. My daughter likes to come shopping with me and helps me make some appropriate decisions when buying clothing. I love her company.
What a fantastic list. Really great advice that we should all take on board. Especially the exercise and eating well one!
Thanks Melissa! Glad it resonated with you 🙂
I love ‘when it comes to your body for gods sake have s sense of humour’ you made me laugh out loud. Thankyou. I have struggled with my ageing shape and you are so right .. I need to find the humour and gratitude in it.
Yep, Pauline … we just can’t take ourselves too seriously! Gotta love the creases and wrinkles because our bodies have carried us through the years.
all wonderful tips Jo.
I think at over 50 we need to be comfortable with our looks and wear what we want – but check you don’t look like “mutton dressed up as lamb”! check yourself in the mirror before you go out!
Hmm…I need to get some more colour in my hair – I hate those lights in boutique change rooms -so aging!
Wearing what we want is one of the advantages of getting older, isn’t it Jill – because a lot of the time it’s not important what people think. But as you say, there is a line which shouldn’t be crossed in the mutton dressed up in lamb stakes! Gah, those boutique changing rooms – not only the lights but the mirrors too. Why can’t they put up mirrors and soft lighting that makes us feel good about ourselves – wouldn’t they sell more? 😉
And No to #15… I love heather’y hues and shades of purple – unless you’re talking about lilac hair rinses ROFL 😉
Oh lilac hair rinses, Linda! Helen Mirren died her hair a pastel pink didn’t she, and I thought it looked good on her … but the lilac rinse has such bad connotations! I wonder how it ever came about? Yes, I agree about heather’y hues and softer shades of purple – it’s the deep, bold, cobalty purple that I think drains colour from a face.
Tip number 8 is such a difficult one to stick to but it is very important that you do. But it can be SO frustrating!
I know Carol, so tricky sometimes! How often I have to bite my tongue and remain silent.
I love #2. Its what will make people smile most when they think of my over 50 image.
I’m glad you could relate Mary, and yes you are definitely a ‘hugmomma’. Keep on making people smile 🙂 🙂 and you’ve made me smile and feel good by commenting here. Thank You!
Please don’t follow 19 too slavishly. Cashmere twinsets will be horribly boring if you have to wear them for 40 years – and a lot of us will make 90+.
Oh my! What an awful thought. An army of twinsets … Hmmm, not quite what I had in mind. Yep, if that’s what 19 means to readers then pretty much 19 can be scrapped in favour of “funky fashion” methinks 😉 !!!!