Age 50 and over. What is happening? Well lots of changes, in our bodies, our minds, and in our lives. As I turned 50 I realized that the title that I most cherished over the past 23 years, "Mom of Minor Children", no longer applied. This also affected my social life as hanging out with the other hockey/soccer/cheer parents was over. Mentally, we often grapple at this age with reflections of our adult life to this point, and what challenges we want to take on going forward (if any). Okay, now the physical changes. I have always been a fit person but now the weight seems easier to stay on, harder to come off. Other "fun" changes include menopause, new or enhanced medical conditions, past injuries that are giving us more problems. Fun indeed.
Well, let's not make this a downer! Being this age means we now have the time to invest in ourselves, explore interests, try new activities, focus on our health. We are less in a daily survival mode of meals, laundry, bills, kids sports, career, groceries, etc. Coming to the "Fit" part of the title, having some free time to breathe means we can investigate new types of fitness, and find out what works for us. In my late 40s I discovered Pilates. Both as a participant, and then as a certified Mat Pilates instructor, I fell in love with this form of fitness. The benefits are many for all ages, and in the 50+ age group, the specific outcomes are great. Core strength means a flatter tummy, whittled down waist, strong back, better posture, and improved balance.
Have you ever noticed a picture of you that someone else took, and learned something about yourself? That happened to me a few years ago. I looked at a couple photos, and thought "what is going on with my posture? Not good!" So I became aware, and self corrected when I remembered, but once I started doing Pilates it became more and more natural to go through the day with a proper posture due to strengthening and stretching the appropriate muscles. I have now had that photo experience more recently, but with a better outcome: "Hey, my posture looks really good in this photo, a photo that I did not know was being taken (and therefore did not stand up straight just for the photo-op.)"
So in our more mature ages, we can take fit to a new level. Trying out new things, finding what you love, and have fun at, and working a variety of physical fitness activities into your life.
So in addition to being 50+ and Fit, what about "Fiery"? A definition of fiery is "consisting of fire or burning strongly and brightly". Ya baby, I like the idea of burning strongly and brightly. Some synonyms are "fierce, hot, spirited, sizzling". Apply these concepts to yourself and see if you don't feel sassy and sit up a little taller. Yes, let's be Fiery. Take a moment to think about what that word means to you. Take a chance, try something new, laugh out loud, turn up the music and dance by yourself, learn a new skill. Burn strongly and brightly my friends.
What is age 50+? A time to have a different kind of freedom, a time to take charge of health and fitness, a time to try something new. A time to take deep breaths, smile, and enjoy.
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