The Road to Reinvention: Prioritizing Health and Wellness After 50

[TRANSCRIPT]

0:00:06 - (Valerie): Well, hello gorgeous ladies, and welcome to aging with grace and style. I'm Valerie and this month we're embarking on a special series entitled The Power of Reinvention. Each week in January, we're offering different.

0:00:20 - Facets of reinventing ourselves after 50. From starting anew to career changes, prioritizing wellness, and building supportive networks.

0:00:29 - (Valerie): Each episode builds on the next, offering a comprehensive guide to embracing change and.

0:00:35 - Making the most of this exciting stage of life.

0:00:38 - So let's dive into today's topic and.

0:00:41 - Continue our journey of growth and transformation together. Hey gorgeous, it's Valerie here on aging with grace and style. Today's episode is one that I'd say is really important. We're diving into how prioritizing our health and wellness can be a game changer in our journey of reinvention after 50. Trust me, it's not just about feeling good physically. It's about a holistic approach to our overall well being.

0:01:17 So far this month, we've talked about embracing change and reinventing your career after 50. Today, our focus is on an equally important topic, prioritizing health and wellness during your reinvention journey. When we're pursuing new dreams and passions in our fifty s and beyond, it's easy to have, let's say, tunnel vision. But we can't forget to nurture our mind, body and spirit along the way. So today I'll be sharing five steps, or pillars of health and wellness to anchor your reinvention.

0:02:01 So do you have your favorite beverage? Or do you have the volume turned up in your car? If so, let's dive in. All right, let's jump right in with step one, which is balanced nutrition. You know, they say you are what you eat. And there's a lot of truth in that. As we age, our bodies have different nutritional needs. It's not just about cutting calories, it's about fueling our bodies with the right kinds of foods, like colorful fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and yes, those all important healthy fats.

0:02:49 But let's be real. Life is way too short not to enjoy the occasional slice of cake or ice cream, right? I remember over the years trying so many ways to lose weight, one of which was calorie reduction or restriction. I remember when I was in high school, I could miss a meal and lose weight. But as I got older, that didn't work. It was like one extreme or the other. Either I was reducing calories too much or increasing calories too much because of the foods that I was eating when I was increasing calories, like my favorite mexican food or anything with sugar. It just wasn't the right stuff.

0:03:36 I realized that this whole calorie restriction and missing meals, it doesn't work when we get older because there are now things like metabolism and hormones that come into play. So now I make sure that I get in enough protein as well as my veggies and my fruits. And doing this has naturally decreased the amount that I eat because I actually get full faster. It's really, I'd say, about creating a diet that fuels and nourishes your body.

0:04:21 Oh, and let's not forget hydration. Don't forget to drink plenty of water, y'all. Water is really a game changer. Now. Sometimes I get tired of it. I get tired of just bland water. So that's when I'll add the mixes to my water to give some flavor. But I found the more water I drink, of course, the more I go to the restroom. But it really does help the body feel better. And a benefit is it has helped in losing the pounds.

0:04:54 But remember, again, the balance. Balance is the key, really. It's okay to indulge in your favorite trips in moderation. Think of it as eating for energy and vitality. Step two is regular physical activity. Build movement into your daily routine. Whether it's yoga, walking, weights, or dancing, exercise isn't just good for the body. It also boosts mental clarity and mood. Now, this doesn't mean you have to run marathons or hit the gym every day, unless that's your thing.

0:05:35 It's about finding activities that you enjoy that's going to keep you moving. Regular movement keeps our bodies strong and our minds clear. I know we've talked about exercising in the past. I've tried many different ways to work out. I actually do like working out. So, for instance, dancing. Dancing was a workout that I've done. Not just my freelance dancing that I do through the house, but it was a class, and it was called flirty girl.

0:06:06 It was so much fun. It was like flirty movements, but some fun movements mixed in. You might have a chair and you're dancing or doing those moves, but in the next round, you're doing some hip hop stuff. It was a blast, and you enjoyed it so much that you forgot that you were even working out. I've done kickboxing, which is great. And I think that's what started to spark my love for the whole boxing thing.

0:06:37 Hip hop, step aerobics, spin, treadmill. And now, as I've said before, I'm doing boxing workouts. So again, I like working out most of the time now. Some days it's hard to get started, and that might be natural. But once I do and once it's over, I feel so good about what I've accomplished and what this body can still do at this point. I recently read an article that talked about how much muscle we naturally lose as we age and that it impacts our ability to stand or to walk for long periods of time.

0:07:2 We don't want to lose our muscle or activity. Remember, the goal here is to stay active in ways that brings you joy and keeps your body healthy. Find what moves you, literally. Step three is prioritizing mental health. This is huge, my friends. Our mental health influences everything. How we think, how we feel, how we act, incorporating practices like meditation and mindfulness to keeping a journal or engaging in creative activities that greatly impact our mental health.

0:08:05 It's about finding peace and contentment in our daily life, about finding what helps us maintain a sense of balance. I've started or restarted practicing meditation each morning and at night before bed. It's a game changer for my mental clarity and my stress levels. There are a lot of apps out there that can help you if you're thinking of meditation. I use the peloton app as well as insight timer, but other popular apps that I've tried are calm and headspace.

0:08:47 If there's something else that you do or that you've tried, then please let me know. I would love to be able to share it with our community. Step four is getting regular health checkups. This one, to me, is non-negotiable. I know it's not the most exciting topic, but it's an important one. There are actually many people our age who don't have regular wellness visits, and it's not because they don't have insurance.

0:09:24 Somebody once told me that they don't go because they're afraid of hearing something that they don't want to hear, or hearing that something is wrong, or that when you go to the doctor, the doctor always finds something wrong with you. While none of us wants to hear that we have something going on in our bodies, regular checkups with our doctors can catch health issues early when they're more manageable.

0:09:54 I don't know about you, but I would rather know and allow an opportunity to be treated than not to know. I want to do all I can to live a long, healthy life, to be here for my son and my future grandkids that I want to chase around the block. All that to say, stay on top of screenings, exams, blood work, eye exams, dental checkups, you know, the whole package. Think of these screenings like your personal body mechanic, making sure everything is running smoothly.

0:10:35 Be proactive about managing any conditions. Think of these checkups as a way to stay ahead and stay informed about your health. And step five is nurturing social connections and hobies. Loneliness and burnout are real risk during times of change. Building and maintaining relationships, they really are vital. Engaging in social activities and hobbies. They're not just for fun, they're also beneficial for your mental and emotional health.

0:11:17 So whether it's hanging out with friends or joining a book club or volunteering, these activities keep you connected and engaged. They're a source of happiness, of stress relief, and a great way to meet new friends. Now, I don't hang out with my friends every week, but I do communicate with most of them via a group chat, text or phone almost every day. There are a lot of times when I just need that connection. I need that silliness that our group chats bring, or I need to bounce something off a friend or just to hear a voice, just to say, hey, how are you?

0:12:00 So this is really important. It's very important to stay connected. Susan's story so Susan is from our newsletter community and she wrote and said, when I started my business, I was so focused on work that I neglected self care. But I soon learned that you can't pour from an empty cup. Now I make sure to eat right, walk daily, call friends, and take time off. It makes me more productive in the long run.

0:12:36 I really liked this when I read it and these are really wise words from Susan. Now, as you embark on your own reinvention, remember to nurture your mind, your body and your spirit. Remember, your health and well being matter just as much as checking items off that to do list. So there you have it. Our five steps to maintaining your health and wellness after 50 integrating these into your daily life can help you approach your reinvention journey with more energy, positivity and strength.

0:13:17 Health and wellness are about so much more than just avoiding illness. They're about living life to the fullest. I hope these steps inspire you to take care of your most valuable asset, which is you. Now, if you know someone who might benefit from this podcast, please share. As always, I'd love to hear how you are incorporating these steps into your life or what you might currently be doing. Until next time, stay healthy, stay happy, and remember, taking care of yourself is an important step in this journey of reinvention.

0:13:59 Thank you so much for joining me for five to thrive Tuesday if you haven't already done so, please subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you enjoyed the segment, please rate, review and share it with a friend. Let's stay connected on Instagram, Facebook and or threads at I am Valerie Hatcher. Or email me at hello@agingwithgraceandstyle.com until next time, let's continue to age with grace, style and a touch of sass.