Aging is the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter how much kale you eat or how many squats you do, time continues. And while you can fight it and complain about it, the truth is that aging is not the enemy; it’s just change. At 39, I thought I had it all figured out. At 59? I know better.
Life looks different, my body feels different, and honestly, I love it.
Here’s what I do differently now: what I learned, what I let go, and what I embrace wholeheartedly after 40 years as a fitness trainer.
How I approach fitness: from sprints to walks
At age 39, workouts might have been about pushing harder, running longer, or burning more calories. But at age 59, I’m focusing more on strength training, mobility and longevity.
I understand that muscle is the key to aging well, and I prioritize strength training and functional fitness over intensity.
At 39, I was also a runner. Running gave me that high feeling, that sense of accomplishment, and let’s be honest, that calorie burn. But somewhere along the way my back agreed with a firm, “Yes, we don’t do that anymore.” So I listened.
Now I’m a hiker. I put on my shoes, go outside and enjoy the fresh air, the sun and the mental clarity that comes with moving through nature. I also use a running mat indoors every day to increase my freedom of movement!
I’ve also learned the power of recovery days – yes, two whole days a week where I rest my body. I incorporate preventative efforts like this daily sciatica stretch that keeps lower back pain away, and I make sure to use these warm-up moves for middle-aged women before any activity!
And let’s talk about electrolytes – a revelation. At 39, I bounced out of bed at 5 a.m. ready to workout.
When I was 50, I started noticing that I was dragging more than usual (hello perimenopause) until I realized my body needed more salt (yes, really!). A little extra sodium via my favorite LMNT electrolytes, and suddenly I had my energy back. Moral of the story? Your body is changing – listen to it.
My nutritional priorities: quality over quantity
In my 30s, I fell for the low-fat craze, the calorie counting, the “this diet will change your life” nonsense. Now? I eat to nourish. I like food. I don’t eat like a bird; I eat like a woman who understands that food is fuel. Your diet is about nutrition, not deprivation.
I focus on quality: protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods and healthy fats to support muscle, hormones and energy levels. And I don’t stress if I have a glass of wine or dessert every now and then.
But the biggest shift? Food is about connection. It’s about sitting down with family and friends, sharing a meal and enjoying it – without feeling guilty. The idea that food is the enemy? I put that behind me with my low-fat phase.
Use my free protein calculator to see exactly how much protein you should consume for your weight and activity level.
My way of thinking about aging: strength over superficiality
When I was 39, I cared more about how my body looked. At 59, I think it’s more important how it functions. I want to be strong, mobile and capable – for today and in twenty years.
That’s why I focus on functional fitness, which keeps me strong in everyday life!
I embrace growing older as a privilege and prioritize longevity, strength, and self-care over superficial goals. But in addition to the physical changes, my way of thinking has also evolved.
I’ve read more books, gained more life experience, and learned that giving grace to people is one of the best things you can do. I fully subscribe Brene Brown’s philosophy that ‘clear is kind’ – I no longer dance around hard conversations. Life is too short for passive-aggressive bullshit.
Say what you mean, mean what you say and give people the benefit of the doubt. It makes life a lot easier.
Learn more about how to build muscle after menopause (and burn more fat!), and common exercise mistakes to watch out for!
You may also enjoy these simple exercises to prevent muscle loss during menopause – they’re a game changer!
Recovery and rest: sleep is the real MVP
Let’s talk about sleep. I used to wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. Five hours a night? No problem. I was running a business, raising kids, training like a machine – who had time to sleep?
Then 50 hit, and I learned the hard way that sleep is non-negotiable. It turns out that your body does its best work while you sleep: burning calories, repairing muscles, balancing hormones. I now prioritize more than seven hours a night, and let me tell you, it has changed everything.
My mood, my workouts, my energy. If I could go back, I’d shake my 39-year-old self and say, “GO TO BED.”
I also make sure to include mobility moves for women over 50 before every workout!
Menopause is messy: let’s talk about it
Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes. It’s a hormonal rollercoaster that can affect everything from sleep and metabolism to mood and memory. Understanding menopausal weight gain and why it happens is so important for your overall well-being!
I’m eight years post-menopause, and while I’m now on the other side, I’ve been going through what I call hormone hell.
The good news? There is now more information than ever before. I’m a big believer in it HRT (hormone replacement therapy)– it changed my life. But I will always stand on my soapbox and say this: What you eat and how you exercise matters just as much, if not more.
You can take all the hormones in the world, but if you don’t properly fuel your body and stay active, you’re still going to feel bad.
And ladies, let’s talk about menopause out loud. No more suffering in silence. Every woman should read The new menopause– it should be required reading before perimenopause even begins.
How I Define Success: The Shift That Matters
At 39, success was about achievement: career goals, fitness goals, checking things off the list. Now? Success is how I feel every day. Strong. Energetic. Suitable. Surrounded by the people I love.
One of the biggest mindset shifts as I get older is understanding how precious time really is. You don’t think you’re going to change the way you see the world, but you do. You start to realize that time with family and friends is more important than anything else.
That the coming decades are not something to fear, but something to protect, cherish and make the most of.
Final Thoughts: Growing older is a gift
Would I go back to 39? No. Sure, my skin was a little firmer and my joints weren’t stiff or sore… But at 59, I have more wisdom, more confidence and more peace than ever before. Aging is not something to fear, it is something to embrace.
So here’s to growing older: stronger, smarter and hopefully a little funnier. Because what’s the point if we can’t laugh at ourselves?
#Fitness #differently