Health After 40
WTactualF happens to us when we enter into our 40s? I blinked and turned 40 at the top of the year, and right now I’m a quarter-of-a-year away from 41. Mentally I’m young, physically, I sometimes feel like I got hit by a bus!
All jokes aside— personally, I feel like it doesn’t even make sense to get into this topic without first acknowledging the elephant in the room…
The period of time we absolutely cannot skip over was the 2020 global pandemic and lockdown.
My husband and I had just returned from an unforgettable time in Mexico, celebrating our wedding with family and friends. It was only like 6 days later that we became newlyweds in lockdown.
Ok, so, let me explain something to you:
I’m a city dweller.
I’m a walker.
I don’t drive.
I don’t do public transport.
Don’t ask me if it’s ok to park here because I DON’T KNOW!
Every now and then I’d do a ride share. But ya girl was WALKIN’ everydamnwhere! In 2020 (and prior), I easily averaged 20K steps a day. I traversed the same few parts of the city multiple times a day to teach fitness classes and train clients.
All of that changed once we were under lockdown. All of that walking turned into being at home. To be frank, I don’t even think we’ve begun to scratch the surface of uncovering and understanding the IMPACT(S) of that time period on us, and especially our health. BTW, when I talk about health, I’m referring to the 6 pillars: emotional, mental, physical, environmental, existential, and social.
In some ways it was kind of fun! The beginning phase of it was filled with lots of banana bread and wine. Not knowing what was going to happen next was exciting. Plus, it definitely forced us to slow down…indefinitely. My husband and I felt like it was an extended summer camp or something. We watched a LOT of television together (Tiger King, anyone?), and leaned on food for comfort. Foods we wouldn’t normally eat for various health reasons. We didn’t know when this was gonna end so we said YOLO! (I’m sorry, I don’t know what the Gen Z rebranded term for YOLO is. And I’m too proud to google it, so we’re gonna live with the fact that I said YOLO, ok? Cool.)
Even though we were all at home, virtual fitness was booming! I was reluctant to do the virtual class thing, but eventually I caved and absolutely LOVED it. I was still able to get my workouts in and connect with my people dem. I kept it going all the way into Spring 2022, pregnant and all. And now, 2 years postpartum, I’m even considering bringing one virtual class back. I’m finding a new groove, and it’s feeling really good.
However, between the complete change of lifestyle from the pandemic, being pregnant, and becoming a parent (and throw on being hypothyroid from hashimoto’s thyroiditis for good measure) this body ain’t looking like that 36 year old in Mexico. And given what I just said… it shouldn’t. How could it!?
Change is inevitable. It’s OKAY. It’s NORMAL. Yes, it can totally catch us off guard at times.
While it’s not a complete shocker that our bodies and minds begin to change in ways we might not have anticipated, it’s still a bit jarring. Metabolism slows, muscle mass decreases, bone density decreases — it just ain’t the same! The thing is, all of these changes are a natural part of aging. They don’t have to mean a decline in health or vitality. For real. Look at Tracee Ellis Ross, Beyoncé, Gabi Union, Halle Berry… ok let me stop. (yes, I know they’re celebs with money and staff, and I’ve still made my point.)
Now, let’s get into what's really going down with our bodies and brains after 40. I promise, it's not all doom and gloom!
The other elephant in the room that we need to talk about: hormones.
Mhm. Those little chemical messengers are doing the electric slide all night and we're the unwilling hosts. Estrogen and progesterone start playing hide and seek, which can lead to everything from hot flashes to mood swings. Perimenopause and menopause are footsteps away. (I’m not there yet, but some of my clients are and I hear about it!)
Fun times, right? But remember – it's totally normal, and there are ways to manage it.
Now, a quick pivot to chat about our brains. 🧠
So, I just got up to get something from the other room and totally forgot why. I walked back to my desk and as I sat down I remembered that I wanted to take the clothes out of the dryer 🙈 .
Raise your hand if you’ve ever walked into a room and forgotten why you’re there! Blame that on the shifting neurotransmitters. Our brains are changing, but guess what? They're also adapting. We might not be as quick with names, buuuut we're better at seeing the big picture. It's like trading in speed for wisdom – not a bad deal if you ask me!
Oh, let’s go back to bodies for a sec. (BY THE WAY, DON’T BE COMMENTING ON PEOPLES BODIES!). Metabolism decides to take a vacation, muscle mass starts playing hard to get, and suddenly, the weight we could lose in a week now takes a month, or MORE! UGH! 😣 It's not fair, but c’est la vie. The good news? We can absolutely do something about it.
So, what's a midlife woman to do? Here are some Coach Nan-approved strategies:
Nutrition: Focus on nutrient-dense foods. Your body needs quality fuel now more than ever. Think colorful veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats. When in doubt, protein and shout! (I dunno, but get it in)
Move It or Lose It: Strength training is your new BFF. It boosts metabolism, builds muscle, and keeps bones strong. It’s challenging at first but you have to put in the reps. It does get better.
Sleep Queen: Prioritize those zzz's as best you can. Good quality sleep helps balance hormones, manages weight, and keeps your brain sharp.
Stress Management: Find what helps you unwind. Meditation, yoga, or even just a good laugh with friends can work wonders. Heck, even scrolling the funny side of TikTok can help!
Mindful Eating: Listen to your body. Eat slowly, enjoy your food, and stop when you're satisfied, not stuffed. Sounds small, but it works.
I’ll leave you with this: Aging is a privilege denied to many. Read that 5 times. We're not just getting older; we're getting better, wiser, and more fabulous every day. (You can’t tell me NOTHING with my new haircut, great skin, and new curves. Just sayin’…)
Your body is changing, sure, but it's also carrying you through this amazing journey called life. Treat it with kindness, nourish it well, and listen to what it needs.
You've got this, and I'm here to support you every step of the way.
-Coach Nan
