**GRAY HAIR AND TEXTURE CHANGES**
A bane of my current existence is the frizziness component of my graying locks. On days like these, I tend to rush out of the house without doing anything and have to remind myself that these are *normal changes due to the aging process*
Getting regular blowouts at the salon and treatments help, but sometimes we just don't have enough hours in the day/week to do this.
There is a reason behind these texture changes:
Gray hair has a different texture because your hair loses the pigment or melanin and the hair follicle doesn't produce as much sebum. Sebum is the oil your body naturally produces to hydrate your hair. As a result, gray hair often feels more coarse, dry, and wiry, but using the right hair products can help.
**How Not To Look “Old” with Gray Hair**
#1 Wear your Silver Hair with Confidence.
#2 Get a Great Haircut.
#3 Keep Your Hair Healthy.
#4 Try Fun & Modern Braids & Buns.
#5 Wear Complementary Clothing Colors.
#6 Wear Fashionable Clothing.
#7 Jazz Up Your Makeup Routine.
#8 Take Care Of Your Eyebrows.
Bodysuits are all the rage again!
These aren't your mother's 1970s type of bodysuits, either. Extremely wearable, with figure supporting fabric, and very comfortable.
I highly recommend these with jeans and a light jacket.
What is better than a day at the beach?
Swimming, sand in your toes, the wind in your hair...
Speaking of swimming, it is a great no-impact exercise for people over a *certain age*.
Health benefits of swimming
Swimming is a great workout because you need to move your whole body against the resistance of the water. Swimming is a good all-round activity because it: keeps your heart rate up but takes some of the impact stress off your body. builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness.
**The Health Benefits of Sleep**
Adequate sleep helps with hormonal balance. That keeps your heart healthy, reduces stress, and helps keep blo0d sugar consistent. It also reduces stress, prevents inflammation, and helps control weight.
I am guilty of late nights and not getting enough sleep. This is a great reminder for *all* of us to strive for that shut-eye!
Sunday Funday and chilling on the sofa with my corgi!
I am making a ton of new things in the next couple of days for you all and I am so excited to post them soon! ❤️❤️
How was your weekend?
We live in a culture that is obsessed with unattainable perceptions about the aging human body. People rave about 'flawless figures', but that is a myth that becomes even more of a reality as we grow older.
Life, childbearing, illnesses, surgeries, weight gain/loss, menopause will impact almost everyone- *if* we are lucky enough to live that long.
*This* is what I look like at 53 years old. I take pride in having survived, given birth, *lived*.
Celebrate beauty at every age and accept the wonderful imperfections that happen.
**Life** happens. Who we are on the inside remains the same even as time marches on.
Did you know that rebounding is not only great for exercise and staying fit, but is also great for your mental health and overall health? Just rebounding a little each day can have drastic effects on your health. We're talking about reducing the risk of diabetes, cancer, high blo0d pressure, osteoporosis, stress levels, anxiety, depression, and of course, losing weight. Ready for more good news? There are even MORE benefits than that! All you need to do is jump! It's that simple.
3 diet changes women over 50 should make right now:
Your body changes as you age, so your diet needs to change, too. These tips can help ensure you're getting the nutrients you need.
1. Calcium for bone health
Osteoporosis gets a fair amount of attention, and most older women understand that the risk of developing this bone disease increases with age. In fact, 1 in 3 women over 50 is at risk of a bone break caused by osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects men, too, but not at such high rates.
"We absorb less calcium as we age, and some women's ability to tolerate dairy — the best sources of calcium — also decreases as they get older," Ewoldt says. "Dark leafy greens and calcium-fortified orange juice are other good sources."
Women over 50 need 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily. Use the Nutrition Facts label on food products to keep track of your intake.
2. Protein for healthy muscle mass
Older women tend to sit more, exercise less. That compounds a natural aging process called sarcopenia, which is the loss of muscle mass. By the time women near 80 years, they may have lost as much as half of their skeletal muscle mass. Eating enough protein reduces the impact of that muscle wasting.
"Healthy plant-based diets that don't include meat, a major source of protein, can still provide plenty of protein if you make savvy choices," says Ewoldt. He recommends choosing more soy, quinoa, eggs, dairy, nuts, seeds and beans.
Your protein needs depend on how much you weigh. For women over 50, experts recommend 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of weight (1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds). If you weigh 140 pounds, for instance, you would need at least 63 grams of protein a day.
3. Vitamin B-12 for brain function
Ewoldt says that as women age, they absorb fewer nutrients from their food. One key nutrient they may not be absorbing enough of is vitamin B-12, which is essential for maintaining both healthy red blo0d cells and brain function.
"The best sources of vitamin B-12 are eggs, milk, lean meats, fish and fortified foods like cereals and grains," says Ewoldt. "Vegans, in particular, will need to choose more fortified foods, but even elderly people who eat all foods may have difficulty absorbing enough vitamin B-12."
Newest gray hair transition photos. Going gray is an inevitable part of life- fearlessly embracing those changes is easier now than ever, thanks to the post-pandemic lockdown trends.
I am about a year and a few months into that journey (with some hiccups along the way).
dreaming of summertime... living in a 4 season climate or working nights can deprive people of the good health benefits of sunlight. Sunlight is essential for human health and well-being. The health benefits of sunlight include generating the production of vitamin D, supporting bone health, lowering blo0d pressure, preventing disease, and promoting good mental health.
💋12 TIPS FOR AGING GRACEFULLY💋
At 53, I know a *little bit* about this and want to share some of my favorites with you.
👉🏻1. Be kind to your skin
Your skin is your body’s largest organTrusted Source. If you treat it with care, it can better protect your body from the elements, regulate your body temperature, and provide sensation.
👉🏻2. Exercise
Regular exercise significantly lowers your risk of diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, and helps you retain your mobility longer. Exercise also lowers stress and improves sleep, skin and bone health, and mood.
👉🏻3. Mind your diet
Healthy foods are the way to go when it comes to aging gracefully. I personally have lost over 25 lbs of pandemic weight using a system delivered to my home.
👉🏻4. Mental health matters
Being happy and keeping your stress down goes a long way in helping you live and age well. For me, interacting with others, even on this site, helps keep me feel connected and in touch with the world.
👉🏻5. Stay physically active
Numerous studies have linked a sedentary life to an increased risk of chronic illness and early death.
Some options to stay active are going on walks and hikes, taking vacations, and participating in group exercise classes.
👉🏻6. Lower your stress
The effects of stress on your body are vast, ranging from premature aging and wrinkles to a higher risk of heart disease. I personally love binaural beats, meditation, and affirmations.
👉🏻7. Quit smoking and decrease alcohol consumption
Smoking and alcohol have both been shown to cause premature aging and increase the risk of disease. Like many from my generation, I smoked for decades, but quit 8 years ago. It's never too late.
👉🏻8. Get enough sleep
Good sleep is important for your physical and mental health. It also plays a role in your skin’s health.
👉🏻9. Find new hobbies
Finding new and meaningful hobbies can help you maintain a sense of purpose and keep you engaged throughout the course of your life.
Evidence shows that people who engage in hobbies and leisure and social activities are happier, experience less depression, and live longer. My new hobby is this page!
👉🏻10. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is about acceptance and living in the moment by focusing on the present. Practicing mindfulness has many proven health benefits that can help you age better, including:
💕improved focus
💕better memory
💕Lower stress
💕Improved emotional reaction
💕relationship satisfaction
💕increased immune functioning
👉🏻11. Take care of your mouth
Not taking care of your teeth not only ages your smile, but also puts you at risk for gum disease, which has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and bacterial pneumonia.
Along with proper oral care, it’s important to see a dentist regularly.
👉🏻12. See a doctor regularly
Seeing a doctor regularly can help the doctor find problems early or even before they start. How often you see a doctor depends on your age, lifestyle, family history, and existing conditions.
Ask your doctor how often you should go in for checkups and screening tests as you age. Also, see a doctor anytime you experience concerning symptoms.
**THE LAST ONE IS VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PANDEMIC. TOO MANY HAVE FOUND OUT TOO LATE ABOUT DEATHLY HEALTH ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE LOCKDOWN. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE- TRUST YOUR GUT!**
High heels can be hell when we get older. Let's talk about feet.
excerpt from "Coping with the changes your feet undergo as you age" by Simi Singer:
Most Americans will have walked 75,000 miles by the time they reach the age of 50 – the equivalent of trekking around the Earth on the equator three times.
But all this walking results in significant wear and tear on our feet.
“Regular foot care at every age is important,” said Dr. Joan Williams, orthopedic surgeon and foot specialist at UCLA Orthopaedic Center in Santa Monica. “But understanding the changes feet undergo over time can help minimize age-related issues and pain.”
The most obvious sign your foot is aging is its changing size and shape, says Williams. Over time, the body’s ligaments and tendons lose their strength and ability to spring back. In feet, this manifests as a decrease or ‘’falling’’ of the arch, which flattens and lengthens the foot and toes. The result: often an increase in shoe size by a half-size or more.
“Unfortunately, many people, especially women, don’t realize that foot size can change, so they buy the same size shoe year after year without stopping to ask, ‘do my feet hurt when I put these on?,’” says Williams. “Shoes with a narrow toe box – and of course, high heels -- can also become more difficult to wear. So wearing well-fitting and more ‘sensible’ shoes, at least most of the time, will be much more comfortable.”
Shifts in foot shape can also cause bunions, a bony protrusion on the side of the big toe that grows as the toe drifts out of position. Hammertoe, a condition that frequently accompanies bunions, is when a toe – most frequently the second toe -- is pulled back and upward in relation to the other toes.
Bunions are more common among women (more than 30 percent overall suffer from them) because of their shoe-wearing habits, but men suffer from them as well. Family history often plays a role.
Bunion pain can become quite severe, making walking difficult. “Bunion splints aren’t much help – so, unfortunately, surgery is the only way to successfully reposition the toe. Because bunion surgery "is invasive and has a long recovery time, I recommend it only if the pain is so bad it interferes with daily life,” say Williams.
Arthritis is another reality for the aging foot. Osteoarthritis can develop after years of general wear and tear and stress or injury to the joints. Approximately half of older people will develop osteoarthritis in one or more of the 33 joints in their feet, although not everyone will experience symptoms. For those who experience pain that they can't tolerate, over-the-counter medication or other treatments may help. Gout, a metabolic disease characterized by intense swelling and pain at the big toe joint, is another type of arthritis.
Older people with chronic conditions are much more likely to develop foot problems. Many diabetics suffer from diabetic neuropathy, a condition characterized by the loss of sensation in the feet. If the skin of the foot breaks unnoticed, wounds can easily become infected. Circulatory problems related to heart disease can also affect the fee, and obesity places extra stress on the feet and ankles.
Unfortunately, toenail fungal infections plague up to one-third of all older people, and corns, calluses and other foot deformities also are common.
There are a number of steps one can take to lessen foot pain or mitigate the effects of deteriorating ligaments, arthritis and other foot issues.
Don’t minimize or ignore foot pain. Many people live with foot pain or do not seek medical attention until the discomfort is too great for them to endure. “Foot pain is never normal,” says Williams. “If you have it, see a foot specialist so it can be diagnosed and treated.”
Consider orthotics. Orthotics or shoe inserts can support falling arches and increase comfort. Podiatrists offer custom-made insoles, which range from $200 to $800 a pair. Non-custom insoles, which are not as sturdy, usually cost between $20 and $70. Both provide support and padding for the feet, which is especially helpful for those who must stand for long periods of time or who participate in activities that put extra pressure on their feet.
Pay attention to your overall health. Monitor your feet for wounds, numbness or excessive swelling. Any of these can be symptoms of conditions that require medical treatment.
Do what you can. Stretch for a few minutes in the morning to reduce joint stiffness. Take over-the-counter medications to help reduce pain and swelling. Lose extra weight to reduce added stress. Keep your feet clean and dry. Wear comfortable shoes whenever possible, especially when walking long distances.
“It’s important to take good care of our feet,” said Williams. “They play a vital role in our health and well-being as we age.”
If you're over the age of 50 (or *any* age, really), consider these eight tips to improve your health:
❤️Consume Heart-Healthy Food
❤️Cut Back on Sodium (unless you tend towards sodium deficiency like me)
❤️Exercise Daily- every day.
❤️Stay Hydrated (half your body weight in fluid ounces is recommended)
❤️Add More Calcium to Your Diet (and vitamin D3)
❤️Make Sure You Get Enough Sleep
❤️Quit Smoking!
❤️Get Regular Preventative Screenings.
Two weeks of using aloe-based body wash and body butter on ingrown hairs (not mine, but a satisfied customer).
Aloe should ALWAYS BE the 1st ingredient on the list when you buy aloe-based products. If it says "aqua" or "water", you're getting something that is heavily diluted and won't give you these results.
Why aloe? Simply stated, aloe works! Aloe has healing properties that actually help with strengthening and thickening the cellular wall of the skin. Aloe’s ability to rebuild, regenerate, and restore delivers more anti-aging benefits and improves overall skin health.
Fresh out of the shower and ready to take on my day! Yes, I have a tendency to keep weird hours and no, I don't care because I have no filter and have a million things going on at once time (Adult ADHD blessing/curse).
I advocate using only aloe-based products on my hair and skin- wash those faces twice a day, folks!
Aloe-based skincare means that going without makeup after 50 or at any age is always possible.
Whether I am trying to save the world or barely capable of coherent speech due to lack of caffeine, I unfailingly do my skincare regimen.
It just *works*.
Coming soon: videos on how to properly take care of your skin.
I am a year into my gray hair growth journey. I had a few hiccups along the way because I am so impatient.
I am loving the look so far.
Gray hair is an inevitable stage in the aging process.
"Silver is the new black.
In the aftermath of pandemic-era restrictions that closed salons across the country, a surge of women stopped coloring their hair. And as the country reopens, many are making silver their new calling card."
I am a proud member of the Gray Hair Movement- it is a symbol of Aging Fearlessly.
Let's get that heart ❤️ pumping!
Ache-y joints, post-covid lungs, high blo0d pressure, autoimmune issues?
REBOUNDING gently on a mini trampoline is the no-impact cardio miracle for you!
I start my mornings with 30 minutes on my rebounder every day- and because I work from home, I try for 10 minutes of gentle bouncing every hour. That is all you need to get your heart rate up... and I wear a fitness watch/monitor.
Cardiovascular health is very important to me, considering I am 53 years old and want to keep my ticker going for a very long time.
As a covid and pulmonary embolism survivor with high blo0d pressure, I highly recommend rebounding to get my steps in and to get my heart pumping every morning! It is easy on the joints and lungs and for the lymphatic system.
Like the rest of the world during the Pandemic, I missed simple things that I used to take for granted: going out to dinner, dressing up, spending time with my loved ones.
I also count my blessings every day that I was one of the lucky ones who survived 3 bouts of covid when many I knew did not.
Everything I do now, I try to do with intention- like it could be my very last day. That is what these last few brutal years have taught me. Blessings to you all ❤️❤️
A great article about weight gain during the Pandemic.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/covid-weight-gain-office-reopen_n_6228ec0be4b004a43c13b5cc
I, too, experienced this and now I am losing my pandemic pounds/kilos. After a certain age, it takes much more work than before to keep fit.
Sexy has no age, no size. Good health is all that matters. Being 'flawless' is A MYTH that no one can possibly attain. An attractive exterior can house a flawed interior.
The journey is PERPETUAL and has to be worked at. Rejoice in your flaws and strive for wellness. You are worth it.
Working from home- and working out from home- can take a toll on the body if you don't do it right and keep yourself in check. I have been *so* inspired by @hiitwithpaloma and her workouts and they are DEFINITELY paying off, even on someone over 50 like me.
Strength training, cardio workouts, squats and more squats are incredible ways to prevent muscle loss as one ages.
Check out her workouts at https://onlyfans.com/hiitwithpaloma
Affirmation🌴❤️:
“Joy is the essence of my being”
Affirmations and mindset training are *essential* tools in my personal arsenal.
Say it out loud 25 times. Make this become your reality.
Train your brain.
Gray hair don't care... This is the reality for those of us 50 and over.
No makeup, a little lippie, just good (albeit slightly sunburnt) skin from amazing aloe-based products.
As we age, the need for exercise increases. This is especially true for those of us who are menopausal or post-menopausal.
"Women often exercise less when they enter menopause, which can lead to weight gain. To further complicate matters, the metabolism is also decreased. One reason for this metabolism declines with age is the loss of muscle mass (about half-a-pound a year)."
In addition, the health/cardiovascular benefits are immense.
Take care of your bodies now, so you can live the healthiest life you can. It's never too early or too late to start.
The importance of Vitamin D3 cannot be stressed enough.
I have genetic lupus autoimmune and live daily with chronic illness. Vitamin D3 is my first line of defense against lupus flares... sunshine is a great way to get it, but it is not enough.
Most of us require extra supplementation.
"Vitamin D is important for overall health. You get it from the sun, foods you eat, or supplements. It comes in two main forms: D2 and D3.
If you have too little, you may problems with your bones, muscles, immune system, and mood. You could also have more inflammation and pain.
Vitamin D has multiple roles in the body. It assists in:
promoting healthy bones and teeth
supporting immune, brain, and nervous system health
regulating insulin levels and supporting diabetes management
supporting lung function and cardiovascular health
influencing the expression of genes involved in cancer development"
There are even more benefits I have not listed here, go get your vitamin D on daily!
