I've seen so many people awaken their inner child in my adult gymnastics classes. If you need to make a case for starting gymnastics, this is it.
Category: Self Care
Taking Charge of My Health in Perimenopause
Time for a little update about my recent midlife therapeutic interventions.
GLP-1 and Me
I've written plenty about my health/nutrition/weight maintenance experience as a woman steeped in perimenopause. The reality: it just gets harder to keep up as the years pass, as the hormones wane, and as I go out and do more adult-y things (like eating at restaurants). This article is about my decision to try the GLP-1… Continue reading GLP-1 and Me
What I Learned From Genetic Testing
Genetic testing for cancer markers feels like a big deal. It's like walking a tightrope of wanting and not wanting to know what the future might hold. This is my experience.
Building Muscle Mass in Perimenopause
In this blog, I've been exploring a lot about nutrition in perimenopause. So far, I've covered bone health, cholesterol, weight maintenance, and phytoestrogens. This post is focused on increasing protein and building lean muscle mass. One of the experts I've been following is Dr. Mary Claire Haver. Her website The 'Pause Life posts fantastic science-based… Continue reading Building Muscle Mass in Perimenopause
Improving My Cholesterol in Perimenopause
The ins and outs of cholesterol, and 7 rules I've followed to improve my numbers this year, without statins. Let's talk cholesterol, shall we? Summertime is my rest and recovery time. I spend more time doing my Geriatric Gymnastics shenanigans. It is also my time to visit my doctors and check in on my health… Continue reading Improving My Cholesterol in Perimenopause
Return to nature
It's been eight months, but I finally returned to my beloved Ramapo Reservation for my first hike of the season. I had almost forgotten the amazing feeling I get from spending a couple hours traversing the nature preserve and all of its offerings to my soul. I was inspired to share some of the benefits… Continue reading Return to nature
Phytoestrogens and (peri)menopause
As a female Gen Xer firmly in the middle of her (peri)menopausal transition, I realize just how much I don't know about this part of my own life cycle. In my (peri)menopausal quest for knowledge, I've been digging for good research to learn what actually helps and what is bunk. This article delineates some of… Continue reading Phytoestrogens and (peri)menopause
Weight-loss 12: Tricky 2023
It seems I’m posting these weight-loss journey reports biannually now. Apparently, I wax weight management when my work life wanes; during winter break and just as summer starts. A year ago, I recalled in part 10 the food challenges during my November reverie (birthdays, anniversary, Thanksgiving) and into the winter holidays (Chanukkah latkes and Christmas… Continue reading Weight-loss 12: Tricky 2023
Making strides: part two
Nature walks are a metaphor for life and we determine how we will navigate it. The choices we make and the feelings we push through are all part of it. Most of it is hard. The joy is when we find our inner strength to push through.
Making strides
There’s a familiar squeeze in my chest whenever I start something new, especially when I’m doing it by myself. Anticipatory anxiety creeps in as I’m approach the task. Today's hike was a good example of how I manage the continuum of fear.
Self care – it’s a necessity
I've become much more aware of the need for self-care of late. I've been trying to define what that means for me, adding strategies to my bucket for years now.
Not for the faint of heart
While I have shared a lot of personal stuff on this blog, this may be the first time that I am being this candid about some of the uglier aspects of the second act experience. If you shy away from female stuff, this may not be for you. If you want to get into the details of perimenopause, read on.
30 years later…
After 30 years of space and time, I finally reunited with some of my college peeps. Of course, I had to write about it.
Weight -loss part 11: the ups and downs
Oh, the ups and downs of middle-age weight maintenance. Up a few pounds, down a few pounds, up a few more. The mid-life struggle is real.
My first yoga retreat
Check out my review for the Enlighten Asheville retreat experience. Spoiler: It was heavenly.
Weight-Loss part 10: Oh, the pain of the holidays
Happy New Year! I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy, rested, and ready to kick 2023 into high gear. For most of us, January marks a time to reset. I don't believe in resolutions I'll never keep, but I do believe in getting back to the things that work best. Enjoy this, and comment on something that resonates with you!
Once a year day
There are a lot of people my age who would rather not acknowledge their special day. Maybe it's not wanting to reveal how many circles around the sun they are, or they don't want to call attention to themselves. Who knows? That's not me.
I’m sick. Yuck.
I’m not a good sick person. I hate having to shut things down and remove myself from my normal routine. But sometimes, it happens.
Weight-Loss part 9: The 5(ish)-pound swing
It's hard to believe a whole year has passed since my first Weight-Loss Journey post!. In those 365 days, a lot of life has happened. There have been many opportunities for me to trash the whole weight-loss plan and gorge myself in response to life's ups and downs. I'm glad I didn't.
Weight-Loss part 8: Staying on Track
Today’s post looks at cholesterol, facing your fifties and three specific things I think are most important to focus on when you are doing the work of losing weight.
Weight-Loss part 7: Talking About Fiber
Part of any weight-loss nutrition plan is understanding how the different components affect your body's metabolism and functioning. It's very complex with lots of moving parts, and is enough to send anyone running for a bowl of ice cream with sprinkles to soothe your weary soul. I've been working seriously on improving my health through nutrition and I want to share some of the things I've learned. Maybe it will inspire someone else on their journey. I'm not a doctor, or a nutritionist, or any sort of expert. I'm just a regular 50-year-old woman trying to figure out what works for me. I hope there's some helpful information here for you.
Weight-Loss part 6: Summertime Sustenance
A 50-year-old mom's greatest weight-maintenance challenge, besides age, is dinnertime. Read to learn more about the daily work-in-progress as the summertime schedule sets in.
Weight-Loss part 5: Nutritional Indiscretions
Musings of a 50-year-old chick fighting the clock, hormones, and cravings. This post shares my food strategies while traveling and attending special events.
Weight-Loss part 4: Can You Give Up Tracking?
One of the strategies I used, fairly religiously, when I was in the weight-loss zone was tracking my food. It had become a daily habit which kept me honest and accountable. There was rarely a day or a meal that didn't get logged. Though laborious, I got so used to the process that it became like brushing my teeth or putting deodorant on; it was just something I did every day. Until now.
Weight-Loss part 3: The Saga of the Last Week of the Year
How quickly the pounds creep up when you stop paying closer attention. Read about how I navigated the temptation of the last week of the year.
Decluttering for the new year
Sometimes, you just need to declutter your physical and mental space.
Weight-Loss part 2: Remembering What Works
Understanding the habits you must adjust and/or maintain to keep your weight and overall health in check. These habits are both mental and physical, require thought, planning, and daily mindfulness in order to get to and stay in your healthy weight zone. Here’s a little summary of some of the main the strategies I’m using on a daily basis.
Ruminations of a good person
When I start to notice ruminative thoughts creep in and multiply, I try to write. It's a way of acknowledging the thoughts, accepting they are there, and trying to insert thoughts that are more productive. This is a product of that process.
Hot to Trot
Another Turkey Trot in the books. Thanksgiving dinner never tasted so good.
Stacey's Headspace 