fabulous at forty
I turn 40 later this month and the comment I have heard most from those who are already there is, “That is when my body started to go downhill.” As I approach 40, I have found that I feel better and my body can do more than it could at 35. These comments made me think about how we talk about aging and the expectations we have for our bodies in particular as we age.
No matter what we eat, or what exercises we do, or what pills we take, our bodies will age. There is no denying that. BUT the assumption that as we age we are supposed to become drastically weaker, experience pain, or stop being as active is not something we have to accept. By making choices on a daily basis that provide our body with what it needs, I fully believe we can live a life full of activity, energy, strength, and health for a lot longer than society makes us believe we can.
How many times have you heard that an ache or pain is just “old age?” Or that, “That’s what happens as you get older!” Why do we just accept that? As a society, we are living longer but often with long lists of medications, doctors appointments, and limitations on what we want to do in life. Maybe aches and pains are keeping you from being active with kids or grandkids. Maybe heart disease is limiting your ability to get out and travel. Maybe diabetes management has taken over your days with monitoring and medications. Maybe a long list of medications have left you tired and with side effects. Maybe we don’t have to live that way…
For me, finding and following a Whole Food-Plant Based diet is what changed my trajectory on that path. At 35, I was considered healthy and although at the top end of “normal”, creeping slowly towards over weight. I was doing the things “everyone” does by eating less carbs and counting my calories, limiting my portions, exercising more but only saw a mild improvement in my weight and no improvement in my new skin condition. I ended up on 3 medications when I had been on zero. Due to my husband’s need to improve his cholesterol, he elected to try a Whole Food-Plant Based Diet and I went along for the ride. What I discovered was delicious food, increased energy and improved mood, weight loss, and improved skin. What I did not need to do was count every calorie, worry about portions, or fight cravings. Needless to say, after a few weeks, I was hooked.
When I turn 40 in a few weeks, I will also hit my 4 year mark of eating a primarily whole food, but always plant based diet. I have eaten a much larger variety of food, kept the weight off, got off my medications and eliminated chronic ankle pain with activities. It is safe to say that I am not dreading getting older. The choices I make about what I put in my body to fuel it helps my body do what it does best; heal. It’s never too late. Our bodies are amazing, when we let them be.
Cheers to 40!
Interested in learning more about a Whole Food-Plant Based diet? Check out the resources and Food for Life classes or follow along on Instagram or Facebook.
