I just turned 80 and although I used to be a jogger, I now just walk every day at least 2 miles and sometimes 3 or 4, due to 1 knee replacement and probably another soon. I am a young 80, my best friends are in their 60's and I just drove 1500 miles in 2 days from Manasota Key, Florida to Door County Wisconsin...with 3 big dogs, a kitty, and a husband with dementia. Sorry about all the bragging but it is really only to show how important exercise every day is if you want to stay as young as you possibly can for as long as possible. It does get harder though, as you age your taste buds change with sweet becoming the strongest unfortunately which is the stage I find myself. Life is short, eat dessert first has become my motto... I need to up my protein so any suggestions would be helpful. Also your source for the type of magnesium you take...I have difficulty taking large pills.
Omg this is incredible! Brag away!!! What an inspiration to us all about how lovely our futures can be. I like the bioptimizer magnesium from Amazon. It’s a combo of a bunch so I get all the benefits and sleep so good
amazing. i like the threonate from magtein on amazon. i use aloha protein powder (stevia gives me headaches- im not a vegan but the powder is) and sun warrior unflavored protein in a spinach and fruit smoothie (with ice and water) and it has lowered my ldl cholesterol and gives me 30-40g protein (vegan) every am. good luck! you’re amazing!
Thanks...it's not easy, "if it doesn't hurt it doesn't work". The alternative is looking and being old, what fun is that?? Where do you get the sun warrior unflavored protein? I am always worried about my cholesterol although my hdl's are good. Again, thanks for the nice comment and valuable information.
I live in Austin, SunWarrior Vanilla (my preference) is reasonably priced at the local HEB grocery @ just under $40 US. Chk your grocery’s wellness aisle
Thanks for sharing this in such a compassionate way. It helps to have guidance and a reminder that sleep, a nutrient rich diet, and exercise are transformative. No other trends really matter. XO
Thank you so much for your vulnerability. At 53 I'm finally making time for regular exercise about 5 days a week. I usually walk 3-4 times per week and do a strength training workout 2 times per week. I can't imagine finding the time for 5-6 classes per week AND 10-15K steps per day. Can you share where in your day you get it all in?? Are you a super early riser? Thanks again for sharing.
I always do class first thing in morning. Dance classes have a lot of steps! So I’m usually well past half way on my step count goal on those days after class. I take a walk after dinner too. And housework is a TON of steps too!
Okay, that makes a little more sense because I was looking at that and seeing at least 2 hours of exercise per day which felt way overwhelming. I'm pretty consistent about exercising every day, but need to work on increasing the length.
It’s for Tessa, sorry. I know from my experience that those who are able to put the time and energy into so much exercise often do not have a full-time job outside the home and no longer have kids at home. It doesn’t negate the changes Tessa has made, but it does make it much harder to implement- there is only so much time and so much energy.
Terrific and helpful post! Great points about all the info that is thrown at us about middle age and how a lot is negative. I love the way you approach it with common sense and lifestyle changes. Definitely food for thought! Also, I would love to hear your thoughts on nutrition.
Thank you again for generously sharing your story. I find a lot of similarities with your story and mine - as I'm sure many of your readers do. I started my "wellness" journey in my early 50s. I'll be 68 in a couple of months. I had put on 30 lbs in 30 yrs and on a 5'2" frame that's not a good look. I started doing Reformer 2 times a week (still do). Zumba twice a week for a few years and then my body said no way we're not doing this any more. It was taking longer and longer to recover. And I did Barre class for a while as well. I didn't really follow a diet, per se, just cut gluten out of my diet. That helped to drop the pounds. But overall I have to agree with you. It was and still is walking. Lately I've been very inconsistent with walking and I can feel it in my bones not to mention what the scale just told me! I eat pretty much whole foods. I've always been a "from scratch cook". And I love Ina Garten and how you're making so many of her recipes!! Thanks again
I find that if I slip away from my exercise routine it’s bc I’m bored with it. In the past I’ve walked with friends, then my dogs, then I joined a studio that has classes that combines time on the treadmill and then weights. I really love my classes, the camaraderie of the ladies, the feeling of striving to get stronger, seeing muscles in my arms and shoulders, it made 65 a great turning point! And yes, the walking remained a part of my day, sometimes right after my class… with a little zip! As far as diet, I’m a big believer in getting in that protein with every meal through meat, eggs, cheese…you can do it! Fiber is good at our age for digestion, and we need carbs and fat! But I like that you cook from scratch. I love to cook! I have a huge garden. Good luck to you. I tell my thirty four y/o- I’m going to get back down to your size…shhhhhhh…she’s pregnant!
And digging in the dirt even if it's not gardening! I just made wells around an old planting and doing it bare handed felt WONDERFUL! Took me back to my childhood days.
I turned 54 this year, feeling exactly the same as you described. Love your way of discussing weekly routine, it helps me find a balance in my middle-aged journey. I udes to jog once a week till 44, until starting to get joint issues. We got a husky so I get to walk daily! So much pleasure, but not enough now, I can feel it as my waist is getting larger. I need to find a good class maybe swimming or watercycling ? and get more toned. Thank you Tessa.
Sounds like you are doing great! I could and should probably wrote a whole other article just about nutrition bc I think it the factor that influences things like weight disproportionality. Not that I’ve got it all figured out but I do have some tricks/hacks that I think help.
I would love to hear more about your nutrition! I’m approaching 40 and already feel the sense of negativity that “older age” brings from society. I am determined to beat that and be strong and fit for years to come for both myself and my family!
I’m turning 30 next month, a big one of course, and find myself resonating with your list to a T - even down to the daily dark chocolate and homemade mocktails! Thank you for this post it’s truly so encouraging to see someone a few years my senior taking such good care of themselves mind body and spirit 🤍
I just turned 80 and although I used to be a jogger, I now just walk every day at least 2 miles and sometimes 3 or 4, due to 1 knee replacement and probably another soon. I am a young 80, my best friends are in their 60's and I just drove 1500 miles in 2 days from Manasota Key, Florida to Door County Wisconsin...with 3 big dogs, a kitty, and a husband with dementia. Sorry about all the bragging but it is really only to show how important exercise every day is if you want to stay as young as you possibly can for as long as possible. It does get harder though, as you age your taste buds change with sweet becoming the strongest unfortunately which is the stage I find myself. Life is short, eat dessert first has become my motto... I need to up my protein so any suggestions would be helpful. Also your source for the type of magnesium you take...I have difficulty taking large pills.
Congrats to you! Very inspiring!! I’ll do a protein/fiber post in the weeks to come. I have some tricks.
Can't wait! I find getting more than 40gms protein a tad difficult and fiber... soluble, insoluble, how much of each?
Omg this is incredible! Brag away!!! What an inspiration to us all about how lovely our futures can be. I like the bioptimizer magnesium from Amazon. It’s a combo of a bunch so I get all the benefits and sleep so good
amazing. i like the threonate from magtein on amazon. i use aloha protein powder (stevia gives me headaches- im not a vegan but the powder is) and sun warrior unflavored protein in a spinach and fruit smoothie (with ice and water) and it has lowered my ldl cholesterol and gives me 30-40g protein (vegan) every am. good luck! you’re amazing!
Thanks...it's not easy, "if it doesn't hurt it doesn't work". The alternative is looking and being old, what fun is that?? Where do you get the sun warrior unflavored protein? I am always worried about my cholesterol although my hdl's are good. Again, thanks for the nice comment and valuable information.
When I used to use Sun Warrior (the best tasting I've ever had) I got it from iHerbs or Amazon and I think I've seen it at Swanson Vitamins.
I live in Austin, SunWarrior Vanilla (my preference) is reasonably priced at the local HEB grocery @ just under $40 US. Chk your grocery’s wellness aisle
Wow , you are so allowed to brag , that is so wonderful and inspiring !
That's so awesome and inspiring. Re Magnesium & pills I pretty much only take gummy versions of vitamins now, including Magnesium
Thanks for sharing this in such a compassionate way. It helps to have guidance and a reminder that sleep, a nutrient rich diet, and exercise are transformative. No other trends really matter. XO
Thanks! And yes, we love to over complicate things, right?! :)
Thank you so much for your vulnerability. At 53 I'm finally making time for regular exercise about 5 days a week. I usually walk 3-4 times per week and do a strength training workout 2 times per week. I can't imagine finding the time for 5-6 classes per week AND 10-15K steps per day. Can you share where in your day you get it all in?? Are you a super early riser? Thanks again for sharing.
I always do class first thing in morning. Dance classes have a lot of steps! So I’m usually well past half way on my step count goal on those days after class. I take a walk after dinner too. And housework is a TON of steps too!
Okay, that makes a little more sense because I was looking at that and seeing at least 2 hours of exercise per day which felt way overwhelming. I'm pretty consistent about exercising every day, but need to work on increasing the length.
It’s for Tessa, sorry. I know from my experience that those who are able to put the time and energy into so much exercise often do not have a full-time job outside the home and no longer have kids at home. It doesn’t negate the changes Tessa has made, but it does make it much harder to implement- there is only so much time and so much energy.
Do you work outside the home?
Andrea, I'm not sure if you're asking this question to me or Tessa but, I work full-time remotely from home. I work at a desk all day
Terrific and helpful post! Great points about all the info that is thrown at us about middle age and how a lot is negative. I love the way you approach it with common sense and lifestyle changes. Definitely food for thought! Also, I would love to hear your thoughts on nutrition.
Yay to the dark chocy! I read somewhere to eat dark chocolate with nuts and it's basically a salad!! 😝
Haha! I love that!
Thank you again for generously sharing your story. I find a lot of similarities with your story and mine - as I'm sure many of your readers do. I started my "wellness" journey in my early 50s. I'll be 68 in a couple of months. I had put on 30 lbs in 30 yrs and on a 5'2" frame that's not a good look. I started doing Reformer 2 times a week (still do). Zumba twice a week for a few years and then my body said no way we're not doing this any more. It was taking longer and longer to recover. And I did Barre class for a while as well. I didn't really follow a diet, per se, just cut gluten out of my diet. That helped to drop the pounds. But overall I have to agree with you. It was and still is walking. Lately I've been very inconsistent with walking and I can feel it in my bones not to mention what the scale just told me! I eat pretty much whole foods. I've always been a "from scratch cook". And I love Ina Garten and how you're making so many of her recipes!! Thanks again
You are doing a marvelous job!
I find that if I slip away from my exercise routine it’s bc I’m bored with it. In the past I’ve walked with friends, then my dogs, then I joined a studio that has classes that combines time on the treadmill and then weights. I really love my classes, the camaraderie of the ladies, the feeling of striving to get stronger, seeing muscles in my arms and shoulders, it made 65 a great turning point! And yes, the walking remained a part of my day, sometimes right after my class… with a little zip! As far as diet, I’m a big believer in getting in that protein with every meal through meat, eggs, cheese…you can do it! Fiber is good at our age for digestion, and we need carbs and fat! But I like that you cook from scratch. I love to cook! I have a huge garden. Good luck to you. I tell my thirty four y/o- I’m going to get back down to your size…shhhhhhh…she’s pregnant!
Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable. This is an important conversation that women of any age can benefit from. You are an inspiration😊
I started needlepointing 7 months ago. It is the best hobby and so calming.
I can’t wait!!!
And digging in the dirt even if it's not gardening! I just made wells around an old planting and doing it bare handed felt WONDERFUL! Took me back to my childhood days.
I turned 54 this year, feeling exactly the same as you described. Love your way of discussing weekly routine, it helps me find a balance in my middle-aged journey. I udes to jog once a week till 44, until starting to get joint issues. We got a husky so I get to walk daily! So much pleasure, but not enough now, I can feel it as my waist is getting larger. I need to find a good class maybe swimming or watercycling ? and get more toned. Thank you Tessa.
Sounds like you are doing great! I could and should probably wrote a whole other article just about nutrition bc I think it the factor that influences things like weight disproportionality. Not that I’ve got it all figured out but I do have some tricks/hacks that I think help.
I would love to hear more about your nutrition! I’m approaching 40 and already feel the sense of negativity that “older age” brings from society. I am determined to beat that and be strong and fit for years to come for both myself and my family!
Walking is everything 🙌🏻
It really is!!
I’m turning 30 next month, a big one of course, and find myself resonating with your list to a T - even down to the daily dark chocolate and homemade mocktails! Thank you for this post it’s truly so encouraging to see someone a few years my senior taking such good care of themselves mind body and spirit 🤍
Happy early BD! And good for you! It will make the coming decades even better!
Do you take the magnesium right before bed ?
Yes! With Vit D.
I really enjoyed reading this! You have definitely inspired me to do better with the one body God has given to me!!
Excellent post! I’m with you on all of these. Ok, maybe not the journaling- my Substack is my journal! Thank you for the transparency and inspiration!
You are welcome!
Thank you so much for sharing! This is super helpful.
Great post, Tessa. Thank you for your honestly. ❤️