Embracing a vibrant and fulfilling midlife is all about balancing our daily actions with our long-term well-being. As women, we often juggle numerous responsibilities, sometimes forgetting to prioritize ourselves. That’s why it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach to life that nurtures our body, mind, and soul. I’ve distilled the essence into four transformative steps to guide you on this journey, forming the acronym LIFE. These steps aren’t just actions but a mindset that helps you rediscover joy, purpose, and vitality in your midlife years.
At times life seems to get in the way. Menopause sure gets in my way sometimes.
I recently participated in the Williamsburg, VA, half-Ironman. What does that involve? A 1.2-mile swim in open water in a beautiful river, a 56-mile bike ride on country roads, and a 13.1-mile run by the side of the road. You do all three things back to back until you finish it.
L.I.F.E – all you have to do is show up
L – live in the moment
I – invest in interesting things
F – focus on yourself
E – enjoy the things you do
All I did was train and participate in the plan to finish this race.
1) Live in the moment
Take every day as it is a new day. Yesterday does not matter, and if you let it influence you, it will get the best of you. Menopause will hit you during your training when you least expect it. Deal with it right there and then. Look at it as what it is, just a moment in time. When I thought I swam off course, I focused on my breathing and the even pull of my arms to keep me calm and in the moment.
2) Invest in interesting things
Do something you never did before or didn’t even think you might ever do. You can focus on what you want and like to explore at this stage in your life. Look at your bucket list and check off the items on it. I learned how to swim three years ago and now I am a full Ironman (double the distance of a 1/2 Ironman). You are unstoppable.
3) Focus on yourself
Focus on what you need each and every day. Do you need to rest because you cannot sleep at night during night sweats? Don’t make excuses or suck it up. Put YOU time on your day timer, and don’t let anyone take that away from you. I take time for my training and let almost nothing get in the way; it really has to be an emergency of some kind to have me not train.
5) Enjoy the things you do
Do the things that you like to do and not only what your family or significant other likes to do. They can have their time, but now it’s your time. Bring awareness to what you envision you love to do and bring that to fruition. Make plans for outings, dinners, and time with your girlfriends – the sky is the limit. I love being outside; almost any outdoor activity makes me happy and puts a smile on my face.
So, what happened during my race?
I am not a strong swimmer, and during the swim portion, I felt, of course, the entire time. During the bike ride, I felt focused and got into my work out the rhythm.Run/walk 13.1 miles during a hot day with hot flashes – discouraging.
All I did was to show up to my LIFE and placed first in my age group. NO kidding.
What would that look like for your health? You don’t have to do anything extreme, but finding the right exercise program and nutrition strategies is important. Would you like some help? Contact me today.