Why am I better at 56 than at 50?

A few weeks ago I turned 56 years old. In honor of this event, I ran nine kilometers through Central Park. It’s nice to know that I can run that distance and not crash. In a few hours, my husband and daughters are waiting for me for a gala dinner in the city center.

This is not how I celebrated my XNUMXth birthday. It seems like an eternity has passed since then. Then I would not have run even three kilometers — I was completely out of shape. I believed that age left me no choice but to gain weight, become invisible and admit defeat.

I had ideas in my head that the media has been pushing for years: you have to face the truth, give in and give up. I began to believe articles, studies, and reports that claimed women over 50 were helpless, sullen, and moody. They are incapable of change and sexually unattractive.

Young people absorb new knowledge like a sponge, they are the ones employers want to hire. Even worse, all the media conspired to convince me that the only way to be happy is to look younger, no matter what.

Fortunately, I got rid of these prejudices and came to my senses. I decided to do my research and write my first book, The Best After 20: Expert Advice on Style, Sex, Health, Finance and More. I started jogging, sometimes walking, did 60 push-ups every day, stood in the bar for XNUMX seconds, changed my diet. In fact, I took control of my health and my life.

I lost weight, my medical exam results improved, and by my mid-sixties I was content with myself. By the way, on my last birthday, I took part in the New York City Marathon. I followed the Jeff Galloway program, which involves slow, measured running with transitions to walking — ideal for any body over fifty.

So, how is my 56 years different from fifty? Below are the main differences. They are all amazing — at 50, I could not have imagined that this would happen to me.

I got in shape

After I turned 50, I took up health in a way that I never could have imagined. Now daily push-ups, jogging every two days and proper nutrition are integral parts of my life. My weight — 54 kg — is less than it was at 50. I also now wear clothes one size smaller. Push-ups and planks protect me from osteoporosis. On top of that, I have much more energy. I have the strength to do whatever I want or need to do as I get older.

I found my style

At 50, my hair looked like a tattered cat on my head. No wonder: I bleached and dried them with a hair dryer. When I decided to radically change my whole life, hair restoration became one of the points of the program. Now my hair is healthier than ever. When I got new wrinkles at 50, I wanted to cover them up. It’s finished. Now I apply makeup in less than 5 minutes — my makeup is lighter and fresher. I began to wear simple classic clothes. I have never felt so comfortable in my body.

I accepted my age

When I turned 50, I was in turmoil. The media practically convinced me to give up and disappear. But I didn’t give up. Instead, I have changed. “Accept your age” is my new slogan. My mission is to help other older people do the same. I am proud that I am 56. I will be proud and grateful for the years I have lived at any age.

I became bold

I was afraid of what awaits me after fifty, because I did not control my life. But once I took control, getting rid of my fears was as easy as throwing away the hair dryer. It is impossible to prevent the aging process, but we ourselves choose how this will happen.

Or we can meet every day with joy and without fear. We can control our health and take care of ourselves just as we take care of others. My choice is to accept my age and my life, to prepare for what comes next. At 56, I have far fewer fears than at 50. This is especially important for the next point.

I became an intermediate generation

When I turned 50, my mother and mother-in-law were independent and relatively healthy. They were both diagnosed with Alzheimer’s this year. They fade away so fast that we can’t wrap our heads around it. Even 6 years ago they lived independently, and now they need constant care. Our little family is trying to keep up with the progress of the disease, but it’s not easy.

At the same time, we have a college freshman and a high school student in our family. I have officially become an intermediate generation that takes care of children and parents at the same time. Feelings won’t help here. Planning, action and courage are what you need.

I rebuilt my career

I worked in magazine publishing for decades and then in the international conference business. Later, I took a few years off to devote myself entirely to raising my children. I was ready to go back to work, but I was scared to death. I had a solid resume, but I knew that going back to the old fields was not the right choice. After a personal reassessment and transformation, it became clear: my new calling is to be a writer, speaker and champion of positive aging. It became my new career.

I wrote a book

She also took part in all the morning talk shows, visited many radio programs, and also collaborated with very famous and respected media in the country. It was the acceptance of the real me, the recognition of my age and the life without fear that allowed me to start a new chapter. At 50, I was lost, confused and scared, not knowing what to do. At 56, I’m ready for anything.

There are other reasons why 56 is different from 50. For example, I need glasses in every room. I am gradually moving towards 60 years, this causes moments of excitement and experience. Will I stay in good health? Will I have enough money for a good life? Will I be as optimistic about aging when I turn 60? It’s not always easy to stay brave after 50, but it’s one of the main weapons in our arsenal.

About the Author: Barbara Hannah Grafferman is a journalist and author of The Best After XNUMX.