Me. At 53.

This is 53!

When my mom was in her 40’s, I felt like she was old. And never mind when she was in her 50’s — (omg, she was an old lady)! I remember her saying that she didn’t feel old and I truly didn’t understand how that could be. She was wrinkling and had gray hair. How could she not feel “old”?

Here I am ….53. I get it now. I do not feel old in the least! Is it true, that the 50’s are the new 30’s??? Maybe so. I feel so energetic inside and quite honestly, feel better than I did in my 30’s. Health has taken on a whole new level in the past decade so it could very well be true, that we “seniors” are better than ever before!

I can’t speak for all but speaking for myself, I do feel I have more pep in my step than my mom did in her 50’s. She seemed more fragile and frail. I couldn’t imagine my mom ever going for a jog, hike or doing something like CrossFit at my age. She definitely appeared to be in shape and took good care of herself but could never (nor would she try) to do a box jump or climb a rope! And to be quite honest, if you asked me when I was in my 30’s if I’d be doing these things, I would have probably laughed at you! I now love testing those boundaries and succeeding. But – I will admit, there are days that I just have to pass on a CrossFit movement because I now listen to my body – so while I may have just “pushed though” (no pain, no gain attitude) in my younger years, I do in fact know my limits and that definitely comes with age!

So why this post? Here’s the thing. I walk around feeling like I’m in my 20’s/30’s. I shop for clothes like I’m in my 20’s/30’s. I chat with friends that are in that age group and I feel like I’m right there with them. AND THEN, BAM — I see myself in the mirror! WTH? When did I age? I work out with young peeps and see their perky bodies, smooth and “lifted” complexions ….as well as hair w/out a trace of gray. Inside, I feel like I look like them and then I go into the bathroom to wash chalk off my hands and there it is ….reality sets in. I don’t look like them. I have facial lines, saggy jaw line and gray hair peeking through at the roots. 

I wash the chalk off and I wash my mind of the thoughts that quickly run through my head. Yes, I show signs of aging. We all will, eventually. I feel the best I have ever felt in my life so I’m not going to let a few lines on my face/saggy skin get me down! I am blessed to be so healthy and vibrant and I will grow old gracefully!

I am a mom of 3 grown children and have a beautiful granddaughter! I feel fortunate, that though my physical appearance shows the signs of being earth side for 53 years, I feel young and vibrant and that I am able to enjoy my kids as my now, friends …& act crazy/silly with my sweet 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter, Mazzy. A new life is just beginning for me since my children are now adults — my husband and I can be a couple and get up and go as we please (no sitter needed or have to taxi kids around). I love to rollerblade on the beach with my husband, go for hikes or even karaoke (so long as it starts before 10pm!) ….and as mentioned, do CrossFit and go on my early morning runs.

This is 53. And I truly believe that I feel the best I have ever felt because my food is chosen wisely. I know – in spite of what my facial lines say, my inner me is bursting with energy & youth because I eat Food With a Purpose, move my body and get the rest I need each night. It’s simple. We all know the phrase, “You are what you eat” and quite frankly, it makes so much sense. 

In my early 40’s, I was dreading the day that I turned 50. In my late 40’s, 50 didn’t seem so hard to say. I didn’t feel sad about it. I think I was expecting to feel a certain way – like 50 was the age that I would suddenly feel “my age”! So as I celebrated my 50th birthday, I did indeed celebrate — I celebrated life and the fact that my age was in fact, just a number. (I know….sounds so cliche but so true!) 3 years has passed <quickly> since that day and all I can say is “Hello 53!” 

With age comes wisdom and I my hope for all of you reading this, is to take charge of your life. It’s the only one you’ve got and you’ve got the power and the tools to feel the best you can feel now ….and in years to come! I wish I had known what I know now, in my 30’s. I did damage to my poor self and it took a lot of time and repairing to get healthy – but I did it and I’m thriving! Do what it takes to thrive, my friends! Trust me when I say, there’s no better feeling than having energy all day and a peaceful nights sleep at night. Food is fuel – upgrade to keep that body moving properly and efficiently. I am here, writing posts and sharing recipes to help you create your healthiest you. I hope to inspire you all to feel the best you can at every age …..and gradually, grow old gracefully, all the while feeling like you have the means and power to conquer it all! Who knows what I’ll be writing at 63 but my hope is that I’ll have a few more wrinkles (showing more wisdom), the same energy and spunk for life as well as hitting my goal of a strict pull-up! And maybe, just maybe another grand baby or 2! 

…..but until then, I’m ready for my year of being 53!