What Happens When Boomers Decide to ‘Get Back in Shape’?

Awhile back, when my middle-aged baby boomer body became too much to bear (or too much to fit into my favorite outfits, anyway), I went about “taking off a few pounds” and “getting back in shape.” Decided to cut out junk food, eat more fruits and veggies, increase cardio exercise and hoist a few light weights. Always worked before…

And guess what?  

Nothing happened.

I mean, not only did I NOT lose any pounds, nor change my shape. I really didn’t, uh… truth be told… when you get right down to it… change much of anything.

Oh sure, I had good intentions. But unlike in younger days, my “get-up-and-go seemed to have got up and left,” as my dad used to say. (Agh, bad sign – quoting sayings of parents.) The will and motivation just weren’t there. Let’s face it, no matter how “buff” and “toned” I might get, I don’t see myself donning an itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny yellow polka-dot bikini. (And if you remember that song, maybe you don’t either… ♥)

So I might be “good” for a few days, but then I’d think, aww, what the heck… (Ice cream’s my downfall — what’s yours?)  

Couldn’t shake the carb cravings. Most days, I didn’t have the energy to exercise. My shoulders and knees rebelled. There was never enough time.

And worst of all, when I did manage to eat pretty healthily and work out a few times, it didn’t seem to do anything. Sure I felt a little better, more energetic & upbeat – but nothing changed on the scale.

Remember when you could cut back on the fuel, rev up the motor and drop maybe five pounds in a couple of days? Just like that, it seemed, the jiggles would melt away. Now it was like the flab was Super-Glued on.  

Anyway, if you know what I’m talking about, take heart and hope. You CAN get healthier, stronger and slimmer (if that’s what you want). You CAN increase your flexibility, improve your posture and balance – goals maybe not top-of-mind at 25, but essential for vitality and wellness as we age. Most of all, you CAN ramp up your functional fitness, which is all about living well, being able to tackle new challenges and enjoying the next chapter of life.

You CAN do all these things. But you probably can’t get there doing only what worked for you in the past. Our bodies have changed, and we need to change our approaches to improving them.

I want to share what I’ve learned about nutrition, natural remedies, functional fitness and healthy aging — what’s worked for me. I also want to hear what works for you. What are you doing now to keep your mind, body and spirit young and vital?     

You CAN achieve an Age-Less Mind Body Spirit. ©  It’s just not gonna be as easy as it used  to be… ♥ 

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Tags:age-less mind-body-spirit,baby boomer,carb cravings,energy,fitness,flab,functional fitness,getting back in shape,good intentions,healthy aging,itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini,jiggles,junk food,knees,middle-aged,mind body and spirit,motivation,natural remedies,Nutrition,posture,shoulders,taking off a few pounds,vitality and wellness

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