Four Tips for Fabulous 40’s

“Forty is the new thirty!” they promised me as I blew out the candles and ushered in a new decade.  But, honestly, it was all lies. Forty is NOT the new thirty. It’s a hard decade for your body. The skin on your face begins to succumb to gravity, your breasts are ever-more droopy, and let’s not even start on the tummy pooch from c-sections, hysterectomies, or an ever slowing metabolism.  

The good news is that it’s not all doom and gloom! Our forties can be fabulous, we just need our bodies to match our growing wisdom.  So how do you keep your ageing carcas from creaking? 

Check out these four tips for making your 40’s fabulous.

Obviously a healthy diet is important for everyone, but our choices become even more vital as the years progress.  As you age, the way you process food and absorb nutrients changes and so you need to eat accordingly. We also have to deal with hormone fluctuations and need to keep our brains active and nourished.  So what to do?  

Choose foods high in calcium, ensure you’re eating enough protein and healthy fats, and keep away from processed foods and low GI carbs.  Look for a diet rich in dark green veg, lean meat, eggs, nutrient rich oils like avocado, olive, and coconut, and fibre from sources like oats, lentils, and dried beans.

• Vitamin D for your bones.
• Methylfolate (B12) and Multi-B’s to help your mood, sleep, digestion, and energy.
• Omegas for healthy heart, mind, and skin.

Don’t like how wobbly things are getting? Neither do I.  Nor do I like the mental health challenges that can come with a stationary lifestyle. Multiple studies have shown one of the best ways to beat depression and mental sluggishness is to get moving.  Whether it’s a walk around the block listening to an audiobook, or a barre class, hot yoga session, or a zumba workout, being active is a non-negotiable after 40.

I really hate going to the doctor, especially if I’m not sick! But finding a great family or general practice doctor with a focus on wellness is really important.  It’s now time to be on top of your nutrient and hormone levels, ensuring you are having regular breast exams, looking at your cholesterol, and talking about any family issues that may need addressing (like heart disease or colon cancer).  Prevention is the best medicine, and a doctor who focuses on the whole body, (rather than purely throwing prescriptions at problems), is key.

Growing older can be a bit of a vanity challenge, but with age comes experience and awesomeness.  Embrace your 40s and make the most of your amazing body!