Middle Age is a State of Mind
What’s holding you back from getting into the best shape of your life?
Hint: it’s not your age.
In the race against time, our personal health often takes a backseat while the world takes the wheel. Jobs add stress and brow lines. Adulting is hard. And every New Year finds us renewing the same intentions with little to show for them. As the years pass, and the demands on our time increase, many people wake up one day to find themselves looking and feeling a lot different than they used to—and fearfully asking themselves: Is it too late? Can I turn back the clock? Can I really change my flexibility and fitness level in middle age?
I know, all loaded questions.
And ‘middle age’ these days means something different to everyone. For me, it’s not so much a number, but a feeling that arrives at some point after our 30s, when bodies no longer feel invincible and the realization that youthful vibrance and suppleness don’t last forever.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not insinuating that we have a one-way ticket to corpse pose. But somewhere between fetal pose and the present day, mortality sets into our minds and ligaments and bones. It’s harder to recover from a night out and sitting at a computer all day begins to take its toll. Or you simply start to bear witness to the aging process either through your children or your parents.
“I want to know how to achieve game-changing, life-long steady improvements in health, fitness, and flexibility, in your 40s and beyond.”
At 47, I often mentally go about my day feeling like I’m still somewhere in my early 20s, but physically, the aches, pains, and stiffness in my body tell a different story. And if you’re like me, you’re not ready to admit defeat. You simply need to alter your strategy.
When I question if it is too late to get my physical body to match my mental state, I know it’s not about a quick fix, or trying to change myself for external approval. I want to know how to achieve game-changing, life-long steady improvements in health, fitness, and flexibility, in your 40s and beyond. In theory, the human body can improve at any age and from any condition (as you’ll discover in our next blog post when you meet the six fabulous grandmothers we have on staff!)—but before you can ask how to do this, it’s important to uncover why you should.
Not just for health. For you.
As a yoga teacher of 22 years and studio owner of 15 years, I’ve heard just about every excuse under the sun as to why people believe they can’t do something. Nay-sayers argue, “why bother? I am who I am after all.” Or “I’m too far gone to change.” Or “I simply don’t have time for this.” Or “What if my efforts don’t pay off?”
To which I respond, “Can you really afford not to try?”
Or even better, “What might you gain if you do?”
So perhaps the deeper realization ahead of us is this: if we change our mindset, can we change what is physically possible for ourselves?
And to that, I respond with an enthusiastic YES!
I’ve seen countless people over the years grow and change and evolve and improve their health and fitness across all age ranges. It’s how we measure improvement that makes the difference. Improvement for one person could be bending over to tie one’s shoes without pain (which can feel miraculous after suffering from back pain and stiffness). For another person, improvement might be slimming their waistline, standing with better posture, reducing/eliminating medications, or having more energy and confidence.
While there’s no magic formula for long-term change in health and fitness, I’ve discovered 4 major factors that can help over time (and, if missing, can truly block your progress).
Consistency.
Slow and steady wins the race. Everyone wants instant results, but even a low-energy workout is better than none at all. Consistency over time looks like a daily or several-times-a-week habit over many years. It takes patience and a commitment to play the long game.
Moderation.
While over-exercising may be praised on some societal level, it’s not sustainable over time, and can actually lead to imbalances, injury, or mask other underlying emotional or mental health issues. Moderation is key to anything long-term.
Optimism.
Most of us are conditioned to focus on the negative, what's wrong, missing, or not possible—it’s simply a result of growing up in modern stressful times. But with practice, you can embrace a positive outlook, favoring what IS right, available, and possible with hopeful expectancy.
Accountability.
DIY is great, but when it comes to our physical health, we can do so much more when we lean into the supportive relationships and people in our life. Having good communication, cooperation, and support from one’s partner, family, friends, or co-workers is priceless in the long term. Surround yourself with people who support you, and support them in return.
“When it comes to our physical health, we can do so much more when we lean into the supportive relationships and people in our life.”
As I get older, I see new ways to explore and implement each of these factors and how they impact my overall health and fitness. More importantly, I’ve made peace with my age and have decided not to let it hinder my desire to thrive. It also helps to remember that to age is truly a gift, and so is every day we get to be here.
Ultimately the decision to shape up or shape out in mid-life is up to each of us, but let me say this: You are worth it—and it is worth it to be in the best shape of your life at whatever age you are. When your mind can give a firm YES to changing your fitness and flexibility, you’ll be amazed at what your body is capable of and what possibilities start to open up to you.
Yes, aging is inevitable. But, feeling older, my friend, is a choice. Here’s to making the next year your best year yet.
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