We're not fading away.....

Myth or Reality: Do you ever feel like your life is fading away or even worse that it is inevitable since your growing older?

Recently at a party a friend of mine, in her 50s, and I were chatting and she mentioned she was not being taken seriously at her workplace; and humorously remarked, "On top of all of that, no one in the world sees me anymore because I'm an older woman." She was half joking but also part serious. Since then I’ve had a few other’s tell me they had similar feelings and this got me thinking:

Just like my last blog about eyebrows, it’s sad that some of us think we fade away as we age and grow older.

But that’s not how life should be lived. While alive, live. And don’t die until you’re dead.

In a nutshell, that constitutes my philosophy about aging. In my mid-50’s, I choose to pay closer attention to aging well, living life with vitality, zest and happiness.

The art of aging well involves keeping your mind busy, your emotional and social connections vital, your body active (and functioning), your spirit strong & adventurous, your attitude positive, having a sense of joy & gratitude and always retaining a sense wonder. If you don’t do these, you will grow old. (If you do all of these, you will grow old anyway, but more slowly.)

One of the undeniable facts of life is that we are all aging. Many people dread growing old. As we age, we come to terms with the idea that we won’t be around forever, that the days are inevitably passing us by. The good news is - as you grow older, keep in mind that the best is yet to come: opportunities to start over, to let you live out each day as though it were your last.

Listen to what some wise people have said on this subject: “Old age takes away from us what we have inherited and gives us what we have earned,” says Gerald Brenan. “We do not die wholly at our deaths: we have moldered away gradually long before. Faculty after faculty, interest after interest, attachment after attachment disappear: we are torn from ourselves while living,” says William Hazlitt. “I don’t believe one grows older. I think that what happens early on in life is that at a certain age one stands still and stagnates,” said T. S. Eliot. “Do not grow old, no matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the Great Mystery into which we are born,” said Albert Einstein.

So what do you do in order to age well?

1. MAKE THAT BUCKET LIST

Actually, write two lists. One on the theme of what you are optimistic about, and the other about what you still want to accomplish or experience before you die. Don’t just think it, write it down, because it becomes more real when we can see it and refer back to it. You’re going to need these lists in order to keep your spirit high and your focus centered on reaching the goals you have for your future.

2. BE OPTIMISTIC

Separate out what matters from what doesn’t. Don’t spend your time, energy and life force pursuing trivial things that don’t really matter to you all that much. Be disciplined with yourself. You have less time now and you don’t want to waste it. Elbert Hubbard said it this way: “The secret of salvation is this: keep sweet, be useful and keep busy.”

3. HAVE FUN

Do something fun at least once a week. Fun keeps us feeling young.

4. FIND SOMETHING YOU LOVE, AND DO IT

If an active lifestyle is something you can do, then it’s not too late to take up a new hobby — or simply to volunteer.

5. EXERCISE OFTEN

Look carefully at what you could do to improve your health and level of fitness. Try to get in at least an hour of physical activity each day. It doesn’t have to be aerobic and resistance training every day— even a walk through the neighborhood park or a morning spent doing some simple gardening and yard-work is enough to stay active.

Intense cardio activities like running or jogging aren't the only types of movement that may have protective benefits for the heart as we age. Walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, golf and other lifestyle activities will boost your body and your brain. The key is consistency.

There are good reasons for strength training beyond looking good in a bikini - although that is definitely a perk. Strong bodies are linked to strong minds. Strength training builds confidence, muscle, and healthy tissue. It’s also good for stable joints, injury prevention and weight loss. Resistance training is the first line of defense against the loss of muscle mass that occurs with age. The really good news — it's never too late to get started, even if you've never picked up a weight in your life.

6. EAT WELL

Healthy eating is important at any age, but becomes even more so as we reach midlife and beyond. As you age, eating a healthy diet can help to improve mental acuteness, boost your energy levels, and increase your resistance to illness. Eating well can also be the key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced. But healthy eating doesn’t have to be about dieting and sacrifice. Whatever your age, eating well should be all about enjoying fresh, tasty food, wholesome ingredients, and eating in the company of friends and family.

Eating well as you age is about more than just the quality and variety of your food. It’s also about the pleasure of eating, which increases when a meal is shared. Eating with others can be as important as adding vitamins to your diet. A social atmosphere stimulates your mind, makes meals more enjoyable, and can help you stick to your healthy eating plan.

Even if you live alone, you can make healthy meals more pleasurable by: Shopping or cooking with friends which can also give you a chance to catch up without falling behind on your chores. It’s also a great way to share new meal ideas and save money on discount deals like “buy one, get the second half price”.

7. SOCIALIZE

We need friendship and intimate connections with other people. In study after study, people in warm and loving relationships—with spouses, friends, church and/or volunteer groups—are healthier and live longer than those without such social and intimate relationships. Do not underestimate the importance of other people in your life—and pets count also. One way of deepening your relationship with other people is to listen to them, rather than talking about yourself or your own needs and feelings. Another way is to be generous with your time and energy that you offer to others. Sir Arthur Wing Pinero captured it this way: “Those that love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.”

8. GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST

Approximately 8 to 9 hours per night. This can never be too strongly emphasized. All too many adults suffer from a lack of sleep. As we age, we tend to sleep less deeply, the result of the brain producing less melatonin. This is also a possibility for why our sleep cycles change as we age. As is very common as we age and I for one get tired earlier in the evenings and wake up very early in the morning — so setting aside a particular time in the evening to fall asleep is important. In addition to tiredness during the day, sleep deprivation is associated with attention and memory problems.

9. BE GRATEFUL

Find a way to live more in the spirit of appreciation and gratitude for what gifts life has graced you with. Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. In addition, research has shown that giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress. Gratitude will change your life. 

“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

10. REMEMBER THAT IT’S NEVER TOO LATE

You might think that if you haven’t adopted a healthy lifestyle by your mid-20s or early 30s, that there’s probably not much you can do — especially if there’s a risk of long-term illness like cancer or diabetes in your family. Nothing could be further from the truth. Throughout your life, your brain is constantly changing due to its neuroplasticity, always in search of new connections to form. You can start good habits at any point, and turn them into lifelong routines, while enjoying the benefits of eating healthy and regular exercise.

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made.” —Robert Browning

Disappearing eyebrows over 40

Eyebrows are one of a person’s most prominent facial features because of the many functions they perform. They help accentuate the eyes, shape the face, and play a powerful role in communication. 

But as it turns out, gray hairs and crow’s feet aren’t the only thing we have to look forward to as we get older. Our brows can show signs of aging, too. When we blow out our birthday candles each year, our eyebrows age with us too.

Disappearing eyebrows are so gradual you barely even notice it happening,  but the result is weak, skimpy brows that make our faces look undefined, tired and old.

I’ve never been blessed with thick full eyebrows.  But in the last few years around the age of 45, I noticed them thinning and by age 55 they were non-existent. So, I started the quest of researching why and possible solutions.

So, for my research I found out that hormone changes can play a part, and dermatologists believe the same reasons that cause hair loss from the scalp, a common problem for women as they age, may contribute to thinning brows. Abrupt hormone changes can cause sudden hair loss that recovers over about six months' time. It happens postpartum to many women and can happen at menopause as well.

Eyebrow hair loss is also a common symptom of thyroid deficiency. If you’re losing hair from your brows, making an appointment with your doctor to get your thyroid checked might be a good place to start.

Sparse brows could also be caused be a nutritional deficiency—though that’s not usually a problem if you eat a relatively healthy, consistent diet. In addition to hormone fluctuations, this type of hair loss happens when there is a drastic dip in protein in the diet or sudden weight loss. For example, if you are sick and can only consume liquids for a month.

Although I rarely ever plucked my eyebrows growing up, it turns out thinning eyebrows can be a result of too much tweezing or waxing earlier in life. If the hair follicles suffer trauma and die out as a result, a permanent thinning of the eyebrows can occur. So ladies, if you do wax or pluck try to go as long as possible in between waxing appointments, or completely give up the habit.

Genetics may also dictate the age you’ll start to notice a change to your brows (if at all). That may be out of your hands, but you can still take action going forward to make sure your eyebrows look exactly how you want them to.

So what’s a 40+ gal to do about disappearing eyebrows and bring her face back to life?   Well you could pencil them in. There are certainly a ton of products on the market and online tutorials. It takes about 10 to 20 minutes on average to do this but honestly it’s not how I like to spend my time, and time is a valuable resource. And, although on special occasions, I will take the extra time to shoot for a more polished look by applying more make-up, I typically don’t as I like to focus more on skincare than make-up.

After many discussions with friends and colleagues, extensive research and debate, I decided to give microblading a try for a more permanent solution. Microblading is a semi permanent way to fill in brows that looks more natural than permanent makeup or tattooing. Microblading differs from tattooing and the traditional form of permanent makeup in that it is typically done by hand versus a machine and doesn’t go as deep into the skin. In the past, tattooing and traditional permanent makeup usually resulted in a solid line and the color could change significantly with time.

As several people were considered, I decided to go with Whitney at Tattoo Icons located in Perryvile, MD as she was highly recommended for her artistry as a tattooer and microblade stylist. The first time I met with Whitney was just a initial consultation. I'm not going to lie, I was kind of nervous about the whole semi-permanent part of this procedure but at the beginning of my appointment, Whitney reassured me that'd she'd draw in my brows first to make sure I was into them. She put me at ease and I knew I was in good hands.

Whitney discussed the eyebrow shape that will be drawn on. While you can bring in pictures like a haircut, Whitney says that in order to create a true natural-looking brow, she likes to follow the direction of the natural brow hairs and takes into consideration the client's face symmetry and age. She also consulted me on the pigment of the ink, which she explained is chosen based off of the natural color of the brow hairs and the skin's undertone.  Whitney answered all my questions and we set a date to come back for the procedure.

Upon arriving back for the first go round, Whitney sanitized and numbed the area. Then, she moved onto drawing the strokes in using the microblading pen, which can take anywhere from 30-40 minutes, depending on the eyebrow area. After the eyebrows were finished, she applied an aftercare ointment to help healing and a follow-up appointment was scheduled for five weeks later.  The whole process took about an hour to complete.

Touch ups are recommended around 5 weeks to tweak the appearance after the microblading has healed and lightened. Since my eyebrows were so sparse, it took 3 separate touch-up attempts to get my final result, all of which were included in the initial price. I started getting worried that my eyebrows were never going to come in. Whitney assured me that microblading is a process and I needed to trust the process. It would take time since my eyebrows were so sparse to start with and there was nothing there to hold the pigment in place. And in the end she was right. I now have have eyebrows. It just took a little longer in my case. So ladies, would I recommend microblading? You bet. I am thrilled with the result.

Touch ups are also recommended about once a year after the end-result. Microblading normally costs between $300 and $1,000, and the results should last for one to three years. Your natural brow hair will continue to grow, but you likely won’t need to get waxed as often.

The cool thing about microblading that I learned from Whitney is that you can have zero brows, blonde ultra-faint brows, no brows - like me, or just need a little help filling your arches, all can be enhanced while creating the appearance of naturally full brows. And the other cool thing is now that I’ve got natural eyebrows it’s much easier to fill and shape them into better more fuller brows on special occasions or nights out, when I want to dress up or want a more dramatic look.

How to Stay Healthy During Your Spring Break Travel

You want to relax and enjoy yourself during a vacation, but that can sometimes include unhealthy behavior. It can be difficult to maintain a fitness routine while you're away and while travel is good for the soul, oftentimes, it’s not good for the waistline. This spring, if you’re planning to get away, here’s a few tips to stay healthy, happy and feeling good while you’re out seeing the world.

Don't Participate in the Starve-Binge Cycle

Before a big vacation, it's normal to be a bit more conscious of your food intake, but steer clear of any crash diets. Not only will you be exhausted come departure day, but you'll also be more likely to overindulge during the trip. Even worse? When you're back to the normal routine, those pounds will creep back quickly — and then some — as your metabolism tries to adjust. A better idea: learn how to lose a pound a week, since going about weight loss the right way gives you a better chance of keeping it off for good.

Don't Skimp on Sleep

Superlate nights can be a blast, but aim for a bit of balance while you're away. Try to get a solid eight hours each night so that you have plenty of energy to do everything you planned throughout the day. Even though it’s tempting to skimp on sleep while you’re away to do more, know that sleep is absolutely essential for keeping you well — and when your body is already compromised from the stress of travel, taking some steps to ensure you get adequate quality sleep is a non-negotiable. The recovery of sleep helps your immune system, energy levels, metabolism and so much more. A lack of shuteye means you're more likely to get sick by the time you get home, and you shouldn't need a vacation from your vacation.

Eat as much fruit and veggies as you can at every meal.

Fruits and veggies are not only hydrating, but they are also full of minerals and antioxidants that can serve as anti-inflammatories naturally in your body while you travel. Pick up bananas and berries with breakfast; apples for snacks; spinach, tomatoes and peppers with lunch; and any veggie you can get your hands on with your dinner. A great way to get a lot of veggies in one sitting is with a big entree salad for lunch every day, and perhaps even a veggie and fruit-based smoothie for breakfast too.

Walk everywhere and choose walking over riding.

When you’re away from home, it can be tempting to pay for Uber rides and cabs to get you to your destination, however, if you opt for the walking option — you’ll be saving money and burning calories too. Leave time in your schedule to walk to restaurants or museums, and you’ll have the added benefit of soaking up fresh air, precious natural vitamin D (don’t forget your sunscreen) and perhaps even some greenery from trees and plants. Aim for 12,000 steps a day while you’re on vacation instead of your usual 10,000 goal, and that will give you something to work toward in a fun way.

Get fresh air every single morning and ground your feet.

What’s a great way to start the day? Being outside! If you’re away on a trip, it’s so beneficial to start every morning by getting your bare feet on the ground outdoors and breathing in the fresh air. This is sometimes called ‘grounding’ and  when you do this, your body is positively affected in many ways. Our bodies make their own electricity, and when you travel or are stressed or ill, your internal electrical balance can be thrown off. Making contact directly with the earth through your feet can regulate that electrical imbalance and bring you back to a neutral state. Grounding is said to help with bone health, improve your sleep, reduce inflammation and much more. And you can get the whole family involved in this one by taking a barefoot walk on the beach or (something about being barefoot in the grass?).

Choose active ways to see the sights.

Instead of riding a double-decker bus around a new city, why not sign up for a walking tour or biking tour? If you’re more of an independent traveler, you can also set out on foot for a nice jog along the waterfront or downtown area to get the lay of the land when you arrive at your destination. Renting kayaks. Hiking. These are also active activities that will give you valuable exercise while you’re having a good time too.

Don't Skip Meals

Spending the day in your bikini may leave you tempted to skip meals, but don't go there. For one thing, it's a vacation, so you should be enjoying yourself — and the local fare. Plus, going hungry is sure to put you in a bad mood, and you deserve to have a sunny outlook while you're away.

Dine out wisely but enjoy yourself.

Don't Give Yourself a Free Pass on Calories. You may wish calories didn't count on vacation, but the fact is, they do. It’s totally okay to try the local cuisine and have treats here and there and eat out as well, but the key is to mostly fill up on quality food and leave those indulgences as an extra only. That burger and fries may sound like the perfect poolside meal, but do your body a favor and nourish it with vitamin-rich foods that will provide enough energy to get you through all the extra vacation excitement. If you are fueling your body properly with a lot of fruits and veggies and lean protein, then you won’t have as much room for the hot dogs, ice cream sundaes or sugary cocktails. Each day, know which treat you are most looking forward to and try to eat mostly healthy for your other meals. And when you dine out, no need to fill up on bread that’s not worth it to you — ask the waiter to hold the bread, sip lots of water and focus mostly on enjoying the company of those you are traveling with, rather than putting all of your attention on your food.

Don't Explore Unfamiliar Areas Solo

If you're traveling to a new spot, chances are you'll be eager to get out and explore. Still, it's smart to educate yourself on the area by talking to the hotel concierge or doing a bit of research beforehand. Keep safety in mind and avoid wandering off alone unless you're sure that it's a secure area. Love to hike? Learn which trails are monitored, or consider a guided tour instead.

Don't Ditch Your Exercise Routine

Dodge any possible excuses by packing plenty of exercise gear to get you through your trip. By sticking to your regular workout routine, you'll maintain the progress you've already made and feel better about any unhealthy choices that you make throughout the trip.

Let me help you:

I can give you workouts to do on the road, stay on track and keep getting stronger, even while having fun on vacation. If you know you’ll be gone for an extended amount of time, I can come up with a few short and effective workouts — designed just for you — that you can do using minimal equipment in your hotel room or in the hotel gym. In addition, I can also arm you with some meal advice and nutrition tips to keep you feeling great, wherever you are.

What's age got to do with it

People slow down with age…you can only learn new things when you’re young…it’s time to rest now. Which of these statements is true? None!

Now, You can bungee jump at 70, quit your job at 20, get married after 50, be friends with people double/half your age... We live in a society where age is not any number, anymore

Can you imagine a world where everyone is of the same age? And that age isn't a number. It's a state of mind. Well, that world is right here, right now. You may be 16 or 60, but in today's world, your thought process can be on the same plane, and you could be doing the same things - go to gyms, nightclubs, travel, take dance lessons etc. There's no restriction anymore on how one should think or act, depending on his or her physical age. You can be 50, find your soulmate and tie the knot. You can be 23, chuck your 9am-5pm corporate life to pursue your passion; something that was unimaginable a decade ago. In short, we have matured, and gotten younger at the same time.

From my discoveries, I've learned that the mind doesn't age like the body.  In the mind, everybody is as old as they feel and age is nothing but a number - it's a mindset.  I try not to think about my age.  In order for me to feel young, I like experimenting with new things and remaining active. It makes my life worth living.

At fifty four (54), almost 55 I try not to think about my age  but am blown away by how fast time has gone.  I can remember my parents being fifty and never imagined I would be in the exact same spot…HERE IT IS…weird!  As I get older and wiser, I really appreciate the GIFT of time, and soak in every moment.  In a blink, sixty will be here and I do not want to miss a thing!

I now live by how I feel, and really age is an afterthought or a non thought.  What has come from the years of my journey in this life physically are the battle scars, facial laugh lines, and the pesky lines that have appeared on my forehead…but hey…goes with the gift of living another day.   I do not desire to be like someone else or try to be perfect, because perfection only exists in fairy tales, photo shop and heaven.  I believe in progress and I am always a work in progress…it is really a GREAT place to be at any age.   

Life is about quality and keeping the body functioning in a healthy way, feeling your best each day, and YES that involves CONSISTENT healthy food intake, exercise, plenty of water, and I have noticed…lots more REST is required.  There are some days that I feel every bit fifty four when my neck flares up, or my back hurts, etc.,  and that is when I take special care to relax more, stretch more, and not push so hard.  My body just like yours is a wonderful machine that talks to me and if I do not listen, then it will eventually let me know.  I appreciate the gift of my body, and will spend the rest of my life taking care and appreciating that fact.

I exercise and eat healthy yes, and it does feel GREAT to be healthy and wear that badge on the outside, but it all starts on the inside. HAPPINESS is what we want out of life, in addition to being healthy, if we do not work on the internal stuff, then life would not make sense.   If the inside is a mess and an unhealthy mind lives in the body, that is ugly, regardless of the age.  It's like someone having all the money in the world and being completely unhappy and unfulfilled.  In my opinion, health and happiness go hand in hand. 

I consider getting older a privilege and honor. I have lived a journey full of the good, bad, and the ugly and consider all the roller coasters as growth periods that have created an older, wiser, better, happier ME.  I like that phrase that says “In order to get built up, you must first get broke down” just like building muscle, life is my opportunity to grow, learn, change, and reach for the positive lesson.  I must say that I am a very blessed woman with my hubby, health, family and friends.  In living a healthy lifestyle, thinking and reacting in healthy ways, God has truly blessed me with the husband that I have, my family and beautiful friends that nourish my soul in ways that are gifts themselves.

I honestly believe that no matter our age, most of us want to be the healthiest, energetic and vibrant as we can possibly be.  Though it takes effort and doesn't happen by chance, you can live your healthiest and happiest life.  I have a lot of living left to do, but today at the age of 54, I've experienced a lot of what most women are going through or going to go through, and I've come through it feeling fabulous.

Life is short.  So, as long as I am able, I want to continue to live each day with passion and excitement while looking forward to new adventures in this incredible but brief time we have on this sides of heaven's journey.
 

Keep the body movin'

Sir Isaac Newton proposed his First Law of Motion, the law of inertia, in 1687: A body at rest tends to remain at rest. A body in motion tends to stay in motion. Bodies will continue in their current state, whether at rest or in motion, unless acted on by a greater outside force.

The link between exercise and good health is a strong one. Still, many people -- particularly older adults -- find it difficult to take part in formal exercises, and become less physically active over time.

"You MUST keep moving as you get older to keep moving as you get older"

"Move it or lose it"

Many people wonder why they are hurting and then they tell me that they sit at a desk for 8 or more hours per day.

The human body is designed to move.  It is a perfect motion machine that has been engineered perfectly to run and jump and hunt and gather and to work very physically from a young age just to survive.  But wait a minute, we humans haven't really done that stuff regularly since before the industrial revolution.  So, what does that mean for our health in a modern age?

We’ve become a sedentary society.  It’s easier not to move.  Modern living does not provide enough motion and most importantly, enough of the proper motion to keep the body fully fit, functional and pain free.

Scientists are discovering that if you keep moving, you can enjoy health benefits throughout your life, especially later on.

According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, people over 60 who stayed active in their everyday lives --  such as gardening and taking care of their car -- even without participating in a formal exercise program -- had a lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome which can lead to diabetes, heart disease or heart attack, and even death.

This  study showed that participants' waistlines were trimmer and their cholesterol was lower. The men in particular also had lower levels of insulin and blood sugar.

Being active on a regular basis also benefits everyday living. It can help you fall asleep faster, be more energized during the day, and boost concentration -- all of which make work and play much more satisfying.

If you want to move well when you are older, you must keep your body moving well as you age. Life is motion. When we stop moving, we stop living, which is why staying active is the number one desire of people as they age. When you talk to healthy people over 80, they will almost unanimously say their secret is "keeping active." Motion is vital for health and aging well.

So, if you've slowly turned into a couch potato, it's time to get up and get moving. You'll have a happier outlook and greater quality of life.  

Even if you have a physical condition, like arthritis, that makes it harder to get off the sofa? Physical activity will actually help with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It's OK to start slowly and add movement as you get more comfortable.  But, be consistent and, over time, you'll have less pain and move more easily.

So start moving in ways that you were designed to move. Try doing one or two of these things everyday:

• Stand up as much as possible.
• If possible to self-propel yourself to where you are going, do it -- walk, bike, skateboard, etc...
• Get up every 30-45 minutes and stretch your back or hips or do some squats.
• After you do that, walk around for a few minutes (this has NOTHING to do with burning calories by the way -- you just need to move).
• Take the stairs.
• Carry your groceries to the car instead of using the cart (if possible).
• Squat a few times a day (or when you go to the bathroom).
• Walk as much as possible.
• Foam roll while you watch TV or read.
• Take your shoes off at your office and roll your feet on a PVC pipe or on a golf ball.
• Keep a lacrosse ball in your car and roll out your back, glutes, hamstrings and shoulders during your  commute.
• Hang from something a few times a day.
• Get down on the ground a few times a day -- then get back up using your own power.
• Sit on the floor while you eat a meal (helps you get hips through different ranges of motion)
• Don't slouch.

Even if you spend two hours lifting heavy weights in the gym, it will still benefit you to move around as much as possible during the time you're not in the gym.  If you exercise vigorously for an hour or more every day but then you sit on your butt for the next 8-10 hours, you are almost equally susceptible to the same health risks as a sedentary person who sits for long periods of time.  I know, it doesn't seem right some how….but it's true.

We all need to make a conscious effort to spend more time on our feet moving as we were designed.

Assess your daily routines and look for opportunities where you can be active.

In fact, right now as you are reading this….get up and move around and stretch for a few minutes.  Your body will be healthier and happier for it.  

Reba