Now that I'm in my 40s, the conversations at social gatherings somehow always eventually turn to health: how some of us are struggling with weight or illness, the cost of maintenance meds, who among our friends got surgery to remove this or that organ, and so forth. It's as if getting older automatically equates to getting sick and losing the energy and vibrancy that we had in our youth.
But are we all destined to be sick and tired as we get older?
I don't know what the future holds, but for as long as I can help it, I want to be free of chronic illness, to enjoy life, to dance, be productive, and to continue going on crazy adventures with my family as I always have. I want to be as fit as Madonna when I'm 60 and still be active in my 70s and beyond. I truly believe it can be done.
A few months ago I signed up for a Spartan Sprint: the first in the Philippines. In the days leading up to race day in September, butterflies in my stomach would flutter every time I thought about the obstacles, and my husband Dex would turn to me every now and then and say, "Remind me again... why are we doing this?"
My answer was: because we can. And I think it's important to celebrate the fact that we are strong, healthy and ABLE to do something as physically challenging as this. Throughout the millennial-dominated event, it felt good to know I could still hold my own. In fact, it's possible that 20-year old me would not have been able to finish a Spartan Sprint in one piece.
Nope, your 40s and 50s are NOT the time to throw in the towel and give up on being strong and healthy. We're too young for that. It's not too late to turn things around.
You CAN get older without getting old. And if you, dear reader, want in, then feel free to reach out, sign up for coaching, or simply subscribe to this blog if you find value in the information I'm sharing. It's not too late to get started on the road back to health. Kaya yan!