Notice that I did not say body image. One of the beautiful things about getting older is that I’m generally quite comfortable with my appearance and don’t really give a f$%^ what others think.
What I’m struggling with are some of the changes that are going on in my body. Some I didn’t expect this early, some I never expected at all.
Who turned the heat up??? I haven’t started getting hot flashes during the day yet, but some nights I wake up way overheated. And it’s not a “flash”. It can take me quite a while to cool down. I don’t mind it too much in the winter when any extra warmth is a good thing, but I’m pretty sure I’d freeze my family out if I put the thermostat where I’d like it this summer.
My cup floweth over. I’m struggling a little bit with weight gain and most of it has gone to my boobs and thighs. I’ve never really had this much cleavage since I got past the pregnancy and breast feeding days. Pretty soon I may need to actually invest in running bras that aren’t the simple “smash ’em flat” types from Target and Old Navy.
Everything hurts and I’m dying. OK, I’m happy that I’m not actually injured, but on most runs, the aches and pains are there, whispering at me. No one part hurts regularly. It’s more like every part of my body needs to put in a quick complaint about the fact that I’m running. I’ve been spending way more time with my foam roller and I actually warm up before I run now, something I NEVER did in my 30s.
Is it naptime yet? I haven’t napped regularly since college. Lately, my body has been craving a little shut eye mid day. Some days I also find myself dozing on the couch at 7pm. Who is this person who needs more sleep than the 6-7 hours I’ve been getting for the last 40 some years? I was really good at getting to bed at a reasonable time for a while, but I’ve been slacking. (And the bonus of summer is I don’t have to get up until 7am unless I’m running a long run.)
Is it my day off yet? I have always been really good at juggling a lot of things. In fact, I generally thrive on chaos and a too long to do list. Lately, I find myself needing to make more time for relaxation or I get hit with wicked insomnia or anxiety dreams. Thankfully, I have the flexibility in my life to step back a bit when I need to. I’m also learning to prioritize the things that matter to me. I’ve always tried to keep margins, but now I really need them.
Thankfully, I’m generally healthy and happy and we are fully into summer break now, which is a much less scheduled time in our family. I am moving along on my 50K training despite not being a summer runner. (Will I never learn???) I’m up to 14 miles, with 16 miles on the plan for this week. Since my only goal is to not get picked up by the bus, I’m trying to go easy on myself and train smart. All in all, life is pretty good and I’m happy to be running strong as I get closer and closer to the big 5-0.
I have many of the same issues right now. For someone who already had a large bra size, feeling them get bigger is not fun. Definitely takes me more time to recover from hard workouts. I just keep reminding myself that it would be way worse if I did not exercise everyday
Yeah, recovery takes so much longer now! And I don’t even know what to do with the girls. I don’t have experience with this LOL.
OMG! This is exactly where I am right now! I’m glad I am not the only one… we will get to the other side someday’😂
Glad I’m not alone LOL
The body changes as we age are not fun, although I do not gain weight in my boobs. Still quite small there. I wouldn’t mind a little extra (and I’m sure Mr. Judy would enjoy it) if it wouldn’t droop!
I’m getting close to 60 . . . it keeps getting more fun. And my older friends would say the same thing to me!
I feel like I’m always ready for a nap now! I’m not sure if it’s being 41 or my fibro. Maybe both? And yes, I sweat a lot now too. LOL!
Naps happen nearly daily now. So weird.
I’m a ^bit^ older but dealing with some of the same issues. Relatively mild hot flashes and night sweats, but still uncomfortable and fatigue! I haven’t been a napper in decades, but now the struggle to stay awake on weekends is real! Still we soldier on!
I just want my body to remember that it likes to run nearly everyday instead of complaining when I run 4 days a week LOL.
Well, as you know, I have MCM on my agenda 😉 I had to laugh at your comment on sleep and napping. I thrive on less sleep than most (I’m lucky if I get 6 hours, usually 5- 51/2 is sufficient), and if I should take a nap? ha! I’ll get even less sleep when I actually turn out the lights.Last Friday night, I was watching tv with the hubby and thought I’d close my eyes for a quick 10-minutes…and wok up six hours later, and 1:30 a.m. That was like a full night’s sleep before officially getting in bed LOL
I never used to need more than 6 hours. I seem to need more and more each year now, sigh.
And wait until the 60s. Ha ha.
Sagging skin. Oh my.
Preach! I’m a decade ahead of you and have been struggling mightily with all of the above. Plus running is HARD! All I can say is that you have to keep on keeping on. Slowing down hasn’t been easy but it sure beats sitting on the couch. And every once in a while, you have a run that makes you feel young again. Strength training has been a win. And so has cutting my hours at work…
I know – the feeling of a run that does not have aches and pains is AMAZING!
Nap happy hours. YES
Can we please reclaim all the naps we never wanted?
My mom tried to call the other day and I said I’d been napping. She was concerned I didn’t feel well. Nope, just beat down after a long week
Maybe I have cleavahe to look forward to in the next decade