Thank you for this brave post, Aransas. I didn't think I would be in menopause already at 46 and with low bone density. Strong over skinny is one of my mantras. I don't want osteoporosis like my grandmother and mother. Cheers to the dumbbells and hulking out. (I love this)
Same on all fronts, pal. My amazing grandma, her mother, and her grandmother all had osteoporosis. I'd like to live a long life, but mostly I want to live a quality life, and that means taking good care of my future 90-year-old. So grateful to be on this ride with you.
I hear ya, Aransas. Yes, I want to get up and down off the toilet with ease and no help! Goals in my 90s...and keep running. :) I'm so grateful for you.
Thanks for tackling this Aransas! Those questions just get stickier (as do the pounds!) as we get older. I like the notion of “chasing strong like we used to chase skinny”.
That line came from the brilliant Dr. Dolores Zumbado, who was on the panel with me. She said it so simply, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since!
Wow was it nice to read about someone else who is grappling with a middle age body. The muscle tone is going down - everywhere! ! I'm not bothered to the point of considering cosmetic surgery, so the doctor advise of "chase strong" is helpful. I'm in my late 50s. I eagerly read AARP articles about health issues that crept in (blood pressure, cholesterol, gum health, heart issue for women fun, fun, fun) Now my anxiety is about aging (Is that a cyst?) It has taken the place of wanting to look hot naked. :)
It has taken the place of wanting to look hot naked' — CJ, you just made me laugh out loud. And honestly, that might be its own kind of liberation? Anxiety is no fun, but at least we've graduated to worrying about things that are actually trying to kill us.
I have been thinking of this post all morning and just being grateful to the universe for the timeliness of it. I also joined WW when I was 22, and for DECADES (😬) it worked when I worked it. Until it didn’t. Or maybe my brain & my body said nope! Those rules, that deficit mind set are not for you anymore. I also think about all those beautiful older women who came week after week after week and ask myself do I want to be here still in 15-20 years? Not judging the community, just the struggle. I digress. I love the mindset of chasing strong like you used to chase skinny. Dr. Mary Claire Haver said the same thing - strong, not skinny. I thought that was my new mantra, but realized that my actions were not aligned with my intentions. So, the scale(s) are in the closet. I’m focusing on protein, fiber, water, & sleep, and this week’s workouts are set. Acceptance and feeling safe in my softer, but growing stronger body is a daily practice. THANK YOU! This meant the world to read today. 💚
I am so damn grateful that we are all having this conversation together instead of just inside our busy little brains that have been programmed by all sorts of faulty logic. It actually makes me feel super hopeful that we will come through it with some new core rules for the game, ones that we believe in our bones, and not just in our brains. Huge hugs to you. I'm so grateful to be in the mess of it together.
A few years ago, I decided to love myself no matter what size I was. I didn’t want to be like my mom, constantly complaining about my body or depriving myself my whole life. That decision felt so freeing.
Two years ago, I made another choice. I stopped caring what I look like in photos. When someone takes a picture and asks if I want to check it… nope, I’m good.
It’s surprisingly freeing.
And honestly, I think I look better in photos now.
I love this so much, Kristy: you gorgeous woman, you. I think having that clear image of what we don't want to be/become is a really smart strategy here. I don't want my body's shape or size to drain any of my precious energy. There are so many more fun, empowering, and important things to think about.
I love thinking “my big, bold, beautiful (and strong) era!” Let’s goooo! So much wisdom here, Aransas! Echoing some of the others, I’m grappling too, but I love tapping into the other quintessentially feminine traits: collaboration, connection and communication. Thank you for creating this community. We got this!!!
THE Dolores Zumbado, friends! ⬆️ This is the brilliant doctor who said 'chase strong like you used to chase skinny' on that panel and rewired my brain. The fact that you're also tapping into collaboration, connection, and communication as part of the equation makes me adore you even more. Thank you for the wisdom and for showing up here!
Thank you for this brave post, Aransas. I didn't think I would be in menopause already at 46 and with low bone density. Strong over skinny is one of my mantras. I don't want osteoporosis like my grandmother and mother. Cheers to the dumbbells and hulking out. (I love this)
Same on all fronts, pal. My amazing grandma, her mother, and her grandmother all had osteoporosis. I'd like to live a long life, but mostly I want to live a quality life, and that means taking good care of my future 90-year-old. So grateful to be on this ride with you.
I hear ya, Aransas. Yes, I want to get up and down off the toilet with ease and no help! Goals in my 90s...and keep running. :) I'm so grateful for you.
Thanks for tackling this Aransas! Those questions just get stickier (as do the pounds!) as we get older. I like the notion of “chasing strong like we used to chase skinny”.
That line came from the brilliant Dr. Dolores Zumbado, who was on the panel with me. She said it so simply, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since!
Wow was it nice to read about someone else who is grappling with a middle age body. The muscle tone is going down - everywhere! ! I'm not bothered to the point of considering cosmetic surgery, so the doctor advise of "chase strong" is helpful. I'm in my late 50s. I eagerly read AARP articles about health issues that crept in (blood pressure, cholesterol, gum health, heart issue for women fun, fun, fun) Now my anxiety is about aging (Is that a cyst?) It has taken the place of wanting to look hot naked. :)
It has taken the place of wanting to look hot naked' — CJ, you just made me laugh out loud. And honestly, that might be its own kind of liberation? Anxiety is no fun, but at least we've graduated to worrying about things that are actually trying to kill us.
I have been thinking of this post all morning and just being grateful to the universe for the timeliness of it. I also joined WW when I was 22, and for DECADES (😬) it worked when I worked it. Until it didn’t. Or maybe my brain & my body said nope! Those rules, that deficit mind set are not for you anymore. I also think about all those beautiful older women who came week after week after week and ask myself do I want to be here still in 15-20 years? Not judging the community, just the struggle. I digress. I love the mindset of chasing strong like you used to chase skinny. Dr. Mary Claire Haver said the same thing - strong, not skinny. I thought that was my new mantra, but realized that my actions were not aligned with my intentions. So, the scale(s) are in the closet. I’m focusing on protein, fiber, water, & sleep, and this week’s workouts are set. Acceptance and feeling safe in my softer, but growing stronger body is a daily practice. THANK YOU! This meant the world to read today. 💚
I am so damn grateful that we are all having this conversation together instead of just inside our busy little brains that have been programmed by all sorts of faulty logic. It actually makes me feel super hopeful that we will come through it with some new core rules for the game, ones that we believe in our bones, and not just in our brains. Huge hugs to you. I'm so grateful to be in the mess of it together.
Hugs right back! 💚
Such an important post - thank you for writing and sharing!
A few years ago, I decided to love myself no matter what size I was. I didn’t want to be like my mom, constantly complaining about my body or depriving myself my whole life. That decision felt so freeing.
Two years ago, I made another choice. I stopped caring what I look like in photos. When someone takes a picture and asks if I want to check it… nope, I’m good.
It’s surprisingly freeing.
And honestly, I think I look better in photos now.
-KJ
I love this so much, Kristy: you gorgeous woman, you. I think having that clear image of what we don't want to be/become is a really smart strategy here. I don't want my body's shape or size to drain any of my precious energy. There are so many more fun, empowering, and important things to think about.
I love thinking “my big, bold, beautiful (and strong) era!” Let’s goooo! So much wisdom here, Aransas! Echoing some of the others, I’m grappling too, but I love tapping into the other quintessentially feminine traits: collaboration, connection and communication. Thank you for creating this community. We got this!!!
THE Dolores Zumbado, friends! ⬆️ This is the brilliant doctor who said 'chase strong like you used to chase skinny' on that panel and rewired my brain. The fact that you're also tapping into collaboration, connection, and communication as part of the equation makes me adore you even more. Thank you for the wisdom and for showing up here!