The Changes I Didn’t Expect After 50

Life Changed Faster Than I Expected

We all go through changes in our lives, but for me, after 50, they’ve come quickly and have been very different, starting with my health, changes in my skin, appetite, wrinkles, fatigue, hot flashes, stress, and more. If you’re not someone who has always exercised, eaten healthy, and led a disciplined life, these changes can come somewhat harshly.

I don’t understand why I’m always tired and without the desire to do anything. I plan my week, even my month, and I have every intention of doing everything I’ve planned, but when the moment arrives, I don’t do it. I look for excuses not to do it, or I simply don’t do it, which is one reason why I stopped writing for my blog.

My health is good, thank God, with a few exceptions, such as my thyroid condition, which I’ve had for almost 20 years. I take medication for it daily, and it has remained stable.

The years do not pass in vain, and I’ve started noticing changes in my body and skin. I’ve been looking for information to help me with these issues and feel better. I’m slowly making some changes, and I know the process will be slow. I need patience and a lot of discipline to see results. For example, it takes me weeks to lose 5 pounds, but I can gain them back in a day.

The Biggest Changes I’ve Experienced

Overall, the changes I’ve seen are:

• Overweight
• High cholesterol
• Knee and body pain
• Hot flashes
• Lack of energy
• Changes in my body, including sagging skin, wrinkles, and dark spots
• Vision changes

My Weight Loss Journey

I know that improving my weight will have positive effects on my high cholesterol, pain in different parts of my body, and daily fatigue.

I’m a 53-year-old woman, 5’0” tall, and I weigh 145 pounds. I’m supposed to weigh 117 pounds, which means I am 28 pounds overweight. I don’t see that as realistic, but to feel and look better, I had to make some changes in my diet to reach my goal. My goal is to weigh between 125 and 129 pounds, no more and no less, and I’m working on it. I reached 159 pounds, which is the most I’ve ever weighed, even more than when I was pregnant.

Some of the things I’m doing are:

• Drinking plenty of water is essential. In my situation, I need to drink 2.3 liters, or about 9 glasses of water, each day.
• I exercise five times a week for one hour: 40 minutes of weight training, which helps build muscle and prevent sagging skin (highly recommended at my age), and 20 minutes of cardio. I also walk three times a week for 30 minutes during my lunch break on the days I work in the office.
• I maintain a calorie deficit of 1,200 calories, or 1,350 calories on the days I work out.
• I eat a low-calorie diet with more protein, fewer carbohydrates, and more vegetables and fruits. I eat three main meals a day and two snacks.
• I follow a 16/8 intermittent fasting program, which means fasting for 16 hours and eating only during an 8-hour window. In my case, I eat breakfast at 10:00 a.m., lunch at 1:30 p.m., and dinner at 5:00 p.m. After 6:00 p.m., I don’t eat anything until the next day.
• I don’t drink soda or sugary drinks, and I try not to drink alcohol. I only drink it on special occasions.
• I try not to consume sugar. This is very difficult for me because I love sweets, chocolate, desserts, and just about everything that contains sugar.

Caring for My Skin and Body

I believe it’s a blessing to age instead of saying, “I’m getting old.” Not everyone has this privilege, but there are a few things we can do to help ourselves.

I started noticing changes in my close-up vision. I don’t need glasses to read books or use the computer, but I think I do need them when using my cell phone to read very small text, nothing that a pair of glasses can’t solve.

Other changes include wrinkles on my face, expression lines, crow’s feet around my eyes, wrinkles on my neck, forehead, and hands. The skin on my body is looser, I have cellulite, and my hair doesn’t grow as fast as it used to. I’m even losing hair in my eyebrows.

Some of the things I’m doing to help myself are:

• I take vitamins daily.
• I consume collagen once a day, dissolved in my morning coffee.
• I drink a protein shake after exercising.
• I get facial massages four times a week.
• I do lymphatic drainage massages on my body three times a week. I do this myself at home.
• I use products that help me, such as collagen peptides, retinol creams, and anti-wrinkle creams. The brand isn’t as important as consistency.
• I use sunscreen on my face and body, even on cloudy days.
• Drinking plenty of water is important for maintaining healthy, hydrated skin.
• One thing I do to help my glutes and legs is perform 25 squats every time I use the bathroom at work. I’ve been doing this for years, and I don’t even think about it anymore because it has become a habit.

Taking Care of My Mind

I also do things to help my mind relax, such as reading my Bible weekly, reading books (I’m working on reading one book a month), and writing in my notebooks. I write about different topics, such as my goals, my family, and my routines. I really enjoy scrapbooking; it relaxes me, makes me feel good, and I enjoy it a lot. I also plan my week and the things I want to do at home, such as cleaning, getting rid of things I no longer need, seasonal decorating, and more.

Discipline Matters More Than Motivation

Even though I plan almost everything in my life, sometimes it’s hard to stay focused, but it’s not impossible. I go back to my plan and then I do it. There are days when I don’t feel motivated or I’m tired, and I don’t exercise, I break my diet, or I don’t read or write. This is normal. If you’re going through this too, it’s not a reason to give up. Just make a new plan and keep going. I’m working on my discipline, and I try to do things because I have to, not because I’m motivated.

If you share a similar journey or have any comments, let me know below.