We got a situation!
We got a situation!
Forty-one year old woman...two kids...career...husband (that acts like a child...just kidding!)...and now it seems as though, all of a sudden, some unwanted physical changes are happening.
"My hormones must be changing."
"My metabolism must be slowing."
Could it be hormonal changes? Possibly. Is your metabolism slowing down? Probably not (this really isn't significant till after the age of 60).
Many times, in situations like this, we like to search for extreme answers as to why things are changing. However, I've observed that the 41 year old mom with 2 young kids, career, PTA, and everything else that comes along with all of this creates a stage of life that's busier than any other.
In this season of life so much is going on that YOU are put on the back burner, which means your health, weight loss, strength. and general well-being may suffer.
It's obviously not on purpose. The focus and busyness of kids, family, career and other events involving friends in the same boat is most likely precipitating this unwanted change. It's a lifestyle that makes change harder.
Time is a commodity, your food environment offers many more temptations, and the mindset isn't about you.
So how do you manage all this and still take care of yourself?
My advice: Be selfish! Yep, you read that correctly. Selfish doesn't mean neglectful. But it does mean that boundaries need to be established and you must carve out time for yourself and rely upon discipline (because motivation isn't going to cut it when you only have some much energy and bandwidth to give).
If you only have 30 minutes, 3x/week to walk or strength train, then make it non-negotiable. Or, if you need 15 minutes to get your lunch ready for the next day, the load of laundry can wait a few minutes, or ideally, be delegated to someone else in the household (I’m not going to name names).
No doubt, it's a difficult stage of life to care for yourself, but it can happen by moving YOURSELF up your own list of priorities.
As always,
GIVE YOUR BODY WHAT IT NEEDS, WHEN IT NEEDS IT.
Confused on where to start?
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