As I age, I’m finding it more difficult to keep muscle mass. It’s been a challenge to keep my physique fit, especially during the years when I was a parent; however, as of roughly six years ago, I was able to shed the extra weight and build a nice healthy body. Approaching 60 years of age I can honestly say I don’t run anymore. I’ve become sort of a gym rat! I’ve always sworn I would never become that, but it’s become apparent that I need to constantly build strength and endurance, if I want to maintain my lifestyle. So, I don’t mind being a bit obsessed with my body and mind.

Along with my fitness journey I’ve worked hard on mental health. I think my generation missed the boat on mental health awareness. We didn’t address early issues, and we had many of them brought over from the previous generation. I’m definitely effected by many traumas, some of which I inflicted upon myself, and others that were out of my control. I’ve learned many coping mechanisms, but more importantly, I’ve developed a system that works for me, and it requires lots of boundaries, ongoing maintenance, nature infusions, peaceful meditation, anti-competitive behaviors toward friends and family, music, art, and most of all, forgiveness. Not allowing myself to act out retribution for what I perceive as wrongs committed against me, by other people, has afforded me the ability to forgive them, and forgive myself, if I assisted in causing some of the afflictions. Forgiveness is therefore the gift wrapping that keeps my mental health intact.

All of this is kept in place by eating a healthy diet and staying away from sugar as much as possible. Yes, I count calories. Honestly, the only way I can strip extra fat is to burn off more calories than I intake. So, I figure out how many calories my body and mind burn in a day, based on my body weight, without exercise, then I eat a balanced daily diet that fits in those parameters. When I work out, 4-5 times a week, I deduct the calories I burn off in the gym. This means I’m constantly staying in a caloric sweet spot. My diet leans more toward natural sources of protein, roughly 100-120 grams per day (here’s a great article source: How Much Protein Should I Eat Based on Age and Weight). The protein includes lean meats, beans, peanuts, tofu, and whey protein. My secret weapon – I eat vegetables with every meal! I don’t skimp on carbs either. I have healthy carbs. I stay away from dairy, coffee, beef, flax seeds, and anything else that makes me feel strange, or effects organ function. Note: I pay extremely close attention to my organ function. If I eat something that effects an organ, I immediately take note and stay away from it. That happens as we age, apparently.

All in all, I eat right, get enough sleep (mostly) and work hard in the gym! I hope that helps someone out there.