Monday, September 11, 2006

The Joy and Pain of Middle Age

If you're a woman who was born between 1946 and 1964, you’re considered a baby boomer. So what does that mean? It means, you are now journeying into a new phase of life. It means when you look in the mirror these days, you may see a woman you’re not quite sure you recognize. She has strands of gray hair and wrinkles in places easily seen. That drop dead gorgeous body has been replaced with some cellulite and unattractive bulges. These are just a few of the road signs pointing to your middle age journey.

Aging is a fact of life. You may be able to slow down the process but you will not stop it. All the plastic surgery in the world will not help. It doesn’t matter how may face lifts, botox shots or tummy tucks you receive, at some point you will FEEL what it’s like to grow older.

Here’s some of what you can expect as you age:

After 30 years old, your metabolism starts to slow down which means you burn fewer calories. In some cases, the level of activity also decreases. So if you’re eating more but burning fewer calories, you’re going to see an increase in your weight.

Aging also impacts your cardiovascular system. Your heart muscles begin to weaken, making, it harder to pump the same amount of blood through your body.

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting baby boomer adults. One in three people over 60 years old have significant hearing loss, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic.

The desire for sex may also decrease, especially for middle-aged women. Vaginal dryness is one the reasons why. The lack of lubrication in the vaginal area can make physically intimacy painful and uncomfortable.

The healthy head of hair and glowing skin that used to make you the envy of your girlfriends also starts to take its toll. As we age, our bodies produce fewer natural oils which, in turn, make our skin drier and more wrinkled. In addition, our hair starts thinning out.

Even though aging is a natural part of life, there are a number of things you can do to ensure good health for a long time. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes loads of fruits and vegetables is a good start. Nutrition really is the key. Many health experts say you need food to jump start your metabolism first thing in the morning. That, in turn, will give you the energy needed to put in a 30-minutes walk or good aerobics workout, because exercise is also a key component.

Since we know we can’t turn back the hands of time, let’s just celebrate this new phase of life together!

Peace & Blessings,
babyboomerbev (Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age)

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