This Isn’t Anti-Aging because There’s a BIG Difference!

Do you remember that first day you looked into the mirror and thought anything less than “YES!”

You know what I’m talking about. The day you found a wrinkle and thought: WHAT?!

Or you found a gray hair and went: Wait a minute, how’d that get there?!

How old were you? In your twenties? Thirties?

I’ll admit, I was well into my thirties. I was BUSY and didn’t have time to think about such things. I consistently told myself: When I’m older.

That’s why I was super surprised at the new statistics I’ve been reading. It seems ten years ago, less than 20 percent of women between 18 and 24 thought anti-aging was important. Less than a decade later, more than 50 percent of that same age group was adding wrinkle-defying products to their routine.

Terrifying.

I believe that’s almost criminal. Thousands of young people believe they need to actively work to stay as young as possible.

We’re conditioning them as a society.

We’re chasing youth when we should be chasing health.

Two scenarios.

A 50-year-old woman who consistently focuses on anti-aging. She takes every injection, goes under the knife regularly, starves herself for the sake of fitting in the “perfect” size. She’s always looking for the next “anti-aging” fix to find another way to look younger. No matter what it does to her health.

A 50-year-old woman who consistently focuses on longevity. She educates herself on how food and wellness play a role. She strives for life balance. She prioritizes good food, exercise, healthy relationships, and being her best. It shows in the way she looks and acts.

Big difference.

Which have you been chasing?

Is it time to change your approach?

15 Beliefs of a ProAging woman

I believe that success leaves clues. If you want a certain lifestyle, find someone who is already living the lifestyle you desire. Then follow their advice and use them as a role model.

When I lost my dad when he was just 54, it rocked my world. When my mom had a massive stroke two years later, it shook me to my core. But it did something else too; it made me ask different questions.

I knew the life I didn’t want to lead, so I started looking for alternatives.

The ProAging community is relatively new, but I do believe it has some fairly succinct beliefs that all ProAgers subscribe to.

Balance nutrition and diet

This is about finding joy in what you do eat, and finding gorgeous ways of creating healthy and satisfying meals. If you approach eating based on what you CAN’T have anymore, you’ll never be satisfied with your meals. But if you approach it differently and discover how to BALANCE your nutrition, you’ll discover a whole world of plant-based, whole-food choices that are simply GORGEOUS!

Regular physical activity

Nope, you don’t have to dedicate your life to an exercise routine. But what you do have to enjoy is an active lifestyle. You walk in the morning because it makes you feel good. You join a weekly exercise group because you connect with others and get a workout in too. You go hiking on the weekend with friends. You spend time in the garden because it checks so many boxes! The most active you are, the more active you’ll want to be!

Stress management techniques

Stress is a HUGE part of our lives, and it’s not going away any time soon. ProAgers are consistently looking for new approaches to help them feel better AND discover something new. Me? Almost fifteen years ago, my friend Nancy introduced me to meditation when she opened up her own practice. (Thanks, Nancy!) I’ve been on board ever since. Recently, I came across a book Stress Less, Accomplish More by Emily Fletcher and I was instantly hooked on her Ziva Meditation techniques. It’s adding new life into my practice, and I’m discovering new things about reducing stress. Win/win!

Adequate sleep and rest

I believe every area of your life should be beautiful. Why do it otherwise? When I stepped into making sleep and rest a priority, I had to look at my life and start taking away busyness. You know – all those little things you do that don’t add up to much, but they severely cut into your day. These are the things that make you stay up later to get them done.

I’ve made my bedroom a sanctuary. No television, digital devices, or any other distractions allowed. I’ve also surrounded myself with Gorgeous details – a comforter I love (my daughter actually made it for me!), meaningful accessories, and photography that soothes my soul every time I enter.

Social connections and relationships

I don’t believe I need a ton of relationships. I’m an introvert at heart, and prefer surrounding myself with people I truly love and want to spend time with. I also believe you need different circles of influence to be a healthy, whole individual.

I love my friends closest to me.
I have several groups I belong to online.
I spend a lot of time cultivating what’s important to me, and discovering places I can connect with like-minded people.

I work hard at that and morph and change all the time.

Positive thinking and optimism

It’s been a rough few years, hasn’t it? We all face our demons. But I believe ProAgers have a unique way of looking at life. We’re now entering the Age of Aquarius. Some call it the Golden Age. Do a quick search and you’ll find a wealth of information on this process.

It’s a time of femininity. It’s a time to move away from the war mentality and move towards peace. Some say this is the dawn of 1,000 years of peace – oh, what we can do with 1,000 years of peace! But to get there is going to take a lot of positive thinking of each of our parts, first as individuals, and then collectively as a whole.

Now is the time to find your own inner positivity and start finding ways to share it with the world.

Detoxification

So many women are now putting up their hands and screaming: Stop! I see it everywhere. They’re saying no to toxic social media and pulling their accounts. They’re saying no to toxic jobs and looking for better alternatives. They’re saying no to toxic medical advice that no longer serves them. They’re saying no to never-ending chemicals in everything, and finding Gorgeous alternatives.

The opposite of toxic behavior is nourishing energy.

Intellectual engagement

We’re smart. We’re educated. We’ve been through a lot. And we want to make better choices. I believe one of the reasons the concept of ProAging is growing rapidly right now is because we’ve seen so much shit in our lives, and when you’ve been “taken down” once or twice or thrice (or more,) you reach a point where you’re looking for openness and honesty. And when you find it, it’s beautiful.

This is when you find someone you can listen to for hours. Or read endlessly for days. Or join a program just for the chance to tap into the energy. Because you feel it, deep inside, and you want more. This isn’t coming from your friends and neighbors – often you feel like they don’t get you. But you do feel it when you find your tribe. And only then do you take a deep breath and sigh… ahhh…

Gratitude

With so much going wrong, ProAgers have found a way to look past all of that and find what’s good. Then they worship gratitude on a daily basis. I use a gratitude journal daily to list three things I’m grateful for. I also am in the practice of finding my grateful spirit as I lay down and close my eyes at night. What a beautiful way to fall asleep.

Maintaining a strong immune system

So much of our life is in how we look at it.

Disease is dis-ease – disease is our bodies reminding us that we are in need of something to be in optimal health.

Healthy self – heal thy self – We have what it takes to be our own health advocate, to listen closely to what our bodies truly want. And yet, we give that power over easily to others.

Health comes from preventing disease. And so much of that comes from developing a foundation of good health. You can’t have a strong immune system without strong health.

“The doctor of the future will give no medication but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” Thomas Edison

Adaptability

I believe one of the reasons proaging becomes easier as we age is because we’ve learned to adapt to many different conditions. Look at all we’ve accomplished by our 50th birthdays!

Yet it’s important to remember that adaptability is the key to a healthy future. This is about being open-minded to new and updated technology. It’s about learning more about who you are and what you’re willing to sacrifice for good health. It’s about changing your opinions and moving forward to create a better life.

Holistic approaches to health and wellness

Have you realized yet that the current Western medical system is very narrow-minded and doesn’t truly understand good health? Yes, Western medicine has its place. But it’s become apparent that they truly don’t understand wellness and how we keep our society healthy as a whole. It’s about profits, not about wellness.

Proaging starts when you realize you are in charge of your wellth. You decide what goes into your body and how you approach wellness. You look at many alternative practices to become better at everything you try. You don’t rely on any one suggestion without internalizing it and deciding if it’s the right step for you.

Building health habits as early as possible

There’s an adage that states: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

I couldn’t agree more! I think the same applies to our health.

The best time to invest in your health was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

A relative once told me they knew they were next in line for significant health problems. They did a lot of things wrong – smoked, overweight, sedentary life – and they knew it. But rather than do something about it, they chose to do nothing. And yes, major health problems came.

There is another way. It’s never too late. You can start where you are today and do one thing to make a difference.

But you gotta start today.

Okay, it’s time to sign off! It’s time for my afternoon workout, and then a walk!

Lori