Balancing the BS: Getting Older Without Losing the Plot
Balancing the BS: Getting Older Without Losing the Plot
I'm 45, so I'm not going to pretend I know exactly what it's like to be 55, 65 or 75.
But I do know what it's like to be in your 40s and suddenly realise there is A LOT of BS around getting older.
Eat this.
Don't eat that.
Take this supplement.
Fix your hormones.
Lift weights.
Walk 10,000 steps.
Do Pilates.
Cold plunge.
Track your sleep.
Track your heart rate.
Optimise your life.
Honestly… when do we actually get to live?
I'm not trying to be 25 again
Of course I want to be healthy.
I want to feel strong, have energy, sleep well and look after myself.
But I'm not interested in spending the next 30 years fighting ageing.
I'm 45.
My body has changed.
My priorities have changed.
And I'm actually okay with that.
I want to age well, not desperately try not to age.
My mum is 74 and she's a brilliant example
My mum is 74 and still walks 10,000 steps a day, plays padel, does yogazise and generally keeps herself moving.
She also enjoys a few bottles of wine a week.
And I love that.
I'm obviously not suggesting wine is a health recommendation, but my point is that she isn't living some ridiculous, perfect wellness lifestyle.
She's living.
She's active, social, has fun and gets on with it.
And honestly, I'd much rather aim for that than spend my life worrying about whether I'm doing everything perfectly.
Health doesn't have to become your full-time job
I think we've made health far too complicated.
Eat a decent diet.
Move your body.
Build some strength.
Get some sleep.
Look after your mental health.
Have friends.
Go outside.
See your doctor when something doesn't feel right.
And enjoy your life.
That's pretty much it.
You don't need to become a wellness monk.
You don't need to be perfect.
And you definitely don't need to feel guilty because you had a takeaway or spent Sunday on the sofa.
And this applies to men too
Women aren't the only ones being sold the dream of eternal youth.
Men are getting their own version:
More muscle.
More testosterone.
More protein.
More supplements.
More optimisation.
More biohacking.
It's exhausting.
Being fit and healthy is brilliant.
But having a six-pack isn't the same thing as being healthy.
I'd rather be strong enough to carry my shopping, walk somewhere beautiful, travel, play with my future grandchildren and enjoy myself.
That's health to me.
So what's my plan?
I'm going to keep moving.
Keep getting stronger.
Eat well most of the time.
Enjoy my food.
Question the BS.
Take proper medical advice when I need it.
And stop treating every wrinkle, grey hair or change in my body like it's an emergency.
Because getting older isn't a failure.
It's a privilege.
And if my mum at 74 is anything to go by, there's still plenty of life to enjoy.
So whether you're 40, 50, 60 or beyond...
Look after yourself.
Don't believe everything you see online.
Keep moving.
Find your people.
Have some fun.
And don't forget to actually live.
Because that's the whole point, isn't it?
Love Gem x - Founder of NCS
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