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March 50 in 50 challenge: Fire, fitness and midlife mischief

March 50 in 50

The world hits refresh

March always feels like the world hitting refresh. Days stretch longer. The air bites less. Coffee tastes sharper in the morning light, and suddenly I believe in new beginnings, even if our living room is still a minefield of Lego. This year, I felt it everywhere: in the flicker of Chaharshanbe Suri flames, in the stubborn green shoots of our Sabzeh, and even in every sweat-drenched rep on the gym floor.

Chaharshanbe Suri: A midlife leap

Jumping over Chaharshanbe Suri flames reminded me why traditions matter. I may have squealed mid-leap like a startled cat, but symbolically it was perfect. For my 50 in 50 Challenge, it felt like I was telling the world: “I’ve still got a few leaps left.” Bonus points too because I didn’t scorch my jeans, or my dignity, in the process.

Linwoods and Nowruz breakfasts

Chocolate Protein and Strawberry Energy Linwoods Oats made breakfast a breeze. Cyrus attacked his like a miniature T-Rex, while I quietly savoured 11g of plant-based protein per serve. Protein, energy with minimal effort which is essential when you’re juggling motherhood, gym goals, and the ongoing saga of jeans that hate you. Honestly, some mornings, they just feel like a cruel endurance experiment.

Breakfast made simple

  • Protein: 11g plant-based per serve
  • Flavours: Chocolate protein and strawberry energy
  • Prep: 2 minutes 
  • Energy boost: steady fuel for school runs and gym sweat
  • Perk: guilt-free, and T-Rex approved

Strength and hydration

Watching our Sabzeh grow taller than my last attempt, I realised growth isn’t instant. Not for plants. Not for humans. Rep by rep, sip by sip, choice by choice: progress quietly happens. March wasn’t about glory; it was about showing up, even on days that felt like assembling IKEA furniture blindfolded.

Punching through midlife

Jumping, punching, sweating, grinning through masochistic delight, Body Combat isn’t just exercise. It’s proof that strength and stamina don’t vanish at 49. Every rep has counted so far in my 50 in 50 Challenge, and the grin between grimaces is priceless.

Body Combat at 49

  • Duration: 45–60 minutes of punching, kicking, and glorious sweat
  • Benefit: strength, stamina, and midlife ego boost
  • Energy: burns calories, releases stress, raises grin quotient
  • Why I love it: reminds me I’m still fierce, even if my jeans say otherwise

Self-Care Sundays: candles and sefidab

I resurrected Self-Care Sundays. Candles, soothing music, and a sefidab scrub. One night a week, I could pretend I was a serene influencer, even as my to-do list threatened a novel-length saga. I even bought a two-piece swimsuit. Baby steps. Confidence, as I know all too well, is built gradually, sometimes with wobbles and muttered curses at stubborn stomach rolls. But the attempt counts.

Self-Care Sundays

  • Ritual: candles, soothing music, sefidab scrub
  • Duration: 1 hour of pretending I’m a serene influencer
  • Perk: mental reset, even if the to-do list whispers “panic”
  • Confidence boost: small victories add up, swimsuit optional

March wrap-up: momentum, mess, midlife magic

Fire jumped. Weights lifted. Tahchin eaten. March was about movement, memory, meaning. 50 in 50 wasn’t perfection this month; but I chose myself repeatedly. Midlife is not the end, just a lively intermission. This is my time, and it’s only getting started.

March in motion

  • Wins: leapt flames, lifted weights, survived Nowruz 
  • Lessons: momentum beats perfection, tiny victories count
  • Energy: a month of sweat, memory, and midlife magic
  • Reminder: midlife is an intermission, not the finale

Join the conversation: Which March moments resonate with you? Did your midlife feel like hitting refresh this month too? Share in the comments below.

4 responses to “March 50 in 50 challenge: Fire, fitness and midlife mischief”

  1. Farnoosh Avatar
    Farnoosh

    Lovely! You are inspiring! I’m glad to have you as my friend 🙂

    1. saffronandcyrus Avatar

      I’m so lucky to have you as a friend too Farnoosh x

  2. Clare Avatar
    Clare

    Love this and your entire attitude to life

    1. saffronandcyrus Avatar

      Bless you! Thank you so much x We’ve got this!

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Saffron and Cyrus is a Newcastle-based family lifestyle blog, covering health, wellness, days out, travel, reviews, recipes and more from our family life.
The blog is written by new mum over 40, Aranda, with input from hubby H and son, Little C.

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4 Comments

  1. Farnoosh
    April 16, 2025 / 11:27 am

    Lovely! You are inspiring! I’m glad to have you as my friend 🙂

    • April 17, 2025 / 5:13 pm

      I’m so lucky to have you as a friend too Farnoosh x

  2. Clare
    April 16, 2025 / 2:24 pm

    Love this and your entire attitude to life

    • April 17, 2025 / 5:13 pm

      Bless you! Thank you so much x We’ve got this!

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