March 50 in 50 Challenge: Fresh Start, Fire Jumping and Finding Strength

March always feels like a fresh start. The air sharpens, the days stretch longer, and nature begins to bloom again. It’s a season of new beginnings – both outdoors and within. This year, I felt it in everything. In the flicker of Chaharshanbe Suri flames. In the first green shoots of our Sabzeh. Even in every drop of sweat on the gym floor!

Chaharshanbe Suri – a Perfect Reflection

One of the most meaningful moments this March was celebrating Chaharshanbe Suri, the Persian Festival of Fire. This tradition involved jumping over flames. It was a way to release the old and welcome the new. This beautifully mirrored everything my 50 in 50 Challenge stands for. It was symbolic of shedding what no longer serves me and stepping boldly into midlife with purpose.

Keeping cultural traditions like this alive matters. They ground us and give younger generations a sense of identity and belonging. For me, that leap over the fire was a declaration: I’m not done yet. I’m just getting started.

Fueling Our Mornings with Linwoods Protein Oats

This month, I also revamped our breakfast routine with Linwoods Overnight Oats. The Chocolate Protein and Strawberry Energy flavours were a hit, especially with Cyrus! We loved the simplicity: soak, chill, enjoy. The Chocolate Protein flavour packs 11g of plant-based protein, supporting strength and recovery, perfect for busy mornings.

The Energy Oats also became a favourite, especially when topped with fresh fruit or seeds. These oats provided B vitamins for that extra boost. They made it easier to stay energised and on track throughout the month. These are two non-negotiables when you’re juggling midlife, motherhood, and muscle goals.

Strength, Hydration and Patience

As Nowruz (Persian New Year) approached, I reflected on growth and renewal. Just as our Sabzeh grew taller with care and patience, I was building strength. I developed resilience, focusing on one rep and one healthy choice at a time.

Cyrus loved checking in on the Sabzeh daily. And it reminded me of my own progress tracking. Growth isn’t instant, but it’s consistent. We also noticed the same thing our bodies need: hydration. Whether it’s muscle recovery or mental clarity, water is life. This month wasn’t about quick wins, it was about steady, intentional progress.

Self-Care Sundays and Midlife Confidence

March also brought the return of my favourite ritual: Self-Care Sundays. Just one evening a week with candles, calming music, and a sefidab beauty treatment gave me space to recharge.

And I bought a two-piece swimsuit. While I’m not completely there yet in how I feel wearing it, I’m closer. Confidence, like strength, builds with practice. And I’m proud of the woman I’m becoming.

Decluttering for Nowruz: A Mind and Home Reset

We also deep-cleaned our home to welcome Nowruz. It wasn’t just tidying, it was a mental declutter too. A clear space always brings a clear head. And then there was tahchin – my first ever! That golden, saffron-infused rice dish shared with friends was a reminder of how important those simple moments of connection are.

International Women’s Day: Midlife Strength in Motion

I celebrated International Women’s Day with three back-to-back fitness classes. Yes, I felt it, but I also felt powerful. This day reminded me that my challenge is personal. However, so many women carry even heavier loads daily. They do so quietly, fiercely, and with grace.

Women in midlife manage perimenopause symptoms, show up at work, support their families, and maintain gym routines. I see you. I am you.

Blaze Warriors and Breaking the Old Narrative

Another March highlight was competing in the David Lloyd Blaze Community Games with my Blaze Warriors trio. We only managed one heat, but we placed 15th! My prize? A four-shot latte. Worth every bead of sweat.

More than the result, what stayed with me was this: my friends actually wanted me on their team. That wasn’t always the case when I was younger. I used to be the last one picked for rounders! Now, at 49, I’m strong, capable and seen.

A huge shoutout to instructor Amandi and the Blaze crew for creating that space. This is what 50 in 50 means: pushing boundaries, owning my space, and rewriting what midlife looks like.

Mother’s Day: Strength, Sentiment, and Squats

This year, Mother’s Day wasn’t about breakfast in bed (though I wouldn’t have said no). It was a gym date with H, and we crushed Ignite Energy and Body Pump together.

The moment I squatted with 11.5kg plates on each side was everything. At 49, I’m lifting heavier than ever, not just physically but emotionally. And while I felt strong, I also felt tender. I thought about my mum, who suffered greatly after breaking her femur. That memory drives my commitment to staying mobile and strong, not just for now, but for my future self.

Later, H made dinner at home, better than any restaurant. A perfect ending to a meaningful day.

Wrapping Up: Momentum, Meaning and Midlife Power

We leaped over fire and lifted with intention. We had spa nights and shared tahchin. March was about movement, memory, and meaning.

50 in 50 isn’t about perfection. it’s about choosing yourself, over and over again. It’s about showing up when it’s hard and celebrating how far you’ve come.

This is our time. This is midlife in motion. And this is just the beginning.