Things I Know At 47 That I Wish I Knew At 27

Yesterday, an old friend of H, a cherished companion from a chapter in our lives we hadn’t revisited in years, walked through our door. Life’s rollercoaster had kept us apart, but the universe decided it was time to reunite us. Nostalgia and emotions overflowed as we discussed experiences that time had attempted to erase.

In the quiet hours that stretched into the early morning, the profound realisation struck us that we often misplace our priorities. Today, inspired by the echoes of yesterday’s heartfelt conversations, I’m reflecting and sharing the kind of advice I wish my 27-year-old self had on her radar.

Fuel Your Body Right

At 47, I’ve learned the hard way that my body is a temple, not a rubbish dump. These days, I try to fuel up on foods and drinks that love me back. I opt for nutrient-rich options. But don’t get me wrong, I still struggle to bid farewell to empty calories and it’s an ongoing battle.

Sunrise And Hydration Ritual

I try to kickstart my day with a burst of sunshine – it does wonders for my circadian rhythm and sets the tone for better sleep. I also follow it up with H’s morning hydration hack: lemon water, cayenne pepper, and Celtic salt. Trust me; it’s a game-changer! You can read more about this here!

Protein Power

Every morning, it’s decision time on whether to go high protein. While I skip breakfast every Saturday and Sunday, during the week I try to fuel up with a protein-packed meal to keep me going strong. It doesn’t always work – there are times when a Greggs’ sausage and bacon roll leads me into temptation en route to the office, but the urge is certainly not as strong as it used to be. I’m trying to say goodbye to bad food binges by spreading my protein intake throughout the day. I aim for 30 to 50g per meal.

Snack Smart

Snacking? Only if my stomach’s growling. I opt for quality over quantity these days. Berries, yoghurt, chia seeds and linseed with a teaspoon of Manuka Doctor honey.

Unleashing My Inner Strength

My mental health matters as a new mum over 40, and in the words of my fantastic spin instructor, Claire B – I’m stronger than I think. I’m learning to prioritise self-care in 2024, whether it’s a walk, my blog or simply some ‘me-time’ in Zumba. I used to think I was selfish for doing this, but now I realise that it’s a vital part of life’s puzzle.

Move It, Move It!

Walking is the unsung hero of fat loss. So these days I aim for at least 10K steps daily. I’ve added weight lifting three to five times a week into my schedule to turn my body into a metabolic powerhouse. And I opt for some cardio workouts midweek and during the weekend in the form of Spin, Zumba and Ignite (body combat).

Chase My Passion

There have been times when my focus resembled a lost puppy wandering in all directions. Here’s a nugget of advice for you – if there’s a passion project tugging at your heartstrings, seize every moment to nurture it. Your future self will love you for it.

Blogging is my love affair with words; it’s my compass in life. Yet, as many love stories go, it comes with a price tag. There were instances in the past when I hit the pause button on blogging. Why? Well, my motivation took an unexpected sabbatical, and the culprit was none other than the notorious imposter syndrome.

Last year was a wake-up call. I recognised the void that giving up on my writing passion had created. It wasn’t just a hiatus from blogging; it was a hiatus from a part of myself. So, let this be a reminder – don’t let imposter syndrome rob you of pursuing what sets your soul on fire.

Junk Food Be Gone

Out of sight, out of mind. I’ve ditched as many refined carbs as I can and trying to keep our kitchen cupboards junk-free. When sugar cravings strike, I have a salty or berrylicious back-up plan. However, I must remember to defrost the berries early morning!

Remember, lovelies, you’ve only got one body for life. Treat it well, and hopefully it’ll treat you even better. Every day is a new opportunity to be better than you were yesterday. Perfection is elusive, and I don’t claim to have it all figured out. What matters is the ongoing commitment to learn and grow in 2024.