Ways I have Learned to LOVE My Body and Myself in My 50s

I Look at Food Differently Now

Food is not my enemy. The days of denying myself a piece of pizza when I really wanted a piece of pizza,

are over. To be fair, I have altered what I put in my body significantly over the last 20 years of my life –

even more so the last 8 years of my life, so cravings for pizza, sweets, or salty foods (corn chips!) are not

nearly as often as they once were. However, they do exist from time to time and despite my best efforts

to eat what makes me feel the best, sometimes what makes me feel the best is a small piece of

chocolate cake. And when that happens, I thoroughly enjoy the experience! I no longer allow myself to

be consumed with guilt for those occasional delightful experiences.

I No Longer Compare Myself to My Younger Self

Things change when you turn 50! And unlike any prior decade, the physical changes happen quick! You

wake up one day and have a sagging neck, more wrinkles than you want to count, or flab in areas you

never had flab before! I will admit that these changes have been a struggle for me to accept and the

first few years of turning 50 I was not nice to myself when I looked in the mirror. Maybe I got tired of

criticizing myself, or maybe I learned to accept ‘what is,’ but now at 56 I no longer talk down to myself. I

have learned to replace negative thoughts and words with useful and empowering ones. It works!

I Surround Myself with Positivity

Surround yourself with people who build you up! Sometimes, people’s own insecurities cause them to

criticize subconsciously. The older I get, the more selective I am with who I spend time with. I have

learned to break free from some of my friends who I have known since childhood without feeling guilty

about it. I love them and wish them all the happiness in the world from a distance. I want to be around

positive, open-minded and accepting individuals who are genuinely happy for my successes and who

support my failures.

I’ve Learned to Forgive Myself

As you get older, you slow down a little, and as you slow down, you start to see yourself clearer.

Sometimes it is easy to look back at choices you made in the past and beat yourself up about them, but

where will that get you? I remind myself today that my previous actions and decisions (good, bad, right

or wrong) have made me who I am now. I love who I am now. I may want to cringe looking back at

some of the decisions I made, but I have learned so much from my younger self….I am better today

because of her and the decisions she made.

I Focus on What Really Matters

During stressful moments, I try and focus on what I HAVE. I cherish my family, friends, my health, and

my career. I may have days when I think negatively, but I don’t allow those thoughts interfere with

finding the many positives I have in my life. I choose happiness within and I hope you will too.