| The Fabulous Fifties | | | | By doing this you’ll keep your metabolism “fired |
| | | | | up” and burning calories. Common sense should |
| There are a lot of women facing this decade…the | | | | reign…lean meats, poultry and fish…fresh fruits and |
| baby boom generation. They are rolling into their | | | | veggies…whole grains. If you gain weight at this age, |
| fifties looking great, staying active and proving that | | | | you will find that losing it can be a difficult task. Stay |
| aging is mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it | | | | positive and set small goals and you can still be |
| doesn’t matter! For most women in this decade, | | | | successful. Alcohol and sweets are okay |
| their children are now adults too, some may even be | | | | once-in-awhile, but don’t go overboard. They can |
| parents. If you have become a grandparent you | | | | be the slippery slope to unwanted pounds. Does this |
| have the luxury of enjoying the grandkids and then | | | | mean that you can’t enjoy life? Of course not, |
| sending them home. This is the time in your life that | | | | just enjoy it in moderation. |
| you can truly focus on you and things you want to | | | | |
| do. Often women this age step up to positions of | | | | Staying Healthy. This can be a truly great time in |
| leadership, such as political office, heads of | | | | your life. Your stress from family and work has |
| corporations, or “queens” of volunteerism. | | | | diminished and you can try out things that you’ve |
| They are not afraid to speak their mind and | | | | always dreamed of doing. Be a role model for your |
| understand the importance of caring for their body. | | | | kids. Show them that being older doesn’t mean |
| To be the best possible you throughout your 50s here | | | | growing old. Take that trip to Italy, go skydiving, and |
| is what you need to do: | | | | give snowboarding a try or anything else that will make |
| | | | | life fun and fulfilling. Stay connected with friends and |
| Activity. Exercise is no longer an option, but now a | | | | family. They will keep your heart healthy in ways that |
| requirement. It’s a time to choose exercise that | | | | exercise can’t. Regular exercise and healthy |
| will compliment and keep your body fit for the other | | | | eating will give you energy and make you feel |
| activities you enjoy. | | | | confident and beautiful. |
| Whether you ski or garden or ballroom dance or play | | | | |
| in a softball league, you’re going to need to | | | | Recommended Health Screenings for Women in their |
| workout in order to keep doing these things. Strength | | | | Fifties. According to the National Center for Disease |
| training should also be an important part of your | | | | Control women between 50 and 60 need to continue |
| exercise schedule. You are at an age that bone | | | | be proactive in maintaining good health. |
| density can quickly diminish, making you susceptible to | | | | - A complete physical exam every year. Be sure this |
| fractures due to falls. Working out with weights or | | | | includes a check of your blood pressure. |
| weight machines can reverse this process and keep | | | | - Have a Pap smear done every year. |
| your bones strong. By exercising you will not only | | | | - Have your cholesterol checked every year. |
| look better, but you will feel better too. | | | | - If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, |
| | | | | get tested for diabetes. |
| Nutrition. This is a time in your life that your | | | | - Have a mammogram every year starting at age 50. |
| metabolism will really slow down. That means your | | | | - Have a test for colorectal cancer starting at age |
| weight can easily increase. Exercise can make a | | | | 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is |
| difference, but what you eat is just as important. | | | | right for you. |
| Making healthy food choices can help you manage | | | | - If osteoporosis runs in your family, have a bone |
| many of the side effects of menopause, like hot | | | | density test in your late 50s. |
| flashes and extra weight in the mid-section. | | | | - Get a flu shot every year starting at age 50. |
| You’re going to be better off eating 4-6 smaller | | | | - Have your vision tested every year, including a test |
| meals throughout the day, rather than 3 large ones. | | | | for glaucoma. |