Sometimes, I forget that I’m approaching 70.
I have been feeling the same age probably since I was in my 40s and 50s, with the difference being that I’m now retired and an 68-year-old empty nester, which back in the day would sound very old.
The past public perception of women over 50 has been very prescriptive, especially if they were single. They were considered not to be of childbearing age; to have a grandmotherly image; as too old for career changes; and unfortunately, their health and fitness were deemed to be on the decline.
But the current older women of today have debunked all of those stereotypes. There are dating apps for those over 50. There are surrogacy and IVF options. Women are progressing in their careers. There are more female entrepreneurs. Fitness and health have improved, with advanced medical science helping with chronic illnesses and, of course, we now have cosmetic interventions.
I don’t have the same stamina as when I was in my 20s and 30s. But, interestingly, I actually feel stronger and more flexible because I have more time to spend at the gym. And because I can still keep up with the younger women at the gym, I’m probably perceived as younger than my 68 years of age. Those youthful insecurities no longer exist.
I am from the East Coast—born and raised in New York, where there is much diversity in age and race, I have not felt old in the eyes of others.
Unfortunately, there is still a real concern about aging, even among young people today. But one of the reasons I created my Instagram account was to show that there shouldn’t be a fear of getting older, but a welcoming of healthy aging.
After retiring and becoming an empty nester, I moved back to New York City from Connecticut and decided I wanted to stay engaged with people, perhaps even inspire others like myself to stay active and current. That led me to launch my Instagram account, which is about fitness, my cooking, food, films, travel—things I thought my audience would share with me as well.
Keeping physically, mentally and socially active, having a daily routine of activities, and even exploring new ones, have been key to staying relevant in a world where it is easy to be discarded as irrelevant.
I have been very lucky to have always enjoyed physical activities, including some sports such as tennis, skiing, and swimming. In my 20s, 30s, and 40s, there was an emphasis on hardcore cardio workouts, which was the trend at the time. After a few injuries and new health information, I now practice strength training, yoga, and Pilates, which are so effective and healthier for the long run. It is all about sustainable and functional fitness.
I don’t have a restrictive diet, but I do eat all the basic food groups that we know are essential to good health—lean meats, seafood, vegetables, fruit and plenty of water. If you shop around the perimeter of a supermarket, you can usually find all of your nutritional needs and avoid processed food and sugary drinks.
Remaining active physically and mentally, and most importantly having social connections, be it family, friends, and/or neighbors, is crucial for healthy aging. As a retired empty nester, it is so important to stay connected to people and to stay current with life in general.
I’m sometimes surprised that I don’t feel my age as I thought I would. It’s actually very liberating, and I feel grateful that I can grow old and remain active with a great amount of time to explore and learn anything I want.
Judy Lee Cole is a retired fashion designer, former business owner and a mom of two children. She lives in New York City with her husband. You can follow her on Instagram at @ judyleecole.
All views expressed in this article are the author’s own.
As told to Soo Kim.
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