Approaching 50. What advice would you give me?

[Redhairandhottubs]

I’m turning 50 and not feeling great about it if I’m honest. It seems like such a big number and looking at people around me, I’m worried about dealing with health issues and caring for parents as they get older.

To those in their 50’s and beyond, is there any advice you would give to make the coming years as good as possible? What (if any!) are the positives of getting older?

Apply moisturiser and sunscreen to your neck every day.😀

For me it was quite startling. Changed overnight and I literally just started saying - nope that doesn't suit me. These words had never crossed my lips prior - much to the shock of parents, brother, husband and colleagues. It is bloody brilliant.

I would also agree with exercise and HRT.

Think about you, who you want to be. What you want to do. Try new things, learn and challenge yourself a bit.

these are my top tips:

HRT
Intermittent fasting (brilliant for weight loss, checkout Mindy Pelz on YouTube)
Strength training
Some other cardio training but not too much
Learn something new (I started a new sport and a new musical instrument)
Daily yoga
Daily meditation (Im still trying to conquer this one! Work in progress)

Love being in my 50s, much better than 40s.

I had no idea this was a thing, but it actually makes perfect sense to me - I'm 49 and in the last couple of years have noticed my tolerance for bullshit has reduced dramatically.

I've spent my whole life being treated badly by my family and just compliantly going along with whatever they expect of me whilst silently seething. I'm finally starting to stand up for myself and it's been both surprising and liberating.

@Icanthinkformyselfthanks good idea about skipping. Thanks

How do you know if you do need hrt?

To quote Clint Eastwood, ‘don’t let the old man in’. Keep the old woman at the door.

You will never be this young again. Enjoy it.

Vivere . . .

Don't succumb to negativity.
All the healthy lifestyle advice that was relevant when you're 20yo are just as legit when you're 50yo.

imho, if you are feeling fairly rough & taking HRT makes you feel much better, over a sustained time period (say at least 6 months). That would be my way of "knowing".

Keep breathing 😁

Exercise - use it or lose it

weight training ( apparently skipping counts ) for future bone health

eat well - it gives you energy - so that’s loads of vegetables and loads of home cooking

you are now old enough to know your own mind, what you like, what you want from life - don’t hang around and start living as much as possible now. Don’t waste it.

don’t ever think you are too old for anything - you have life experiences that can help when things get tough

I think your 50s are better than the 40s if you keep your health and the kids have fledged - a bit less stress , more time and money for you. I am laughing more and doing more really fun things just for me.

Don't let it define you. It's just a number.

Really value and nurture female friendships because you will go through even more life stages - menopause, loss of parents, caring for elderly parents and navigating services, kids getting partnered and becoming parents, eventually statistically speaking, widowhood, and you will love those friends so much.

There are so many people who would like to be in your shoes. Seriously. Getting older is a privilege denied to many. Embrace it.

The pp above have covered all the fitness and exercise ideas, pick and mix as it suits you.
At about that age I became an instructor for a hobby and taught children and later adults. That was a total tonic for me. It is not necessary to be the best at your sport or hobby just competent and safety conscious.
I also became more political. But not obsessively so.
Recently as my physical ability has deteriorated I am studying. I chose history of my local area and wider regional.
Keep the leetle grey cells active. As Poirot says.

I'm really enjoying my 50s. Best thing I've done this year is finally take up yoga. That may be a really obvious thing to say if you have been doing it since 20s but finding a local teacher offering a beginners course was key for me.

Don’t think you are old.

One day, that will come very quickly, 20 years will have passed and you’ll look back and think 50 was like 20 but sadly you had never realised it.

I'm almost 60. My advice is to keep moving, focus on functional fitness (no need for the gym if that's not you - just keep moving purposefully) ... and most of all invest in friendships, the ones you already have and maybe one or two new ones.

@Redhairandhottubs be grateful for the age you are.
There are so many people (and their loved ones) who would have given anything to reach it.

Thanks for all this advice everyone - I turn 50 early in the new year, when it’s dark and cold and everyone is broke so I’m not looking forward to it at all. I exercise a lot and do a job I enjoy, grateful for this - I have a lot to be thankful for

Enjoy it, because life gets much better after 50. You really do stop having any f*cks left to give.
Start planning for an active, enjoyable retirement.
(And please do remember that you're under no obligation at all to care for your parents - this is your time).

Exercise and eat well. On paper it's all downhill from 50 but you can put the brakes on it. When a health crisis occurs you'll recover better if you are already in good health.

Sort out your health and fitness if you haven't done it already. Get your legal things done - Will & PoAs. Maximise savings and pension. Speak to parents about how they see old age - make sure they have planned for care, Wills & PoAs. HRT. If you are in a relationship that's run the course, leave. Being fifty is great, you stop caring what people think, it's very liberating.