One of the best
pieces of advice I can offer to support lifelong health is, “don’t let a health
set-back become a new health set-point.”

Healthy habits aren’t
just a one-time choice. They’re a series of small choices made day after day,
week after week, month after month to build a foundation for well-being.
Sprinkled in are the big choices you make in the face of adversity.

Life Changes and Challenges

Think about that
for a minute. Life continually ebbs and flows.

Sometimes it’s hard
to get started on the path to well-being, other times it’s easy to get started
and hard to be consistent, and still other times – those wonderful times where
you feel empowered and a little smug, perhaps – you’re consistently making good
decisions that support your healthy lifestyle vision and goals.

But often, when
you’re really in the flow – life
intervenes with an illness or injury, work or family pressures that derail your
great habits. This type of health set-back is a critical turning point, a fork
in the road, and the direction you choose will determine your future health
trajectory.

A Path to Recovery

In 2017, as part of
a commitment to myself to be as fit and healthy as possible on my 60^th
birthday, I choreographed and performed a high energy dance piece with a local
dance company. I was lean and fit, having fun, and feeling healthier than I had
in a couple of years.

Then in early 2018,
I hurt my back trying to maneuver a water tank that was far too heavy to
manage. That started a year-long process of pain management, fits and starts
back into a fitness routine, waking up feeling tired and sore, and hobbling
around in frustration!

For the fist time
in 10 years I had to pull out of the dance concert.

The whole year was a really interesting experience. I’ve always known that it’s easier to stay in good physical condition than to start from scratch and get into good shape – but that year I lived it.

It’s also easier to encourage positive aging expectations when you feel pretty good most of the time! Trying to navigate through both sleep and activity with pain and stay upbeat about retaining a healthy active lifestyle – regardless of age or challenges – was a lesson in humility.

Sometimes I felt
like just saying, “To heck with it, I’ll just downsize my life!”

The Crossroads

Gratefully, I
recognized this moment as a health crossroads and persisted with physical
therapy and physical training until I could start fully reclaiming my lifestyle.

Knowing what it
feels like to be physically strong and flexible motivated me through the
initial discomfort of moving my body every day in ways that improve strength,
mobility, and endurance. I recognized how much harder it would have been if I
had never known how it felt to be physically fit.

I share this with
you as both a confession and encouragement. I understand that consistently
making choices that support well-being isn’t usually the easiest path. I also
get how much determination it takes to navigate set-backs that threaten your
vitality and independence.

This is especially
true after 60 when family members, friends, and others seem more prone to offer
a narrative along the lines of “well you’ve had a good run but it’s time to
give that up.”

Conscious Choices

Absolutely no
judgement if in response to a challenge, you choose to take something out of
your life. But make sure it’s a conscious choice measuring the pros and cons –
not just a default into “easier” or buckling under common negative expectations
of what’s possible as we age.

I was back in rehearsals for the 2019 dance show, with a few concessions: perform one dance rather than two, warm-up longer, cool-down and stretch afterwards, and be more conscious of body mechanics every time! Both perseverance and adaptation have been key to continuing to do what I love!

I would love to
hear your story.

What health
set-back are you negotiating? What keeps you moving forward? Have you felt like
giving up? What strategies could you use to regain fullest function possible? Please
use the comments below to share with the community.

Gizelle Bryant’s Yellow Turtleneck Sweater

Real Housewives of Potomac Season 6 Episode 3 Fashion

You couldn’t miss Gizelle Bryant’s yellow turtleneck sweater if you tried! It’s such a fun bright color it really turns heads. Which speaking of heads, I have to say Gizelle is more than just a pretty face IMO. I mean she clearly has a pretty wardrobe too despite what Karen some may say. So if you’re like me and not currently treating yourself to caloric deliciousness (i.e. the cake), treat yourself to a bright yellow turtleneck sweater.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Stella McCartney Yellow Sweater

Originally posted at: Gizelle Bryant’s Yellow Turtleneck Sweater

Robyn Dixon’s Grey Slippers

Real Housewives of Potomac Season 6 Episode 3 Fashion

Robyn Dixon’s grey slippers are the epitome of luxe comfort. The fur makes them comfy, but the pearl panther brooch gives them a fancy appeal. Though the best part about them has to be that they are fully stocked and in multiple colors too. And if pearl panthers aren’t really your thing there is also different brooch embellishments to choose from. So slide down to the link below and slip into something a little lot more comfortable.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Laines London Slippers

Originally posted at: Robyn Dixon’s Grey Slippers

Robyn Dixon’s Grey Cardigan

Real Housewives of Potomac Season 6 Episode 3 Fashion

Robyn Dixon chose the perfect grey cardigan to wear to the relaxing spa day. Though there didn’t seem to be too much relaxing going on for some people. Robyn thankfully wasn’t one of those people and looked totally calm and cozy.

I will say this cardigan is in fact very cozy. I actually have it in black courtesy of the Realest Housewife herself, Lauren Sebastian. Sure you may be thinking what do I need a cardigan for in the dead of summer, but I’m not lying when I say I have this cardigan on at least once a day. It’s great to throw on over whatever you’re wearing whether it’s pajamas in the morning or an outfit in the evening. But the best part about it is that it’s fully stocked and in multiple colors, so you know what you need to do!

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Skims Grey Bouclé Robe

Originally posted at: Robyn Dixon’s Grey Cardigan

Is there anything better than getting your hair cut and/or colored, leaving the salon and feeling like a supermodel? No, we don’t think there is. But because of the current climate, seeing your hairstylist might not be as easy and getting your split ends cut off or your roots done might just be a quick in-and-out appointment without all the fun. That’s one reason why we’re so obsessed with actors and influencers who switch up their look on a dime. We’re jealous, sure, but it’s also aspirational AF. So, we’re rounding up the best celebrity hair makeovers of 2021 as they come so you can drool with us.

Though, it’s not just about drooling over these looks. Saving this page and referring back to it at the hair salon can help you decide if curtain bangs or a bob is right for you. Hairstylists actually love when you show them photos because they can get a real feel of the vibe you’re looking for and can adjust the look into something that suits your wants and needs. This goes for color, too. Did you ask for balayage when you really meant a shadow root? It’s easier to just give examples of what you want.

Some of these celebrity looks aren’t permanent. Stars love to play around with wigs, extensions and faux bangs. But there’s nothing wrong with that. Real or faux, we’re taking inspo from our favorites to figure out our next look for 2021 and beyond.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Source: Instagram

Emma Chamberlain

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of all of Gen Z making a hair appointment to copy Chamberlain’s cool-girl bangs.

Source: Instagram

Jennie

The Blackpink singer slays with Y2K-style full bangs. She credited hairstylist Preston Wada for the chop.

Source: Instagram

Margot Robbie

The actor covers this month’s British Vogue looking like a ’70s supermodel with caramel blonde hair and new bangs.

Source: Instagram

Paris Jackson

Y2K beauty and fashion are trending like crazy. Just take a look at Paris Jackson’s color-block hair. We’re loving the emerald green shade poking out from under her blond hair.

Source: Instagram

Florence Pugh

The actress is giving us Y2K vibes with pastel purple ends. We’re not sure who did the color (maybe she did it herself?) but the gorgeous waves were created by hairstylist Peter Lux.

Instagram.

Demi Lovato

Mullets are trending like crazy and apparently, Demi Lovato got the memo. The front of her hair is short and the back is all the way past her shoulders.

Instagram.com/sophiet.

Sophie Turner 

Just a week after debuting piece-y bangs, the Game of Thrones star went fully red! She shared a cute mirror photo wearing Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour merch and showing off her matching red Casetify Cottage Core case.

Source: Instagram

Ciara

“Pelirroja,” Ciara wrote on Instagram. (Pelirroja is Spanish for redhead.) The singer is looking stunning with long ginger hair giving off a bit of a sexy princess Ariel vibe.

Instagram.com/sophiet.

Sophie Turner 

“Ya gal’s bang’d up,” the Game of Thrones star wrote on Instagram stories over the weekend. The choppy, piece-y style is different from the blunt bangs we’ve seen her rock before. We love this low-key fringe for summer because it’s easy to pin back or grow into curtain bangs.

Source: Instagram

Kim Kardashian

We’ve seen the media mogul try just about every hairstyle but the lob will always be our favorite. This one has a gorgeous curled-under ’70s vibe.

TikTok.

Charli D’Amelio

We’re obsessing over D’Amelio’s new chop with ’90s-style layers that feel so fresh for summer.

Source: Instagram

Miranda Cosgrove

She’s back, baby! Hairstylist Clayton Hawkins gave Cosgrove pretty blonde highlights for the iCarly revival.

Instagram.com/kimkardashian.

Kim Kardashian

Look who’s blonde again! But it was only for a few hours. Kardashian was shooting an upcoming campaign either for KKW Beauty or Skims. She actually did get her eyebrows bleached and we actually loved the look with her naturally dark hair. But then when they put the blonde wing on it was like, whoa. Right before she left the studio, she snapped a photo showing us she’s back to brunette again, including the brows.

Source: Instagram

Sabrina Carpenter

Say goodbye to curtain bangs and hello to ‘Bardot bangs!’ Hairstylist Laurie Heaps gave Sabrina Carpenter piece-y bombshell bangs inspired by the iconic French star Brigitte Bardot. We’re obsessed.

Source: Instagram

Selena Gomez

In an Instagram photo promoting her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, in April 2021, Gomez showed off her newly dyed blonde hair. The picture saw the former Disney Channel star light blonde tresses and dark roots. She most recently dyed her hair blonde in 2017 in a color dubbed by her hairstylist Nikki Lee as “Nirvana Blonde.” Gomez’s 2021 color was also done by Lee and Riawna Capri. “We’ve been doing Selena’s color for over a decade now. She typically keeps it pretty natural, but this time she went for a big change. This blonde is unique to her as we had to make sure there was an equal balance of cool and warm for her skin tone. It’s an edgier look and perfect for summer,” the hairstylists said in a statement.

https://twitter.com/eolsenarchive/status/1372591228886396930

Elizabeth Olsen

At the virtual launch of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier miniseries, Olsen debuted a totally different look from her usual copper-blonde hair. The bangs! The darker color! So chic.

Source: Instagram

Chrissy Teigen

We love how Teigen is playing around with wigs lately and experimenting with hair color. Although she only kept the silver shade for a day, we hope she brings it back. It looks amazing on her.

Source: Instagram

Kristen Bell

It seems like Bell is dressed up in character to film a TV show or movie but we’re loving these piecey bangs on her and we hope she keeps them up IRL.

Source: Instagram

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

While filling us in on the Covid-19 relief package, AOC showed off her adorable new haircut. When followers commented saying they loved the chop, she replied, “Let’s not start another national crisis over it, right?”

Source: Instagram

Gigi Hadid

The model mom returned to the runway, walking in the Versace fall 2021 show. Hairstylist Panos Papandrianos wrote “Ginger for Gigi” on Instagram, making us believe he really did dye the model’s hair this gorgeous red shade for the occasion.

Source: Instagram

Olivia Rodrigo

The ‘Drivers License’ singer jumped on the curtain bang trend thanks to hairstylist Clayton Hawkins. They’re subtle but make a big difference in her look. One interesting note: Sabrina Carpenter has them too.

Source: Instagram

Lana Condor

The actress looks so great in this pastel pink wig, maybe she’s considering doing it IRL? “Get ‘Anyone Else But You; to 5 mil streams and I’ll keep it,” she wrote on Instagram. Though, she told STYLECASTER last year, “I don’t know that I’d ever dye dye my hair. I think my mom would kill me, you’d know?”

Source: Instagram

Ashley Graham

The model had everyone thinking maybe she got a pixie cut but her hair is actually the result of new growth post hair loss. “Postpartum baby hairs come through!” she wrote on Instagram.

Source: Instagram

Emma Roberts

A new color and cut for the birthday girl! “Emma always looks and feels her best blonde,” said her hairstylist and Nine Zero One co-founder Nikki Lee. “We decided to keep her a warm blonde and went for a ’90s supermodel vibe. With a new baby and a big birthday, we went out with a bang! Lisa Satorn added extensions for length and fullness. I kept her haircut free and flowing with piecey layers around the face.” Lee keeps her client’s hair healthy with the In Common 3 Step Treatment System ($105 at In Common).

Source: Instagram

Katy Perry

Why not start with one of the biggest hair chameleons? Though she’s been ultra-blonde for a while, we can’t help but miss a brunette Katy Perry. It’s classically chic and fits her personality. So, when we saw these photos of backstage at Jimmy Kimmel Live, we were so excited to see the long brown hair. But it seems it’s a wig and she’s already back to blonde.