Life is always throwing some new challenge at you. Fortunately, the older you get, the better you become at adapting to changing circumstances.

Women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s face a unique set of challenges for sure. You may be entering a new career – or transitioning out of the workplace into retirement. Or you may be in your 70s and beyond and thinking about volunteering, or doing nothing for a change.

As you get older, health problems – some brief and manageable, others chronic and life-changing – become a reality. Your body may go through significant changes, forcing you to confront new issues.

But you’re a confident, successful
woman. There’s no doubt you will navigate these and many more changes like a
pro.

Part of that is about knowing yourself
and adapting your personal style to fit your changing circumstances. If you’re
dealing with a major change now or just want to be prepared for the future,
these tips are sure to help.

Know Yourself

Being confident with your personal
style and fashion choices all comes down to knowing yourself – what you like,
what matters to you, and what kind of image you want to present to the world.
But doing so can be hard when you’re dealing with changing circumstances.

For example, what happens if you face
a serious health problem that alters your physical appearance? What if the
aging process leads to a change in your body shape? You may find that the
outfits that you once loved are no longer flattering. Or that the styles that
once appealed to you no longer do.

Instead of focusing on the negative
aspects of your changing circumstances, focus on the things about yourself that
haven’t changed. Keep expressing that gorgeous inner you in all your style
choices.

If you’re wearing a different size in
clothing than you once did, you can still find items that express your true
inner self. Here are three ways to do it.

Start with Classics in Neutral Colors

A basic wardrobe in classic styles and
neutral colors is essential for every woman. Maybe it’s time to update your
essentials – with simple button-up blouses, camisoles, skirts, and cover-ups.
If so, make sure you go with styles that flatter your figure and fit
comfortably.

Plus size women often struggle with
finding quality basics that fit their bodies properly. It’s a shame, because no
one – not of any age or shape – deserves to feel less than gorgeous in
everything she wears.

If you are struggling to find classic plus size attire in your local area, try shopping online.
Use sizing charts to find the right fit – and keep in mind that not all
designers use the same sizing guides.

Add Color and Fun

If you find that many of your old
favorites don’t fit anymore, it’s time to update your wardrobe. If a change in
your size or body shape has been a discouraging process for you, this can be an
opportunity to find a positive side to that change. Why?

There are more options than ever
before for larger women who want to express themselves with colorful, artful,
fun plus size clothing.

You don’t have to hide behind dark
colors and poorly fitting garments. Instead, look for artistic batik
cardigans, kimono sleeve
cover-ups in
fun colors, and other items that express your personal style.

Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New

Whatever change has led you to
updating or changing your wardrobe, keep a positive outlook. This is an
opportunity for you to enhance your personal style!

That may include trying out some new
looks. Don’t be afraid! You don’t have to totally revamp your wardrobe.
Instead, start with an outfit you already love. Now, swap out just once piece
for a more stylish option.

For example, you might replace a black
jacket with an artistic plus
size jacket.
Or a simple metal bracelet with a chunky, colorful option.

Major changes can be daunting. But
they can become powerful moments when you embrace your ability to take control
and transform in a positive way.

Use these tips to choose items that
will have you dressing in striking, flattering, expressive outfits. That way,
you’ll always announce your beauty and confidence to the world around you, no
matter what changes you experience.

How has your body changed with age?
How has your style changed? How do you adapt your wardrobe to those changes?
Please share in the comments below.

Melissa Gorga’s Black Button Front Dress on Instastories

Real Housewives of New Jersey Instagram Fashion 2022

Melissa Gorga is not just a Good American for introducing us to this (under $100!) summery black button front dress on her Instastories, she is a great one. Because you know if we weren’t able to shop it in time, we’d have some very serious Envy. 

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Good American Dress at Envy

Click Here For Additional Stock, Sizes & Colours

Photo & Info: @MelissaGorga

Originally posted at: Melissa Gorga’s Black Button Front Dress

Falls are a real risk for those of us over 60. Recently, Ivana Trump died from a fall at home.

According to a 2018 Centers for Disease Control report, 35.6 million falls occurred among those 65 and older. These resulted in injuries for 8.4 million of the cases and 32,000 deaths.

These numbers can be reduced if older adults take action to cut their risks. Usually, fall prevention centers on external changes. That’s the “outer” game which includes things like making modifications around the house. There’s also an equally important “inner game” for fall prevention.

External Changes

Examples of external changes to prevent falls include:

• Put in grab bars around the home, particularly in bathrooms.
• Remove loose rugs and install non-slip materials under other carpets and rugs.
• Add more lighting.
• Make sure transitions between spaces don’t risk tripping.

An excellent resource for renovating your house to prevent falls can be found in AARP’s publication, HomeFit Guide.

Considering the Inner Game

Awareness is the centerpiece of the inner game of fall prevention. Cultivating an ongoing vigilance about fall risk during your day-to-day activities can make a big difference in keeping you safe.

The inner game consists of some simple principles.

Physical Fitness

Maintaining muscle strength and flexibility by walking and similar exercise will assist in preventing falls. It’s easier to keep your balance when your overall fitness is better.

Also, keeping that extra weight off is essential since it can aggravate many medical ailments that lead to falls.

Seek Help if Lightheaded or Dizzy

Dizziness and imbalance often lead to falls. Medical conditions like diabetes or heart ailments can be causes. Also, general age-related deterioration of inner-ear function can cause this as well. Seek medical advice at the first signs of these symptoms as they may indicate more significant issues.

Side effects of medications can also contribute to dizziness and imbalance. In any case, medical help could prevent falls.

Footwear Matters

The wrong footwear could lead to falls. For example, wearing slippery socks or slippers at home could be harmful. Also, ensure your footwear is comfortably snug to improve balance and avoid tripping hazards.

Regular Vision and Hearing Check-Ups

Balance depends on the interaction between the inner ear, the sense of touch and vision. Make sure to schedule regular vision and hearing tests. Also, take time to adjust to new glasses or contacts.

Let There Be Light

A well-lit environment will prevent falls. Turn on lights when moving around the house, especially at night. Add lighting in dim areas.

Falls and Alcohol

About 65% of fatal falls are related to alcohol use. If you are a bit unsteady already, alcohol will make the risk of a fall much worse.

Go Slow

Standing up too quickly can sometimes result in imbalance. Take your time standing up, rising from a chair or getting out of bed to ensure you feel steady on your feet.

Canes and Walkers

To many, using a cane or walker signifies extreme old age. Yet, the risk of not using such supports when needed opens the door to the worse alternative of falling and getting hurt. Swallow your pride and consult an occupational or physical therapist to fit and train you on proper use.

Slippery When Wet (or Icy)

If a surface seems wet or icy, assume that it is. A supply of sand or salt by the door is handy for applying to dangerous ground. Also, footwear is available with ice-gripping studs to make walking to the mailbox in winter much safer.

Stair Risk

Stairways pose a high risk for falls. Adding handrails and non-slip surfaces is a necessity. Also, get in the habit of being deliberate by planning each stair walk. Focus on each step up or down. Carrying items up or down stairs increases the risk. Instead, use a tote bag for carrying things while holding the handrail. Finally, make sure the stairway is well-lit to avoid disaster because of missing a step on a dark staircase.

Improving your inner game of fall prevention takes focus and practice. However, if you know your limits and increase your fall awareness, following these simple principles will help reduce your risks.

Are you afraid of a fall? Have you experienced a fall or know someone who has? Did your (their) confidence drop dramatically after a fall? What changes in your environment have you made to make it easier to navigate?

13 years ago, I was 50 pounds overweight. I had always been slim and fit, so my seemingly overnight weight gain came as a complete shock.

So much so that one sunny day I saw my
image reflected in a glass door and didn’t recognize myself. Once I got over
the initial shock, I moved straight into panic mode, trying one diet plan after
another.

Even though I knew all about healthy
eating and working out, I couldn’t seem to bring myself to do it consistently
enough to lose weight and improve my health. Feeling helpless and hopeless, I
turned to prayer.

I asked for help with my diet, I asked
to get back in shape, I said I would do whatever it took to lose weight in a
healthy and sustainable way. I was willing to change whatever needed changing
and I meant it.

3 Words Altered Everything

A few days later, I tuned in to the Oprah
Show. That day, the late Louise Hay was sharing a technique called “mirror
talk.” She suggested saying “I love you” to ourselves. Starkers. In front of a
mirror. This, she assured viewers, would help us lose weight and improve our
lives, guaranteed.

Wait, what?

“Ok,” I thought skeptically, “how can
I ‘love’ the person inside of me that has allowed this unhealthy weight gain? How
can I love the way I look? How can I overcome my profound sense of self-loathing?
How can saying ‘I love you’ change my lack of self-control?”

I couldn’t imagine that this woo-woo
notion would make any difference at all, but desperate people do desperate
things. Saying “I love you” in the mirror couldn’t be worse than the crazy
diets I had tried.

I was not prepared for how powerful
those three little words would turn out to be. As I said “I love you” to myself
that first time, I broke into tears.

In the flood of pent up emotion, I
realized I was ravenously hungry for love. I saw that I was lonely and that I
was carrying the weight of a deep sadness I had never before noticed.

As I continued saying “I love you” to myself each day, I noticed that my overeating was, in part, an attempt to soothe myself and in part due to a haphazard dinner schedule that had evolved in our home.

Respect for Dinner Time

I had always envisioned my family
sitting around the dinner table enjoying the meal and each other’s company. That
wasn’t what was happening, however.

My daughter came home from school
looking for a snack that frequently spoiled her desire for dinner. And, it was
never certain if and when my husband would be home for dinner.

Many nights he’d say he’d already
eaten, while a meal I’d spent hours preparing sat in the oven. Other nights,
he’d arrive hours later expecting his meal would be ready and waiting. While I
hoped we would sit at the dinner table, he preferred to eat by himself in front
of the television.

Contemplating the disparity between
what I longed for and what was, I realized that I had unconsciously turned to
food for comfort and was in complete denial about the dynamic that had
developed in our home. It became clear I needed to take note and seek
solutions.

I began to recognize my struggles with
allowing myself to acknowledge that my marriage needed work. That part of my
life was supposed to be “solid,” but it wasn’t. Recognizing we had issues to
work on was pretty scary.

As I witnessed my struggles to share
my feelings with my husband, I saw that my subconscious was simply trying to
keep me safe. In making this revelation, I learned to be compassionate and
patient with myself.

Bad Routine Has to Change

I knew, for starters, that I needed to
create a more satisfying environment around dinner hour and started with cooking
a special meal each night. It pained me to coax my daughter to eat, while my
husband wolfed down his food, eyes glued to the TV.

Nonetheless, I began setting the table
at a specific dinner time and adhered to it. No one welcomed the idea at first,
but the earlier dinner hour eliminated the need for snacking for both my
daughter and me. We began to enjoy dinner time chats and paid more attention to
enjoying our food.

But that was not all. Eliminating the
need for snacking had a profound effect on my waistline. Between dinner and early
evening snack I had been consuming way too many calories. By eating only at the
dinner table, I enjoyed my food more and felt satiated.

Taking positive action increased my
self-confidence and self-esteem. While I was a long way from fully loving myself
and losing all the weight, taking positive steps toward a better overall life
made it a few ticks easier.

No matter how difficult your weight
situation looks, loving yourself can bring you to a better place. Create an
action plan you are willing to stick with and go for it. I’ll be here to cheer
you on and keep sharing the story of my journey with weight loss.

Do you love yourself? How do you show
it? Do you respect the person that you are? What ways have you tried to lose
weight? Did they work? Are you willing to love those extra pounds away? Please
share your thoughts in the comments below.

Melissa Gorga’s Pink Slit Dress on Instagram

Real Housewives of New Jersey Instagram Fashion 2022

Melissa Gorga looked HOTTT at the Saks OFF 5TH Jersey Shore event that she attended with some of her RHONJ cast mates in her (currently on sale for $79.99!) pink slit dress. However at least she appears to have been given a tasty blue popsicle to cool off. 

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Susana Monaco Dress on Sale

Click Here to Shop Dolores’ Dress on Sale

Click Here to Shop Margaret’s Dress on Sale

Click Here For Info on Jackie’s Dress

Photo: @DoloresCatania

Originally posted at: Melissa Gorga’s Pink Slit Dress