Month: July 2024

Originally posted at: Alexis Bellino’s Hot Pink Bralette and Skirt

The definition of Ghosting according to Urban Dictionary is, “The act of suddenly ceasing all communication with someone the subject is dating, but no longer wishes to date.”

A better definition is… you and I meet, we have amazing chemistry, we hang out and have awesome sex. I bond to you and then you disappear, ultimately breaking my heart. You don’t answer my calls or texts and I am so confused and concerned.

Here’s how the conversation goes. “Are you hurt? Did I do something wrong? We were making plans and now you’re gone.” Sadly, ghosting happens all the time now.

Back in the day, before the Internet, when people met via a fix up by friends, no one would have even thought to disappear like they do today. Their reputation was at stake, and they didn’t want to face the judgment of their friends. They would have done the proper thing and said… “I think we aren’t a match.” You’d have closure, maybe some tears but you’d have known why the relationship was ending.

In today’s cyber world, no one is holding anyone accountable so it’s easy to disappear. People think by not answering your texts or calls, they are not hurting your feelings. What they don’t realize is you hurt even more because you have no idea what caused the rift and no way to fix it. You can’t totally prevent this from happening but I want to give you some warning signs that can help you recognize you’re headed for trouble when they appear.

Warning Sign #1: Chemistry

Chemistry… and I mean hot, can’t-take-your-hands-off-each-other, and the sex is so amazing!

When the chemistry is this hot, turn and run the other way. Relationships are rarely based on chemistry alone and chemistry keeps a friendship, a much needed connection from happening. You bond so fast from the intimacy that you don’t have a chance to really see who someone is until it’s too late.

Warning Sign #2: No Exclusive Commitment

Usually he’ll say something like, “we are having so much fun, let’s see where it goes.” And you agree to it because you’re bonding through sex, and he’s fun, and you think he is too. He’s not, and he’s telling you he’s not about a relationship. He’s about fun when he uses this phrase.

Warning Sign #3: Feeling Needy

You find yourself feeling more clingy and needy because you don’t know how he fits into your life.

Instead of being a grown up and telling you this is getting on his nerves, he disappears. People would prefer to just leave than get involved in some type of confrontation with you. Again, the reason is because they are not committed to the relationship.

Warning Sign #4: The Future Talk

He knows there’s no future for the two of you, so he keeps silent. He’s just in this for the fun and nothing serious. He stays silent when you future talk and disappears versus “hurting your feelings” letting you know he’s not on the same relationship page as you are.

Warning Sign #5: Trying to Put an End

He tries to end it but you draw him back into the relationship because you’ve bonded, and you miss him so much when you are apart.

At this point, he feels like you are not hearing him so instead of going through the drama of a breakup again he just disappears. Really listen to what men are saying to you because men mean what they say. We as women don’t always mean what we say… mostly because we are people pleasers and we think things are changeable. The disconnect happens because we think men think this way too! They do not!

I’ve given you 5 warning signs to watch for in future relationships. Use them. They can save you a lot of heartbreak in the future.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you experienced this kind of “ghosting dating,” when someone you were seeing suddenly disappeared and stopped communicating? Do you think it is possible for women over 60 to meet men who want to make a commitment? Do you often miss ‘warning signs’ in your dating relationships?

1st Photo + Info: @heatherdubrow

Originally posted at: Heather Dubrow’s Black Faux Fur Coat

As we all know, our bodies undergo changes as we age. Some of these changes can make maintaining an active life challenging. However, with the right knowledge and guidance, we can maintain or embrace a new exercise habit, even when we are over 60.

That one commitment can help us to get a bit more fit or help us to stay fit longer. And it will also expand and extend the possibilities for a truly enjoyable and fulfilling, long and healthy life.

We owe it to ourselves and to those we love to be as healthy and fit as we can be to ensure a quality life full of adventures and happy memories for many years to come.

Exercise Tips You Can Apply Today

Regular exercise is critical to maintain physical health, strength, and overall well-being, regardless of our age. But as we enter our 60s, it becomes especially important to adopt exercise as a regular part of our lives.

Routines that are tailored to our changing bodies can help us stay fit and also help us to prevent age-related illnesses and physical limitations.

For example, many exercises help improve overall physical health but also help reduce joint stiffness while enhancing cardiovascular health.

Certain exercises also help us to preserve our mobility, flexibility, and balance.

These are all qualities that are key to both physical and cognitive health as we age. That’s right, even our brains benefit from exercise.

Exercise Options for Women Over 60

It’s important that we

1. Start with activities that match our fitness level,
2. Consult with a healthcare professional if necessary, and
3. Listen to our bodies as we try out new things.

Here are some practical ways to begin including exercise in our daily lives:

Take Up Walking

Walking is a low-impact exercise that provides an excellent cardiovascular workout to improve heart health, enhance circulation, and boost mood. Start with shorter walks. Gradually increase the distance and intensity. Consider joining walking groups or finding scenic trails to make it a more mindful, enjoyable and social experience.

Water Time

Swimming and water aerobics are gentle on the joints, making them an ideal choice for women over 60. These activities provide cardiovascular benefits without putting excessive stress on the body. Water supports the body, reduces impact, and increases resistance, helping to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. Many community centers and gyms offer water aerobics classes specifically designed for older adults.

How About Yoga and Pilates?

Yoga and Pilates are fantastic options for women over 60, as they focus on flexibility, strength, and balance. These mind-body practices also promote relaxation, stress reduction, and mental well-being. Both yoga and Pilates can be modified to accommodate different fitness levels and physical abilities. Consider joining classes specifically tailored for older adults or consult with a certified instructor to create a personalized routine.

Do Strength Training

Strength training is key for maintaining muscle mass and bone density, especially as we age. Engaging in weight-bearing exercises, such as using resistance bands, dumbbells, or bodyweight exercises, helps improve strength, balance, and posture. Strength training also aids in the prevention of osteoporosis and reduces the risk of falls and fractures. Start with lighter weights and gradually increase resistance over time, ensuring proper form and technique.

Another Option Is Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a gentle, low-impact exercise that combines flowing movements with deep breathing and mindfulness. It improves balance, flexibility, and mental focus. Tai Chi also helps reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and increase overall relaxation. Joining a Tai Chi class or following instructional videos can introduce you to the technique and help you gradually master the movements.

Health Screenings Are Essential for Women Over 60

As women age, the risk of developing chronic illnesses and diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis, increases.

Exercise is important. What’s equally critical? Staying up to date with regular health screenings, such as mammograms, bone density tests, and cholesterol checks.

These preventative measures can help detect any potential health issues early on, leading to better outcomes and care.

Regular check-ups with your medical care provider are also fundamental to maintaining optimal health.

They can offer vital information about any potential risks or concerns you may have and help you develop a personalized wellness plan to address them.

How to Stay Fit and Healthy as Women Over 60

As women over 60, we can take a huge step towards maintaining our health and wellness by incorporating exercise into our daily routine.

Equally important is staying current with health check-ups, routine preventative testing, vaccines, and having a full physical every few years to have a more in-depth assessment of a wider group of key health indicators.

It’s never too late to start leading a healthy lifestyle; the key is to commit to making choices that align with that priority most days, and to take pride in our efforts to stay fit, vibrant and alive.

Your future self will thank you for each step you take, no matter how small!

Surround yourself with others who put their health first, too, and watch your willpower and motivation soar!

Let’s Start a Conversation!

What exercise habits do you currently enjoy? Are there new active hobbies you hope to explore? How would you describe your activity level now? How would you like to maintain or change that? Do you have friends in mind who may want to support you and become an exercise accountability partner? What challenges do you face when trying to implement a regular fitness habit? Share your challenges with other readers, and let’s try to come up with winning strategies together.

Before I even get into this article, I’d like to share with all the readers that I am a New Yorker who has lived in five different countries for 30 years. I now reside in Austin, Texas, and have called it home for 13 years. None of my stories or features involve politics, religion, or ideology. I write about life and culture and share experiences I believe women our age will appreciate.

Medical Spa + More

That said, I recently was made aware of a lovely little medical spa (which offers more than just the medical part) named Kuya Wellness.

Let me say upfront that I am not paid to write this article. I simply like what they have to offer and thought others may want to check them out as well.

At the end of 2021, Kuya opened its doors to an eager public seeking a scientific and holistic regenerative approach to health. Kuya is not your traditional wellness center; it is a haven to elevate your healing journey. With 11,000 square feet of calm spaces, one quickly and easily drifts barefoot in and out of the two-story space.

Meg Dwyer, who oversees the Neurostimulation program, talked with me about what they do at the facility.

“EEGs are taken, and a brain map is sent to Dr. Tiff Thompson, who runs NeuroField. She has a Ph.D., QEEGD, BCN, LMFT, and is a clinical neuroscientist, licensed therapist, educator, and technologist. She is the founder and owner of the Santa Barbara clinic, NeuroField Neurotherapy, where she offers clinicians quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG)-based functional brain consulting.

“Dr. Thompson reads the electrical outputs – which neurons are over and under-firing, and a report is printed and analyzed. Our customers include people with concussions, traumatic brain injuries, OCD, and social anxiety who find this therapy helpful. The course is 10 sessions long.”

So, what procedures can you do at Kuya Wellness?

Ketamine Assisted Therapy

This is a six-session program facilitated by a medical doctor to help with mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety. You can tailor this program in a multitude of ways. Regulating the nervous system while engaging with the Kuya community brings forth a wellspring of connectivity, something people lack, which is part of the reason mental health issues occur in the first place.

IV Infusion Therapy

Kuya offers a variety of boosters, from red blood cells to mood enhancements, relaxation, and alkaline balancing.

OPUS Sound Therapy

I had the pleasure of trying out the sound bed. At first, before stepping into the chamber, I thought, ‘Sound therapy, I’ve done that before with a practitioner using a tuning fork to attune my body’s sound and Tibetan bowl music, with chanting,’ but this was unexpected. If you’re old enough to remember vibrating beds at motel rooms, the kind where you put a quarter in and for 15 minutes your bed rocked and rolled, you’ll get the gist of OPUS.

It vibrates pretty intensely, starting from your calves to your neck, and then moves to a pre-determined rhythm programmed to match the soundtracks on the iPad. I first chose a bird sound but found the vibration too hard. Then I switched to a soothing ambient track and enjoyed the movement as I lay on the bed in a dark room (my choice).

Cedar Sauna and Cold Plunge Pool

I didn’t try the latter as it was too hot outside, and I felt sticky. However, I’m looking forward to it. Besides, I once took a cold plunge at a Japanese spa in Hokkaido and didn’t know what happened to me. I couldn’t move my body and felt my eyes rolling back. I thought I was dying. So, cold plunges are not for me.

Lymphatic Massage

Lymphatic massage was the best modality I tried. Someone wraps you manually in leg and arm nylon with velcro to keep the attachments secured and well-fitted. The outfit is attached to pumps, which cause pressure up and down your entire body, like taking your blood pressure only everywhere, in a tightening and releasing motion. After the 45-minute session, I felt rejuvenated and highly recommend this for circulation and natural lymphatic drainage.

Sensory Deprivation Tank

I last experienced one of these in Amsterdam when I lived there in 1994. It was the first of its kind, so I was thrilled to try it again after such a long time. The technology may have changed. This tank was more comprehensive than I remembered, so you could almost reach a 45-degree angle as you float, depending on your height.

There was no music or sound as there was in the Dutch floatation tank. That allowed me to meditate in peace and listen to my breath. It could be a challenging experience for those who have never let the silence engulf their space. It’s probably nearly impossible to find complete stillness anywhere. Even in nature, it is quite the racket.

The tank is in a private room with a shower, earbuds, and a foam neck brace to keep your hair somewhat dry.

What Else to Know About Kuya

Kuya is a membership club. What sets it apart is the freedom to come and go and use any magnificent rooms upstairs or downstairs for meetings or just to relax, much like a co-working space. Additionally, there are events and happenings. Naturally, you can buy a day pass for $65.00.

If you are in Austin for a conference, of which there are hundreds, a wedding, visiting your grandchildren or children, or just taking a weekend to explore, I recommend visiting Kuya.

For more information, visit https://kuyawellness.com/.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you been to a wellness center in the past year? What was the experience like? Do you think places like Kuya could benefit us women over 60?