Month: August 2025

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Style Stealers

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Originally posted at: Kristin Cavallari’s White Asymmetric Mini Skirt

If someone had told me in my 30s or 40s that I’d one day become a certified Les Mills BODYPUMP instructor, confidently lifting weights in front of a class, I might have laughed. Not because I didn’t think I could do it but because I didn’t see women like me doing that. Fitness, especially strength training, always seemed like it belonged to younger people. I thought I had missed my window.

But something changed in my 50s. I left my husband and became the cliche of a woman who transforms her body and mind. Maybe it was a growing desire to feel strong – not just fit, but truly strong, inside and out. Whatever it was, I walked into a gym one day and picked up a barbell. That simple act quietly transformed my life.

Now, years later, I’m teaching BODYPUMP classes, feeling stronger than I ever thought possible, and advocating for more women, especially older women, to pick up weights and reclaim their power.

The Turning Point: Starting Strength in My 50s

For most of my life, my relationship with exercise was polite. I enjoyed walking, dabbled in fitness classes now and then, and occasionally tried a bit of cardio. But weight training? That always felt out of reach. I had internalized the message so many women do: that lifting weights wasn’t feminine, that it was intimidating, that it might make me bulky or that I was too old to start.

But as I entered my 50s, I noticed changes in my body. I was overweight and more tired, and less connected to my physical self. I also started reading about how strength training could help with bone density, muscle mass, metabolism, and even mood. The science was compelling, but more than that, something in me wanted to feel capable again. Lockdown was the perfect opportunity for me to start my weight training journey as I looked at online workouts.

Then when we emerged from the pandemic, I joined a strength-based fitness class. It was BODYPUMP, actually, my first introduction to Les Mills. I stood in the back, uncertain and nervous. But I also felt excited and once the music started and the instructor began leading us through barbell squats and presses, something clicked.

I wasn’t just moving – I was lifting, I was feeling strong. And I loved it.

Rewriting the Story About Aging

Starting weight training later in life isn’t just a physical transformation, it’s a mental one. We live in a world that often sends the message that women over 50 should take it easy, or that we’re past our prime. But I’ve found the opposite to be true.

I’m in my prime now.

I’ve never felt stronger, more resilient, or more in tune with what my body needs and what it can do. I love seeing the muscle definition in my arms and thighs. Lifting weights has helped me rewrite the story I tell myself about aging. It’s not about decline. It’s about empowerment. And once I embraced that mindset, everything changed.

The Science of Strength for Women Over 50

There are plenty of reasons to lift weights as we age, and it’s not just about looking good in sleeveless tops though that’s a nice bonus! Strength training is one of the most effective ways to:

• Preserve and build muscle mass. After age 30, we naturally lose muscle each year. Weight training helps reverse that trend.
• Improve bone density. Especially important for women, who are at increased risk of osteoporosis after menopause.
• Boost metabolism. More muscle = more calories burned, even at rest.
• Support joints. Strong muscles help stabilize and protect the joints, reducing injury and pain.
• Enhance mental health. Strength training has been linked to improved mood, confidence, and even reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Improve posture, balance, and mobility. All essential for maintaining independence and quality of life as we age.

For me, it’s not about chasing youth. It’s about investing in longevity, vitality, and independence. I want to feel strong and capable well into my 70s, 80s, and beyond, and I want to be able to keep up with my kids. I don’t need them to carry my shopping bags. Weight training gives me that foundation.

Becoming a Les Mills BODYPUMP Instructor

Once I’d been attending BODYPUMP classes for a while, I realized I was falling in love with the format. I loved the music, the energy, the community but most of all, I loved the challenge. I had a short relationship with a fitness instructor who told me I wasn’t good enough and my technique was wrong, and his belittling made me want to prove to myself that he was wrong.

I wasn’t a lifelong athlete, and I didn’t fit the mold of what I thought a fitness instructor was supposed to look like. But then my instructor in my gym suggested I train to become one and it hit me, maybe that was the exact reason I needed to do it. She saw something in me that I didn’t.

Representation matters. I wanted women to walk into class and see someone they could relate to. Someone who had started later in life, who had faced fears and pushed through self-doubt, and who showed up anyway.

Becoming certified wasn’t easy, it required real training, learning the choreography and studying the science. But it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Now, when I stand in front of a class, I don’t see judgment or doubt. I see community. I see women pushing themselves, building strength, and rewriting their own stories just like I did.

What I’ve Learned (and What I Want Other Women to Know)

Here’s what I’ve learned from lifting weights and becoming a BODYPUMP instructor later in life:

You’re Never Too Old to Start

The biggest hurdle is often mental. You don’t need to be fit to begin, just willing.

Progress Is Powerful

Watching yourself grow stronger, week by week, is incredibly motivating.

Strength Training Is Self-Care

It’s not punishment or vanity. It’s about investing in your health and your future.

You Don’t Have to Fit a Mold

The fitness world needs more diversity in age, body type, and experience. Your voice and your presence matter.

Confidence Comes with Action

You don’t wait to feel confident before doing the thing – you do the thing, and confidence follows.

Lifting as Liberation

Weight training didn’t just change my body, it changed my relationship with myself. I stopped shrinking and started expanding. I stopped apologizing for taking up space. I became stronger, inside and out.

If you’re an older woman reading this and wondering if it’s too late for you to start: it’s not. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. And don’t be surprised when you fall in love with your own strength.

Because once you feel it, you’ll never want to let it go.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

In what ways do you think strength training is empowering? Have you done any strength training after 50? Are you persisting with it?

Photo + Info: @stassischroeder

Style Stealers

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Originally posted at: Stassi Schroeder’s Ivory Embellished Mini Dress

Maintaining optimal health involves more than just diet and exercise; it encompasses various interconnected aspects of well-being, including metabolic health and auditory function. Research has highlighted significant correlations between weight, metabolic health, and hearing health, particularly in women.

If you or someone you know would like more information on hearing health, I invite you to explore our certified and vetted member clinics at www.excellenceinaudiology.org.

Here’s an insightful exploration into these interconnected factors.

Weight and Its Impact on Hearing Health

Excess weight, especially obesity, can influence hearing health in several ways.

Inner Ear Function

The inner ear is sensitive to changes in blood flow and metabolic function. Obesity is often associated with impaired blood circulation, which can affect the delicate hair cells in the inner ear responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain.

Inflammation

Obesity is linked to chronic inflammation throughout the body. This inflammatory state can extend to the cochlea, the auditory portion of the inner ear, potentially compromising its function over time.

Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Obesity increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, in turn, is a known risk factor for hearing loss, particularly sensorineural hearing loss, which affects the inner ear’s ability to transmit sound signals effectively.

How Poor Metabolic Health Affects Our Hearing

Metabolic health refers to the body’s ability to efficiently process nutrients and maintain stable blood sugar levels. Poor metabolic health, often associated with conditions like insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, can impact hearing in the following ways:

Vascular Health

Metabolic disorders can lead to vascular complications, including reduced blood flow to the cochlea. This can impair the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to the inner ear structures, potentially contributing to hearing loss.

Oxidative Stress

Imbalances in metabolic processes can increase oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress has been implicated in age-related hearing loss by damaging cochlear cells and accelerating cellular aging.

Hormonal Factors

Hormonal imbalances associated with metabolic disorders may also affect auditory function. For example, fluctuations in insulin levels can influence the health of auditory nerves and their ability to transmit signals effectively.

Understanding the intricate relationship between weight, metabolic health, and hearing health underscores the importance of comprehensive health management strategies. So what can you do?

As always, I encourage you to maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients, engage in regular physical activity, and manage weight effectively. This can support overall metabolic health and potentially reduce the risk of hearing impairment.

Regular monitoring is key. Routine health check-ups should include assessments of metabolic health markers such as blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure, alongside hearing screenings to detect early signs of auditory changes. Awareness and education can facilitate early intervention and targeted management approaches.

By recognizing and addressing the interplay between weight, metabolic health, and hearing health, women can take proactive steps to preserve their auditory function and overall well-being throughout their lives. Taking a holistic approach to health can yield significant benefits, enhancing quality of life and promoting long-term vitality.

Understanding these connections empowers women to make informed choices that support their hearing health alongside their broader wellness goals.

If you need more insight on hearing healthcare, feel free to reach out at keith@excellenceinaudiology.org or visit www.drkeithdarrow.com.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Here are five thoughtful discussion questions designed to engage those who may be struggling with weight, metabolic health, and its impact on hearing.

• Have you ever considered how your weight or metabolic health could influence your hearing or overall ear health? What surprised you about the connection?
• What challenges have you faced when trying to maintain a healthy weight or manage metabolic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure?
• Have you noticed any changes in your hearing (like ringing, muffled sounds, or difficulty hearing in noisy environments) that you haven’t discussed with a healthcare provider?
• What kind of support or resources do you think would help you take better care of your metabolic and hearing health?
• How do you prioritize your overall health, and where do hearing health and weight management fit into your current wellness routine?

Until next month, please continue to take care of your ears!

8 Adorable Bravoleb Dresses You Can Wear Right Now

August is in full swing and that means we’re starting to think about Fall fashion. So I’ve rounded up the perfect seen-on-Bravoleb dresses that you can wear right now and in the fall. So whether you’ve got a boat day on the horizon, labor day plans or want to look stylish in September thanks to these stylish celebs there’s something for you.

The List

Back in Stock Best Seller Camila Coelho Moroccan Midi Dress

Fab Under $70 Find Free People Women’s Slip Dress

Brand With a Buzz Hill House Home Elizabeth Nap Dress

Versatile Vibes Banana Republic Shirt Dress

On the Bubble Simkhai Fifi Bubble Dress

In Check Veronica Beard Beard Mackey Dress

Spot on Style Free People Butterfly Babe Dress

Summer Southern Charm Hill House Home Kimmy Nap Dress

Camila Coelho Moroccan Midi Dress Seen on Amanda Batula

Amanda Batula wore this perfect corset dress earlier this summer and in turn is sold out. Lucky for us it’s back in stock in brown and black and perfect for late summer and early fall events.

Free People Women’s Slip Dress Seen on Tamra Judge

$68 for a seen on Bravoleb dress? That’s wild. Kind of like the leopard print on Tamra Judge’s tie shoulder dress. And since we all know animal print is a neutral that knows no season it’s time to snag the multi-season midi before it’s gone.

Hill House Home Nap Dress Seen on Nia Sanchez

It seems like I can’t go long without hearing someone talking about Hill House Home nap dresses. Spotted on Nia Sanchez in the short version, they’ve been seen in one variation or another on a laundry list of celebs including Taylor Swift and Anne Hathaway. I bought one for my recent trip to Napa and they are really easy to throw on and go.

Banana Republic Shirt Dress Seen on Margaret Josephs

Margaret Josephs popped up in Italy wearing this extremely versatile poplin shirt dress. It comes in 3 colors and can be put on with sandals, heels or even sneakers for a sophisticated on-the-go look.

Simkhai Fifi Dress Seen on Stassi Schroeder

As someone who owns a Simkhai bubble dress and skirt I obviously think the style is adorable. This is the perfect end of summer dress and can even be worn in early fall if you live in a warmer climate or do not subscribe to the “no white after Labor Day” rule like me.

Veronica Beard Beard Mackey Dress Seen on Lindsay Hubbard

Lindsay Hubbard’s brown and white gingham halter dress is a pretty, preppy look that will give you a ladies who lunch vibe. It’s giving preppy Hamptons vibes as you can see on miss Hubbs above.

Free People Butterfly Babe Dress Seen on Bronwyn Newport

If Bronwyn Newport is wearing something that is under $200 (or $1000 for that matter) you know it’s good. And this silk polka dot dress is the perfect piece to slip into right now.

Hill House Home Kimmy Nap Dress Seen on Cameran Eubanks

Though this dress is giving summer, if you’re like me and Cameran and live somewhere warm it’s a great dress to close the summer out in. If the print is too summery for you scoop it up in a darker color and layer it with a denim jacket when you start to feel a chill in the air.

Originally posted at: 8 Adorable Bravoleb Dresses You Can Wear Right Now