Staying healthy and staying in shape does get harder as we age.

There are so many things going against us. We are bombarded with skinny young women on the front of magazines that sit right at the supermarket counters so there is no escaping the media glare.

Being skinny is not what you should be aiming for if you are overweight, but you most certainly should be aiming at staying healthy and keeping your body in reasonable shape. Basically, if you look after your body, it will look after you well into your 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond.

By following a few simple rules, you will be in the best shape for you! Not what society dictates, but what you want for yourself.

Don’t Diet

I see the word diet as when we intentionally restrict our food intake simply for the sake of weight loss. This is a wrong mentality because it does not work for a long-term solution for weight loss. We are incapable of forcing ourselves to suffer indefinitely (and hence, generally go off the bandwagon about Day 4 of a diet). When the “diet” inevitably fails it usually leads to more weight gain.

You can turn this around with a much better approach of finding healthy habits you enjoy and turning them into regular habits. This allows them to be more sustainable and you more successful in maintaining them.

Yes, you need to eat less and change your diet to lose weight! You did not get overweight for other reasons. If you find yourself considering your change to eating habits as a sacrifice or deprivation then you are on the road to disaster.

One simple tip would be to enjoy mindful eating. When you eat mindfully this helps food to be more satisfying so you tend to eat less with deliberate intention or sacrifice.

One of the reasons I created the Weight Loss Summit is because I had finally solved my own weight gain misery and struggles. The approach I used was different from everything that the dieting industry had made me believe to be true. I knew it was my duty to gather like-minded women and make the right information available.

Changing Habits

Most of our eating habits stem from our unconscious mind. A huge step in changing your habits requires knowledge about what they are, what triggers them and what our brain’s goal is when we do them.

The first step in creating healthy habits it to keep a food or habit journal. Knowing you will need to write something down is a great way to trick yourself into paying attention to what you do throughout the day.

Don’t Worry About Exercise – Just Enjoy It!

I was the best couch potato you could imagine. I watched my husband come in from a run and laugh, telling him it was time to admit defeat and that he was getting old. In truth, I was looking for all the excuses as to why I was not out there with him and doing some form of exercise.

One day I decided to take up running and joined a running club for women 35+. I came home that evening unable to walk or talk. During that first run I did not know what was going to kill me first, my heart or my lungs giving out. But I stayed with it. And I am so glad I did.

Now you might be reading this and don’t do any exercise and do worry about it. First of all ,you need to forget the notion that there is a prescribed amount of exercise that you should be doing; otherwise it is futile.

If you are doing nothing, doing one small change is an improvement.

Exercise is additive, so adding small steps every now and again will be significant and will lead to better things for you. One tip is to be more active in the things you are already doing. I like to walk my dog every morning and when I found myself unable to run for a couple of weeks, I walked him twice a day instead.

Truth is, the more physically active you are, the easier it becomes to enjoy it more and seek it out. This is where I love the session from Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon. Here is a quote from her from the Weight Loss Summit:

“Women in particular are taking care of other people. Especially women 55+ – the sandwich generation concept. They may be combining work with children as well as ageing parents. There is so much pressure on you and to say you need to take care of your health and fitness can be seen as one more chore on your huge To Do List!”

Be Kind to Yourself

This is my final point I want to make. We sometimes are so busy comparing ourselves to others we forget to take care of ourselves. I saw this quote on Facebook from a friend how recently turned 50:

“TBT… was depressed when I reached the big “40”… lol… wish I were 40 now.”

Finally, I will leave you with this quote.

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

What is your best quote that gets you through the tough days? Would you say that you are physically active, or do you need to get moving a little more? What little steps can you take today? Please share in the comments.

If you find yourself saying, “I feel tired all the time,” it may be due in part to what you are eating and drinking throughout the day. Read on to learn how you can make dietary adjustments to combat fatigue.

You’re Drinking Too Much Caffeine

Coffee and tea provide wonderful health benefits, including reducing risks for certain types of cancers, providing a rich source of antioxidants, and everyone’s favorite, blocking fatigue. However, too much caffeine over a prolonged period of time will actually make you feel more tired.

How does this work? Caffeine blocks brain receptors for adenosine, a molecule that induces fatigue. Over time, your body responds by producing more adenosine receptors, resulting in stronger, longer lasting fatigue.

Try limiting your caffeine consumption to one or two cups prior to noon, and skip any added sweeteners.

You’re Iron Deficient

Not eating enough iron raises risks for anemia. Early signs of iron deficiency include persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, unexplained weight gain, and feeling anxious for no reason.

Reduce your risks by incorporating iron-rich foods into your diet, such as lean beef, bison, oysters, lentils and spinach. If you are vegan or vegetarian, pair those iron sources with foods high in vitamin C to increase absorption.

You Eat Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates include pasta, white rice, most breakfast cereals and white bread. Though derived from whole grains, refined grains have undergone processing that removes all protein, fiber and nutrients from the food, leaving behind simple sugars that give your body a quick burst of energy, followed by an energy crash, fatigue, and cravings for more carbs.

Instead, switch to whole grains that provide your body with protein, fiber, iron and B vitamins that give you long-lasting energy. Great choices include quinoa, barley, brown rice and whole-wheat bread.

You Turn to Added Sugars

Similar to refined carbohydrates, added sugars spike the blood sugar, but provide nothing nutritionally to sustain that energy. The result is a sudden plummet in energy and mood. In addition, consuming added sugars interferes with leptin production, a key hormone that helps us to feel full. Wean yourself off this temporary fix and turn to whole fruits when you need something sweet.

Natural sugars, as opposed to added sugars, do not dramatically spike the blood sugar and contain fiber and antioxidants to keep you feeling full and energized longer. You’ll also cut your risks for type 2 diabetes, another condition that leads to chronic fatigue.

You’re Skimping on Magnesium

If you eat like most Americans, you’re probably not getting enough magnesium. Magnesium is responsible for breaking down glucose in the body for energy. One interesting study conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center found that those who did not meet daily magnesium requirements in the diet expended more energy and required more oxygen to complete tasks than those who ate enough magnesium.

Great sources of this important mineral include bananas, almonds, spinach, Swiss chard, and pumpkin seeds.

You’re Dehydrated

I recommend drinking 7-11 glasses of water every day, and more if you are active or consume a lot of caffeine. Every single function the body performs relies on hydration to work properly, including your metabolism. When we don’t drink enough water, we’ll feel tired and lethargic.

You’re Low on Melatonin

Our diet influences the body’s ability to produce sufficient levels of melatonin, one of the primary hormones responsible for lulling us to sleep. A low melatonin supply translates into more difficulty falling sleep, less deep sleep, and higher risks of insomnia.

Add to that the fact that our bodies naturally produce less melatonin in middle age, and poor sleep quality sets us up for fatigue. Counteract these changes by adding foods to your diet that encourage melatonin production. These include tart cherry juice, dairy and lean protein sources.

I have helped to develop an all-natural, drug-free sleep aid for my patients to get a sound night’s sleep during (and after) middle age. It combines melatonin-rich tart cherry juice extract with whey protein to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, all with no side effects. You can search around for something similar.

You Need More Protein

Protein is the most satiating of the macronutrients and takes the longest to digest, providing our bodies with a steady stream of energy – and helping us to feel full longer. Due to the natural process of sarcopenia, which begins around age 30 and ramps up around age 40, our muscles naturally degenerate in middle age.

We can experience feelings of weakness and fatigue as a result. Build all of your meals around lean protein sources, and consider taking a supplement if you still frequently feel tired and hungry.

Do you feel tired all the time? Do any of these suggestions sound familiar to you? What are you doing to develop healthy aging habits? Please join the conversation.

I’m sure we all remember the “rules” that governed how to dress as we were growing up. I realize that it’s hard to change our thinking about something we’ve heard over and over throughout life. However, I do feel like it’s important to be open to new ideas and styles, too. It keeps us young and modern!

In saying all of that, I’m going to broach the subject about wearing white during the winter months!

The Modern Style

Maybe you’re wondering about how wearing a certain color can make you look more modern or relevant? Well, perhaps it can’t, but I do think that white jeans are a great look all year long! Maybe it’s the crispness they bring to an outfit? Maybe it’s the fact that we are being rebellious by wearing them after Labor Day?

The one way I can tell that it’s more contemporary to wear white jeans in the winter is the fact that I can’t find them on sale at the end of summer anymore. It goes to show that even when I present a new idea in a good light that there’s sometimes a downside as well, right?

Being Realistic

Of course, there is the realistic side of wearing white jeans, or even mostly white at any time of year. This would include the stains, dinginess and spills that can happen. And I know, many women will say that they can’t wear white because of these issues. And I get that!

There’s also the sloppy days after the snowfall where the grime and dirt would be too much for white jeans – unless you happen to be wearing your over-the-knee boots that day!

But let’s look at a couple of facts to act as counterpoints to these issues. One, I’ve seen stain resistant jeans available now. Wouldn’t that be a nice factor in all of our clothing?

Two, my mother, the model in many of these photos, pointed out to me that it’s easier to clean the all-white items. She said that you can bleach these articles and not worry about messing up the other colors. Now I’m sure this doesn’t work with all of the stains, but this suggestion could be helpful, yes?

What to Wear with Your White Jeans?

Absolutely anything goes with white. As a fashion blogger, I see a lot of outfits worn by every age group and size, and I’ve seen it all!

Some of us may think that you might be limited in the pairings of certain values or hues to combine with white. And I say hogwash! I’ve seen pastels, ivory, brights, black and every color imaginable look fantastic with white!

Why Do I Love This Look?

I think white jeans can pop any other color that you wear with it. Take for example my post seen here! For this example, I tried to vary the kinds of colors that we paired with our white jeans. The 50s model (me) wore a bright colored top. The 60s model (my stepmom) wore a more muted color tunic and the 70s model (my mom) wore a dark sweater.

Now in comparison, if we had worn our blue jeans or dark trousers with these same tops, the look would be overall more subdued. And perhaps, that’s your goal when you get dressed in the mornings. Maybe you don’t want to stand out and get attention?

Part of my goal on my blog, is for every woman to realize she is beautiful and wonderful. That’s part of the reason I want us all to stand out among the crowd. By this time in our lives, we have so much fabulous experience and knowledge that it seems a waste to sit back and not be noticed!

Will You Look “Bigger” in Your White Jeans?

I think this is one of the reasons that many women stay away from white clothing items, especially for the lower part of their body! And it’s true that certain colors can draw more attention to parts of our bodies. But I’d also like to point out two facts.

One is that the fit of an item is more important than the color. If a clothing item is too tight, then the item looks too small no matter what the person’s size or the number on the clothing tag. In comparison, if the item is too large, then it portrays a look of sloppiness, which is not a great look for any woman!

And I realize it can take tons of trying on to find the right size, but considering how much you can wear the item, it’s definitely worth the time. The other factor for getting the right fit is alterations. I know this can be an added expense and time commitment, but it’s truly the best way to get the correct fit for our items.

The second fact about wearing clothing that may possibly make you look bigger is the case that looking “big” is not a crime. I touched on this subject a couple of weeks ago on the blog, here with my mom (the 70s model) in her pleated maxi skirt. Sure, there are times that a particular clothing item may make you look thicker or show off your roundness.

But ladies, please, let us start loving our bodies as they are. That doesn’t mean you can’t have the goal to get in shape, but the truth is for right now – this is your body! Love it and dress it as it is. Whether it’s small or large does not make you better or worse. It’s a physical trait and should not inhibit you from looking great!

Dying Your White Clothes

The truth of the matter is that our clothing can get stained and dingy over time, no matter what color it was originally. I recently posted about my method of dying white items, here. This can be such a great process of transforming a well-fitting, quality item that has become stained into being usable again. There were a couple of great remarks on this post about how some women even dyed their black items black again when the piece had become washed out!

Do you like to wear white in winter? If so, do you have a favorite white dress or other item of clothing that you wear at this time of the year? Please share your thoughts on this issue in the comments.

Melissa Gorga’s Blue Distressed Sweater Dress

Real Housewives of New Jersey Instagram Fashion

Although there is a scandal on the ‘Gram about Joe Gorga allegedly taking credit on Insta for a home rehab that he didn’t do—which, according to Joe, was of a project he actually funded and the post just “went up wrong”. I can attest that it is definitely something that can easily happen when you have someone else doing your social, and I even make mistakes doing my own— his part in this cute couple is all facts.

I’d have to say that the trolls people who went after one of our favorite Jersey guys are also the people who may just have something negative to say about Melissa Gorga’s blue distressed sweater dress being almost sold out. Well, I guess in this case, maybe we do too. Hey, like we said, no one is perfect.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Lovers + Friends Dress

Photo: @MelissaGorga

Originally posted at: Melissa Gorga’s Blue Distressed Sweater Dress

Last night was the 40th annual BRIT Awards, the British Phonographic Industry’s annual pop music awards. Unlike the more stuffy shows, the BRITs get wild with out-there hair, makeup and ‘fits from music’s biggest stars. Lizzo rocked one of the coolest looks of the night. In fact, Lizzo’s Nails Inc. BRIT Awards manicure might have stolen the show.

Lizzo hit the red carpet looking as gorgeous as ever dressed like a literal chocolate bar in a Moschino Fall/Winter 2014 gown. She kept the cheeky look going all the way down to her nails. Her manicurist Eri Ishizu used the new Nails.INC Coco for Real polishes, a new duo that’s actually chocolate-scented. Yum. As usual with Nails.INC polish, the shades are ultra-glossy and high-shine—perfect for the red carpet. They’re also vegan and cruelty-free so you really can’t go wrong with that.

Of course, Ishizu didn’t just give her client a simple brown mani. She created mini chocolate bars on each nail using the new polish.

Source: Instagram

First, Ishizu primed Lizzo’s nails with Nails.INC NAILKALE Super Food Base Coat ($15 at Sephora). Then, she applied one coat of I’m Fondue You, part of the Coco For Real duo, to make the wrapper, followed by acrylic to mold the chocolate bar. On top of the chocolate bar went the other shade in the chocolate-scented duo: 100% Hot Chocolate. Ishizu used aluminum foil to create the silver wrapper and finished with a coat of Nails.INC Retinol 45 Second Top Coat ($15 at Sephora).

Image: Nails.Inc.

Although you might not be able to recreate Ishizu’s skills, you can grab the new polishes to give yourself a chocolate-scented mani at home. The Coco For Real nail polish duo is available for pre-order now and will ship out in about 10 days.

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