Age no barrier......

Last night we went to the Royal Opera House to see Der Rosenkavalier. My husband and I decided last year that this was our birthday present to each other.  As this Opera is not available so often and demand is high so the tickets were the most expensive we have ever purchased.  The production costs must be enormous , the cast, orchestra  and set were magnificent.  I was a little daunted by the length of the Opera....in three Acts and some 4 hours.  I needn't have worried as time passed very quickly as we were thoroughly engrossed.

ROH is undergoing extensive refurbishment, however disruption was kept to a minimum.  The building and ambience is second to none - absolutely love going there if regrettably not often enough!!

The roles in this Opera are particularly demanding and it was remarkable how each member could keep up such a high standard. How do they do it? It depends what motivates you in terms of success and reward and what each of these mean to you. They do need enormous stamina and resilience. in my last post and we touched upon diet  and exercise.  These are the elements we consider seriously to provide us with health and well being to enable us all to pursue an optimum quality of life and longevity. Some of the cast were not in the first flush of youth and yet exuded the energy not dissimilar to the younger members.  I wondered what their fitness regime was like and whether they were quite disciplined with diet and lifestyle.

At which stage do people say "my life is over" and that future challenges and achievements are not for them?

On the political scene President Trump is 70 years old, Hillary Clinton 69, Theresa May 60, Jeremy Corbyn 67.  Many people at their respective ages have opted for a quieter less demanding life.  So what is it that sets them apart keeping themselves active mentally and physically?

A couple of years ago we saw Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit in the West End she was then celebrating her 90th birthday!!  She was amazing still treading the boards... doing matinee and evening performances.

So the lessons learned for me is that whatever your age its up to each one of us to make our existence as meaningful as possible and not give way to the stereotypes associated with each age group and which compartmentalise us.

Too often older people are written off - its up to us to challenge preconceptions and just get on with it!!

Fitness proof at any age!

Read this article this morning and it demonstrates how important exercise is and the benefits derived after just 6 weeks. Another interesting point is that one if the participants hadn't exercised for 15 years and was able to find a programme which worked for her!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2895463/Three-women-prove-fit-far-faster-thought.html

Feel ready to have a go?

Week Highlights!

Well late Friday afternoon again!!  I thought time was supposed to hang heavy as you get older but it doesn't seem to be the case in our house!! It has been a very pleasant week with planned events and time to invest in our hobbies and interests.

As always I try to go to the gym most days as it really sets me up for the day.  I prefer to go early to when I feel at my best - if I leave it later then tiredness inevitably makes the seem trip less attractive. So how did the week pan out?

Monday was essentially gardening day.  Lots of trimming back, mowing lawn and hedge cutting.  So enjoyable and therapeutic and it was a reasonable day weather wise. I also treated myself to some of the roses as rain was on the cards and they would be ruined so I thought we would have the benefit indoors.







Tuesday I met a friend for a girly lunch at Balthazar in Covent Garden.  We haven't seen each other for a while hence need for a catchup. There's nothing nicer than a long leisurely lunch  with good company and not having to rush back to work!! Retirement does have its compensations!

Wednesday we went to see "Shakespeare in Love" at the Noel Coward Theatre. Splendid production - quite mesmerising and quite emotional.

We found the film excellent and the stage production didn't disappoint - very powerful in a different way. Highly recommend it.

As we were leaving a twenty something said to his friend ...."That was great and it was Shakespeare! Makes you feel cultured when you are not!"

Laughing  at this we then popped next door to Browns for dinner - end to a perfect day!


Thursday read our newspapers on line, did my tweets before getting up! Bliss!  Cooking, cleaning and ironing filled the rest of the day. It has to be done! I also did the finishing touches to an oil painting  of a member of our family.  Will have to let him have a look and see what he thinks!! Now have to look for another subject which is often the hardest bit.......







Today went over to Chiswick to have a brief catchup with my daughter took the grandchildren to school before heading back for lunchtime with my husband. 

I can honestly say i am never bored there are so many things I want to do and I am trying my best to fit as many of them in as I can. We can never stress the importance of planning for your future enough. When you are young you don't pay so much attention to saving for retirement as it seems a long way away.  However as we tell our children if you work hard, be sensible and save as you go along then your future can be assured and you can enjoy the liberation that retirement brings.  Thankfully 50, 60, 70+ somethings don't carry the stigma of age so much and remain vital and curious about life. Providing your health holds out the wonder of new experiences is still within your grasp!!

maintaining your figure!!

Continuing plan for the summer determined to get to the gym to maintain my weight and to  tone.....this routine has become very much a part of my daily objectives.

my day also includes

scales
daily calorie count
making the right food choices
portion control

     I also treat my tape measure as my conscience - it doesn't lie!!

I have found that as I have got older I don't seem to need or crave the larger portions I would have had when I was young. We were brought up to "clear our plates" whereas now it is more sensible to say I am full - my body is telling me this so leave the food we don't need. Fortunately the friend I met yesterday has a similar approach to food and watches the carbs and portions size.  Maybe surrounding yourself with like minded people is the answer when socialising and then you are not tempted to order fatty calorific alternatives.

This may seem to be onerous and prescriptive and I understand if this is the impression that is taken from this.  However once you have worked out a healthy diet content which you find appealing you will be surprised how you will become happy with it and more comfortable and the bonus you will start to see a difference in your shape, energy levels and well being. 

I am no saint and like a glass of wine and a bag of crisps like everyone else - however these are acceptable so long as they don't become a frequent components of your diet.

Its a little bit like learning to drive - you never think you will get the knack of being competent so many things to think about .....however driving eventually becomes second nature to you and part of everyday life!

No reason why mature women in age category 50 and beyond can't have a figure which is beach ready!!

Talking of everyday life the rest of the day will be devoted to catching up on jobs in the garden....cutting back, pruning, planting bedding plants and praying that there won't be a frost!

Keeping active and busy for me now in my 60s is vital and hope that it will help in the future with my health and my mind!!

Time for a cup of tea!!

Time for Change

Hope you found the last few blogs useful and maybe encouraged you to review your image and get the best look?

It is never too late to make changes.  For a lot of 50s, 60s 70s, 80s…..they become invisible.  Don't let it happen to you!  They say that those in their 2nd half century are the ones with the buying power and yet retailers don't really target this group.  I mentioned that dresses and skirts can be too short and dresses invariably are sleeveless.  There has been a little movement to accommodate the slightly different needs of the older group but progress is slow.

It is a matter of being selective and making sure that whatever you buy ticks your boxes and……….don't be tempted to buy on impulse!  Its worth taking a little time.

If you need further inspiration check out this link which features a remarkable 88 year old!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2601939/How-stay-sexy-splits-88-She-affair-Errol-Flynn-gave-Sophia-Loren-lessons-seductive-younger-lover.html