What Consistency Actually Looks Like at 57

I was at the grocery store buying wine.

The cashier looked at me and asked, "Are you a senior citizen?"

I stared at her. "That's the meanest thing anyone has ever said to me!"

Later, I told my best friend. She laughed. "Wednesdays are senior discount days. You could have saved money."

Oops.

Today I turn 57.

It makes me giggle.

Because I feel better now than I did in my 20s.

The 20s vs. The 50s

In my 20s, I was overweight, unhappy, in bad relationships with humans and money. Terrible credit. Defaulted student loans. I felt like crap most of the time.

Now? I'm not at my "ideal" weight. But I'm strong. My blood work is all in healthy ranges. My body lets me hike with my dog, ride my horse, garden, and handle all the chores that come with animals and property ownership.

I'm thankful all my parts work. I'm not on multiple pharmaceuticals—just thyroid replacement because I had Graves' disease in my 20s and they burned my thyroid out with radioactive iodine. One daily pill for life.

Fifty-seven feels like a gift.

Not because I'm perfect. But because I've been consistent about the things that matter.

This Week, I Broke My Streak

I didn't exercise this week.

Not once.

My energy was low. I could feel my body asking me to slow down. I had commitments coming up—Mind Capture Boot Camp and On The Path Yoga's At Home Women's Retreat—and I needed to save my energy.

So I slept. A lot. I took extra Juice Plus, liquid collagen, water, LifeVantage Protandim. I rested.

In the past, I would have pushed through. Exercised anyway. Told myself I was "being consistent."

And then I'd get sick. Really sick. Miss work. Miss fun.

So what changed?

I learned that consistency isn't rigid rules. It's listening to your body every single day and making your health the priority.

Some days, consistency looks like Marion Jones cardio and strength training.

Some days, consistency looks like sleeping all day.

Both are consistent. Because both are listening.

I didn't post my blogs on the days I wanted to this week either. It was overwhelming. But when I had energy, I posted within the week. I extended the deadline.

Rescheduling isn't failure. It's listening.

What 15 Years of Consistency Looks Like

I've been taking Juice Plus for 15 years.

I started because of a dream. Literally.

Someone bought my book BOD-E-NOMICS, contacted me, and wanted to meet the author. She told me about the miracles she experienced with Juice Plus.

I said, "That's nice, but my diet is pretty good. And I don't want to invest the monthly amount."

Then I had a dream: Buy it. The money will come.

I follow the instructions in my dreams.

My chiropractor noticed the difference. Before Juice Plus, he said my spine felt dry, crunchy, difficult to adjust. After a few months: younger, juicier, more pliable, easier to adjust.

I'd rather be young and springy than old and crusty.

That's what 15 years of consistency does. It compounds.

Getting Stronger at 57

This year, I noticed something.

When I'm out dancing with friends, I can go all night. Some of them take breaks. I don't.

When I hiked in 90-degree weather in Sedona at the Life By Design Summit, I didn't get out of breath or feel like I was going to get heat stroke.

In the past, heat affected me. I couldn't exercise in those temperatures.

What changed?

A year and a half of cardio with Marion Jones. Consistent movement. Heart health.

I can do things now at 57 that I couldn't do at 47. Or 37.

Consistency doesn't make you perfect. It makes you capable.

Twenty-Four Years and Still Going

I've been a massage therapist for over 24 years.

I still love it. My hands don't hurt. My body doesn't break down.

How?

Consistent self-care. Body mechanics. Strength training. Listening when my body says "slow down."

Some LMTs burn out in year five because they never learned to work with their body instead of client pleasing behavior.

Your Body Deserves This Kind of Attention

If you're a massage therapist whose body has been asking for rest, movement, or healing—I teach what I practice.

Self-myofascial release. Body mechanics that save your hands. Movement practices that extend your career.

→ Check out my current class schedule at goddessapproach.com

You are Magnificent!

Goddess Wendy Coon, LMT
Co-author, Your Body is Your Business and YOU are the CEO! (2010)

You Can't Force Relaxation. You Have to Let Relaxation Happen.