Adventures in Living a Healthy, Juicy Life
Guest Post by Marcy
Demonstrating Stay Young Habit #16 Give up being shy!
“Damn Girl!! How sexy can you get?” Just heard that line from the song “Sexy Chick” on the radio. Catchy tune – I love it! Reminds me of a new friend of mine, Marcy, who lives in Germany with her husband, Heinz.
She’s not getting older, she’s getting better!
As you will see in the following images, Marcelle provides ample evidence of her ability to “Stay Young from the Inside Out”. She engages in at least three Stay Young habits from my list of “51 Must-Know Habits for Staying Young – from the Inside Out” (the complete list is available as a free e-book. See the large pink box on the right-hand side of this post for downloading instructions).
Stay Young Habit #16
Give up being shy! Life is too short to be so self-conscious.
Stay Young Habit #17
Give up talking about your age and everyone else’s. We know how old you are. We haven’t forgotten.
Stay Young Habit #18
Give up hard rules about how people “of a certain age” are supposed to be. Let yourself out of the “age box”.
Marcelle joins ThatGirlisFunny to share her thoughts on aging and staying beautiful – inside and out. – Cheryl Ragsdale
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Granny’s Revenge!
I was young when I had my 3 children. So, at 42 when my son, aged 24, announced I was going to be a grandmother, I was ecstatic. My son was shocked at my response. He thought I was going to give him a lecture about being too young to be a grandmother.
To me, being a young grandmother meant I would have lots of energy and be able to run around and be a fun grandmother instead of an old one with lots of aches and pains.
I love seeing people’s reactions when I tell them I’m a grandmother. Then, when I tell them I’m a grandmother of 4, they are even more shocked…and I feel fantastic!
- Granny’s Got a Gun…nobody’s running away
Am I meant to feel old because of a title?
I don’t think so!! I don’t personally experience being a grandmother makes me old. I hate being told “You’re a grandmother now. You shouldn’t do this or that – or wear this or that”. What utter rubbish…I still love all the things I loved while in my 20′s.
I’m enjoying my life at the age of 47 as much as I did in the past when I was younger.
Firstly, I know who I am, what I’m all about. I understand how my body works, what’s good and bad for it, what to do to keep it working at its best.
Years of trial and error have gotten me to this place, a place I am loving. I’m more fit as a granny than I was while I was working as an aerobic and dance teacher.
Feeling confident, not shy anymore
I’m loving my life right now! I feel more confident and I don’t suffer from shyness like I did when I was younger.
The negative I experience is from other women, both younger and my age group – it’s the feeling of competition – I don’t know if competition is the correct word to use to be honest.
Whenever I meet an overweight or out of shape younger woman, she’ll always ends up talking about why she’s so out of shape and needs to get herself back on track, etc. Old women tell me they’re “happy” with their bodies and not prepared to workout as hard as I do to stay in shape.
How they can say this I have no idea as I don’t discuss my diet or workout schedule with them unless they ask me. I often am left to feel like I’m the bad person – that I’m wrong. By making themselves feel better, they turn the tables onto me – I, of course, see through this and brush it off knowing that they are the ones who are not truly happy with themselves.
Impact of Gaining Weight, Then Losing It
I gained weight when I moved from one country to another. Gaining weight made me feel old. I dressed like an older women. I thought like an older women. I aged. Carrying that extra weight aged me so much, I even started shopping at “older” women’s clothing shops.
When I lost the weight my life changed. I felt fantastic! I felt younger. I dressed younger than I had been dressing in 5 years. When I say younger, I don’t try to compete with my daughters with what they wear. I don’t want to look like mutton dressed as lamb…. I used to wear large baggy tops. I now wear more body hugging clothing BECAUSE I CAN!
Marcy
As I lost weight, I saw a huge change in the way other women saw me.
I will never forget going to my husband’s work function. As I climbed out of the car, everyone noticed I was a lot thinner compared to the last time they’d seen me.
I got looked at and then they turned to the person next to them and passed a comment, but not one of them said a word to me…NOT ONE.
I would walk up to them and make small chatter only to see they would not give me eye contact and then walk off as quick as they could. I felt very alone that evening, yet I was feeling great. I was feeling so much healthier and excited that I’d managed to lose the weight – being ignored showed me that women are not happy for other women when they lose weight and they are still struggling with their own.
Looking Young, Feeling Great!
Living in this day and age, being in your 40′s is the new 30′s. Being in your 40′s and 50′s are no longer an age to be frightened of. We need to celebrate this wonderful stage of life. We have such wonderful inspirational women on this planet to look up to today showing us that it can be done.
I think it’s a gift we can each give ourselves to take care of our bodies to the best we know how. Why should the youth of today have all the joys? My generation deserves it as well. We can have it too! It’s up to each of us to make the most of what we were given - me to take care of ME and you to take care of YOU.
Marcy
I do enjoy the looks I get from men when I train at the gym. It makes me feel I’m still “OK”. Those looks give me that little extra bit of confidence at this stage of my life when society tells us its time to slow down.
I’m sure not one of those men at the gym giving me the once over would ever guess they’re peering at a grandmother of 4 as most of them are much younger than me.
Such a boost to one’s self esteem in a way, but thankfully at this time of my life, I don’t need outsiders to make me feel like a whole woman, I have a wonderful husband who does all of that for me. My husband loves it as well knowing that men are looking as HIS wife and I’m his!
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Bravo Marcy! Thank you for sharing your thoughts so candidly. We want to hear from everyone else! What are your thoughts on aging and letting yourself out of the “age box”?
Please leave your thoughts in the extra large comment box below or use the smaller one on the right-hand side of this post mid-way down the page.
Share Your Happy Place! Genuine Health will Donate 50 cents for Sustainable Oceans!
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Genuine Health is a proud sponsor of Sustainable Oceans. For every Happy Place posted , they donate 50 cents to the David Suzuki Foundation in support of healthy fisheries and oceans. Click to post your happy place!
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The “51 Must-Know Habits for Staying Young – from the Inside Out” Gift Basket Give-Away is sponsored by Genuine Health featuring healthy products for your inside and your outside. FINAL WEEK! ENTER NOW!
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Woman can be uncomfortable with their sexuality at any age. The “Gramma” title cinches it. From now on asexuality is the safe route and who can argue with a Gramma.
Twitter: antopatterson
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Loved this post! Marcelle looks FANTASTIC…if I end up looking like youw when I am a grandmother, I would be happy
.-= Antoinette´s Last Fabulous Post blog ..Flaunt Your Flaws : My Body Size =-.
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
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Hi Antoinette,
And that time is far away in the future for you
.-= Cheryl´s Last Fabulous Post blog ..Canadian Olympic Skater Rochette, determined, discipined and courageous in face of unexpected tragedy =-.
Twitter: getinthehotspot
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Cheryl, thanks for sharing Marcelle with us,she’s fabulous and yes, definitely not shy but with a face and body like that why would she be?!
Marcelle, it’s terrible that no one at that party congratulated you on your weight loss. If I’d been there I’d have definitely said:
“Wow! Well done for losing that weight, you look bloody marvelous.”
Well, I’m saying it now.
And congrats too on being a granny of four. I think it’s sad when I kids tell me their grans won’t let them call her Granny so it’s great to hear you embrace it even though you’re just a spring chicken.
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
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hi Annabel,
Marcelle says thank you!
.-= Cheryl´s Last Fabulous Post blog ..sharing chocolate covered strawberries on Valentine’s Day: juicy, sweet and delicious =-.
I like your site! It’s unique.
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
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Hey, thanks! I appreciate the compliment. Thanks for visiting!
.-= Cheryl´s Last Fabulous Post blog ..Clarity, Wisdom and Courage: 3 Winning Ways to Play Your Game =-.
Hi Marcelle,
This is my first time to this blog and lo and behold I see a familiar face! Great job!
LOL…*Blush*
Hello Tricia
Yip it’s me….Cheryl twisted my arm to do this post for her blog…
Not telling a soul about it…hehe
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
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hahaha! oops…was I supposed to keep it quiet? I’ve been tweeting you all over the place!
LOL Cheryl..YOU HAVE BEEN!!!!!!!!!!
Twitter: JimiJones
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Great inspirational post. We don’t have to feel our age.
With the upcoming new year, everyone will be on the health kick again hoping to make a change. The thing is to make the change and keep it going year after year (easier said than done for many). This post sure provides the incentive.
Thanks for sharing!
Hey there Jimi
Thanks so much for comment…You so right, everyone goes on a new year health kick which lasts for about 2 weeks before old habits creep back in.
I can promise you one thing, its really worth taking care of yourself…
Hope you take good care of yourself in 2010…
Twitter: bansko
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Hi Marcelle,
You look fab. Thanks for a good and helpful post. must get out on my bike ready for ski season! Lance
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
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Hello Lance,
You make an important point about staying in shape. One thing leads to another. Training on your bike will make for a long and healthy ski season and keep you young at heart. Have fun!
Hello Lance
Thanks so much for that comment….Let me see you get on that bike now!!!
I’m hoping to try skiing this year…my first time, a little nervous but it’s something I have to do even if its only ONCE in my lifetime.
Twitter: lance02
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Cheryl,
What a great guest you have here today!
Marcelle,
You are a shining example of what truly living a healthy lifestyle means. And that’s something that, when it starts from the inside – shines through! And you are…a shining example that no matter what your age, life can be about living as we want to! Awesomeness!!
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
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Hi Lance,
Nice to hear from you! Marcelle is an inspiration. Never too old to have fun and enjoy life!
Hey Lance
Thanks so much for the lovely comment.
I cant agree with you more, a Healthy Lifestyle does start from within. I’m working very hard at not putting myself into a labelled box called * Your a Granny so behave like one * LOL
There is no better feeling than looking and feeling good…and being healthy. Clearly Marcelle knows that feeling!
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
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Hi Joanna,
Marcelle sparkles with joy. She’s definitely loving life!
Hello Joanna
Thanks for the comment. Being healthy is no 1 on my list. Nothing feels better than having one’s health. I’m so grateful for being healthy, its something I never take for granted.
Wow! First let me state the obvious: you look fantastic, Marcelle! Hard to believe you’re 47 let alone a grandmother…simply amazing.
When you said, “I think it’s a gift we can each give ourselves to take care of our bodies to the best we know how.” I found myself nodding my head…I agree with you 100%. Taking care of ourselves is important on so many levels and effects so many people besides ourselves. (family, friends, etc.) You and Cheryl are both terrific role models for anyone out there who thinks “they’re too old” or “it’s too late”…VISUAL proof that if you really want something and are willing to go after it…you can have it. Getting “outside of the age box” is so important as we grow older (and wiser)…Attitude is a huge part of staying young at heart! Kudos to you for “making your own luck” and taking good care of yourself.
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
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Hi Fred,
Thanks for another reminder that age is just a number. You’re someone who’s broken out of the “age box” too. Having the willingness to go after something in the face of other people telling you it’s too late is what it’s all about. Just before I started training in jiu jitsu last year, a friend of mine insisted that I reconsider. He thought I would injure myself and fail miserably. Pleased to report – he was WRONG!
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(see Fred’s post about his martial arts experiences on his blog “Luck is for Rabbits” or here on ThatGirlisFunny
http://thatgirlisfunny.com/2009/11/top-10-reasons-fred-loves-being-the-oldest-guy-on-the-mat/ Fred’s story has had almost 1800 views!)
Hello Fred
Thanks very much for the comment.
Yes age is just a number…I don’t feel my number!!!
Have just read your inspirational story as well…Great one, you make us *oldies* very proud.