Step Up!

Haven’t taken a Step class in at least 5 years – so I tried one yesterday.  This being my next venture into exploring the exercise options I now have.  After my workout a couple things hit me –

Number 1.  I don’t like working out and using my brain at the same time.  I really do just want to “Do It!”  I like letting my body take over what it knows – without having to think about it.  I like the only thing on my mind is how my muscles feel and how many reps I’m on.  It’s a complete stress release, having that clear of a head and singular focus. 

In a step class, you  have to follow the insructor’s leads, think about what you’re doing and going to do next and know/learn the steps.  Of course, if you don’t do it right – then you have to figure out where to jump in again – and wonder if anybody saw how stupid and out of STEP you looked!  It was okay … but too much cerebral and not enough effort for me.

And Number 2.  Maybe at our age you no longer have to be “perfect” to look good.  My instructor was gorgeous – she really was – even though she had some nasty rolls around her middle.  I was delighted!  She actually had the same figure flaw I do … worse actually!  and she still looked damn good! It was liberating for me.  I thought, ‘hey – here’s a novel thought – maybe I can just be happy with what I’ve got!’  It appeared she was – and that made her even more attractive.  She offered no apologies about her body – she was proud of it – and even bared the rolls without a flinch or even a sucked-in breath. 

When you’re young – EVERYBODY looks good, so you have to try even harder to look better.  But at our age … well … not so much!  So, the standards you measure yourself against are a little kinder – and a signal you should be a little gentler with your assessment of yourself.  Maybe that’s what they mean by growing older with grace.  Being more accepting of yourself … perhaps that in itself is it’s own beauty!

Anyway – I barely broke a sweat in Step … so kick,ball,change and the rocking horse will just have to step aside … I’m on to zumba!

Add a comment February 1, 2011

10 fun facts!

There are some things in life that women our age JUST shouldn’t do.  Here’s a list to fly by:

1.  Never shower in HOT water.  It dries out your skin and takes the shine out of your hair.  This happens over time of course, but it is a fact!  So keep it warm – but NOT hot.

2.  DON’T use a cream foundation.  It totally coagulates in your wrinkles (and we all have them by middle age – at least to some degree).  Dust on a loose powder for a light cover and color.

3.  Try not to date yourself with your accessories.  A simple pair of earrings will do – and DON”T carry a sloppy handbag or wear run-over shoes.  If you pay attention to the details it will pull your look together.  They don’t have to be expensive, but they do require thought.

4.  Don’t “have your nails done.”  It’s soooooooo eighties!

5.   If you have a hairdo that requires spray … rethink it.   Or just go without and see how it looks/feels.  You’ll probably be pleasantly surprised.  (and so will everyone else)  Of course, you HAVE to have a hairdo.  You can’t just “let it go.”  A good stylist is a MUST and a Godsend once you find one.  Do whatever you need to do to keep her!

6.  NEVER go to bed without removing all your makeup and moisteurizing your face.  This is a no-brainer from puberty on.

7.  Don’t assume it’s winter and you don’t have to shave your legs regularly.  You NEVER know when you might get lucky!  😉

8.  Don’t run from the camera.  Trust me!  It’s better to stay put and smile.  Give it your best shot – EVERY time!  Otherwise, you’ll have many unflattering poses and candid shots that will circulate despite your horror and emphatic protestations.

9.  Putting off tomorrow what you can do today – is never a good idea when it comes to exercise!  unfortunately – the effect IS cumulative.  And when you miss a day or two, which leads to three (you know what I mean) – you end up losing muscle and gaining flab  … way too fast at our age!

10.  AND finally – DON’T miss an opportunity to flirt!  It makes you feel good AND doesn’t hurt anybody.

1 comment December 1, 2010

No Space in Time

When did EVERYBODY ELSE get old????  My God!  I just watched GMA and WHAT THE HELL?  Leon Russell must be somebody’s great-grandfather – he looks like freakin’ Methuselah!  I remember thinkin’ he was a sexy rebel in the 70’s with a crazy craggy voice to kill for!  What the hell happened?  And then they showed Rob Stewart in a commercial for Atlantic City – singing Show tunes!  SHOW TUNES I say – and he’s not even gay.  He’s just OLD!  I went to a concert of his in Madison Square Garden back then and he glittered and gyrated around grabbin’ his crotch way before Michael Jackson even thought of it!  He rocked!  Now he sings about “that ole’ black magic” WHAT THE HELL?

You know how when things stay the same day after day after year … you’re busy with life  and adjust gradually so you don’t notice change.  Then all of a sudden something startles you and you say – wait a minute!  When did that happen?  Hold on!  I have to run to the bathroom and look in the mirror!  … I don’t THINK I look old!  Maybe it’s because I don’t have my glasses on when I look! LOL

WHEN did all the movie stars and rock stars I grew up with suddenly get old?  LOTS of them are already dead!  I remember thinking Christopher Reeve was too young to play Superman … and now he’s dead.  I remember thinking Paul Newman was the sexiest older man alive – then he became an old man – and now he’s dead.  And what about Robert Redford?  He’s so old he’s scary looking – he used to be the epitome of  healthy, youthful, heterosexual appeal when I was growing up (and he was already growed of course)  How ’bout the upstarts the Beatles … half of them … dead!  And the “cute” one is almost 70!  WHAT?  Michael Jackson turned 50 … now dead.  I remember him performing at 5!  And I’m NOT OLD?  …. am i?  WHAT THE HELL? 

Wait a minute … you know what I just realized … all the people I just named are men!  MAYBE it’s just men!  I did it off the top of my head (which is always the way I blog) and they were all men.  Now I’m going down an impromptu list of women from another generation.  Remember Patty Duke?  Now that’s reaching WAY back – to Gidget or her Nun days – when she was a kid (and so was I watching reruns) – but nowadays in her commercial for old lady drugs (something to do with bone health I think) she looks pretty damn good!  She also stars in Brothers and Sisters – as somebody’s mother of course.  I’m trying to think of women in my PRE-teen days.  Tina Turner still looks good and can sing up a storm!  What about Barbra Streisand … nah!  she always looked bad.  LOL. 

Gotta love how my crazy brain processes!  From Leon Russel to Patty Duke … I’m all over the place!

I’m not sure what I’m trying to say … maybe that life is full of surprises – or maybe that people who are bigger than life … are really not.  They’re just people in the public eye.  I remember when I was a freshman in college and I dated for a short time a very ambitious Senior who was involved with organizing concerts.  He took me backstage to meet Tod Rundgren who was bot hot and cool and the first person to have red and green hair at the same time!  But he was nervous and sweaty and high and really rather unattractive.  People are just … people.  And we all have our faults and insecurities and strengths and gifts.  And as time goes on … we all age differently.  Some of us allow degeneration to happen … and some of us age well.  Some of us are sloppy and lazy about the aging process and some of us meet it head on and deal with it belligerently, gracefully or with a sense of humour or commitment to health. 

But any way you look at it – aging  is a completely individual and personal process.  And some of us do a way better job of it than others!  Old is a state of mind, anyway.  Maybe I should call Leon up and give him a couple of tips!  I’d start with the long white hair and beard!!!! WHAT THE HELL?

Leon Russell

Add a comment October 19, 2010

Sit up and take notice!

Taking notice of women at a “certain” age is not only stylish – it’s smart. AND the women are sexy!

Continue Reading Add a comment September 23, 2010

Midlife Myths according to Barb

Don’t let anyone or anything else determine how you feel about yourself EXCEPT you!

Continue Reading Add a comment June 19, 2010

Take a Hint

10 quick little easy tidbits that can help you look your best!

Continue Reading Add a comment January 12, 2010

Passionate Old Men

Finding your passion can re-energize your life! Here’s why and how.

Continue Reading Add a comment December 17, 2009

Bragging Rights!

Confidence is oftentimes the sexiest thing about a woman. And by the time you’ve reached Middle-age, you’ve had the time to aquire it, perfect it and enjoy it. Go ahead … brag a little … you deserve it!

Continue Reading 1 comment December 4, 2009

Make It Up

Feel good about yourself each and every day with just a little effort! Set the tone for a beauiful day – by being a beautiful you! The secret to looking great over 40 can be as simple as the right make-up!

Continue Reading 2 comments November 21, 2009

Trigger Happy

Find the good triggers and the bad triggers in your own life that can motivate you or derail your day! It’s a learning curve that can benefit you long term.

Continue Reading Add a comment November 15, 2009