Let’s get one thing straight right out of the gate: “Love your body at every stage of life!” is possibly the biggest, sparkliest, most beautifully packaged lie the beauty industry has ever sold us. And they’ve sold us a LOT of lies — so that’s saying something…

I mean, seriously — have you ever met anyone who genuinely loved their body at every stage? If you have, please send me their number because I have questions. I’m not saying our bodies aren’t amazing — they are. They survive our bad decisions, questionable snacks, childbirth (if you’ve done that wild ride), endless sitting at desks, and standing up way too fast after age 35. But “loving” every version of our body? That’s a taller order than my iced coffee on a Monday morning.
Meanwhile, the beauty industry and clothing companies sit in their shiny boardrooms, cackling (I assume) while telling us we need to be thinner, but also strong — but not too strong. Definitely no visible fat, but don’t you dare look too muscular, either. And good luck finding pants that don’t make you look like a sad sausage stuffed into a denim casing.
And food? Oh, don’t even get me started on food.
Eat more protein — but not too much, or you’ll be “bulky.” Eat salads, but no dressing. Wait, where’s your protein? Oh, you’re vegan? That’s bad. Vegetarian? Bad. Omnivore? Also bad. Someone, somewhere, will always have an opinion about what’s on your plate — and they’ll share it loudly, usually while you’re just trying to enjoy a slice of pizza in peace.

So here’s my midlife revelation, straight from the trenches of my 40s: it really doesn’t matter what you do. Someone will think you’re doing it wrong. And honestly? Let them.
I’m not here to tell you I magically love my body now. Spoiler alert: I don’t. I appreciate it — this bag of bones has gotten me this far, through kids, stress, late-night pizza rolls, and far too many “I’ll start tomorrow” workout plans/diets. But fully love it? Not always.

Here’s what I am learning, though: maybe it’s not about looking a certain way or squeezing into a specific size. Maybe it’s about how you feel when you bend over to pick up your kid’s toy (for the 247th time) and don’t hear your knees crack like bubble wrap. Maybe it’s about sitting on the floor and standing up without looking like you’re performing an exorcism. Maybe it’s about feeling strong enough to chase your kids, your dog, or the ice cream truck — no judgment.
If you’re in your teens, twenties, thirties, forties, fifties — wherever — I hope you give yourself a break. Wear what you want. Eat what you want. Move your body because it makes you feel good, not because an ad told you you’d be “beach ready” in 14 days (whatever that means — beaches accept everyone).

So, here’s to bodies. They’re weird, they change, they sag, they wrinkle, they stretch, they grow. And they’re still yours. Let’s aim for comfortable, functional, joyful, and grateful — and if you can sprinkle a little love in there too? Well, that’s just the cherry on top of your very well-deserved ice cream sundae.

Toodles 💐 — and here’s to bending over without throwing out your back.😂

You are  100% perfectly, imperfect!🥰