When Your 60’s Come Knocking…and Bring a Whole New Body With Them

As I entered my 60’s phase of life, like a lot of women, I began noticing things about my body that no longer hung, snapped, or behaved the way they used to. One day I looked in the mirror and said, “Now whose neck is that? Because these fine lines certainly didn’t ask me for permission.”

My skin—which used to bounce back like a slingshot—now politely whispers, “Ma’am… let’s not rush.”
And that flat tummy I used to be so proud of?
Whew. That thing packed up, left town, and returned as a plush little pillow wrapped around my waistline like it’s trying to keep me warm during difficult conversations.

But what could I do?
I certainly couldn’t roll back time and reclaim my 20-year-old body—that girl is long gone and somewhere living her best carefree life. But I could make a conscious decision to take better care of myself entering this season.

My employer benefits offered a live coaching program with medical staff to help employees lose weight and learn healthier habits. And let me tell you… I had to sit myself down and ask some real questions:

“Am I willing to change how I eat?”
“Am I willing to do the hard work?”
Because the truth is, the weight didn’t hop onto my body overnight, and it surely wasn’t going to hop off overnight either.

Was I willing to walk—even just 30 minutes a few times a week?
Could I learn to enjoy vegetables that looked like they came from another planet?
Baby, listen… I grew up on country-style, soul-food, flavor-packed meals. Seasoned with love, butter, and whatever ancestor whispered across the pot. So retraining my palate? That was going to be a test of my spiritual endurance.

But I strapped on that Apple Watch like it was a championship belt and started logging steps.
And every single step felt like I was training for the Senior Olympics.

I chugged water like the ocean was in a drought. I did keto and survived the keto flu—which felt like my body filing a complaint with HR. But then something surprising happened: people started noticing my face slimming down.

But as the months rolled on… so did my excuses.
I’d skip check-ins with my coach.
I’d avoid that bathroom scale like it was an ex I didn’t want to run into at Walmart.
And eventually?
The weight crept back up—not because the program didn’t work, but because I stopped working the program.

But shout out to my coach—persistent as a bill collector and sweet as pie.
She called.
She messaged.
She reminded me gently why I started in the first place.
She let me know she was ready whenever I was ready to begin again.

And I’m proud to say: I’m back.
Back on the road to a healthier me.
Back to choosing life and longevity so I can enjoy my family for years to come.
Back to extending myself grace—which is the hardest part of all.

So if you’re on this journey too, hear me clearly:

Be good to yourself. Be patient with yourself. Give yourself grace—even when you fall off the wagon and the wagon rolls over your foot. What matters is that you get back up.

Because this journey isn’t about perfection.
It’s about commitment, compassion, and choosing to love the only body you’ve ever had.

Scripture Reflection: “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14

Mama Wisdom Reflection: Honey, aging isn’t falling apart- it’s leveling up. Be gentle with yourself. Grace looks better on you than perfection ever did.”