Next week, I turn 57.
Fifty-seven. I’m writing that number out because honestly, it still surprises me sometimes. Not in a “where did the time go?” kind of way, but in a “how did I get so much happier?” kind of way.
Because here’s the truth: I’m stronger, more confident, and more comfortable in my skin at 57 than I ever was at 47. And if I could go back and whisper some truths to my 47-year-old self – the woman who was just beginning to navigate perimenopause, who was struggling with changing skin and a changing body, who felt like she was losing her grip on everything she thought she knew about beauty and wellness – these are the 10 things I’d tell her.
These are the lessons I learned the hard way. The truths that changed everything.
1. Strength Training Isn’t Optional – It’s Your Superpower
At 47, I was still doing endless cardio, thinking that was the key to staying fit. I’d spend an hour on the treadmill or elliptical, feeling virtuous but also exhausted and frustrated that my body wasn’t responding the way it used to.
What I wish I knew: After 40, we lose muscle mass at an alarming rate – up to 8% per decade if we don’t actively fight it. And muscle isn’t just about looking toned. It’s about bone density, metabolism, balance, injury prevention, and longevity.
When I started lifting weights, everything changed. I got stronger. My energy improved. My body composition shifted in ways cardio never achieved. I felt powerful.
The truth: You don’t need to become a bodybuilder, but you do need to lift heavy things regularly. Your future self will thank you.
2. Skincare Before Makeup – Always
I spent my 40s trying to cover up tired, dehydrated skin with more makeup. Better foundation. More concealer. Heavier coverage.
What I wish I knew: You can’t makeup your way out of bad skin. The best foundation in the world won’t look good on skin that’s dehydrated, uneven, or, most importantly, lacking a proper barrier.
Once I started investing in my skincare – really investing, with actives like retinol, peptides, niacinamide (and let’s not forget gut health), and focusing on hydration and sun protection – my makeup looked better with less effort. My skin glowed from within instead of sitting on top like a mask.
The truth: Great skin is the best makeup you’ll ever wear. Start with skincare, and makeup becomes the fun finishing touch, not the desperate cover-up.
3. HRT Changed My Life (And I Wish I’d Started Sooner)
I suffered through perimenopause symptoms for years – hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, insomnia, joint pain – thinking it was just something I had to endure. That it was “natural” and I should just push through.
What I wish I knew: Yes, menopause is natural. So is poor eyesight, but we don’t refuse glasses. HRT (hormone replacement therapy) gave me my life back. My energy returned. My brain fog lifted. My sleep improved. My joints stopped aching.
I’m not saying HRT is right for everyone – it’s a personal decision you should make with your doctor – but I wish I’d considered it as an option sooner, and that wanting to feel good wasn’t weakness or vanity.
The truth: You don’t have to suffer through menopause. There are options. Advocate for yourself and find a doctor who listens.
4. Protein Is Non-Negotiable
At 47, I wasn’t paying attention to my protein intake. I’d skip breakfast, a salad for lunch, and wonder why I was always hungry, tired, and losing muscle despite working out.
What I wish I knew: Women over 40 need significantly more protein than we think – around 25-30 grams per meal – to maintain muscle mass, support metabolism, and keep energy stable.
Once I started prioritising protein at every meal (eggs and Greek yogurt for breakfast, chicken or fish with lunch, a proper portion of protein at dinner), everything shifted. I felt fuller, more energised, and my body composition improved dramatically.
The truth: If you’re not tracking your protein, you’re probably not getting enough. It’s the foundation of everything else.
5. You Can’t Out-Exercise a Bad Diet (But You Also Can’t Diet Your Way to Strength)
I spent years in the restrict-binge cycle. I’d eat perfectly all week, then blow it on the weekend. I’d try to “earn” my food through exercise or punish myself with extra cardio after indulging.
What I wish I knew: Food is fuel, not punishment or reward. And no amount of exercise will compensate for chronic under-eating or nutritional deficiency.
When I finally started eating to support my goals – enough protein, healthy fats, complex carbs, and yes, treats without guilt – my body responded. I got stronger. My skin improved. My energy stabilised.
The truth: Nutrition and exercise work together. You need both, and neither should be used as punishment.
6. The “No-Makeup Makeup” Look Requires More Skill Than Full Glam
At 47, I thought natural makeup meant just slapping on some tinted moisturizer and mascara. It never looked quite right, but I couldn’t figure out why.
What I wish I knew: The “effortless” look actually requires more technique and better products than full-coverage glam. It’s about strategic concealing, cream products that melt into skin, and knowing exactly where to add definition without looking overdone.
Learning proper application techniques for mature skin – where to place concealer, how to blend foundation so it doesn’t settle into lines, which finishes work best, even which setting spray was best for my skin – was a game-changer.
The truth: “Natural” doesn’t mean easy. It means mastering the art of enhancement without detection.
7. Self-Care Isn’t Selfish – It’s Survival
As a busy mom of three, I spent my 40s putting everyone else first. My kids, my partner, my work, my home. I was always last on the list, and I wore that like a badge of honor.
What I wish I knew: You can’t pour from an empty cup. When I was depleted, exhausted, and resentful, I wasn’t actually serving anyone well – including myself.
When I finally started prioritising my workouts, my skincare routine, my sleep, and my mental health, I became a better mother, partner, and professional. Not despite taking time for myself, but because of it.
The truth: Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It’s the foundation that allows you to show up fully for everything and everyone else.
8. Sunscreen Is the Best Anti-Aging Product You’ll Ever Use
I spent my teens and 20s tanning, many times without wearing ANY SPF! My 30s and early 40s, I was inconsistent with sunscreen – I’d wear it on beach days but not daily.
What I wish I knew: The sun damage I accumulated in those years is what I’m dealing with now – hyperpigmentation, fine lines, texture changes. And while I can improve it with treatments and products, I can’t undo it completely.
Daily SPF 50, rain or shine, is now non-negotiable. It’s the single most effective anti-aging step you can take.
The truth: You can’t turn back time, but you can stop the clock from moving faster. Wear your sunscreen. Every. Single. Day.
9. Comparison Is the Thief of Joy (And Progress)
At 47, I was constantly comparing myself to other women – women who seemed to have it all together, who looked younger, who were fitter, who had better skin.
What I wish I knew: Everyone’s journey is different. Everyone’s genetics, circumstances, resources, and starting points are different. The only comparison that matters is you versus your past self.
When I stopped scrolling through Instagram feeling inadequate and started focusing on my own progress – my own strength gains, my own skin improvements, my own energy levels – everything became more joyful.
The truth: Your only competition is who you were yesterday. Focus on your own journey, and celebrate every small win.
10. The Second Half of Life Can Be the Better Half – If You Choose It
At 47, I was terrified of aging. I felt like my best years were behind me, like everything from here was just decline and loss.
What I wish I knew: Aging isn’t about decline – it’s about evolution. Yes, things change. But with the right approach, you can be stronger, more confident, more vibrant, and more yourself at 57 than you ever were at 27 or 37.
The second half of life isn’t about fighting aging or trying to turn back the clock. It’s about stepping into your power, prioritising what actually matters, and refusing to accept society’s narrative that we’re past our prime.
The truth: Your best years aren’t behind you. They’re right now. And the next decade can be even better if you commit to showing up for yourself.
My Non-Negotiable Routine at 57 (That I Wish I’d Started at 47)
If I could give my 47-year-old self a simple, actionable routine to start right now, this would be it. This is what I do consistently, and it’s what makes the biggest difference:
Morning:
- Hydrate: half a litre of water before anything else
- Skincare: Vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid, moisturizer, SPF 50
- Protein-rich breakfast: Greek yogurt with berries and nuts, or eggs with avocado (aim for 25-30g protein)
- Movement: 30-45 minutes of strength training (3-4x per week) or a brisk walk
Midday:
- Protein-packed lunch: Grilled chicken salad, salmon with quinoa, or a protein-rich bowl (25-30g protein)
- Reapply SPF if I’m going outside
Evening:
- Dinner with protein and veggies: Another 25-30g of protein, plenty of vegetables, healthy fats
- Skincare: Double cleanse, retinol (3x per week), peptide serum, rich night cream
- Wind down: No screens 30 minutes before bed, magnesium supplement, consistent sleep schedule
Weekly Non-Negotiables:
- 3-4 strength training sessions (full body or split routine)
- 1-2 active recovery days (yoga, walking, stretching)
- Weekly face mask or treatment (hydrating or exfoliating, depending on skin needs)
- Meal prep Sunday to ensure I’m hitting protein goals all week
What I Want You to Know
If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, and you’re feeling lost, frustrated, or like your best years are behind you – I promise you, they’re not.
The lessons I learned between 47 and 57 transformed my life. I’m stronger, healthier, more confident, and more myself than I’ve ever been. And I’m not special. I’m just a busy mum who decided that I deserved to prioritise myself, who committed to doing the work, and who refused to accept that aging meant decline.
You can do this too. Start with one thing. Maybe it’s adding strength training twice a week. Maybe it’s finally getting your skincare routine dialed in. Maybe it’s advocating for yourself with your doctor about HRT. Maybe it’s just committing to 30 grams of protein at breakfast.
One thing. And then another. And then another.
Because the second half of your life? It can absolutely be the better half.
I’d love to hear from you: What’s one thing you wish you’d known 10 years ago? Or what’s one change you’re committing to right now? Drop a comment below—let’s support each other in this journey. 💪✨
Ready to start your own transformation? Try my Non-Negotiable Routine for 30 days and let me know how you feel. I’ll be sharing more about each element – skincare routines, strength training programs, nutrition tips – here on the blog and over on Instagram / YouTube / TikTok. Let’s make the second half of life the absolute best half, together.
P.S. If this resonated with you, save it, share it, or send it to a friend who needs to hear it. We’re in this together. 💕
