It’s been a while since I shared a Women of Grace. You may recall Jeannie of Gracefully 50 and, of course, Liz. Please allow me to introduce my wonderful friend, Cynthia. I provided insight into my friendship with Cynthia when she and her hubby attended our annual black-tie event last month.
To remind you of what this series is about, I select a woman who is not afraid to share her faith while doing her best to age gracefully. Not only aging gracefully but healthy, fit, stylish, yet age-appropriate.
I recently interviewed Cynthia and want to share her story by asking her questions about her health, maintaining a healthy weight, and beauty secrets.
Once again, let’s get up close and personal. Cynthia is a wife who has been happily married for 25 years and is the mother of two wonderful grown children. I met Cynthia seventeen years ago when we were both hired by the same pharmaceutical company; she was in the Philly area, and I was in the Central Pennsylvania area.
What is the one beauty product you can’t do without?
One of my beauty secrets is how you feel about yourself and how it reflects on the outside. This, along with a good concealer, is my best beauty secret.
Has your beauty regime changed over the years? If yes, what has been different since you turned 50?
Maintaining a healthy weight is so important. You have a fantastic body that is a miracle, with many systems designed to keep us productive on Earth. If you overdo anything, especially gaining weight, it has many consequences. When you fuel your body correctly, reducing sugar and processed fats, you have more energy, making it easy to remain present in what life offers you.
Knowing that many women gain weight around the middle as they age because of hormonal changes, what tips do you have for staying slim?
Pay attention to your body. It is constantly sending you messages that are warnings and could save your life. Last fall, I had my first experience (other than childbirth) of an emergency room visit. I was noncompliant with medication that was prescribed to lower slightly elevated blood pressure. I was also inactive and had just received some bad news. I noticed my pulse rate was between 95 – 100 beats/ min at rest, and my blood pressure was elevated. I contacted my physician, who advised me to go to the ER. I drove myself there, and upon my arrival, I thought I was having a cardiovascular event. Once they connected me to do an EKG, I was relieved that I was not having a heart attack. I was experiencing stress, and they advised me to see a cardiologist, who put me on a statin, a beta blocker diuretic combo, along with diet and exercise. That was my wake-up call, and I am now much better with my health.
What type of exercise regiment do you maintain?
I try to limit my sweets and walk for about 30 minutes five days a week. If I fall off the wagon, I get back on quickly. My body responds to exercise; the benefits are better sleep, weight reduction, and a glow!
How has your faith contributed to your overall health as you age?
Faith plays a very significant part in who I am. Some of my favorite scriptures include:
- For in him we live, move, and have our being; as certain of your poets have said, we are also his offspring. Acts 17:28
- The joy of The Lord is my strength Nehemiah 8:10
- A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
- Most importantly, I believe in Psalm 92:12-15, and I claim that scripture every day is my life for the future.
I must add that Cynthia makes and designs her line of bags and accessory items, which are sold online at her 2ChicDesigns Etsy store. Check out her summer styles. Cynthia is also a fellow blogger at 2ChicDesigns.
Thanks, Cynthia! I loved sharing your story of maintaining a healthy weight, preventing illness, and sharing your beauty secrets as you age gracefully! Please email me at eugenia@ageofgrace.com if you want to be featured in the Women of Grace series.