Okay, I know what you’re thinking: "Embracing aging with vitality? Isn't that just code for pretending I don't have more wrinkles than I’d like to admit?" I get it. The very idea of embracing aging sounds like an Instagram influencer’s sponsored post, alongside a picture of a smoothie bowl and the phrase, "Wellness is a journey, not a destination." But hear me out—because while I’m all for vitality, there’s a big reason I’m not jumping on the "embrace your age with youthful exuberance" bandwagon.

Let’s talk weight loss challenges and fad diets—two things that are, unfortunately, inescapable when you hit a certain age. Have you ever tried a juice cleanse in your 30s and thought, "This can’t be good for me?" That’s because it’s not. In your 20s, you could eat a pint of ice cream at 2 a.m. and still wake up looking like a glowing goddess. In your 40s? Not so much. Your metabolism isn’t the sprightly teenager it once was. It’s more like that grumpy older relative who complains about everything, even if you just gave them a nice cup of tea.

But what happens when we try to tackle weight loss with every new diet trend we see? Keto, paleo, intermittent fasting—oh my! Each one promises miraculous results, and they all give us that glimmer of hope that, maybe, this is the one that will finally work for us. And while I can’t completely knock them (because, hey, some people swear by them), I just don’t think we should be putting our health in the hands of yet another fad that promises to fix everything in 30 days. Spoiler alert: It won’t. And also, there is no long-term evidence to back up any of these fad diets.

Here’s the real talk: When it comes to embracing aging with vitality, it’s about dietary patterns—not crash diets. Yes, patterns. Not "Let’s cut out carbs for the next two weeks and see if we drop a dress size." Not “I’m going to drink lemon water for three days and then feel lighter than air.” It’s about sustainable, real changes. Small changes that stick with you in the long term. These are things like choosing more fibrous foods, adding some greens here and there, or getting in those extra steps each day.

And here’s why it works: The clients I’ve worked with who are the healthiest and have had the most success are the ones who focus on creating sustainable habits. They’ve learned that lasting results don’t come from an extreme makeover, but from consistent, manageable changes they can stick to long term. Whether it’s making better food choices, getting regular movement, or simply drinking more water—these small, daily habits add up. The clients who are truly thriving are the ones who’ve committed to progress, not perfection. And when they do slip up? They don’t throw in the towel. They get back to their habits, without the guilt.

And let’s be real: Changing habits isn’t a walk in the park. It’s more like a brisk jog up a hill while carrying a bag of groceries. You know it’s good for you, but it’s going to take some time to get there. But guess what? It’s worth it. Because when you start to embrace the idea of long-term health (instead of the quick-fix weight loss miracle), you’ll find that the "vitality" part of aging isn’t just a tagline. It becomes a reality.

As we age, our bodies change—and that’s okay! Embrace it. But instead of wasting your time chasing the latest diet, why not focus on building lasting habits that make you feel good in your body, not ashamed of it? Because the goal isn’t to look like you did when you were 25 (let’s be honest, we’ve all got a few more laugh lines now). The goal is to feel great, inside and out, no matter what your birth certificate says.

So, to sum it up: I never promote this (the endless cycle of fad diets and quick fixes), because embracing aging with vitality isn’t about how fast you can drop 10 pounds or how many superfoods you can stuff into your blender. It’s about creating a lifestyle that makes you feel your best—and that takes time, consistency, and, sometimes, a little bit of humor along the way.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to get my daily dose of veggies and maybe a little extra sleep—because that’s the kind of vitality I’m here for!

Join me this year and beyond as I share my personal journey of embracing the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that come with aging. Together, we’ll explore the complexities of growing older and discover the beauty in every step of the process.