My Anti-Aging Secrets at 55: A Journey to Confidence, Inside Out

My Anti-Aging Secrets at 55: A Journey to Confidence, Inside OutMy name is Xie Wen, and I'm 55 years old. I'd heard rumors about menopause causing dramatic aging, so when I realized I was approaching it five years ago, I started researching ways to preserve my youthful appearance from celebrity routines to everyday tips

My Anti-Aging Secrets at 55: A Journey to Confidence, Inside Out

My name is Xie Wen, and I'm 55 years old. I'd heard rumors about menopause causing dramatic aging, so when I realized I was approaching it five years ago, I started researching ways to preserve my youthful appearance from celebrity routines to everyday tips. I practiced these methods diligently and was delighted to see positive results. Recently, I met up with some former colleagues, and they were blown away by my appearance. They couldn't believe how much younger I looked after menopause! Today, I'm sharing my five anti-aging secrets, hoping to empower other women facing similar concerns.

1. Anti-Glycation: Say Goodbye to Sweets, Embrace Youthfulness

Li Ruotong, the 57-year-old actress known for her role as "Little Dragon Girl," has a youthful physique, thanks to 23 years of running and weightlifting. She emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet over restrictive dieting. She prioritizes balanced nutrition after workouts, focusing on fresh, natural foods and avoiding processed foods and high-fat options.

Zhang Shaohan, the singer known for the song "Invisible Wings," seems even more vibrant now than in her 20s. Her secret is anti-glycationshe avoids all sugary drinks, pastries, and cookies.

Inspired by these examples, I cut out my favorite treats like rice cakes, shortbread, date-filled pastries, and red bean mooncakes. I now eat three balanced meals a day, stopping at 80% fullness. I take short walks before and after meals. This gradual change led to a 20-pound weight loss over six months, allowing me to fit back into clothes I hadn't worn in years.

2. Nourishing Inside & Out: Rejuvenate with Food Therapy

Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the importance of nourishing foods after the age of 40. While I used to favor vegetarianism, I've embraced a more balanced diet since turning 50. Incorporating meat helps maintain skin elasticity and radiance, while a strictly vegetarian diet can be detrimental.

Around menopause, I began focusing on nourishing my body. I regularly make chicken soup, as traditional medicine believes the nutrients are concentrated in the broth. I also frequently prepare silver ear soup, known as the "poor man's bird's nest" for its excellent nourishing properties. For autumn, I add lily bulbs, lotus seeds, and goji berries, which replenish my body. I no longer need lip balm during autumn, a testament to the benefits of this nourishing soup.

Moreover, I've stopped eating leftovers. Fresh vegetables are a priority, especially those grown by local farmers with less pesticide exposure. I wake up early to visit the market, where I buy fresh chives (which have a distinctly fragrant aroma compared to greenhouse chives), chestnut-sized, unique "conical" chestnuts, and steamed them as snacks, a healthier alternative to processed food. I also enjoy making soy milk with black sesame powder or blending millet and pumpkin into a nutritious drink.

As a child, I was told to "offer food to the five internal organs." Now, I understand that the food we consume sustains our physical bodies. When we eat well, our bodies function smoothly, leading to less illness. A varied diet may lead to discomfort. Overall, internal nourishment has significantly improved my skin.

3. Sleep, The Ultimate Nourishment: Embrace Ample Rest, Avoid Menopausal Blues

Traditional Chinese medicine believes, "Herbal remedies are inferior to food therapy, and food therapy is inferior to sleep therapy." In our 50s, we face increasing responsibilitiesaging parents, adult children on the cusp of settling downcreating stress, exacerbated by menopausal symptoms. Many say, "Men flourish at 41, while women become like "cow dung" at 40.

The culprit is often our relentless diligence. We take on everything, inside and outside the home, from social obligations to household choresit's no wonder we age quickly. Our children often call and ask, "Dad, where's Mom?" Men become increasingly independent, leaving everything to their wives, while a woman is praised for doing household chores. Why not embrace a more relaxed approach, like mensleep, wake up, go fishing, birdwatching, and seek joy in life? A carefree heart is a blessing.

If you've dedicated yourself to caring for others, consider sharing responsibilities with your children and husband. Don't exhaust yourself. Prioritize your well-being. Don't worry about a few poorly washed dishes or a less-than-perfect floor. Your family will test your limits; if you give in, they'll continue to rely on you, leaving you as the sole caregiver. Take a cue from Song Meiling, who always had someone to massage her, and lived a long life of beauty.

Don't deplete your energy. Exhaustion accelerates aging. Reduce overthinking and stress, as sadness weakens the spleen, leading to premature aging. Sleep replenishes your blood and energy. When problems arise, remember, there's always a solution. Just sleep on it.

4. Cultivate a Sense of Worth: Treat Yourself Well, Reject Self-Sacrifice

Recently, I watched the 1995 version of "Empress Wu" and was captivated by Liu Xiaoqing's portrayal. Her mother advised against wearing such opulent clothing for her coronation, but she replied, "No, Mother. I deserve to treat myself well." Later, when she ruled as empress, court officials questioned her attendance at the Fengshan ceremony. She confidently retorted, "Why not? Men represent Heaven, and women represent Earth. Together, they form the universe. If Heaven cannot tolerate women, why did it create them?" Her boldness and self-assuredness resonated with me.

What is a sense of worth? It's recognizing your value and deservingness. Many women become complacent in their 50s, forgoing stylish clothing, makeup, and self-care. They feel it's unnecessary at their age. This is abandoning oneself.

Let me ask you: Do you often eat leftovers? I've noticed my husband refuses to eat yesterday's leftovers. It's always me. Men are adept at self-care. Therefore, I now cook smaller portions and eat everything fresh. No one needs a garbage disposal for a stomach. Don't allow yourself to be mistreated.

Many women retire earlier than men and settle into being "grandmothers." They dress in frumpy clothes, while their husbands look sharp for work. Isn't that tragic? Travel, pamper yourself life is fleeting. Don't settle for less now, only to feel resentful later. People treat you how you allow them to. Respect yourself, refuse to compromise, and others will respect you as well.

5. Nurture Your Mind and Spirit: Let Go of Obstacles, Embrace Positive Energy

The face reflects the heart. Many people develop frown lines and other wrinkles after 50. These lines aren't overnight occurrences, they are the accumulation of years of stress and emotional burdens. But life is half over. Some things can be changed, while others remain constant. What then? Change what we can, and accept the inevitable. If something causes pain, change it. If not, find peace.

If you're overwhelmed by anxieties, seek solace in reading, travel, observationencountering the world, its people, and yourself. When you see suffering in the intensive care unit or the plight of impoverished children without shoes, you'll realize many people face greater hardships. Gain perspective, let go of attachments, accept life's hardships, and find joy in life. Seek self-improvement and positive energy.

I visit libraries, museums, parks, and go hiking. I read for an hour before bed. I declutter, removing unnecessary items. A clean home brings peace of mind. This "letting go" extends beyond physical possessions, including relationships and negative thoughts, pessimism, and depleted mental energy.

Remember, life is short. Treat yourself welleat, drink, sleepand surround yourself with good people, things, and experiences. The most important thing is to respect, value, and cherish yourself. Self-love breeds self-confidence, which earns the respect and affection of others. Enjoy lifeeat well, drink well, sleep well, and nurture your mind and body.

I believe that while time is a cruel butcher's knife, inner grace is a sharp sword, the only weapon capable of defying its edge. Beauty fades, but elegance is timeless. Therefore, after 50, strive for an elegant aura, a timeless charm.

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