THRIVE AFTER FIFTY
Look after yourself.
Lifting something heavy, making a decent dinner, getting some bloody sleep. Start with what you need today.
Get stronger · Sleep & recovery · Food & recipes · Skin & hair · Your changing body
Some links are affiliate links: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These are things I personally use.
01 · STRENGTH
Get stronger. Keep it simple.
Home workouts fit my life. My three-day dumbbell guide, YouTube favourites and at-home kit are together on Strength for Life.
Open the workouts and free guide →Browse the videos and kit. The free guide is delivered by email.
-
NordicTrack 24 Studio Bike
Home workouts are what actually work for me, and this bike is one of my cheat codes.
I can fit a proper workout around my day without travelling to a gym, waiting for equipment or negotiating with the British weather. Having it at home removes several very convincing excuses before they get started.
See the NordicTrack Studio Bike
BRAINGAIN Adjustable Dumbbells
Adjustable dumbbells are a home-workout wonder. They take up far less room than a complete collection of individual weights and make it much easier to increase the load gradually as I get stronger.
One set, several weights and considerably less equipment taking over the floor.
APE Nutrition Grass-Fed Beef Protein
I use protein powder to make it easier to get enough protein into my day, particularly alongside strength training.
I like this one because it is grass-fed and simply produced. The Madagascan vanilla flavour also works well in my daily smoothie without making it taste as though somebody emptied a sweet shop into it.
02 · SLEEP & RECOVERY
Rest is part of it.
Tired isn’t the same as lazy. These are the nights when sleep wouldn’t happen, and the time my body told me enough was enough.
-
Fitbit Air
I use my Fitbit Air to track my sleep and recovery. It helps me see when I’m ready to train and when my body might benefit from an easier day.
That information has been a game changer while navigating training and menopause symptoms. I use it as useful evidence, not an electronic headmistress.
Daylight lamp
Dark mornings do absolutely nothing for my enthusiasm. I use this daylight lamp to bring more light into the start of the day and help maintain a more consistent morning routine.
It makes getting up during the darker months feel considerably less like an administrative error.
Pukka Night Time Tea
This is part of my evening wind-down routine. I reach for it when I’m struggling to switch off and need a familiar signal that the day is finished.
It isn’t a magic sleeping potion. Sadly, those remain unavailable without a prescription or a fairy godmother.
03 · FOOD & RECIPES
A decent dinner.
Everyday ingredients, something good to eat and less faff. Here’s what I’m cooking and why I’m choosing fewer ultra-processed foods.
Get the lower-UPF shopping list →Free PDF. No email needed.
-
My daily smoothie, minus the lumps.
This is compact, straightforward and powerful enough to produce an actually smooth smoothie. That sounds like the minimum requirement for a blender, yet experience suggests otherwise.
04 · SKIN & HAIR
Skincare without the faff.
Ageing is a privilege. Dry skin is still a pain in the arse. Here’s what earns a place in my routine, without declaring war on my face.
-
My skin has become noticeably drier in midlife. Regular body brushing helps remove dry, flaky skin and leaves it feeling smoother.
It is a simple, inexpensive addition to my routine—and slightly more realistic than pretending I’m going to exfoliate diligently using six different products.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
Hair shedding during menopause is no joke. This is one of the products I have used consistently and genuinely feel has helped my hair.
That is my personal experience rather than a promise of identical results, but it has earned a permanent place in my bathroom.
Caudalie SPF 50 Face Sunscreen
If I could keep only one preventative skincare habit, it would be wearing sunscreen every day.
The best sunscreen is ultimately one that suits your skin and that you will use consistently. This is the one currently earning its place in my routine.
05 · YOUR CHANGING BODY
What the hell is going on?
Questions about menopause, HRT and changes you weren’t expecting. My experiences, plus a planner for your next appointment.
What earns a place here? I use it, it makes my life easier, and I’d tell a friend about it without the commission. The cupboard is not open to freeloaders.
THRIVE AFTER FIFTY
Look after yourself.
Lifting something heavy, making a decent dinner, getting some bloody sleep. Start with what you need today.
Some links are affiliate links: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These are things I personally use.
01 · STRENGTH
Get stronger. Keep it simple.
Home workouts fit my life. My three-day dumbbell guide, YouTube favourites and at-home kit are together on Strength for Life.
Open the workouts and free guide →Browse the videos and kit. The free guide is delivered by email.
The kit I use: bike, dumbbells & protein
NordicTrack 24 Studio Bike
Home workouts are what actually work for me, and this bike is one of my cheat codes.
I can fit a proper workout around my day without travelling to a gym, waiting for equipment or negotiating with the British weather. Having it at home removes several very convincing excuses before they get started.
See the NordicTrack Studio Bike
BRAINGAIN Adjustable Dumbbells
Adjustable dumbbells are a home-workout wonder. They take up far less room than a complete collection of individual weights and make it much easier to increase the load gradually as I get stronger.
One set, several weights and considerably less equipment taking over the floor.
APE Nutrition Grass-Fed Beef Protein
I use protein powder to make it easier to get enough protein into my day, particularly alongside strength training.
I like this one because it is grass-fed and simply produced. The Madagascan vanilla flavour also works well in my daily smoothie without making it taste as though somebody emptied a sweet shop into it.
02 · SLEEP & RECOVERY
Rest is part of it.
Tired isn’t the same as lazy. These are the nights when sleep wouldn’t happen, and the time my body told me enough was enough.
What I use for winding down & recovery
Fitbit Air
I use my Fitbit Air to track my sleep and recovery. It helps me see when I’m ready to train and when my body might benefit from an easier day.
That information has been a game changer while navigating training and menopause symptoms. I use it as useful evidence, not an electronic headmistress.
Daylight lamp
Dark mornings do absolutely nothing for my enthusiasm. I use this daylight lamp to bring more light into the start of the day and help maintain a more consistent morning routine.
It makes getting up during the darker months feel considerably less like an administrative error.
Pukka Night Time Tea
This is part of my evening wind-down routine. I reach for it when I’m struggling to switch off and need a familiar signal that the day is finished.
It isn’t a magic sleeping potion. Sadly, those remain unavailable without a prescription or a fairy godmother.
03 · FOOD & RECIPES
A decent dinner.
Everyday ingredients, something good to eat and less faff. Here’s what I’m cooking and why I’m choosing fewer ultra-processed foods.
- Roasted squash & chickpea bowl →
- Why I’m choosing a non-UPF diet →
- Get the lower-UPF shopping list →Free PDF. No email needed.
My blender, and why I use it
Ninja Smoothie Blender
My daily smoothie, minus the lumps.
This is compact, straightforward and powerful enough to produce an actually smooth smoothie. That sounds like the minimum requirement for a blender, yet experience suggests otherwise.
04 · SKIN & HAIR
Skincare without the faff.
Ageing is a privilege. Dry skin is still a pain in the arse. Here’s what earns a place in my routine, without declaring war on my face.
What I use for skin & hair
Dry Body Brush
My skin has become noticeably drier in midlife. Regular body brushing helps remove dry, flaky skin and leaves it feeling smoother.
It is a simple, inexpensive addition to my routine—and slightly more realistic than pretending I’m going to exfoliate diligently using six different products.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
Hair shedding during menopause is no joke. This is one of the products I have used consistently and genuinely feel has helped my hair.
That is my personal experience rather than a promise of identical results, but it has earned a permanent place in my bathroom.
Caudalie SPF 50 Face Sunscreen
If I could keep only one preventative skincare habit, it would be wearing sunscreen every day.
The best sunscreen is ultimately one that suits your skin and that you will use consistently. This is the one currently earning its place in my routine.
05 · YOUR CHANGING BODY
What the hell is going on?
Questions about menopause, HRT and changes you weren’t expecting. My experiences, plus a planner for your next appointment.