Be Your Own Advocate: Protecting Your Health

Defend Your Health The Positive Aging Way

“I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.”- Maya Angelou

Positive Agers - it is time we take care of ourselves.

I am in the young range of our group - just scratching at 50, but I found Vibriance and started reading the blog. I must confess - I love Vibriance and its positive aging message.

It's not just one thing that hooked me, either. The skin care, the easy makeup routines, and the last of the products… I love it all.

My makeup routine now consists of only three steps - highlighter, color, mascara. I follow the advice of the Positive Aging Ambassadors. Where I once wouldn't have even bothered with makeup, I now enjoy putting it on again.

I adore that I need just a minimal amount of Dream Sleep Body Cream, and my arms are moisturized. Then, with two pumps of the Sheer Zinc Sunscreen, my skin is better protected than with most spray sunscreens I've used. Not to mention the sunscreen isn't running into my eyes, and I am not sticky and greasy.

“I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.”- Maya Angelou

Positive Agers - it is time we take care of ourselves.

I am in the young range of our group - just scratching at 50, but I found Vibriance and started reading the blog. I must confess - I love Vibriance and its positive aging message.

It's not just one thing that hooked me, either. The skin care, the easy makeup routines, and the last of the products… I love it all.

I adore that I need just a minimal amount of Dream Sleep Body Cream, and my arms are moisturized.

Then, with two pumps of the Sheer Zinc Sunscreen, my skin is better protected than with most spray sunscreens I've used. Not to mention the sunscreen isn't running into my eyes, and I am not sticky and greasy.

“I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.”- Maya Angelou

Positive Agers - it is time we take care of ourselves.

I am in the young range of our group - just scratching at 50, but I found Vibriance and started reading the blog. I must confess - I love Vibriance and its positive aging message.

It's not just one thing that hooked me, either. The skin care, the easy makeup routines, and the last of the products… I love it all.

My makeup routine now consists of only three steps - highlighter, color, mascara. I follow the advice of the Positive Aging Ambassadors.

Where I once wouldn't have even bothered with makeup, I now enjoy putting it on again.

Not to mention the sunscreen isn't running into my eyes, and I am not sticky and greasy.

As I read the blogs, my mindset changed to a positive outlook on aging.

Instead of fighting where my body is, I notice the negative comments others make about aging, and I no longer relate. In fact, I am excited to try new techniques, get out and make plans!

But... this isn't meant to be a love letter to Vibriance. Being of the new mindset that we deserve to take care of ourselves, I finally addressed some pains I've had for about a year.

As I read the blogs, my mindset changed to a positive outlook on aging.

Instead of fighting where my body is, I notice the negative comments others make about aging, and I no longer relate.

In fact, I am excited to try new techniques, get out and make plans!

As I read the blogs, my mindset changed to a positive outlook on aging.

Instead of fighting where my body is, I notice the negative comments others make about aging, and I no longer relate. In fact, I am excited to try new techniques, get out and make plans!

But... this isn't meant to be a love letter to Vibriance. Being of the new mindset that we deserve to take care of ourselves, I finally addressed some pains I've had for about a year.

To be honest - I put it off, likely from fear. The pains were in my abdomen, and a quick search through Google revealed the worst-case scenario every single time.

But - in my mother's words - it was time to put on my big girl pants and deal with it.

Off to the doc I went. A bunch of tests later, nothing showed up. Over and over, nothing. Although there was relief in that, it did not cease my worry because the pain was still there.

And to me, pain means something is off.

But... this isn't meant to be a love letter to Vibriance. Being of the new mindset that we deserve to take care of ourselves, I finally addressed some pains I've had for about a year.

To be honest - I put it off, likely from fear. The pains were in my abdomen, and a quick search through Google revealed the worst-case scenario every single time.

But - in my mother's words - it was time to put on my big girl pants and deal with it.

Off to the doc I went. A bunch of tests later, nothing showed up. Over and over, nothing. Although there was relief in that, it did not cease my worry because the pain was still there. And to me, pain means something is off.

To be honest - I put it off, likely from fear. The pains were in my abdomen, and a quick search through Google revealed the worst-case scenario every single time.

But - in my mother's words - it was time to put on my big girl pants and deal with it.

Many professionals write us off. They do so with a multitude of explanations: aging can hurt… it's not as bad as we say… anxiety or depression is causing the pain… it's menopause… here is a pain reliever…

Ladies - if that answer isn't good enough for you - don't let it be. Find a doctor who will listen and not dismiss you.

We deserve to feel heard and not placated. Our years inside our own bodies make us the experts on what is "our normal" and what isn't.

I know if I have knee pain - that is my normal. I busted it up when I was 16, and it has never been the same. If I go for a bike ride and the next day, my knee hurts - it adds up.

Likewise, if I eat Pizza Hut and ice cream for dinner - I will feel miserable a few hours later. The next day, I'll wake up bloated. You know you the best. If something is glaringly off - no one will know that more than you. So, if you tell a doctor and are poo-pooed and given the brush off - find a different one.

Be your own advocate. You deserve to have good care and be taken seriously.

My doctor believed my experience. After more testing - it turned out that I have a rare deficiency of an enzyme needed to process sucrose (sugar). Considering that sucrose is in nearly everything, it explained the constant pain.

Here is my pause to plug my point. Many professionals write us off.

They do so with a multitude of explanations: aging can hurt… it's not as bad as we say… anxiety or depression is causing the pain… it's menopause… here is a pain reliever… Ladies - if that answer isn't good enough for you - don't let it be.

Here is my pause to plug my point. Many professionals write us off. They do so with a multitude of explanations: aging can hurt… it's not as bad as we say… anxiety or depression is causing the pain… it's menopause… here is a pain reliever…

Ladies - if that answer isn't good enough for you - don't let it be. Find a doctor who will listen and not dismiss you.

We deserve to feel heard and not placated. Our years inside our own bodies make us the experts on what is "our normal" and what isn't. I know if I have knee pain - that is my normal.

I busted it up when I was 16, and it has never been the same. If I go for a bike ride and the next day, my knee hurts - it adds up.

You know you the best. If something is glaringly off - no one will know that more than you. So, if you tell a doctor and are poo-pooed and given the brush off - find a different one.

Find a doctor who will listen and not dismiss you.

We deserve to feel heard and not placated. Our years inside our own bodies make us the experts on what is "our normal" and what isn't.

I know if I have knee pain - that is my normal. I busted it up when I was 16, and it has never been the same. If I go for a bike ride and the next day, my knee hurts - it adds up.

Likewise, if I eat Pizza Hut and ice cream for dinner - I will feel miserable a few hours later. The next day, I'll wake up bloated. We deserve to feel heard and not placated.

You know you the best. If something is glaringly off - no one will know that more than you.

So, if you tell a doctor and are poo-pooed and given the brush off - find a different one.

Be your own advocate. You deserve to have good care and be taken seriously.

In the past, I would have grumbled about the downfall of aging in regards to this pain. I would have brushed it off as changes in our bodies.

After a year of reading articles from Vibriance telling me I deserve good things, I pushed for an answer… and one that wasn't just a pill to shut me up without a real explanation to what was hurting me.

Because I truly believe we deserve to feel good, I did the hard thing. I found a doctor who believed me, I went through the testing, and I made lifestyle and diet changes.

And I feel remarkably better. After dealing and worrying about the pain, it is almost completely gone. This brings me to point two… protecting your health is also minding your mental health.

Find support systems. Life throws us curve balls. Some hit us and knock us down. Others we dodge. A few, we watch as they fly by.

Whatever type of curve ball you're given, it helps to have a strong support system of family and friends.

Be your own advocate. You deserve to have good care and be taken seriously.

In the past, I would have grumbled about the downfall of aging in regards to this pain. I would have brushed it off as changes in our bodies.

Because I truly believe we deserve to feel good, I did the hard thing. I found a doctor who believed me, I went through the testing, and I made lifestyle and diet changes.

And I feel remarkably better. After dealing and worrying about the pain, it is almost completely gone.

This brings me to point two… protecting your health is also minding your mental health. Find support systems.

Life throws us curve balls. Some hit us and knock us down. Others we dodge. A few, we watch as they fly by.

Whatever type of curve ball you're given, it helps to have a strong support system of family and friends.

Support systems vary depending on what you need. Sometimes it's a person to empathize, "That is rough, girl. I'm sorry."

Other times we need encouragement, "You know what - I know that's hard, but you've got this. And I am there for you, and we will get through it together."

Or, we need a push, "Put on your big girl pants and do the hard thing. Putting it off won't help you."

In our various seasons, we need particular people. We often have different people for different emotions and situations.

Be protective of your circle. If you have a negative voice in the crowd, recognize that and limit how much you divulge. The last thing you need is a confidant to spew unhelpful and unmotivating ideas your way.

Don't be surprised as you change to a Positive Aging mindset, you outgrow others. You can still care about someone, hold them at a distance, and protect your mental health.

Know yourself - physically and emotionally. Set up boundaries where you need to. Protect your emotional health.

Advocate for yourself without apologies. You deserve to be surrounded by professionals and people who want you to feel the best you can.

Take care of your health - physically and mentally - and know there are those of us watching, cheering you on.

And there is an entire community of Positive Agers doing the same thing!

Cheers to You, Positive Aging, and Advocating for your Health!

My doctor believed my experience. After more testing - it turned out that I have a rare deficiency of an enzyme needed to process sucrose (sugar).

Considering that sucrose is in nearly everything, it explained the constant pain.

In the past, I would have grumbled about the downfall of aging in regards to this pain. I would have brushed it off as changes in our bodies.

Because I truly believe we deserve to feel good, I did the hard thing. I found a doctor who believed me, I went through the testing, and I made lifestyle and diet changes.

Support systems vary depending on what you need. Sometimes it's a person to empathize, "That is rough, girl. I'm sorry."

Other times we need encouragement, "You know what - I know that's hard, but you've got this. And I am there for you, and we will get through it together."

Or, we need a push, "Put on your big girl pants and do the hard thing. Putting it off won't help you." In our various seasons, we need particular people. We often have different people for different emotions and situations.

And I feel remarkably better. After dealing and worrying about the pain, it is almost completely gone.

This brings me to point two… protecting your health is also minding your mental health. Find support systems. Life throws us curve balls. Some hit us and knock us down.

Others we dodge. A few, we watch as they fly by. Whatever type of curve ball you're given, it helps to have a strong support system of family and friends.

Support systems vary depending on what you need. Sometimes it's a person to empathize, "That is rough, girl. I'm sorry."

Other times we need encouragement, "You know what - I know that's hard, but you've got this. And I am there for you, and we will get through it together."

Or, we need a push, "Put on your big girl pants and do the hard thing. Putting it off won't help you."

In our various seasons, we need particular people. We often have different people for different emotions and situations. Be protective of your circle.

If you have a negative voice in the crowd, recognize that and limit how much you divulge. The last thing you need is a confidant to spew unhelpful and un motivating ideas your way.

Don't be surprised as you change to a Positive Aging mindset, you outgrow others. You can still care about someone, hold them at a distance, and protect your mental health.

Know yourself - physically and emotionally. Set up boundaries where you need to. Protect your emotional health.

Advocate for yourself without apologies. You deserve to be surrounded by professionals and people who want you to feel the best you can.

Take care of your health - physically and mentally - and know there are those of us watching, cheering you on.

And there is an entire community of Positive Agers doing the same thing!

Cheers to You, Positive Aging, and Advocating for your Health!

Don't be surprised as you change to a Positive Aging mindset, you outgrow others. You can still care about someone, hold them at a distance, and protect your mental health. Know yourself - physically and emotionally. Set up boundaries where you need to. Protect your emotional health.