Flexibility, Focus & Food for a Life in Full Bloom - Wellness Reimagined

Happy Monday and welcome to Your Weekly Boost!

Each month I join four blogging friends to host the Wellness Reimagined link up. What started as a way of keeping each other accountable with our health and wellness goals has developed into a wonderful journey of discovery for us all. You can find links to their posts at the end.

I have decided to start moving some of my posts over to Substack from my Women Living Well After 50 Wordpress website. Wellness Reimagined will be one category that I’ve moved over this month.

Each month I will publish a Wellness Reimagined post here which I hope will encourage you to discover ways to enhance your own health and well being.

For this month’s Wellness Reimagined, I’m sharing a 30-day challenge that I did throughout June as well as some healthy recipes I made during the month.

Flexibility & Focus - 30 days of Yoga challenge

This month, I’m celebrating a small but powerful achievement—completing a 30-day yoga challenge, set for me by my physiotherapist to support my running, especially now I’m still running in my late sixties with no sign of stopping yet.

Although I’ve been running since I was 50, I have never had massages. For the last 12 months, I have been visiting the physiotherapist monthly for a sports massage which has been a game changer for this runner!

I have been training extra hard this year for some half marathon events and even though I stretch and have my massages, Ben (my lovely physio) suggested I should try daily yoga.

I’ve done yoga before but not kept at it regularly, however, I agreed to take his challenge - 30 days of yoga.

What began as a way to loosen tight hips and ease post-run recovery has turned into something I now look forward to daily. Whether I’m on the mat for 10 minutes or a full 30 or longer if I have time, I’m discovering the quiet strength that comes from simply showing up for myself.

One of the most nourishing discoveries along the way has been Yin Yoga. Unlike the flowing movements of vinyasa or the strength focus of power yoga, Yin is slow, still, and deep. Poses are held for several minutes, allowing time for the fascia (our connective tissue) to release tension and restore mobility. It’s gentle (did I write that? holding the poses can be challenging), meditative—and exactly what my ageing (and often tight!) runner’s body needs.

But Yin doesn’t just stretch my hamstrings; it stretches my perspective. As women over 50, we often feel like we have to be doing more, faster, stronger. Yin invites the opposite: softness, surrender, stillness. And in that stillness, I find clarity. My mind feels more focused. My breath, deeper. My body, grateful to be able to hold the pose.

This challenge has reminded me that wellness isn’t about intensity—it’s about intentionality. I’ll be continuing with daily yoga—because it’s more than a challenge now. It’s part of my daily rhythm of life and it complements my other areas of exercise - running, pilates and strength training.

Have you tried yoga? I found this YouTube series Yoga with Joelle which is especially good for runners, walkers or those of us who sit for long periods.

Focus

Eyesight After 60: Why Regular Eye Checks Matter

At 68 having regular eye checks are part of my health routine. I recently went for my regular checkup and whilst cataracts are there, they aren’t bad enough to require surgery at this point.

Did you know?

• 1 in 3 people over 65 has a vision-reducing eye disease. (American Academy of Ophthalmology)

• 90% of vision loss from conditions like glaucoma and diabetic eye disease is preventable with early detection and treatment. (World Health Organization)

• The risk of developing cataracts increases with age—by age 80, more than half of all people either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them.

• Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60, affecting 1 in 7 Australians over 50. (Macular Disease Foundation Australia)

• Uncorrected vision problems can double the risk of falls, which is one of the leading causes of injury in older adults.

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Why It Matters for Wellbeing:

• Vision changes can be subtle. You might not notice a slow decline—but early eye checks catch problems before they impact your quality of life.

• Good vision supports independence, mobility, and mental clarity—you’re more likely to stay active, engaged, and safe.

• Eye health is linked to other health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and even neurological issues. Eye exams often detect these early.

• Maintaining good eyesight is crucial for reading, driving, hobbies, and social connection—all of which are linked to better cognitive health and happiness as we age.

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✅ Take Action:

• Get a comprehensive eye exam every 1–2 years after age 60.

• Don’t ignore symptoms like blurry vision, floaters, difficulty with night vision, or light sensitivity.

• Wear sunglasses to protect against UV damage and eat eye-friendly foods like leafy greens, carrots, and omega-3 rich fish.

• Keep your glasses or contact lens prescriptions updated to avoid eye strain and accidents.

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Nourishing from the Inside Out

This month, from necessity, I discovered two delicious recipes. Both of these are gluten-free and coeliac-friendly, so everyone can enjoy them. I’m sharing one recipe this month with you and will share the other in my Wellness Reimagined post next month.

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Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad (Gluten-Free)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa (cooled)

• 1 cup finely chopped parsley

• ½ cup finely chopped mint

• 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes

• ½ cup finely chopped cucumber

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Salt & pepper to taste

Method:

1. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, herbs, tomatoes, and cucumber.

2. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.

3. Season and toss gently.

4. Chill for 30 minutes to let the flavours meld.

Perfect as a light lunch or side dish—fresh, zesty, and protein-packed.

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🌸 Final Thoughts

Wellness evolves. What once felt like a chore can become a joy. A 30-day challenge might just become a lifelong practice. And a mindful moment on the mat can ripple through the rest of your day.

Here’s to reimagining wellness as something gentle, joyful, and yours—at every age.

In health and wellbeing

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Your turn…

We invite you to join us as we discover our own Wellness Reimagined and what that means for our health and wellness. The link up will be open for 48 hours. Just click on the link below:

Wellness Reimagined Link Up

Remember to pop over and visit my lovely co-hosts so see what they are doing to stay and health and active.

Debbie Harris – Deb’s World
Donna Connolly – Retirement Reflections
Jennifer Jones – The Retirement Phase
Joanne Tracey – And Anyways