My Mom Is Almost 60 And She Has Abs. Here's Everything She Taught Me About Aging In Shape

For a while, I thought this was the norm, but as I start to age myself, I’ve come to realize that my mom’s fitness and wellness level are exceptional and even somewhat countercultural. Moreso, I’ve come to realize how strong of a temptation it is for many women to let themselves go as they age, have children, and their careers take off. It’s easy to justify it as if looking hot was something just for the youngsters, but this is not all about looks, it's about wellbeing. 

While abs are not a true indicator of good health and perhaps not even the right goal for many of us, for me, my mom’s abs were always a sign that she was treating her body right. But perhaps most surprisingly, I’ve never seen her break her back in the gym or restrain herself at the dinner table. What I’ve seen her do is a series of small but meaningful habits that have resulted in a strong and healthy body at nearly 60 years old.

As we all know, there’s genuinely no magic pill (or syringe without side effects, for that matter). The one thing that makes the biggest difference is mindset. I can attest that my mom always had a good intuition and sense over her own nutrition. She rarely eats seconds because she knows that her first serving was the appropriate amount. Even if she doesn't feel satisfied in the moment, she knows that she will after her post-lunch coffee or small dessert. I can also attest that she doesn't restrict herself nor measures food or runs calculations over macro nutrients, calories, or grams. She is confident in her knowledge and instinct of what a balanced meal looks like and she sticks to it.

On Nutrition

My mom would always say “I eat a little bit of everything.” She loves a good dessert and a hearty meal, but knows what is appropriate when it comes to portion sizes and sugar levels. She also avoids emotional eating. If she has a bad day, she will take a bath, talk about it, go for a walk, watch a movie, etc. This woman would never be spotted burying her head in an ice cream tub or family-sized cake as many rom-coms portray as the norm. She's well aware that this behavior is physically, emotionally, and mentally unhealthy.

When I first brought up to her that I was writing this article, she asked me to emphasize the importance of inner peace. In her case, a strong faith life has been crucial to her wellbeing. Moderation and the ability to say "no" to the temptation to overeat and even over drink, are based on a strong prayer life. Even if one doesn’t have such faith or belief, there is no doubt that the inner-life is the basis for exterior well-being. 

She answers her sugar craving with her favorite dessert: chocolate chip cookies with a coffee, and has zero shame or guilt about it. The shame and guilt are important aspects of this, because if we are constantly restraining or punishing ourselves, we will unavoidably build resentment towards ourselves. Instead, understand when to feast and when to be more moderate. I know my mom occasionally fasts, but it is mostly due to spiritual reasons rather than health reasons. I have also seen her have a small lunch if she knows she will have a feast that same night. It's all about balance. 

Another good example of intuition is when my mom developed an allergy she could not shake off. Instead of ignoring it, she did some blood work and found out that she was allergic to white wheat. Not gluten, just white wheat. Instead of cutting out these carbs, my mom started experimenting with Ezequiel bread, almond flour, and many other replacements. She continued baking, but adjusted the recipes to her needs.

There are two lessons here:

1. If something is not serving you, cut it out. Don’t sacrifice your wellbeing, comfort, and health for the sake of 10 seconds of indulging yourself in good flavor. 

2. Intentionally adjust to what your body needs and wants. This is an important act of self-respect.

Cutting out white wheat opened up great opportunities for my mom to embrace higher quality foods. Even if you aren’t going for the superfoods, whole grains and even rice and potatoes are preferable to plain white bread. All in all, it's worth considering what you're consuming on a regular basis that may not be serving you. 

Cooking at Home is Always Better Than Eating Out

I must admit that my parents have taken this to the extreme. I recall every time we went to a restaurant my parents’ conversation revolved around how they could make this dish they had ordered at home and how they could do it much better. They would read recipes, embrace their creativity, and just go for it. As I grow older, I appreciate this as I’ve come to realize how everything they cooked was healthier than what is often served in restaurants; but even more than that, they had a very wholesome appreciation for food. This is key. Many have made food the enemy in the pursuit of a fit body, but this is perhaps the best example of the situations in which befriending the enemy goes a very long way. 

We rarely went out to eat and our home dinner parties were always superb. Your body and bank account can benefit incredibly from this, and while initially it may seem like a sacrifice, once you are used to it, it's actually quite a treat. Knowing how to cook and creating a culture at home in which good cooking is the staple has positive correlations with increased health,  happiness, and quality of life. 

On Physical Activity

There's no doubt that in America the majority of us live very sedentary lives and it takes conscious effort to bring physical activity into our days. In other countries, it’s normalized to age in shape because the right habits and nutrition are part of the culture. I must add that my mom and I are Colombians and our culture embraces a balanced diet (tons of fruits and veggies as they are in season year-round) and a lot of dancing. Nonetheless, we also have desk jobs. Growing up, my mom worked as a teacher which, looking back, involved a lot of time standing in front of a classroom. Additionally, the way the school was set up required her to walk from classroom to classroom, so needless to say, she was likely hitting her 10k step goal daily before walking pads started trending. 

I know my mom has occasionally held gym memberships, but not very often. Most of my mom’s workouts have revolved around long walks, hikes, and at-home dance parties. I also recall how when I was around 7 years old, she signed me up for dance classes and the studio had dance classes for moms taking place simultaneously. I appreciate how she thought of this being important for me, but also didn't neglect herself in the process. This mindset is important because for many, once children come along, self-care takes a back seat. 

Looking back, my mom never sacrificed time with us for the sake of working out; instead, we would go on family bike rides and stop at a park to do some calisthenics and she often played sports with my siblings and I. The jump rope competitions we did when the Disney Channel film: Jump! came out were legendary in our neighborhood. We all, including my mom who was around 40 at the time, ended up learning how to jump double ropes. This was more family time than workout time and perhaps that was one of the things that made all that physical activity sustainable.

Small Intentional Breaks

Every morning before showering, my mom stretches for 5 minutes or so. It's certainly nothing revolutionary or extreme, but the consistent act of this truly has incredible results. Before even getting out of bed in the morning, she stretches out her arms and legs and then brings them in with a crunch. The purpose of this is not only to tone your abs, but also to wake up your whole body and prepare yourself to take on the day.

There is data confirming that certain muscles such as the core muscles do better when worked out in small increments, but done consistently. Meaning, it is preferable to work on your abs everyday for 5 minutes rather than doing a 1-hour long workout every ten days.

She also keeps resistance bands in her desk and occasionally takes breaks from work to stretch. The moment she feels her body is crunching up, she will take time to stretch. 

Closing Thoughts

In short, my mom's approach to aging in shape isn't about strict rules or extreme fitness regimens—it's about self-love, self-awareness, and a lot of moderation. Her intuitive relationship with food, her commitment to physical activity, and her ability to adapt to her body’s needs have allowed her to maintain not only a strong body, but also a positive relationship with it.

The lessons she’s taught me go beyond abs; they’re about respecting and nurturing your body, embracing small, yet powerful habits, and prioritizing overall well-being without resorting to extremes. Whether it’s through a balanced meal, a spontaneous dance session, or a few minutes of stretching each morning, she’s shown me that staying in shape is less about perfection and more about cultivating a lifestyle that is caring towards oneself. As I age, I’ve come to appreciate that true wellness isn’t just about having abs—it’s about feeling and genuinely being good.