Dear Friend,

Years ago, like many women I coach today, I stood in front of the mirror, wishing I could snap my fingers and return to how I looked in my 30s. Maybe you’ve felt that way too—missing the smooth skin, tighter body, and how clothes fit effortlessly. But at that moment, I paused. I realized that what I wanted wasn't my 30-year-old body back—I wanted to feel strong, energized, and alive in the body I had right then.

I remember hitting menopause and soon after being diagnosed with osteoporosis. At that time, I felt like my body had betrayed me. But instead of giving up or trying to chase an impossible ideal, I decided to embrace where I was. I began focusing on what my body could do, not on what it wasn’t anymore.

As I embarked on my journey to strengthen my bones, regain my health, and find a new version of vitality, I discovered a truth that has since transformed the way I coach other women:

In midlife and beyond our body isn’t broken, and you don’t need to fix it to look like your younger self or someone else. You just need to support it, love it, nourish it, and help it become the healthiest, strongest version of itself today.

A Shift in Perspective: Embrace What Your Body Can Be

Many of the women I talk to tell me about their frustrations—how they wish they could turn back the clock and fit into their old jeans or see the reflection they remember. I hear them because I’ve been there too. But instead of letting those thoughts weigh us down, I ask them the same question I asked myself:

“What if we stopped punishing our bodies for not being what they were or what someone else's body is and started celebrating all they’ve carried us through?”

Your body is wise. It’s lived through decades of joy, challenges, and adventures. It’s capable of incredible things right now. But so often, we get caught up in what we think it should be that we forget to honor what it already is.

It's Not Just About the Scale

The scale doesn’t tell the whole story. When women say they want to lose weight, what they mean is that they want to feel more confident, comfortable, and vibrant in their skin. It's about feeling alive, not just fitting into a number on a scale.

So together, we redefine what success looks like. Instead of chasing an old image of ourselves, or an image of someone else, we work on becoming the healthiest, most vibrant versions of who we are now. We focus on what our bodies can do:

• Are you feeling stronger?

• Do you have more energy and confidence?

• Are your clothes fitting in a way that makes you feel comfortable?

These are the markers of real progress, not just the number on a scale.

Setting Empowering, Realistic Goals

It’s tempting to set goals like getting back into the size you wore decades ago or achieving a flat stomach. But is that truly what you need to feel amazing?

I’ve learned—and now teach—that setting goals aligned with where you are today is key to a fulfilling journey. Instead of longing for your old jeans, ask yourself:

• How would it feel to wear my favorite outfits with confidence and ease?

• Is having a flat stomach as important as feeling strong, energized, and free from discomfort?

• Can I find joy in becoming a leaner, stronger, and healthier version of myself today, rather than chasing an image from the past or worse, from social media?

When we set goals that reflect who we are now, we find more joy and fulfillment in the journey.

My Transformation: A Journey to Strength

If you look at a picture of me at 54, just before my osteoporosis diagnosis, and then one of me now at 64, you might think they’re two different women. Back then, I didn’t know what I know now about nourishing my body, building strength, and supporting my bones.

But as C.S. Lewis said, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Now, at 64, I celebrate what my body has become. Every day, I’m grateful for my strength, my flexibility, and the energy I feel. I remind myself to thank my body for all the amazing things it allows me to do.

Is The Best Version of You Waiting to be Unleashed?

Your body is extraordinary, right now, just as it is. Maybe it’s not what it once was, but it’s strong, resilient, and capable of even more than you realize. Your healthiest, most vibrant years aren’t behind you—they’re ahead of you.

So, let’s take this journey together. Nourish your body with love and care. Focus on strength, health, and vitality. And embrace this chapter of your life with an open heart. Every day stand in front of that mirror and say aloud one thing you love about yourself, your body, your face, who you are inside. You are amazing. And you’re capable of incredible things. 

With love and encouragement,

Jacqui