Hi Reader,

When I was a sophomore in college, I worked at a gym on the weekends to make extra money. It was located in a stripmall area called Caesar’s Bay Bazar right off a major highway in Brooklyn with a large parking lot that was always packed. There was a really good diner that served healthy food that I liked called “Circles”, a flea market, and a small amusement park for children called Nellie Blye. The neighborhood was Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn,and predominantly Italian. I’m pretty sure the gym had the words “Bath Beach” in it. Sounds more like a place you go for a steam and sauna than where you go to pump iron.

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That’s where I met Cynthia, who became a close and dear friend. She was sixteen years older than me and I was immediately impressed with her energetic presence, sculpted physique and warmth. Being a new employee she graciously welcomed me to the local gym culture and shared all the dirt on the gym members and workers. I knew she was cool.

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Cynthia was a guidance counselor at an elementary school and loved her work. Lifting weights cultivated both the physical and mental strength that she knew was necessary to manage all of life’s challenges. This was her playground literally and figuratively.

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That last time I saw Cynthia in person was probably about three years ago, when I went to Florida. I had no idea how much her life was about to change. She had had an apartment in NYC plus a condo in Florida. She and her husband had decided to give up their East coast lifestyle for the sunshine state for good.

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During my visit with her she dropped a bombshell I didn’t expect. She was leaving her marriage.

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From that point on, what followed over the next several years was a cascade of hardships for Cynthia. The toll of a painful divorce, financial difficulties, chronic health issues, and the mental anguish that often accompanies such challenges left her unable to care for herself. Living independently became nearly impossible, and she eventually moved into an assisted living facility. Her life had become almost unrecognizable, all at the mere toss of a coin. Put into a separate context, her story might apply to anyone. Sometimes all it takes is one decision, and the subsequent course of events may be positive… or gravely debilitating.

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Over the last five years or so I’ve come to view “Metabolic Health” through a different lens. Yes, you can go get a check up and have your labs done and receive a report that maps out what’s normal and what’s out of range. Those things are numbers or data to paint a snapshot of what’s happening inside the body but there is always a reason for why labs are less than optimal. Let’s talk about that piece of metabolic health or lack thereof.

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There is no doubt in my mind that stressors like what happened to Cynthia were catalysts that impacted her metabolic health. It impacted her capacity and resilience to function and take care of herself. Every woman that is near or on the other side of menopause needs capacity, resilience and I’ll add another word: agency.

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Let’s define capacity. It’s your body’s reserve and ability to meet life’s demands and grow and expand. Examples of that are your ability to recover from an illness (i.e the flu), traveling, tolerating surgery, maintaining a home, preparing meals so you can nourish yourself. You get the idea.

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Agency is the freedom to choose and be the author of your own life. That looks like different things to different people. It could be going on a Safari and photographing wild animals in their natural habitat. Maybe it’s a career change and starting your own business or going back to school for an advanced degree. Ideally, you want your body to place as few limits on your life as possible That’s how I see it.

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What stayed with me after my last conversation with Cynthia wasn't simply the number of health issues she was experiencing. It was how much her world had changed. She doesn't drive anymore, can't shop for or cook her own meals, her family connections and community have become much smaller, and walking is harder because of her limited mobility.

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I don't know what her life would have looked like had different choices been made. None of us can know that. There are far too many pieces to her story.

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During the earlier years of my career, strength and conditioning was mainly directed at helping people to “look” better, lose weight, feel more confident which still applies today but there is a much deeper reason which comes from the observations I’ve witnessed with time.

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I’ve been coaching people towards better health for over twenty-five years and I know being “fit” isn’t the solution to every ailment or problem of any kind.

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I do know that it gives someone a better chance. The work one does on their physical self has a direct connection to their inner self resulting in:

• More Reserve
• More Capacity
• More Agency
• More Resilience
• More Choices

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You’re in the driver's seat and have influence over your own life choices. You can choose to go to the gym, prioritize your sleep, or nourish your body with foods that support your health.

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None of those choices has to be perfect. But over time, they become the foundation for how well your body supports the life you want to live.

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Metabolic health begins with deeply caring for the body that carries you through life.

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Many blessings to you for abundant health, happiness and wellbeing ~

Strong and Beautiful in Midlife!

Sharon

Kuhle Body is a project of Vidya Ministerium, a faith based, private membership association. Services are available to members only. Membership is free and we are always accepting new members. You can opt out at any time. For more information, please read our PMA Declaration.​