The Strength You Build Today Is the Freedom You Keep Tomorrow

I’m writing this with one good arm and a heap of perspective.

For a while now, I’ve been having pain in my left shoulder. And recently it has gotten much worse (before you say anything, yes, I've just seen the doctor 😏). 

Let me tell you, trying to get dressed when lifting your arm sends a bolt of pain through your body?

It’s humbling. And a little terrifying. Because it made something crystal clear:

I need my strength.

Not someday. Not when I “have time.”

NOW.

It also reminded me why we coach women the way we do.

Let’s stop sugar-coating it: strength is freedom.

It’s the difference between I’ve got this and I can’t do this anymore.

And yet, so many women still treat strength training as optional—as if it’s some bonus fitness goal instead of the life-preserving, independence-saving, confidence-boosting necessity that it is.

Let me be blunt (because someone needs to be):

Your body is changing. And if you’re not adapting with it, you’re falling behind.

Sarcopenia—age-related muscle loss—typically starts around age 35. By 60, you could be losing up to 3% of your muscle mass every year. Not because you’re doing something wrong, but because you’re not doing enough to stop it.

And the scale won’t tell you.

Your weight might not change. You might even feel quite lucky about that. But inside? Muscle quietly fades. Fat creeps in. Function declines.

And the longer you wait, the harder it is to get it back.

We don't talk about this enough. We say, “Rest is important. It's self-care." But too many women confuse flopping on the couch after work because you're exhausted, with real self-care. And here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud:

Collapsing after a long day isn’t rest. True rest is recovery from effort. It involves doing something that actively nourishes your body and helps you recover. And most of us aren’t putting in the kind of effort that needs recovery.

Strength is your insurance policy.

You wouldn’t wait until retirement to start saving. So why wait to build the physical strength you’ll need in your 60s, 70s, 80s?

Your future self needs you to show up now.

To lift something heavier than your to-do list.

To protect your mobility, your metabolism, and your peace of mind.

Why is this so important to me, and why am I ranting about it?

Because I want to paddle board at 70, 80, and beyond.

I want to hike, cycle, cook my own meals, and pick up the damn laundry basket without needing help. And I don’t want to feel trapped in a body I neglected for decades because I thought I was too busy to take care of it.

So yes, I’m frustrated about my shoulder.

But I’m also grateful.

Because this injury reminded me of just how much our strength matters, and how quickly it can disappear if we don’t prioritise it.

If this hits home, PLEASE don’t wait.

Don’t wait until after your holiday.
Don’t wait until you’ve lost the weight.
Don’t wait until things “calm down.”

Start now. Start small. Start where you are.

Just start.

Because this isn’t about looking a certain way.

It’s about staying upright. Staying independent. Staying you.

💜 Want support?

Join us for our most requested FREE workshop next Friday:
5 Steps to Master Your Menopause Weight Loss
🗓 Friday, June 6 | 🕕 6 PM UK - 1 PM EST - 10 AM PST

No generic advice. No pressure. You'll get real coaching, tools, and a personalised plan to help you protect what matters most: your health, your freedom, and your future.

You can register at https://weightloss.fabulousbeyond40.com/