Your Body, Money, and Lips Deserve Better After 40

What does it truly mean to glow up after 40? Forget the notion that your best years are behind you—this episode proves they're just getting started.

Midlife excellence requires breaking away from "normal." The women we most admire were all considered too much, too different, or too ambitious at some point—and that's precisely why they achieved greatness. Whether you're aiming to lose weight, start a business, or completely reinvent yourself, expect challenges and critics. Remember, those who mock your dreams are usually those who never had the courage to pursue their own.

Transforming your body after 40 requires strategy, not just willpower. Learn to decode nutrition labels like a pro, focusing on serving sizes, protein content, and hidden sugars that might be sabotaging your progress. Plus, discover why anti-inflammatory foods are non-negotiable for midlife metabolism. From omega-rich salmon to antioxidant-packed berries, these additions calm your system instead of stressing it—helping you lose weight more effectively.

Your financial health deserves attention too. I'll walk you through checking and protecting your credit score, a crucial step many women overlook until it's too late. And for a beauty boost that takes just minutes, my comprehensive lip care routine addresses the dryness, fine lines, and thinning that happens to our lips after 40.

We wrap with what it truly means to flourish in midlife. It's not about constant happiness, but about creating a life rich with meaning, connection, and moments of joy. Through small, intentional steps, you can create the conditions for your unique version of blooming.

Ready to stop settling and start glowing? Subscribe to the Midlife Glow Report for weekly inspiration and practical tips that honor exactly who you are while nurturing your highest potential. Your best years aren't behind you—they're unfolding right now.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to Midlife Glow Report
• 2:40 Monday Mindset: Normal Doesn't Create Excellence
• 5:30 Weight Loss Tips: Reading Nutrition Labels
• 9:20 Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Midlife
• 12:59 Financial Glow-Up: Credit Score Mastery
• 17:28 Ultimate Lip Care After 40
• 24:00 Living a Flourishing Life in Midlife

Transcript

Speaker 1: 1:02

Hey Glow Getters, welcome back to another episode of the Midlife Glow Report, your go-to space for glowing up your full body and full life after 40. I'm your host, jax, and today's episode is packed with inspiration, practical tips and a little tough love to help you step into the most confident, energized and intentional season yet. Into the most confident, energized and intentional season yet. We're kicking things off with a Monday Mindset Minute that's going to challenge how you think about normal and why it might be holding you back from excellence. Then I'll share two powerful weight loss tips. I swear by my ultimate glow-up guide for caring for your lips after 40. A financial glow-up step that will protect your future. And we'll wrap up with a life coaching segment on what it really means to flourish, plus how you can start today. So grab your coffee pop in those earbuds and let's get glowing.

Speaker 1: 2:05

So here we are with today's Monday Mindset Minutes. Let's start the week with this reminder Normal doesn't create excellence. Think about the women you admire. Whether it's an entrepreneur who built something incredible, an artist who changed the game or an athlete who pushed past every limit, they all have something in common. At some point, people thought they were too much, too different or even a little too obsessed. And guess what? That's exactly why they achieved greatness.

Speaker 1: 2:51

If you're a woman over 40, you already know life will hand you plenty of moments where you have to choose blend in or break out. And here's the truth. When you suddenly set a big goal or chase a dream, not everyone will understand, not everyone will cheer you on. When you're pursuing your version of excellence, whether that's losing 50 pounds, starting a new business, writing a book, going back to school or totally reinventing your life, expect to make mistakes, expect some failures, expect challenges and, yes, expect to be misunderstood, even laughed at. But remember this people who criticize your dreams are often the ones who never had the courage or discipline to try themselves. The ones who've achieved something meaningful will never mock you. They'll respect the grind. There's a saying first they ignore you, then they laugh at you. Then they fight you, then you win. So stop asking for permission to shine. Your dreams belong to you, not to the crowd, not to the critics, not to anyone else's comfort zone. Small minds gossip about people. Great minds talk about ideas, plans and goals. To be great is to be misunderstood, and if you're a woman in midlife, this is the perfect time to step out of the normal lane and into your exceptional lane. So this week, do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone. Speak up, take the leap, start the thing. Excellence isn't about being perfect. It's about refusing to settle for average. Your time is now. Go, make it happen, glow getter.

Speaker 1: 4:55

So now we're kicking off the next segment with two weight loss tips that I've truly changed the game for me and that I swear by as part of my glow up journey. Let's start with one that's simple but so powerful once you get the hang of it Read your nutrition labels. Now. I know this may sound basic, but, girl, this is a whole nother skill and one that can seriously transform the way you eat, shop and feel. Because here's the truth If you don't know what's in your food, it's really hard to make aligned choices for your goals.

Speaker 1: 5:34

Nutrition labels are like cheat sheets they tell you exactly what you're putting in your body, and when you're on a wellness and weight loss journey, especially in midlife, this information matters more than ever. So let me break it down. So what should you look for in a nutrition label? Number one serving size. First things first. Always check the serving size at the top, sometimes what looks like one serving is actually two or more. Sneaky, right, that tiny bag of granola might be three servings, not one. This one mistake alone can throw off your calorie and macro count. Number two calories. Look at how many calories are in each serving. It's not about obsessing over every calorie, but being aware when you're trying to lose weight. Understanding your intake helps you stay in a calorie deficit without starving or guessing. Number three protein. This one's gold in midlife. We need more protein to preserve muscle, feel satisfied and burn fat efficiently. I aim for high-protein foods that keep me full and help my metabolism stay fired up.

Speaker 1: 6:54

Number four added sugars. This one is big. Sugar is sneaky and it adds up fast, especially in processed foods. Look for added sugars on the label, not just total sugar. Keep it low if you're trying to lose weight and reduce inflammation. Even healthy looking foods like yogurt and granola bars can be sugar bombs. Number five fiber. Don't skip this one. Fiber is your bestie for blood sugar balance, digestion and helping you feel full longer. I aim for foods with three grams or more of fiber per serving. When I can, I aim for a total of 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day.

Speaker 1: 7:40

Number six ingredient list. Flip the package over and scan the ingredient list. The shorter and the simpler the better. If you can't pronounce it or it sounds like it came from a science lab, it's probably not the best glow-up fuel. And here's a pro tip Ingredients are listed in order by weight. So if sugar, corn syrup or seed oils are at the top three, that's a huge red flag. Reading nutrition labels isn't about being perfect. It's about being informed. It gives you the power back over your choices, your energy, your body and your glow up. Trust me, once you make label reading a habit, your shopping cart and your results will both start to look very different in the best way.

Speaker 1: 8:35

All right, let's move on to tip number two for weight loss, one that's huge for women over 40 who want to lose weight, feel better and glow up from the inside out. Eat more anti-inflammatory foods. Now, don't worry, this isn't about going on some extreme cleanse or cutting out everything you love. This is about adding foods that help your body work better, feel better and, yes, even burn fat better. Here's the deal.

Speaker 1: 9:07

As we age, especially in our 40s, 50s and beyond, our bodies naturally become more prone to inflammation. Beyond, our bodies naturally become more prone to inflammation, hormonal changes, stress, poor sleep, processed foods, even just life, can all lead to chronic low-level inflammation, and when the inflammation builds up, it can make weight loss way harder than it needs to be. Inflammation makes your body hold onto fat, messes with your hormones, slows down your metabolism, increases bloating and can leave you feel tired, puffy and stuck. But the good news what you eat can calm that fire and help your body thrive. Anti-inflammatory foods are packed with antioxidants, fiber, healthy fats and nutrients that soothe your system instead of stressing it out. They help regulate blood sugar, support digestion, balance hormones and even boost your mood. In short, they're your midlife glow-up fuel.

Speaker 1: 10:26

So here are some of my favorite anti-inflammatory foods that are simple, delicious and easy to start. Adding into every one of your meals Avocados full of healthy fats and fiber that support hormone health and keep you satisfied. Wild-caught salmon omega-3s for the win. They help fight inflammation and support metabolism and brain health. Berries like blueberries and raspberries, loaded with antioxidants to protect your cells and support glowing skin to protect your cells and support glowing skin. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, arugula, packed with fiber, vitamins and phytonutrients to support and detox and hormone balance. Sweet potatoes full of fiber and antioxidants. They're super satisfying without spiking your blood sugar. Walnuts and almonds A handful of these give you healthy fats, protein and minerals that fight inflammation.

Speaker 1: 11:22

Oh, green tea. Swap your afternoon coffee for this and enjoy metabolism-boosting, anti-inflammatory sip of green tea, turmeric with black pepper, of course, and it's added to soups, teas, roasted veggies for a powerful anti-inflammatory boost. Finally, extra virgin olive oil, a pantry staple that's rich in healthy fats and antioxidants. Drizzle it on everything. So don't you know, add, don't subtract. Don't stress about removing all the bad foods right away. Just start adding more of these good ones and your body will feel a difference fast. So if you're feeling stuck on a weight loss journey, constantly bloated or like your metabolism is slowing down, start focusing on calming your body, not punishing it. Eating anti-inflammatory foods is like giving your body a deep breath, and the glow-up results they speak for themselves.

Speaker 1: 12:24

Now on to the financial glow-up segment, and today we're diving into step five. Check your credit score and credit history. This is a continuation from the first four steps, from the last four podcast episodes. Now listen, I know finances can feel overwhelming, especially if you've gone through divorce, debt, job changes or just life. But part of the glowing up is knowing where you stand, especially when it comes to your credit. So you may ask yourself why? Because your credit score affects everything the interest rates you're offered, the home you can buy or rent, the car you can finance, even your cell phone bill or job applications. So let's dive in.

Speaker 1: 13:18

What is your credit report versus your credit score? Your credit report is a detailed history of how you've managed your credit, loans, credit cards, payment history and more. Your credit score is a three-digit number, usually between 300 and 850, that sums up how credit-worthy you look to lenders. Both are super important and, the best part, you can check them for free. So how do you get your free credit report?

Speaker 1: 13:49

Federal law gives you access to one free report every year from each of the three major credit bureaus, which are Equifax, experian and TransUnion. You can go to annualcreditreportcom. It's the only official site that's truly free and backed by the government. You don't need a credit card, you don't have to sign up for anything and here's a pro tip Pull all three at once if you want a full snapshot, or space them out throughout the year to keep tabs on your info. How to check your credit score for free. You can also check your score through using Credit Karma, credit, sesame.

Speaker 1: 14:37

Some banking apps and credit card companies like Capital One or Discover offer free credit scores too. These scores aren't always the exact FICO score a lender uses, but they're close enough to give you a clear picture of where you stand and in general, scores 700 plus are generally good. 750 plus are great. Below 650 means there's room for improvement, and that's okay. You're here to glow up, not shame yourself.

Speaker 1: 15:12

Another pro tip freeze your credit. Here's why it's smart. Now let's talk about freezing your credit, because it's one of the most powerful financial glow-up moves you can make. What does a credit freeze do? It locks your credit profile so that no one, including scammers, can open new accounts to your name without your permission. It's free, it's easy and it protects you from identity theft. Here's why I recommend it. You're less likely to fall victim to credit fraud. It doesn't affect your score. You can unfreeze it anytime you need to apply for a loan or a credit card. You need to freeze your credit at all three credit bureaus, which is Experian, equifax and TransUnion. One takes about 10 minutes online and, yes, you can also freeze your child's credit if you're their mom, which I did for my son when he was growing up. So just remember, you can't blow up what you don't know.

Speaker 1: 16:21

Checking your credit is like stepping on a financial scale not to judge yourself, but to empower yourself. Knowledge is confidence. So this week, carve out 30 minutes, pull your reports, check your score, freeze your credit, protect your peace and your pockets, because we're not just glowing up our bodies, we're glowing up our entire lives, and that includes building strong, healthy money habits. Okay, now we're getting into a special segment, something we don't talk about nearly enough lip care. Yep, we're going there because your lips, they age, just like the rest of your face, and if you're over 40, you may have noticed things like dryness, fine lines, thinning or color loss and, honestly, it's totally normal, but it's also totally treatable with the right care. So today I'm giving you the ultimate midlife lip glow up guide, because your lips deserve just as much love as your skincare does.

Speaker 1: 17:33

So step one hydrate those lips. Am and pm. This is a non-negotiable. As we age, our skin including our lips loses moisture faster, so we need to be proactive. Loses moisture faster, so we need to be proactive. Look for lip balms that have hydralonic acid, which draws in water like a magnet. Ceramides which repair and protect the lip barrier squalane. It locks in hydration. Shea butter and beeswax deeply nourishes and seals. Lanolin, ultra healing if you're not sensitive to it. My go-to lip savers Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, day or night, it's that good. Aqua 4 Lip Repair, especially before bed. La Roche-Posay Psychoplast Lips Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, dr Dan's Cordy Balm for super chap lips and Tatcha the Kissu Lip Mask for a luxe retreat. Keep one in your bag, one in your nightstand, one in your car, one at your desk. Trust me, it makes a difference.

Speaker 1: 18:50

Step two use SPF on your lips every single day. Your lips are super sensitive to sun damage and the signs show up as wrinkles, pigmentation, premature aging and even skin cancer in extreme cases. The best SPF balms that I love Alta MD UV Lip Balm, spf 36,. Kula Organic Lip Luxe, spf 30,. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm, spf 25, or Super Goop Play Lip Balm, spf 30. Think of SPF Balm as your lips daily armor, especially if you're walking, traveling or living your best life.

Speaker 1: 19:39

Step three exfoliate weekly, not daily. Exfoliating removes dry, flaky skin and preps your lips to absorb all that yummy hydration. How do you do it? Gently, here's a DIY Scrub with honey and sugar on your lips, or you could use a lip exfoliant like Fresh Sugar, lip Polish or Tarte Pout prep. Or you can take a toothbrush or a damp washcloth and do a light circular motion. And only one to two times a week, that's plenty Overdoing. It can actually make your lips more dry.

Speaker 1: 20:23

Step four boost the collagen. Midlife equals natural collagen loss and that includes the lips. But we can absolutely help boost it At-home tricks Peptide-infused lip plumpers like City Beauty, city Lips or Babe Original Plumping, lip Jelly. Lip microneedling masks, if you're comfortable, gentle facial exercises, gua sha or lip massage to boost circulation. And here are some pro-teet treatments Lip fillers, base for a soft, natural look, laser or microneedling around the mouth, light chemical peels or Botox, lip flip, subtle lift without volume. None of this is required, but if you're curious, there are amazing options that look natural and fresh.

Speaker 1: 21:23

Step 5. Nighttime lip repair routine. Bedtime is prime time for healing your lips. Here's a glow up nighttime routine Gently exfoliate if needed, apply a nourishing lip oil or serum, lock it all in with a rich lip balm like Aquaphor, vaseline or Laneige. Bonus tip Use a humidifier in your bedroom if dry. It helps your lips and your skin will feel better while you sleep. I use the Canopy Humidifier. I have them in my room and my son's bedroom and the nice thing it has essential oils you could add to it and it has a white noise and also a light. So I love the canopy humidifiers.

Speaker 1: 22:19

Step six lifestyle lip love tips. These are the little habits that make the difference. Love tips these are the little habits that make the difference. Drink your water. Avoid licking your lips it dries them out. Use a straw with coffee or wine to prevent staining. Remove lipstick gently with micellar water or oil. Skip matte lipstick every day. Alternate would be tinted balms or gloss.

Speaker 1: 22:49

Your lips deserve comfort and color. Okay, final glow-up reminder your lips are part of your face. They deserve care, hydration and a little attention, just like your under eyes and your neck. And a little attention. Just like your under eyes and your neck, lips can tell the story of your hydration, your sun habits and your self-care. So love on them, treat them like soft, gorgeous features that they are, and remember soft, plump, healthy lips aren't about age, they're about routine.

Speaker 1: 23:28

So now we're on to the final segment and probably my favorite, a life coaching tip that I think every woman in midlife needs to hear what it really means to live a flourishing life and how you can start right where you are. And how you can start right where you are Now. Here's the thing Flourishing isn't about being happy every second of the day. No one is happy 24-7. Real flourishing is about feeling fulfilled, like your life is rich with meaning, connection and those little sparks of joy that make you glad to wake up in the morning. Think of it like this You're a flower in your own garden to bloom. You don't need to change into a different kind of flower. You just need the right mix of sun, water and fresh air sun, water and fresh air. In other words, you flourish when you connect deeply with others, spend time on things that matter to you and let your strengths and quirks shine without apology.

Speaker 1: 24:39

So how do you start flourishing, especially if life feels busy, messy or uncertain? Especially if life feels busy, messy or uncertain, start small. Cherish your people. Spend time with the ones who lift you up and love you as you are. Protect your energy from those who don't Grow what's good. Practice gratitude every day. Savor the small joys A good cup of coffee, a morning walk, a hug that lingers. Own your strengths. Lean into what you're naturally good at and find ways to use those gifts daily.

Speaker 1: 25:21

Move your body. Stretch Walk, dance in your kitchen. Movement fuels both your energy and your body. Stretch Walk, dance in your kitchen. Movement fuels both your energy and your mood. Drop what weighs you down Real grudges, old stories and clutter Anything that steals your peace. You don't need to overhaul your entire life to flourish. It's about small, intentional steps that add up over time. So here's my challenge for you today Ask yourself what's one simple thing I can do today to help me bloom. Remember you are one of a kind. You're not behind, you're not too late. This is your season to flourish and it's time you let yourself shine.

Speaker 1: 26:15

All right, that's a wrap for today's episode 12 of the Midlife Glow Report. I hope you're walking away with something that inspires you to take action, whether it's stepping out of your comfort zone, adding a little more self-care to your day or making smart financial moves that set you up for success. If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean the world to me if you could take a moment to leave a review on the Apple Podcast or Spotify. It helps more midlife women just like you find the show and join our Glow Up community, and I want to hear from you. What topics do you want me to cover next? You can DM me on Instagram, at JackSize, or email me through my website at jacksizecom. Your ideas and feedback help shape the show. So just thank you for spending the time with me today. Remember, you're not too late, you're right on time and your glow-up is just getting started. So I'll see you next time, friends, love Jax.