Building Power Moves For The Next Decade - Physical Health | Part 1
How I’m using my 30s to build a life I’ll thank myself for in my 40s.
When my mom passed at just 63, it was a wake-up call for me.
I started reflecting about how I’d been living, especially in my 20s, when I didn’t pay much attention to my health.
For years, I ate whatever I wanted and barely moved.
By the time I hit my early 30s, I was really starting to feel the effects of my actions.
I read this quote that said: What you do in your 20s will impact your 30s and what you do in your 30s will impact your 40s.
Reading that hit me hard.
It made me realize that if I want to live life to the fullest and enjoy my 40s, something’s got to give.
And that’s why I’ve dedicated a huge chunk of my mid-thirties trying to improve the quality of my life.
If you’ve been reading every newsletter since Week 1, my guess is that you’re probably on a similar path too.
For the whole month of June, I’m going to share some power moves I’ve been making to prepare for my next decade.
I know some of this advice is going to sound generic like you’ve heard all of this before, but believe me, these actions have all been 100% tried-and-tested by yours truly.
So, in addition to these power moves, I’m going to include a difficulty rating* and a few handy tips on how to push through when things get difficult.
Trust me, if I can do it, so can you!
*Each power move comes with a difficulty rating from 1 to 5 - where 1/5 means it’s easy-peasy and 5/5 means it’s seriously challenging.
Power Move #1: Book Your Health Screenings & Doctor Appointments
Difficulty Level - 2/5
The hardest part is getting over the mental hurdle and actually booking the appointment.
I get it.
It’s intimidating to find out about any possible negative news, especially when it’s about your health.
My mom and I used to share that fear - instead of facing our health concerns head-on, we’d worry and stress about it…
And, this is counterproductive because stress is so toxic and really damaging to our bodies :(
After Mom passed, I promised myself I wouldn’t ignore my health anymore.
I booked my first gynae checkup and found a teratoma cyst.
I had surgery to remove it the following year.
Later, I did a full blood test (my first in years!) and discovered I was prediabetic.
That pushed me to tweak my diet and lifestyle and thankfully, I was able to reverse it.
Most recently, I ignored a rash under my arm for eight months, assuming it was just a psoriasis flare.
But it got worse and it was starting to really affect my confidence.
When I finally saw a dermatologist, it turned out to be a simple bacterial infection.
One round of antibiotics later, and it’s almost gone.
Eight months of stress for nothing!!!
Imagine if I had gone to the doctor as soon as it developed!
What I’ve learned: ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to your health.
The sooner you know, the sooner you can take action to fix it.
Don’t let fear or avoidance stop you from getting the care you deserve.
I want you to be brave and do hard things for the sake of your health.
Your loved ones will thank you!
Power Move #2: Build Strength Through Weight Training
Difficulty level - 2.5/5
I’ve tried all sorts of workouts in the past but was never able to stick to one.
As someone who’s not very coordinated and flexible, I don’t enjoy sports like badminton or basketball for fear of disappointing my team.
And, I get very self-conscious when I join group activities like yoga, Pilates, or spinning.
Back in 2018, I gave personal training a try with CrossFit, but I found it way too intense for me at the time.
Having to constantly catch my breath made me dread every session.
No surprises, but I gave up after about 6 months.
Last year, I found a small private gym that focused on one-on-one strength training.
That was a game-changer.
It’s been 18 months now - the longest I’ve ever stayed consistent with any form of movement. And I love it!!!
I may not have lost a visible amount of weight but my body looks SO different (I can finally see my obliques, which I didn’t even have when I was 20kgs lighter!)
But beyond the physical gains, I feel… Strong. Energized. Confident.
As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass.
And if you're anything like me, you might not have realised how much that actually matters.
But it does.
Less muscle and strength means everyday things like bending down, carrying groceries, or even getting up from the floor can become harder than they are now.
That’s why I’m committed to strength training - not just for the aesthetics, but for the future version of me who still wants to carry her own groceries, travel, and feel confident in her own skin.
If you’re struggling to find a workout that sticks, I encourage you to give strength training a try.
For beginners, I find that it’s easier to cope and progress because it’s not as cardio intensive.
That being said, it can leave you feeling very sore and exhausted.
But, I promise it does wonders for the mood!
The endorphins? Mental clarity? The sense of achievement after beating your personal best?
100% worth it.
My advice? Find a trainer who really understands your body and how you like to train.
For me, that means working out twice a week - doing more intense sessions right after my period, and slowing things down during my luteal and menstrual phases.
It also makes a world of difference to have a trainer who’s genuinely knowledgeable about proper form, technique, and how to tailor each workout to your needs.
Strength training hasn’t just changed my body. It’s completely shifted the way I think about health.
These days, even during the toughest workouts, I feel deeply grateful that my body can still move, lift, and carry me through life.
I’ve learned to thank it every single day!
If you want to give strength training a go, let me know and I’ll be happy to recommend my trainer! (As always with my newsletters, this is not a sponsored shoutout. I just love sharing what I love!)
“We don’t get better by doing things that are easy. The more we intentionally challenge our body as we age, the better equipped we’ll be for whatever physical feats our future self wants to take on.”
Wherever you are in your journey, I hope this inspires you to build power moves for the next decade - whichever age bracket that may be.
Stay tuned next week, as I share more power moves I’ve made that have brought real change into my life.
Here’s to stronger, healthier versions of ourselves!
All my heart,
Lilian