The goal was never to stay young. The goal is to stay well.
A note from me
I'm not trying to look 25 again.
Turning 40 wasn't the beginning of the end. For me, it was the beginning of paying real attention to what my body actually needed.
Our skin changes. Our hormones change. Sleep can get harder, muscle matters more, and for many of us perimenopause arrives before we've even recognised it.
I want to feel strong, energised and comfortable in my skin for as long as I can. Not younger. Well.
These are the seven simple things I prioritise. None of them are complicated, and every one of them works better done consistently than done perfectly.
1. Protein at every meal
Protein helps maintain muscle, strength and recovery, and keeps you fuller for longer. Rather than saving it all for dinner, I spread it across the day: eggs, Greek yoghurt, fish, chicken, lean meat, tofu, legumes.
Collagen is a protein too, although it doesn't replace the protein on your plate. I take it on top, because our own collagen production naturally slows as we age.
2. Build muscle, not just burn calories
Muscle is one of your best assets as you get older, supporting strength, bone health, metabolism and posture. You don't need to train like an athlete. Start with resistance training two or three times a week and build from there.
The goal is to get stronger, not smaller.
3. Look after your gut
Your gut plays a part in digestion, nutrient absorption and how you feel day to day. Keep it simple: plenty of fibre, a wide variety of plants, fermented foods where you can, and enough water.
4. Support your skin, inside and out Ageing well doesn't start and finish with a face cream. Sun, sleep, alcohol, smoking and nutrition all show up in your skin. My non-negotiables: daily SPF, vitamin C-rich foods, enough protein, water, collagen, and a skincare routine short enough to actually stick to. You don't need fifteen products. You need consistency.
5. Protect your sleep Sleep often gets harder through perimenopause, and it affects energy, appetite, mood and recovery. I treat it as a health priority, not something squeezed in after everything else is done. For me that means a fairly consistent bedtime, less screen time late at night, and a cool, dark room that helps me switch off.
6. Eat for nourishment, not punishment Our 40s shouldn't be spent dieting. Build meals around protein, vegetables, healthy fats, fibre and whole-food carbohydrates. And still enjoy the chocolate, pasta and wine sometimes. Ageing well should still include living.
7. Understand what's happening hormonally Perimenopause can begin years before menopause. Changes to sleep, your cycle, mood, body composition, skin, libido and energy are all common. Don't dismiss what you're noticing. Keep track of it, and talk to your GP or a menopause-informed doctor if symptoms are affecting your life. Women deserve better conversations about this stage.
My simple daily checklist
- Protein at every meal
- Move my body
- Strength train regularly
- Plants and fibre
- Enough water
- SPF, every day
- My collagen
- Protect my sleep
- One thing that makes me feel good
I don't want to fight ageing. I want to age well.
Beth xx
How I keep it simple
One scoop. No taste. Into what you already drink.
Ageing well doesn't mean twenty supplements and an impossible routine. I created By Beth because I wanted a few genuinely good things I could take every day without having to think about it.
Start here: The Original Pure Australian bovine collagen, types I and III, and nothing else. It's genuinely tasteless, so it goes straight into my morning coffee. Prefer native vitamin C in the same scoop? Try Wattle & Plum C+.
Then build your ritual Kakadu C+ Native Australian vitamin C in a capsule. Vitamin C plays a role in your body's own collagen formation, which makes it a natural partner to your daily collagen.
Gut Ritual+ My daily gut ritual, with Queen Garnet plum, Tasmanian seaweed and two probiotic strains. Pink, sweet, not green.
Start your ritual at bybeth.com, with our 8-week money-back guarantee.
Ageing well isn't about doing more. It's about doing the right things, consistently. Feel more like you. This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from your own doctor. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
