Have you ever looked at photos of women in the 1950s and wondered why they seemed smaller, leaner, and more agile compared to the average woman today? I’ve been having this conversation with so many of my clients lately, and the answers might surprise you.
It comes down to lifestyle, nutrition, and habits – the things we can control! The truth is, we’ve come a long way in terms of convenience, but we’ve also paid the price in terms of our health. Here’s why:
1. Movement Was Life
Back then, daily life was physical. Women walked or biked everywhere, washed laundry by hand, and cooked every meal from scratch. They weren’t clocking hours in a gym, but they were effortlessly burning 50,000+ steps just going about their day. Compare that to now, where we’re mostly seated – at desks, in cars, or scrolling on our phones.
2. Real, Whole Foods
Homemade meals were the norm, and most food came from local gardens or farms. There were no low-fat, sugar-laden “diet foods” or ultra-processed snacks. Meals were simple: real butter, full-fat dairy, vegetables, and protein. These foods satisfied hunger and didn’t leave people constantly grazing.
3. Less Tech, More Connection
Today, we spend hours in front of screens and less time connecting face-to-face. Socializing used to involve physical activities – visiting neighbors, gardening, walking to the market. Now it’s Zoom calls and texting, and we’ve replaced movement with media.
4. Health Trends and Food Industry Changes
The rise of fast food, convenience meals, and questionable additives in our food has taken a toll on our bodies. Illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and dementia are far more common today. While genetics may play a role, our modern lifestyle and diet have amplified these issues.
The Good News? We Can Change!
You don’t need to spend hours on cardio or live on celery juice to reclaim your health. Here are some simple shifts that can make a HUGE difference:
✅ Walk more. Start with 10,000 steps and build from there.
✅ Cook at home. Use whole, unprocessed ingredients.
✅ Eat more real fats (butter, full-fat dairy) and fewer sugary, low-fat products.
✅ Halve your portions and really savor your meals.
✅ Cut back on screens and say YES to face-to-face connection.
It’s not about trying to live like it’s the 1950s – it’s about taking the best lessons from that era and applying them today.
If you want it bad enough, it starts with saying NO to the habits that got us here. And the first step? Recognising that change is possible and within your control. 💪
