I’ll be honest with you — when I first started walking, it wasn’t because I loved movement or had a deep passion for fitness. It was because it was the only thing I could physically do.
In the summer of 2022, I found myself weighing 389 pounds, overwhelmed, anxious, and feeling like I had hit rock bottom. I was desperate for change but unsure where to begin. I didn’t have the confidence to join a gym. Even the thought of walking on a treadmill in front of others made my stomach turn.
So, I did the one thing I could manage — I laced up my sneakers and started walking around my neighborhood. At first, it was just one block. Nothing fancy, nothing groundbreaking, but it was consistent. Every morning at 6 AM, before the world fully woke up, I was out there putting one foot in front of the other.
Block by block, I built momentum. One block turned into two, then three, and eventually, entire neighborhood loops. And slowly but surely, something shifted inside me.
Almost immediately, I noticed that walking wasn’t just about movement — it was about peace. My nerves calmed. My anxiety softened. For the first time in a long time, I felt free.
Yes, my knees were sore at first, but with the help of collagen and consistency, they began to feel stronger. By January 2023, I was down 40 pounds. Was nutrition part of it? Absolutely. But I swear to you — walking played a huge role.
Even now, walking remains my go-to for mental clarity, emotional regulation, and physical progress. I am living proof that walking works, especially in midlife. And not just because doctors say so — but because I’ve lived it.
From a Health Perspective
According to research from the Mayo Clinic and American Heart Association, walking is one of the best low-impact cardiovascular exercises, especially beneficial for women entering their 40s, 50s, and beyond. Why?
• It’s gentle on joints (especially when paired with proper shoes, collagen, and post-walk stretching).
• It improves cardiovascular health, lowering your risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure — major concerns for midlife women.
• It boosts metabolism and helps with weight loss by encouraging daily calorie burn and improving insulin sensitivity.
• It supports bone health, which is crucial as bone density naturally declines during perimenopause and menopause.
• It helps regulate hormones, which can go haywire during midlife transitions.
The best part? Walking is accessible, no matter your size, fitness level, or age. It meets you exactly where you are.
As a woman who is actively becoming a certified life coach and passionately helping midlife women, I want you to hear this — walking is not just movement; it’s a mindset tool.
Walking gives you space to process your thoughts, regulate emotions, and find clarity. For me, walking became a space where I could check in with myself — no noise, no judgment, no pressure.
It’s where I’ve brainstormed creative ideas, reflected on difficult seasons, and made important life decisions. It is also where I listen to audiobooks, personal growth podcasts, or even scroll social media guilt-free.
Walking, for me and so many midlife women I coach and connect with, becomes a daily reset button — mentally, emotionally, and physically.
We don’t talk enough about how mental health in midlife needs extra care. Anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm, and identity loss are common during this stage. Walking naturally helps combat these feelings:
• It lowers cortisol (the stress hormone).
• It releases endorphins (the feel-good hormones).
• It creates daily structure, which is essential for navigating life transitions like empty nesting, divorce, or career shifts.
• It reconnects you to yourself, helping you feel empowered and capable.
Every walk you take is like telling your mind and body: I am worth caring for. And that shift is life-changing.
1.Start small & stay consistent — One block is enough. One step is enough.
2.Make it enjoyable — Listen to a podcast, playlist, or even use it as your “scroll time.”
3.Track your progress — Not for perfection, but for awareness.
4.Take it outside when possible — Fresh air and sunshine are healing in ways we underestimate.
5.Join a community — If you’re on Instagram, find women like me who are also walking through midlife — you are not alone.
Since that first block in 2022, walking has been a constant companion in my midlife awakening.
During winter, I turned to my gym’s treadmill and even invested in a walking pad for my den. But nothing compares to those spring and summer mornings in Cleveland — hearing the birds sing, smelling freshly cut grass, and feeling the breeze on my face.
This year, I’m committed to exploring the beautiful Metroparks of Northeast Ohio, with their award-winning trails, lakes, rivers, and boardwalks. It’s my way of blending wellness with joy, beauty, and connection to nature.
Walking is more than a daily habit — it’s been part of my rebirth. As I continue to lose weight, improve my health, and grow into the woman I’m becoming, I will always come back to the simplicity and power of walking.
If you are a midlife woman — whether you are at the beginning of your health journey or deep in your reinvention — I invite you to take that first step.
Walk for your body.
Walk for your mind.
Walk for your midlife awakening.
And if you need a community, guidance, or just someone cheering for you — I’m here.
With love and confidence,
Jax Stys
Comment or Share if the post resonated with you!
Let me reintroduce myself. I`m Jax — 48, Cleveland mama, loan officer by day, glow-up coach by choice. Down 180 lbs since 2022 with 90 more to go. This account is for every woman 40+ ready to SHOW UP for herself. 💪
Comment YOUR Day 1 below 👇 Let`s go together.
#midlifeglowup #weightlossover40 #womenover40 #over40 #midlifewomen weight loss journey, glow up
My healing was not just about food. It was about waking up.
Midlife made me honest. Honest about my habits. Honest about my pain. Honest about the life I wanted next.
This was bigger than weight loss. This was a full life shift..
.
If midlife has been waking you up too, drop a ✨ in the comments..
.
#MidlifeWomen #MidlifeTransformation #EmotionalHealing
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Day 54 of my Walking for Wellness Challenge 💪✨�Down 180 lbs… 90 lbs to go.
This morning started with stretching, then a walk, and core work to finish. Simple. Consistent. Repeatable.
But here’s what made today different…�I fed my mind too.
Listened to The Best One Yet podcast and it had me thinking about money, habits, and how the world around us is constantly influencing our choices—even how we spend.
That’s when it clicked…
This journey isn’t just weight loss.�It’s awareness.�It’s discipline.�It’s taking back control of your body, your habits, and your life.
If you’re on your own glow-up journey… keep going. One walk at a time.
Follow for daily midlife glow-up, weight loss, wellness, and money mindset 💫
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Walking for Wellness Challenge
Day 53
Down 180 lbs. since May 2022
90 lbs to go till goal weight
48 years old, natural weight loss
Stretched for 10 minutes
Walked 40 minutes - 30 seconds springts every 4 minutes (HIIT)
#walkingchallenge
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My Sunday Reset is basically a full-time job… but it makes Monday feel easy.
4AM wake-up, workout, meal prep, garage clean up, everything shower, family dinner, a full weekly planning reset and early bed routine.
This is how I stay consistent, grounded, ready for a strong week and become 1% better everyday.
Save this Sunday Reset checklist and comment “RESET” if you too do this on Sundays.
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2 Piece Outfit linked in BIO - Amazon Shop
Or DM and I will send you the link.
Are you feeling restless in midlife? Like something inside you is shifting… and you know you want more for your life?
Save this for later. Share it with a friend who is ready to awaken in midlife. Like this if you’re ready for your next chapter.
Follow for more Midlife Awakening, GlowGetter Mindset, Wellness, Money, Beauty & Style Inspiration and Motivation.
Love,
Jax
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A lot of women think emotional eating is about willpower. For me, it was about pain, stress, and survival.
Food was not the real issue. It was the outlet.
When I started looking at the emotions under the habit, I finally began to heal.
Comment “root cause” if you know your eating is about more than food.
#StressEating #MidlifeAwakening #HealingJourney
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My Weekend To Do’s.
Every Friday night or Saturday early morning I plan my to do’s for the weekend.
First I make notes in my notes app on my phone on Friday at work. I brainstorm and thought download all the things I want to accomplish this weekend.
Then by Saturday morning I transfer it to my To Do Notebook. I keep track of everything that weekend and check off what I complete.
It keeps me organized and productive.
So I thought I’d share with you my process so incase you were looking for some inspiration.
Have a great weekend! Get all your things done so you too can be productive and successful in this season.
Love Jax
xoxoxo
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For a long time, my emotional eating happened in private. Late nights. Heavy stress. Heavy shame. Heavy emotions.
This was one of the hardest parts of my story to admit, but it was also the start of my healing.
I was not weak. I was overwhelmed. And once I understood that, everything began to change.
Have you ever used food to cope with stress at night? Tell me “me too” in the comments.
#EmotionalEatingRecovery #MidlifeGlowUp #WomenOver40
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Walking Challenge Day 52
Down 179 lbs since 2022
91 lbs to go till goal weight
Age 48 year old
Stretched for 10 min. first thing this morning
Walk/Sprint 20 min. this early morning at 4:45AM
Raspberry Chia Protein Yopgurt for breakfast
Love the Bend App. for early morning stretching!
#walkingchallenge
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Comment or hit that ♥️ if you would be intereted buying a Wellness & Weight Loss Guide with matching podcast series. Cost $37-$47 one time.
I wrote a guide, 9 chapters. Everything that has worked for me in order to shed 180 lbs naturally in the last 3.5 years and I am 48 years old, in Perimenopause, with PCOS, on Anti-Depressents/Anxiety Medication.
If you would have interest please let me know in this post. I still have another 90 lbs to go. Not sure if I should release the guide now or when I hit my goal weight.
Thank you for reading my reel.
Jax
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DAY 51
Naturally Down 179 lbs., 91 lbs. to go - since May 2022
Age 48
Stretched for 8 min. (Love the BEND App.)
Walked 35 min.
#walkingchallenge
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This one hit me deep because it is true.
Sometimes the people we love most are sitting right in front of us… and still feeling far away.
Today’s challenge:
Give someone you love 10 full minutes of your undivided attention.
No phone.
No multitasking.
No rushing.
Just presence.
Look them in the eyes and ask, “How are you really?”
Then listen with your whole heart.
That is how connection grows.
That is how love feels safe.
That is how relationships get stronger.
Save this for later.
Share it with someone you love.
Like and follow for more everyday life lessons, midlife inspiration, and motivation for women over 40.
#womenover40 #lifelessons #relationshipsdvice
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👟 Walking Challenge Day 50 (on camera)
Down 179 lbs., 92 lbs. to go.
Mostly natural, 30 lbs, was when I was on Zepbound for 3 months back in 2024.
On a dedicated weight loss and wellness journey since May 2022.
I am 48 years old.
I walk, stretch, body weight exercies, kettle ball exercises & diastasis recti exercises. Was part of a gym for 1.5 years. Now doing at-home workouts.
Meal prep every Sunday. Have certain high protein, high fiber meal on rotation. Drink a ton of water. Cut out sugar & white flour.
Meat, Veggies, Fruit, Dairy, Fish, Whole Grain - Whole foods. Very little processed foods.
Today…
Stretched for 15 min. (Love the BEND App.)
Walked 45 min.
#walkingchallenge
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#glowupover40
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“Awakening is the shift from role-based living to soul-based living.”
Share & Save
Like and Follow for more Midlife Awakening, Inspritation & Motivation to living 1% better everyday.
Love,
Jax
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Early 4:30AM stretch
8-10 minutes of stretching and bending.
Really wakes me up and gets my blood flowing.
I learned these on the bend app or you can try youtube.
Then I do kettle ball exercises, body weight exercises, diastasis recti exercises adn walking on my walking pad
About a 75 minutes and then breakfast and shower.
Get moving ladies, your future self will thank you.
Love,
Jax
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Day 49
179 lbs down since May 2022
91 lbs to go
48 years old, natural weight loss
Stretched for 10 min.
Body Weight Exercises 30 min.
Walked 30 min.
#walkingchallenge
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#glowupover40
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