As a Scuba Woman who happens to be in her fifties, I am naturally interested in the health benefits of scuba diving. Recognizing the importance of a gentle yet effective approach. I embarked on a journey to optimize my diving experience by incorporating small, manageable changes into my daily routine. As a Senior Scuba Woman, my fitness and health needed to improve to benefit me as a woman scuba diving. Initially, improving my fitness and health as a diver felt like a daunting task. Unsure of where to begin, I decided to start with incremental adjustments, aiming to build strength and endurance gradually. My goal was to achieve a healthier lifestyle that would not only enhance my diving capabilities but also benefit my overall health.
Rather than taking anything away from my life, I took a holistic approach, introducing clean, unprocessed foods into my diet to fuel my body for optimal performance underwater. Additionally, I incorporated short meditation sessions and regular stretching exercises into my daily regimen, recognizing their potential to improve both physical and mental well-being.
Join me as I embrace the power of small steps toward greater diving health and well-being, proving that age is no barrier to pursuing our passions with vitality and enthusiasm.
It’s Never Too Late to Become a Confident Scuba Woman – Take the Dive with Me, Tanya.
Disclaimer: Please note I am not a medical professional. I have collated these tips through personal experience as an older Scuba Woman wanting to improve her health. I am sharing the following tips as they have worked for me, making my diving experience a joy. Please seek medical advice for your own situation.
I am a Woman Scuba Diving in my Fifties
I admit I was not ecstatic about getting older, but I had begun to accept that it was a fact of life and was perhaps relaxing into it a little too well. Sliding into middle age, I was a little dumpy, a little unfit, a little arthritic, stiff, and sore. Life was a little mundane; however, I no longer felt the pressure for the perfect body, the need for a gym workout, or a strict diet. I was, after all, a woman in my fifties……and then I learned to dive.
Becoming a woman who dives has transformed my perspective in ways I never imagined. While I revel in the underwater world, I can’t deny the challenges that come with lugging around heavy dive gear. It became clear that I needed to adapt and make some adjustments to fully enjoy this newfound passion. I started with small steps, and now I am making giant strides.
Scuba Diving Health Benefits – Scuba Strong
Small steps over time become routine. I consciously decide to turn back time. My mantra is, “Fifty-five is the new thirty-five when you dive.” I plan to enjoy thirty-five this time around; last time, I was too busy working and raising kids. I am going to lean in and enjoy the dive. I am going to be a strong woman who scuba dives!
I intend to be a strong Scuba Woman diver, but I want it to be a sustainable way of life. I am doing this for me because I want to. I am not beating myself up or making myself miserable. I am designing my life the way I want it to be. Being on the beach, being on boats, being in the water and under the water, and diving at different sites are the health benefits of scuba diving. I want to be able to keep up and enjoy it all.
Improve Your Dive Health with a Turmeric Latte One Sip at a Time
I enjoy a good coffee in the morning. I have added turmeric, pepper, and honey to my morning brew. I enjoy the pungent taste of the turmeric and the spice of the pepper. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, and the pepper activates it. The honey makes it palatable. I am hoping it will help with arthritis in my hands.
A Small Step – I Stretch
Reluctant to dive into a rigorous exercise routine, I began to stretch. I stretch as I wait for my coffee in the morning, in the shower, while I watch TV. I manage a few stretches as I hang out the washing. I stretch whenever I can. These small stretches are making me feel better already. My body is becoming more limber and I feel more alive.
A Small Step – I Walk
I have always enjoyed walking, so walking on the beach or on a walking track is not a hardship for me. I chose the furthest car park from the shops and walked the extra distance. I walk around my garden. I have a very steep driveway, I walk down to get the mail, and more importantly, I walk back up! Find what you enjoy and do it – swim, dance, dive, cycle, skip, laugh, and play.
Small Step – I juice
My diet has not been good for a long time; I do not enjoy cooking, I love chocolate, and I have always been time-poor, so anything that microwaves have been the norm.
I add fresh juice to my diet, and I really enjoy my morning addition; it feels like a burst of goodness to my body.
I spend hours looking up juice recipes, but you know what? I throw in whatever I like. Carrots, celery, and apples are classics. I like the earthy taste of adding beetroot every now and again. Pears sweeten, and ginger is anti-inflammatory. I go for as many colors as I can. Cucumber, watermelon, and mint are great thirst quenchers. I experiment with different fruits and vegetables. Some recipes taste better than others; they are all good for me.
A Small Step – a Smoothie a Day
A smoothie is an effortless way to get goodness into your body and is easily absorbed, filling, and refreshing. Play around and use seasonal fruits and vegetables. My current favorite is mango, pineapple, blueberries, banana, silverbeet, and coconut water. I add a scoop of super greens for an extra boost of goodness.
A Small Step – I Meditate
For me, the best time to meditate is first thing in the morning. Choose your time, and be comfortable and consistent. You can relax in a lounge chair during meditation without needing to contort your body. I count breaths or listen to a guided meditation. Breathe in through your nose, breathe out through your nose, and count one. Do two rounds of ten and then reverse it. Count one before you breathe in, breathe out, and two more rounds of ten. Meditation can be daunting so keep it short to begin with and set a timer. My rationale was surely I could spare 5 minutes in my day to sit quietly and breathe. Find your Zen; it’s a nice place to be.
I finish my meditation by picturing in my mind’s eye a strong, healthy woman scuba diving incredible dive sites all around the world.
Small Steps – Diving Health Check
I am feeling better and want to do more. My body loves the juices and smoothies, and I find I no longer crave chocolate or want processed food. For someone who hated cooking, I have done a complete 360. I feel happy as I prepare a variety of fruits and vegetables, my senses responding to the bright colors and smells. I discover herbs and spices. I am the queen of stir-fries and wholesome soups. Quick, easy, delicious, and nutritious.
Giant Stride – Exercise More
My body is starting to feel better. I am ready to up the exercise. I reacquaint myself with Jane Fonda’s 1982 workout. I never thought I would be “making it burn” ever again. This time around, it is not a chore; I am loving it. I haven’t progressed passed the beginners version, it is more than enough. I celebrate the stiffness of exercise and find yoga and Pilates routines I can do at home. My body is transforming. I am starting to lose my “batwings,” but more importantly, I am feeling strong, flexible, and vibrantly healthy. I am developing muscles and getting toned. Woman Diver, here me roar – I am Scuba Strong.
Giant Stride -Meditate More
I now meditate morning and night. I find meditation comes naturally as I dive, submerged and weightless. On-land meditation has changed from something I should do to something I want and need to do. Meditation grounds and connects me, slowing my racing mind and jumbled thoughts. I feel tension in stress leave my body as I slowly breathe and relax.
Giant Stride – Have More Fun
I now intend to enjoy life. If I look silly, so be it. There is something very liberating about being able to genuinely laugh at your ineptness. In the safe environment of my fellow divers, I look at myself differently, accepting who I am and where I am but also striding towards who I will become. I find I appreciate life so much more when I am feeling good. I love being a woman scuba diving, I love my upbeat diving community, and surround myself with positive people who enjoy a laugh.
Giant Stride -Scuba Diving Health
As I committed to these small yet meaningful changes, I began to notice significant improvements in how I felt both in and out of the water. My energy levels increased, and I experienced greater vitality and resilience during dives. These improvements motivated me to continue prioritizing my diving health, inspiring me to share my journey as an older woman who refuses to let age limit her adventures beneath the waves.
Scuba Strong Woman Diver. My giant stride often gets wobbly, and I slip. I can, however, lift a tank and climb a boat ladder – not only with my gear on but with my integrated weights still in. It has been a journey, one I plan to continue. I am genuinely proud when I get back to the boat after a 60-minute dive and still have 100 bar of air or more. I am feeling good, strong, happy, and healthy. I am a woman scuba diving, and I am embracing the lifestyle that goes with it and the changes I have made.
It’s Never Too Late to Become a Confident Scuba Woman – Take the Dive with Me, Tanya.
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