Here with my husband, I am currently a 52 year old woman who has had two children, fought through an injury for two years, lived through the breast lump "scare", and deal with the challenges of daily life raising an autistic son.  

I've learned to stay fit, keep my body and mind healthy, and through proper nutrition and activity, manage stress. 

Being involved with athletics and fitness since I was 9 years old, and having obtained a degree in Fitness & Nutrition, being a Certified Master Trainer,  Certified Personal Trainer, a Certified Sports Nutritionist, a Certified Yoga Instructor, a Certified Aerobics Instructor, a Certified Pilates Instructor and hold Certification in Green Living, gives me a good solid base for information that I can pass on to my readers.   Educating women about how to live a healthy life everyday is important to me.   

Nancy at 50, with her daughter, Summer 2007

Over and above my book-learning, I have implemented special diets, homeopathic protocol (under the direction of an M.D.) nutraceuticals, and herbal therapy, for my son, now 16, over the past 10 years.   

My experience as both mother and hometeacher to my autistic son has given me education and hands-on experience with such forms of therapy as:

Behavioural Therapy, which also includes topics such as relaxation, meditation, stress management and rewards systems 

Imitation Therapy

Communication/Speech/Alternative Means Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Daily Life Therapy which I learned from information obtained from the Boston Higashi School for Autism via their website, which offers informational material for parents and also visiting the school in person, touring their excellent facility and obtaining firsthand information.

Photo taken August 14, 2010.  Age 53

About me.....

Throughout my life I have had a somewhat different view of age and the aging process, especially about women.  My mother was nearly 40 when I was born, and that gave me a different view of "old" when I was growing up.  At ten years of age,  I would never have  dreamed of thinking of my 50-something parents as old!  That attitude has stayed with me throughout the years. And now gives me the viewpoint that no one is ever too old - or "too" anything to pursue a dream. What you think truly can shape your life! 

Starting with an interest in athletics as a young child, I am experienced with a wide range of fitness equipment: weight training using free weights and Nautilus equipment, aerobics, dancercize, stretchercize, balance and medicine balls, and modalities such as Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and Bodyrolling, along with a personal history of endurance training that began as a cross-country runner in high school.  I am also trained in Latin Club Style and Latin Ballroom dance.  In the future I would like to compete in the category of Latin Ballroom dance as it has become a passion of mine.

In the area of nutrition I am also very knowledgeable, as this represents about 50 percent of the education I already have, which is a degree in Fitness and Nutrition, from Penn Foster College, and seven certifications through the globally-recognized training and education leader ExpertRating.