Many people are changing careers mid-life for a number of reasons, maybe your industry isn’t as valuable as it once was, maybe you stayed home with your children and now they’re off to college, or maybe you are just plain sick of your job.  At any rate, .here is a list of lucrative, fun careers you might consider when making the switch.

Fab 40 Careers

It is always an option is to get into the medical field. I just finished Physical Therapy school and half of the class was over 40 and some over 50. PT was obviously their second career. Many mortgage brokers and realtors were in the class. PT school is longer and more grueling, however the pay and the rewards are worth it to many of us!

There are so many jobs that can get one started in the medical field which require very little training; Physical Therapy Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Imaging Techs, Certified Nursing Assistant, Respiratory Therapist, to name a few.

Then there are other jobs that require a quick certification one can do that pay pretty well in many of which I did as I was going to school.

Registered Yoga Teacher

I run a business training people to teach yoga and often the majority of the class is women over 40. Or Certified Personal Trainers can make $50 and up an hour.

Licensed Massage Therapist

The school for this is sometimes expensive, so you’d want to find a school that is public and low cost.

Licensed Mixologist

After a week of training and certification you can bartend at a restaurant or bar or start your own private party or catering business.

Life Guard

If you are a good swimmer, the training is fairly easy. You can put your skills to good use in nursing homes where they have pools, or town homes, recreational centers. Full time, year ’round gigs are available if you seek them out.

Security Guard or Concierge

The training for a job like this is also minimal and fairly easy for a smart woman and the pay will be much better than minimum wage and many places give benefits and 401ks.

Certified Hypnotist

You can usually start practicing with just 100 hours of training.

Jane Foody, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Hypnotist, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Jane Training

Several years ago, I attended an art auction and fell in love with the works of a husband and wife artistic team, Wendy Schaefer-Miles and Kevin Miles. Having been somewhat associated with the world of art because my grandfather and father both painted with oils, I am familiar with the depths of ownership an artist feels where his or her art is concerned. So when I heard the story of Schaefer-Miles, I was intrigued that they collaborate together to create art on the same canvas and produce some of the most beautiful landscapes in the art world. Somehow this couple has overcome the need for their individual egos in order to paint with one vision while working side-by-side on the same masterpiece. To most artists, this would constitute grand theft, but this team has been painting together for twenty years, and their art is viewed by millions of people every year. My romantic side is in awe as my practical side marvels at how wonderful this same bond would be and usually is for a patient and his or her caregiver.

When one part of a couple is fighting for life, the significant other is usually a major contributor throughout that battle, whether it takes one month, two years, ten years, or more. Make no mistake—it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the patient to survive without the caregiver. This demands a huge amount of patience and mutual respect on both parts of the equation.

You have never known grumpy until you’ve been alone in the room with a patient under pressure. Add to that the fact that neither patient nor caregiver selects the role that they have been given. When you’re not prepared to do something, human nature is to draw away from the task. Love will draw you back together, even when there is little choice and much demand. Sometimes the stress becomes too much, and the team can bend from lack of cohesion. For this reason, the bond must be strong to fight together as one force.

The patient/caregiver team of Gordon and Joni had its share of challenges. The biggest challenge was, of course, the disease itself. Next to that was the fact that we had probably spent a dozen or so full seven-day weeks together in our entire married life prior to being thrown together into the pit of a critical illness. Not so anymore—we were joined at the hip like Siamese twins every waking moment and most non-waking moments. These concerns might have caused a few rifts in our patience, but they were overwhelmingly defeated by our combined determination and love for each other. We never lost track of ourselves as individuals, but the bond that forms as husband and wife is miniscule as compared to that of patient and caregiver.

Did we have fights? We had some whoppers! During the short time that Gordon was in remission, I encouraged him to shake off the gloom and move ahead with his life. He couldn’t do it; fear haunted him every day and night of those months. I now can understand fear of recurrence much better, but there had been a lot of change in my life, too, and I was ready to get back to the way everything was before. This resulted in building frustration for both of us. In retrospect, Gordon may have already suspected that things were not as they appeared in the medical reports. My one regret is that I wasn’t more patient with him during this break in the storm.

As a couple, you have to deal with a chronic illness as a paranormal state of being that will hopefully evolve back to normal over time. Stay the course. Believe in each other and the commitment you made to each other. Yet, when the pressure builds and times are rough, you will both say things to each other that you won’t mean. You both hurt, but try not to hurt each other. They say that in life’s most trying times, you always strike (figuratively, of course) at the one that you love the very best. Sometimes you just have to walk away for a while to let cooler heads prevail.

If there is no spouse or significant other to be the primary caregiver, the life-helper will come from the other family members or very dear friends. Whether it’s a spouse, family member, or friend, I can tell you that caregivers are some of the finest people I have ever met, and the bond between a caregiver and a patient is forever. You’ll cry together; you’ll cry separately. You’ll celebrate every victory and suffer every defeat. There will be many long, exhausting days. Some will be unpleasant; others will be impossible. But at the end of every day, it is a good day when you make it through as one spirit united in a single purpose.

——–

Much of the information included in this article is from:

The Saving of Gordon: Lifelines to W-I-N Against Cancer

(available at www.BasketofCare.com and www.Amazon.com)

Based on Joni’s experience and years of research, this inspirational and informative book is designed to give families a fighting chance in their own cancer battle.

Would you like to send something special to someone that’s going through a health-related hardship? Why not send them a Basket of Care (www.BasketofCare.com)? These baskets are lovingly designed by a cancer survivor, and chock full of practical items that will lend comfort. Or what about a “Day at the Beach” basket for a child who is ill? A Basket of Care is just the way to say, “I care” anytime.

Learn the top ten tips for being sexy over 40:

Top Ten Tips for Looking Wow Now!

Here are my top 10 tips for looking awesome after 40:

1. Wear clothes that fit your current body shape.

2. Wear well-made undergarments, including body shapers; your clothes will fit better.

3. Wear colors that enhance your eye color. Draw attention to your best features.

4. If you want to create the illusion of more height use length and lines. Jacket and top lengths should draw the eye to the waist and upper hip. Pants should come to the ankle or upper sole. Shoes shapes should be oval or pointed.

5. Highlight your best features with accessories. Big bracelets at the wrist, big earrings to draw the eye up towards your face, or trendy handbags are great eye appeal and avoid problem areas (hips, abs, etc.)

6. Wear more color, less black.

7. Wear textures and patterns to highlight best features; solids to minimize challenging areas.

8. Wear comfortable shoes. Nothing looks worse than a painful, wobbly stride.

9. Look sexy and classy. Let a camisole peek out from under a jacket. Wear bold lipstick and subdued eye makeup.

10. Last but not least: A great haircut and product that creates shine is the best accessory you can take anywhere!

Denise Levine, Owner, Outside In Organizer and Makeovers

Talents you never used can put you in a place you love.

For some reason many 40+ women think their only asset is their current qualification and experience. Most don’t think to move from the safe and known. When we were young we would try new jobs and roles regularly, until we found something that fitted into our requirements at the time. For a lot of us it was determined by our family. When women hit their 40s and 50s they can feel like they were either left behind or stuck in a job that doesn’t quite fit their current circumstances or fulfil their career desires. I have noticed this in the lack of applications I receive from mature women.

As a niche business Bennetts Boots sell wide calf fashion boots. We are growing very fast and always on the lookout for talented, reliable and empathetic staff. When we advertise for the positions of store manager etc… we get a lot of young job seekers who don’t really relate to our customer base. We want the 40+ woman with experience in different area’s in life as that is who our customer is. We want our people to understand our market on a personal level and help us grow the business in the way the customers want it to grow.

We are continually looking to fill management roles that are flexible and creative. As its illegal to advertise and hire based on age we sift through the hundreds of applications until we find that magic mixture of maturity, commitment, reliability, and passion.

Amanda Tallent, CEO, Bennetts Boots wide calf boots

Originally, spray moisturizers were available for a person’s hair. Now, they are being made and touted by the skin care industry as a convenient moisturizer for the skin. Proven effective for hair; they may be convenient, but are they really an effective moisturizer to ward off dryness of skin?

Hair is different than skin. The outer layer of the hair (cuticle) covering the hair protects the molecular layer of lipid that makes hair repel water. But the complex structure of skin is different from hair.

There are two basic categories of moisturizers: humectants (absorb water from the air) and emollients. Emollients soften the skin by delivering the ingredients directly into skin. Unlike humectants, emollients bring moisture to your skin by the ‘composition’ of the product.  A main function of an emollient is to trap moisture in the skin. If you don’t properly apply an emollient, such as a “creme” composition, you may just be trapping moisture outside the skin, eventually leading to dryness.

Moisturizers are a creme or lotion that act like natural lipids found in healthy skin and the deep layers of the skin. Creme moisturizers work by preventing water from evaporating from the skin. Creme and lotions, in a non-greasy formula are easily absorbed into the skin. Cremes are slightly thicker than lotions and are better for those with very severe, dehydrated skin. A spray-on moisturizer mostly contains water and will simply lay atop of your skin and give you a temporary feeling of softness. Not all creme moisturizers are heavy and greasy feeling and skin can be breathable. A common ingredient found in a lot of creme/lotions is mineral oil, one ingredient to avoid when choosing a moisturizer. Water, the main ingredient in a spray on moisturizer, will not give your skin adequate moisture levels.

A key ingredient in creme moisturizers is Dimeticone (also known as silicon fluid), which is a water-repellent substance used to protect the skin. This ingredient is not found in spray moisturizers because it cannot be sprayed or in a mist form.

A spray on moisturizer advertised their product by stating: “The world’s lightest moisturizer ever”. A mist solution to heavy creme moisturizers”. The key ingredients are Water (Aqua), Sodium PCA, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sea Salt, Parabens, Fragrance (Parfum).

The name of a spray on moisturizer being sold is: “Mineral Spray Skin Moisturizer”. It then stated “Refresh & Invigorate Your Skin With A Fresh Spritz of (name of product excluded). The two ingredients listed: Water, Nitrogen as Propellant. Water, the main ingredient, will not give your skin adequate moisture levels. A propellent serves to dispense the contents of an aerosol or liquid. How does this product moisturize your skin? It doesn’t.

For people with extremely dry skin from certain lifestyles as frequent sun exposure, use of tanning beds, frequent swimmers in chlorine and salt water, and eczema; it is vital for them to use a creme moisturizer as their skin will severely dry-out leading to a weathered appearance and speed up the signs of aging the skin.

It’s important to apply moisturizer regularly, at least twice a day and always after cleansing to prevent skin from drying.

Quick, convenient skin care products can result in a disappointing appearance to your skin. A little extra time taken to apply the correct moisturizer is a smart investment for your skin’s health. If you would like to refresh your skin with water and other non-essential ingredients for adequate moisture, then the spritzers may be good for you. Obviously, if a spray-on product is called a moisturizer, it really isn’t.

 Sandy Alcide

Sandy Alcide’s articles have been featured in notable magazines and websites. Sandy is the founder of Motion Medica skin care www.motionmedica.com and the President of the American Athletic Skin Care Association, raising awareness for the rise of melanoma among outdoor athletes. She can be reached at salcide@fbscc.com.

Use the following tips to help you create healthy habits that will have you looking thin for good.

Make One Change at a Time

When making healthy habit changes, it is best to choose just one thing to do at a time. Yes, make a list of the goals you have and steps you will need to make to reach those goals, but don’t try to do all of them at the same time! It is easiest to work with one healthy change, like add one glass of water per day until you are drinking 8 glasses per day; or Add a serving of green vegetables to lunch and dinner; or eat your vegetables first! There are many options you may choose, but best is to do them slowly so they DO become a regular habit. Choose too many and it is overwhelming and you might succeed, but probably not much longer than a week or two. So, just pick ONE!

Joanna Chodorowska, Personal Nutrition Coach, Nutrition in Motion

Think Before You Eat

Before digging into an unhealthy snack or meal, I ask myself: Am I really hungry? or just bored? tired? or thirsty? Is it worth it? Is it so delicious to be worth the calories? Half of the time I find myself putting it back, just having a little taste or finding a better option. Never eat from the package! Measure all the snacks, find out the serving size/calories and eat one portion or half (depending on calories). I try to keep snacks under 150 calories, other than that, I don’t count calories.

Be more active!

You don’t need much to see the benefits. I started walking or running at least 2 times a week for 30 minutes, most of the time pushing my baby’s stroller. It’s a great stress reliever!

Alma Steger, CEO, Untitled Advertising & Public Relations

Pepper. Pasta. Power.

Red , Green, Yellow and Orange Bell Peppers are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, B6 and folic acid, which are thought to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke as well as being full of antioxidants.

Raw garlic boosts the immune system and is believed to reduce the risk of cancer, improve cardiovascular health and detox environmental toxins from our body.

Fresh Basil is high in vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, antioxidants and can serve as an anti-inflammatory.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is high in vitamin E and may reduce the risk of cancer and cardio vascular disease, subdue some effects of menopause and help lower your blood pressure among many other things.

THE RECIPE

1 lb Gluten Free Pasta
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Yellow Bell Pepper
1 Orange Bell Pepper
2 Cloves of Garlic
3-5 Leaves of Fresh Basil
½ teaspoon Unrefined Pink Salt
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Fresh Pepper
Pick Your Protein – Optional: This dish is great with chicken, chunks of fresh mozzarella cheese or tofu.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook Gluten free pasta as directed. Typically 16 minutes will do the trick.

2. Cut the peppers into strips. Toss in olive oil until they are lightly coated. Place peppers on a stovetop grill pan, pre-heated on high, and sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper. Cook until each side starts to crisp. About 5 minutes on each side. As an alternative, the peppers can be steamed and tossed in olive oil once they are cooked.

3. Mince garlic.

3. Fold 3 – 5 Basil leaves and cut into strips.

4. After draining the pasta place in a large bowl, lightly toss with olive oil adding the garlic fresh pepper to taste. Add the cooked peppers and protein choice if any then toss.

5. Serve sprinkled with fresh basil.

As a reminder, all unrefined and organic foods are packed with more nutrients making any super foods recipe that much more powerful.

Allison W. Gryphon, Writer/Filmmaker/Breast Cancer Fighter, The Why? Foundation

Let’s start taking a different approach to weight loss and instead of dropping pounds, create healthy habits that will last a lifetime.  You can have your cake and eat it too when it’s accompanied by a balanced diet.  Learn how to create healthy habits that last!

Eat Real Food!

I wrote my book “Diet Myths Busted;Food Facts Not Nutrition Fiction” based on the changes my family made and questions I have received from my patrons. Even though my husband and I are fitness experts we noticed about 15 years ago that we were putting on weight.

We hired a personal trainer who had us document our food intake for 2 weeks and then showed us that we were eating too many carbohydrates compared to protein and fat, we were eating too many pre-packaged foods and we were just eating too much period! We switched our food to all whole, unprocessed food, balanced our intake of carbohydrates, protein and fats to around 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fats. We cut out all pop both regular and diet, and all juices.

We now eat whole fruits and vegetables. We only buy foods with ingredients that are pronounceable to a first grader. We no longer use sugar as a staple and have discovered just how truly sweet real food can be.

As a result we both have lost weight and have kept it off. We both also gained muscle mass which increased our metabolic rates. The bottom line is, eat foods that your grandmother would recognize. If the bugs won’t land on it or eat it, neither should you.

Ann A. Rosenstein, Diet Myths Busted;Food Facts Not Nutrition Fiction

Jot It Down

Keeping a food journal helps to stop me from overeating. My journal is a tiny little book that I keep with me wherever I go and I jot down every morsel that I put in my mouth. The journal works for two reasons: I have accountability because I will see the exact amount of food I’m eating in black and white. Also, it gets annoying to constantly write down every little thing so my meals are smaller and I tend to not snack as much because of it.

Katrina Kritz, CEO, Katixon

Planning and Prep

It all starts with good planning. Having healthy snacks ready and available is key. That includes fresh fruit and pre-cut vegetables, healthy dips (ie hummus), non-fat yogurts, nuts & seeds. Prep ahead of time. Keep your pantry and refrigerator well-stocked and your foods vibrant and appealing (toss out old leftovers). This will prevent last minute ‘diet disasters’ because you can prepare healthy foods with ease.

Lauren O’Connor, Registered Dietitian, Nutri-Savvy

Learn how creating healthy habits can change lives!

Diet is a “bad, four letter word!”

I don’t ever think of my eating regimen as a diet. Diet is a “bad, four letter word” that evokes deprivation. My attitude towards food is a welcoming one because I’ve learned to love vegetables, fruit and wholesome lean proteins. I’ve eaten this way for nearly 30 years and love the way it makes me feel. I also wear smaller sizes than I ever did when I went on a diet (but the last time I did that was nearly 30 years ago), because I’ve also embraced daily exercise and rigorous, regular activity. It clears my mind, improves my mood and is the cornerstone of my health maintenance plan, along with the food that I eat. I am almost never sick, and I mend and heal quickly. I have tremendous energy and credit my eating and exercise with all of these side benefits.

Jackie Keller, Founding Director and Executive Chef, NutriFit

Diet No More!

Use portion control, if you don’t diet you can’t cheat! see?   Eat what you are craving in moderation so you do not eat your way to the craving and wind up eating it anyway!

Marina Kamen, VP, www.highenergyfitness.com

4 Action Steps Toward Healthy Habits

1. Clean out the refrigerator and cabinets! When we are weak and hungry, we grab everything. Go on a treasure hunt in your grocery store and stock up on the lower carb, lower fat versions of the foods you love.

2. Buy small travel bottles. Don’t be afraid to take these to restaurants or friends houses to carry your salad dressings and fat free creamers.

3. Don’t go hungry! Eat a little something healthy before you head out so you don’t eat the first thing you see.

4. Move! Weather you walk a dog, dance, go to a gym or clean the house…in the end it is all exercise which helps keep your organs functioning and your muscles happy!

Bobbie Freiberg, Author, 15-150 Secret To Simple Dieting

To avoid forever chasing your weight loss goals, begin thinking of it as a lifestyle rather than a temporary solution.  Learn how to incorporate lasting healthy habits into your daily routine using the following tips:

Creating a Healthy New Lifestyle

Healthy habits don’t have to be complicated- no one needs to go out tomorrow and run a marathon. It can be as simple as a few changes to your diet and exercise regime.

1.  Always eat a healthy breakfast.

If you start the day off right you are less likely to make bad decisions during the day

2.  Craving a sweet treat before bed?

Mix up greek yogurt with sweetener and cocoa powder for a healthy chocolate pudding. It packs enough of a protein punch to feed your muscles at night

3.  Try one new class (or workout) a week.

This keeps you from getting bored and you may find a new exercise you love!

4.  Set one small goal a week (no, not to lose 10 pounds) for yourself.

This is more encouraging than long term goals that seem too far off to work

5.  No more thinking that carbs are bad, they fuel our workouts.

Stick to healthy carbs, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, stick to whole grains!

6.  Accountability

It’s been said before, but get a workout buddy. Someone that holds you accountable if you don’t show up.

Kris Schoels, Lifestyle Expert, Young Married Chic

The Downfalls of Dieting

As co-founder of “Improve Your Groove,” a virtual integrative wellness center specializing in nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes, I’ve found that “dieting” rarely works long-term for people. Health is about more than nutrition and exercise. Someone can eat right, exercise, and still have health issues. Or, someone can “diet” temporarily, but when they get out into the real world and have to make decisions for themselves, they slip back to their old, unhealthy ways.

Food is a part of a balanced life, and until we can find that balance, weight will be a life-long struggle. So how do we create balance?

1. Be kind to yourself.

We often treat others better than we treat ourselves. Treat yourself like you would treat a loved one. Would you want to see a loved one starve themselves with unrealistic diets? How would you feel if they ate nothing but junk food? If we start treating ourselves as someone we love, our health will benefit significantly.

2. Get educated.

Learning “why” a healthy lifestyle is important is just as meaningful as learning “how” to get there. Typical “diets” often give you a step-by-step guide during the program, but what happens afterwards? Unfortunately, when left to their own devices, most people go back to their old ways of eating, or perhaps they lose sight of the importance of physical activity beyond weight loss. But once we’re educated, it’s easy to make choices that benefit our health… for life.

3. Address your stress.

Even if you eat all the “right” things and work out constantly, if you’re chronically stressed you won’t be healthy. Satisfy your soul with gentle meditation, yoga, by spending time with loved ones, or by treating yourself to something you enjoy, like a bubble bath or a good book.

Ronni Arno Blaisdell, Holistic Health Counselor, Improve Your Groove