Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness: A Conversation with Cynthia Conti

Most of us know someone who seems to defy aging – a friend or relative who is around our age -- but appears many years younger and who radiates vitality and good health. We look at them with a mix of admiration and, perhaps, envy. For Tina and Tara, that person is their sister, Cindy, who is the healthiest person they know. Her natural beauty is enhanced by her healthy habits and active lifestyle. Cindy has always had a passion for organic foods, natural remedies and overall wellness but she also has a Master’s in Kinesiology (exercise science) and currently works as a nurse. Tara and Tina thought a conversation with Cindy would be perfect to kick off the first Messy Middlescence episode of 2026. In this age of social media, those of us over 50 are inundated with information about “healthy aging”. However, Tina and Tara believe that listening to the fitness and nutrition routines (and how they have changed with age) from someone they trust could motivate both them and others to make changes in their own routines and lifestyles. The goal here is not just about looking youthful; it is about developing habits which make us feel good and in turn positively affect our overall appearance and energy. Topics discussed today include:Cindy’s background and interests including a Master’s in Kinesiology and a nursing degree;What exactly “Zone 2” is during exercise/workouts and why it becomes so important as we age (particularly for women);Why you might want to consider modifying your exercise routine to include more strength/weight training than high-intensity cardio;The unintentional and intentional changes that occur to our eating habits/diets as we age;How cosmetic dermatology procedures can help aging skin including a discussion of laser treatments such as IPL and BBL;Cindy’s skincare and exercise routines ;The significant impact of stress on our health and the necessity of self-care and how this is unique to each of us (and can change over time);How “steady good sleep” continues to elude most of us in our 50’s;How research continues to upend many of the ideas instilled in us when we were young (such as carbs being good and fats being bad or the importance of high intensity workouts).