What 80 women reminded me about health, confidence and ageing well

On Sunday, 80 women came together for our second Fabulous & Feeling It event here in Invercargill.

It was a day filled with practical information, honest conversations, plenty of laughter and, of course, good food. As I reflected on the day afterwards, I kept coming back to one thing: women want to feel informed, supported and positive about getting older.

They don’t want to be told that everything is destined to become harder after 40. They want realistic advice that helps them feel healthy, strong and confident at every stage of life.

Feeling good is about more than a number on the scales

As a nutritionist, I naturally talk a lot about food, energy, strength and long-term health. But Sunday was a lovely reminder that feeling good encompasses so much more.

Our speakers covered a wonderful range of topics, including menopause and women’s health, posture and bra fitting, caring for our hair, personal style, confidence and the facts behind cosmetic treatments.

Dr Rebecca Stewart answered questions about menopause, and women’s health. Marianne from Align & Uplift shared practical advice about posture and finding a properly fitting bra, while Kyla from Halcyon showed us how the right care can transform curly hair.

Megan from Labels demonstrated how clothing can help us feel more comfortable and confident, and Kaylie from Ivy Clinic provided clear, balanced information about appearance treatments. Our new panel conversation also created space for the honest questions women often don’t get the opportunity to ask.

Although each speaker covered something different, the overall message was similar: we have more choices, knowledge and support available to us than ever before.

Women want information they can trust

There is an enormous amount of health advice available online, but more information doesn’t always make things clearer.

Women are trying to work out what they should eat, how they should exercise, whether their symptoms are “normal” and what changes are genuinely worth making. They are often sorting through conflicting opinions at the same time.

What I saw on Sunday was how valuable it is to hear directly from knowledgeable professionals who can explain things clearly, answer questions and provide advice that can be used in everyday life.

Women don’t need another list of impossible rules. They want reliable information that helps them make informed decisions about their own health.

Simple ideas are often the most useful

I started the day by talking about protein (of course!) and sharing samples of my high-protein chia pudding. It proved incredibly popular (we actually ran out!), with lots of people asking for the recipe afterwards.

It was a good reminder that nutritious food doesn’t need to be elaborate or include a long list of unusual ingredients. Often, the most useful ideas are the ones that can be prepared quickly, made ahead of time and adapted to suit the whole family.

You can make a single chia pudding for breakfast or multiply the ingredients to prepare several jars for the week. Add berries, a teaspoon of peanut butter or another favourite topping, and you have an easy breakfast that contains plenty of protein and helps keep you satisfied.

People aren’t necessarily looking for restaurant-quality meals. They want food that tastes good, supports their goals and fits into a busy week.

Ageing well isn’t about trying to be 25 again

There can be a lot of negativity around ageing, particularly for women. We hear about weight gain, declining health, menopause symptoms and all the things we supposedly won’t be able to do anymore.

But ageing well isn’t about trying to look or live as though we’re 25. It’s about looking after the body we have now so we can continue to enjoy our lives.

That might mean eating enough protein to support our muscles, beginning strength training, getting help with persistent symptoms, wearing clothes that make us feel good, finding movement we enjoy or simply becoming more confident about asking questions.

We can’t control every aspect of ageing, but there is still so much we can influence.

Sunday reminded me how powerful it is when women come together to learn, talk openly and share their experiences. Most importantly, it showed that getting older doesn’t have to be approached with dread.

With good information, practical support and a willingness to take care of ourselves, there is plenty to feel positive about.

If you would like personalised support with your nutrition, energy or health goals, you can book a

with me to talk about what you’re experiencing and how I may be able to help.