Beatrice - You Are Never Late to Get on to a New Journey. I Started at 40. (Lifestyle Fashion Blogger)


My blog, www.askthemonsters.com, has been in the top three Swiss fashion and lifestyle blogs in the past 3 years. The blog is also a company, so it’s another big part of my life.


1. Tell us more about yourself and your profession.

I am an ultra runner, a mother, housewife and a blogger. 

Ultra runner: Someone who runs long distance. Technically, anything above a marathon (which is 42 km) is an Ultra Marathon. Among others, I have run a 100 km race, then  "the toughest footrace on earth” (so defined by the Discovery Channel), Marathon des Sables , 256 km in the Sahara Desert, at an average temperature of 45 degrees, with 13 kg on my back, carrying everything I needed for a week, and sleeping on the floor, and also I have run Everest marathon, the highest race on earth.

Mother and Housewife: I have three teenager daughters, 17, 18 and 19 years old. I never had a nanny or baby sitter or cleaner or family help, so I consider this also a full time job.

Blogger: My blog, www.askthemonsters.com, has been in the top three Swiss fashion and lifestyle blogs in the past 3 years. The blog is also a company, so it’s another big part of my life.

2. What is your fitness mantra?

Worry/whining/complaining are like a rocking chair: they give you something to do, but they don’t bring you anywhere. 
(that’s how I think if I have a crisis…these things cost a lot of energy. Better using the energy to do something positive!)


3. What are some of the major misconceptions about diets and exercises?

That one needs to do a huge effort for a short period of time, and then everything is done and will be perfect forever after. Really, one needs a small effort every day.

4. How can one maintain a healthy lifestyle?

You have to get there with your own head and motivation. Nobody else can tell you what to do or force you do to anything. Find your own way to have fun while moving (maybe it’s gardening, or walking, or tango dancing, or betting something with a friend), and enjoy when your body improves.

Focus on the pleasure of improving. For example breathing better for not smoking, having a clear head from a lot of sleep, having better sex from liking your body more, etc. There are no shortcuts or magic tricks. There’s nothing to buy. There is no must have. You don’t need to be rich or superhuman. 

It’s all possible and it’s all in your head and heart. If you are a very social person, find a companion or a club to share a fitness project. If you prefer to work in privacy, find your privacy, pamper yourself and work. Do it your way, be selfish, think positive. If you think negative….ignore it, cheat yourself and think positive. 


5. How can one build a successful career in your field?

I did everything gradually. I started to run at 40. Before going to the desert I had never been in a tent in my whole life. 
Also before blogging I didn’t have a clue about Google analytics, SEO, pictures or anything like that (I started by writing for another blog).

So I guess it’s like fitness: there are no shortcuts, you have to find your own way so you can enjoy it, and that way you will be able to work hard and keep going when other people might stop.


6. What is one piece of advice you would like to give someone who wishes to lose weight?

I am not the right person to ask - I was always thin and never followed a diet. I guess genetics are half of the reason, and lifestyle the other half.


7. How do diets and exercise contribute to overall well being and happiness?

Once more: I don’t believe in diets. I actually think they are a disgrace. Eat different foods, colourful stuff (i.e. also fruits and vegetables) respect seasons and look for local products.

We should all behave like kids:  eat when we are hungry, stop when we are full, move regularly without suffering too much (yes, it is possible!)
Being active and happy about your body is obviously very important for your overall well being. it also makes you tired so you sleep better. And you avoid medicine and drugs, by being happy and active.
 
So if I had to sum it all up, I would say that, like anything else (relationships, career, success, etc), it’s a matter of many small decisions every day.


- Beatrice

Instagram - beatricelessi