I’ve struggled with starting this blog post, because, I fear that I have nothing original to say about achieving a healthy lifestyle. I mean, really, what hasn’t been researched, written, criticized and rehashed already? So much has been put out there for so long that it even contradicts itself in an attempt to at last find a solution to achieving the perfect weight and body. Low fat is the answer; no, it’s not because low fat, processed foods have hidden sugars in them. Eggs raise your cholesterol; no, they’re good protein. Coffee causes heart disease; no, it actually improves cognitive function.
Similarly, is there anything new under the sun to say about how to lose weight. Seemingly not and the end result seems to be that no specific diet plan offers a golden bullet to weight loss. Frustratingly, it seems that it all comes down to taking fewer calories in than you’re expending, or, conversely, increasing your activity level to offset the calories you consume.
Once I became a teenager and conscious of my body image, I intermittently tried every weight loss program out there – Atkins, Keto, Mediterranean, South Beach, DASH, Glycemic Index, Mayo, etc. I tried just eliminating certain foods like sweets and/or carbs or alcohol altogether. I even tried a weight loss candy called Ayds, which appears to no longer be in production, that you could buy in chocolate or caramel flavors and were supposed to eat about 30 minutes before a meal to curb your appetite. I went to one of those weight loss clinics where staff dressed up in white coats and uniforms pretended to have medical knowledge and gave me prepackaged food and a special drink to solely consume for weeks at a time.
In truth, they all worked for a while, although some kept my interest and determination for shorter lengths of time than others. However, they all failed, or I failed them, eventually. I got busy and would forget to log what I ate during the day. I’d go out to party with friends and couldn’t resist eating too much or too rich of food. There was always some holiday or trip or other occasion coming up, and I would try to tell myself to eat carefully so that I could at least maintain my weight loss, but then succumb to all the special food associated that had been prepared. I’d lose about 10 to 15 pounds and decide I was doing so well that I could afford to splurge “just once,” which always turned into days of splurging and then going off the diet altogether. I’ve signed up and canceled my Weight Watchers online membership so often that I’m running out of passwords to set up when I enroll yet again. I beat myself up for my lack of willpower for so long, and then I decided that wasn’t healthy and evidently wasn’t helpful, given that I continued to not be able to stay on a diet, so I tried to tell myself that it was better to just accept myself as I was. After all, life’s too short, right?
Now that I’m 65 years old, I have a new outlook on my future. Perhaps some of what I’ve been through and discovered about myself along the way will resonate with some of you. Maybe that will be inspirational or at least encouraging in some way.
I’m not sure I can pinpoint why this happened, but one morning I woke up and knew I wanted to focus on my wellbeing and healthy eating. My very first decision that morning was to stop drinking alcohol essentially altogether.
Part of my decision was the realization of how many calories I could save by simply eliminating alcohol. I estimate that I have reduced my total weekly calories by 5,250 to 7,ooo calories. Given that a reduction of 3,500 calories equals a loss of one pound, that decision alone might result in a weekly loss of at least one pound.
Beyond the weight loss benefits, however, was my desire to improve my overall health – physically, mentally and emotionally. That’s what turning 65 does to you, I guess. You start to evaluate the quality of your life and what you need to do to prolong it. When I was in my 20s, 30s and even 40s, I could recover from abusing my body by eating too much, eating the wrong things and drinking too much. Not that there weren’t consequences – mainly in the form of weight gain – but I could still physically do most anything I wanted.
At 65, I had begun to realize physical limitations that aggravated me. My knees hurt which made going up and down stairs and hiking the mountains I so love difficult. I showed signs of arthritis in my hands and fingers. I didn’t have the energy to do all the things I used to do, and that meant I had to pace my work with periods of rest.
The physical limitations were the wake-up call, but the impetus for change was probably the fact that I semi-retired about two years ago. For the first time in my adult life, I had more time to myself to pursue personal interests. I wasn’t sitting in an office working at a computer or attending boring meetings all day. I could be out and about traveling, visiting attractions, attending arts events visiting with friends. My physical limitations were inhibiting some of that, however, and I didn’t like it. Something needed to change.
I’ve spent a lot of this blog talking about what led me to deciding to change my food and alcohol consumption, because I think the process of getting to the point of making changes is more important than the actual plan I have decided to pursue to reach my goals. I needed to change my frame my mind and see the changes as a new direction in my life rather than as a short-term crash diet. The changes needed to become habits and my lifestyle.
It may surprise you to learn that my biggest inspiration has been my 27-year-old niece. I recently learned that she has lost 60 pounds in the past four years. More than that, she has completely changed her lifestyle, focusing on healthy and fresh food and becoming much more physically active including running marathons. She’s done all that without letting it consume her life, however. I’ve been around her fairly regularly in those four years, most often during meals out and at special occasions and had no idea she was making such major changes in her life. To me that seems like someone who has incorporated a new philosophy in her life rather than putting on a temporary bandaid. I’m proud and impressed by her, and I’m reminded once again how much we older women can learn from the next generation of women who are less encumbered by the traditions, expectations and limitations that my generation inherited.
For what it is worth, I have rejoined Weight Watchers, now called WW. It is a.new plan that focuses on points rather than calories and lots of “free” choices, and it works well with my new philosophy of living and eating. This plan is working much better so far than previous ones, which is encouraging.
But, mostly what has changed is my attitude about myself. I am focusing on doing those things that benefit me and make my life better. I am relearning what my personal passions are and trying to pursue them in some way every day. I am trying not to focus on pounds on the scale but on how I feel about what I’m eating. I am making plans and setting goals for the next 25 years and feeling more positive that I will be healthy enough to realize and enjoy these goals.
I’d love to hear about your goals and successes! I’m sure we can learn from each other. She persisted and so can we!
Karen J. Rieley 