It’s really embarrassing. But I’m sure I’m not alone.I somehow managed to get on the scales last month and discovered that I had gained 23 pounds during epidemics.Is that what they mean by the spread of middle age? I felt like a slug. Sighed deeply. It was like this comic poem, “When did my surprised eyes see, but 20 extra pounds on the hips, thighs and back.”This fact is especially difficult to share because I wrote a book entitled, “Ten Secrets to Lose Weight After 50.”How did this happen to me”
Many years ago, after caring for my mother who had levy body dementia, I packed a lot of pounds. I was terrified of the 172 weight after his death. I weighed the most so far in my life. So, I did a lot of research and experimentation, lost 15 pounds – although admitting that losing weight with your age is a booger, then in this book I shared how I did it. I even managed to lose weight until the epidemic.I broke the 5 pound rule I shared in my book – if I gain 5 pounds it’s time to lose 5 pounds.
Everyone else was eating stress, cheering and drinking. why not me? We all had to somehow comfort ourselves, right? I argued that once the epidemic was over, I would lose weight again. After all, I knew how to do it.Well, the problem with this kind of thinking is that COVID got stuck for a long time beyond my plan. In fact, I told myself I would start losing weight on January 1st. Of course, 2021 will be a better year with less pressure.
Then one day, I was sitting in front of a full-length closet door mirror, and my reflection startled me. I took a picture, gritted my teeth, and decided to face the music on the scales.I tipped the scales at 180 pounds. Sorry, I broke my previous record. My BMI is 29 and 30 is considered obese. I was on the threshold. At the rate I was going, I would easily accomplish this feat in the first half of the year.The severity of obesity during an epidemic
I couldn’t let that happen. After all, this is not the time to be obese. Southern California, where I live, is the current center of COVID, moving toward 2021. Simply put, as BMI increases, COVID-19 increases the risk of death.Yes, a vaccine is imminent, but here’s the bad news: Studies have shown that obesity can be linked to a reduced vaccine response. Oh!So, yes, I hated the way I looked, but that’s not my main motivation for losing weight. I want to reduce my risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID. Also, I turned 60 just a few months ago. I want to stay healthy and strong so that when it’s all over I can travel again, play with my grandchildren, and live longer.There is no time like the present.No more delays. Last month, I began my journey to recovery.
I wanted to be accountable, so I bravely posted my weight on my author’s Facebook page and announced that I would start following my advice in my book. It was horrible to announce this if I failed, but now it’s time to be honest with myself and others.A few weeks later, my husband posted a picture of me on a hike. By then I had lost some weight, but still seemed a little heavy. Usually, I scold him for posting this picture. Because I’m overweight, embarrassed, I only allowed headaches. But, you know what? I own it! I skipped Facebook approvals.I re-read a chapter in my book about changing my attitude (like thinking it’s impossible to lose weight when you get older and regret that the methods I used to have when I was younger didn’t work anymore) )۔
I reviewed my tips on how to overcome slow metabolism and massive muscle loss, overcome food stress, avoid starvation, and regain past stubborn levels.Great stuff – now I just had to follow my suggestions.Choosing the right food
So, I started my journey and started losing weight. I didn’t cut out all the carbohydrates, I didn’t eat grapefruit, I ate at certain times of the day, I didn’t use certain supplements, or I didn’t eat raw food. There were no risky surgeries, diet pills, expensive weight loss programs, expensive supplements, expensive gym membership fees, or personal trainers. And don’t starve yourself or follow a crazy diet that is not only unhealthy but doesn’t work in the long run.You don’t have to do any of this to lose weight. Avoid all the modern foods that your friends are temporarily fooled about but that are unsustainable. As we get older, it is important to make health
– not rapid weight loss
– a priority.
Experts warn that rapid weight loss can lead to malnutrition and lean muscle mass. Blurred diet can also cause digestive problems. For example, many modern high-protein foods can cause severe constipation. On top of that, you are more likely to gain weight. Who needs all this?Remember, you are big and smart. Your goals are different now. You’re not losing weight to look good in a bikini this summer or fitting in a pair of tight jeans over the weekend. You want to lose weight so that you can live longer and stay healthy and strong.There is a lot of confusion about choosing the right food.
You may want to use a plan that is without a nutritionally balanced diet and that is easy to follow, allows for occasional enjoyment, and provides permanent healthy lifestyle changes.While writing my book, I tried some of the top recommended foods from the US News World Report’s “Best Diet Overall” list, including Mediterranean Diet, DASH Diet, and Weight Watchers (by the way, Popular Cato, Paleo, Atkins, and Raw Food Diets are ranked worst on their list).
Based on my experience, I shared the pros and cons of top foods, their needs, and my personal thoughts.Weight watchers, ranked number one for the best weight loss diets, worked best for me during this time, so this is the plan I’m currently using. However, everyone is different, so you need to find what works best for you.
If you want to try any of the other healthy foods listed, you can find cheap used copies of food sketching books with recipes on Amazon.So, I’m here a month later and, thankfully, my gestures still work like magic! How much weight have I lost? I’m 169 pounds, so I lost 11 pounds in four weeks. I’m off to a great start and I’m determined to stay in it for the long haul!I am already feeling much better physically, mentally and emotionally. When a lot goes out of our control during an epidemic, it empowers me to regain control of my diet.Setting a Money Deadline
Experts agree that if you need to lose a lot of weight, setting small goals works better than aiming for a terrifying, seemingly impossible number that you may not even imagine in the future. Can not do it.Makes sense. Setting a goal of losing 10 pounds in six weeks is heavier than setting a goal of losing 100 pounds a year. Short-term milestones keep you focused on your success and growth rather than how much weight you have to lose. Meeting your money deadline is encouraging and encouraging.In my case, I need to lose about 30 pounds to reach a healthy weight. My first goal was to lose 10 pounds in six weeks, which I happily accomplished. However, from past experience, I know that you lose weight fast when you start dieting.
Then it slows down by adding some plateau, which is an obstacle to growth.So, I expect to lose one to two pounds a week here. I may not lose anything in a few weeks – I may gain a pound or two. it’s fine. Keep in mind, when you are over 50, your metabolism slows down and you lose muscle volume. This means that losing weight is more difficult and will take longer. But it’s definitely not impossible! And worth the effort.So, here, I’m going to make it my goal to lose five pounds a month – and focus on just the five pounds I still need to lose instead of all that weight.Who wants to join me?
Therefore, it is the beginning of a new year with all these resolutions. Is there weight loss on your list? Is there a brave soul out there who wants to join me on my journey?Do you need help Want to know what tried and true “tricks” I’ve tried to lose weight after 50? Do you need answers to questions like: How can you control stress eating? What can you do to avoid feeling hungry? What kind of exercises give the best results? How can you cross these stubborn plateaus?
If so, my blog mwsabrs.com
You can also like my author’s FB page to get weight loss tips and follow my progress. I post a picture of my scales weekly and promise to share my successes – and yes, my struggles and failures.For example, I knew the last week of the year would be difficult because I was off schedule. So, I set a goal to maintain my weight this week.
I’m sure it’s okay to take short breaks from time to time until you get too crazy and set a date to start eating healthy again. It probably helps in the long run. I told my followers I got a pound back. I’ll keep it real.If you decide to join me on my weight loss journey, this is another tip from my book. It doesn’t matter how much weight you lose during the process, set your long-term goals and eventually return to healthy eating and exercise.
Be kind to yourself and don’t expect perfection. One bad decision is not to waste your entire diet unless you allow it to happen. Keep your vision of success alive and well. Remind yourself of all the reasons you want to lose weight. If your day, week, month or even year is bad, start every day anew and don’t let yourself fail.
Living a healthy lifestyle is a process.We can do it together!Julie A. Gorges is an award-winning author and journalist who writes about life after 50. Her blog, BabyBoomerBliss.net, was selected as one of the top 50 Baby Boomer blogs to follow in 2019 through Feedspot. Her award-winning book, “I’m Your Daughter, Julie: Parental Care with Dementia” is available on Amazon. To learn more about Julie, visit her author’s website at juliegorges.com.