Breaking the Age Barrier

I met a wonderful lady this past week who really inspired me. She seemed to be one of those sweet, tiny, gray-headed, ladies who sings in her church choir and keeps her cupboards stocked full of ingredients for healthy meals she likes to make for people under the weather. I would bet she makes a perfect apple pie or blackberry cobbler, but would be full after eating more than one or two bites herself. She was proud of her children and grandchildren who proved to be upstanding members of society. She was lovely and at a healthy weight. She emitted inner peace that comes with a life well-lived. It was obvious that she had learned which things in life were really important and which things to let go. 

 

She looked as if she had been dainty all her life. I watched her portion healthy foods to her plate then sit down to savor them. I was surprised to learn that this little lady used to be a hundred pounds overweight. She was obese during most of her adult life and decided about fifteen years ago that she was ready to lose weight. She changed her eating and cooking habits. She began moderate exercising. She lost her excess weight and kept it off by applying good nutrition principles to her lifestyle and forming new habits. Eating is effortless for her now. 

 

Lots of people have weight success stories, and I’m inspired each time I hear one. Her story was different though. I was especially encouraged because of WHEN she accomplished her goal. She did not let age hinder her from something she wanted. She had grandchildren before she decided her weight would and should come off. I believe that sometimes we find ourselves in an age-cage that prevents our desires from coming into fruition. It is never too late! Every obstacle we build around ourself is really an imaginary one. The age barrier is no different. I know it is easy to hold on to past regrets and feel as though a portion of our life was wasted somehow. We tend to exalt time in our life when really it is just a tool we use in our world. What matters now is now. Life doesn’t end at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90. It’s never too late to start living. 

 

This lady defied the age barrier. She had lived a good life. Her children were gone and raising children of her own. They would be retiring in state across the country.   She recognized that life was just beginning. She put all the past behind her including the weight she carried around for decades, and made a new life for herself. That Is Impressive! 

 

I wonder….what would I do if I didn’t’ know how old I am? What would I do if I forgot about things that happened and choices I made in the past? What would you do? It's not to late to start living today to get the life we always wanted.  

Y R U FAT

I heard Richard Simmons say once that he either had or saw a license plate that read, "YRUFAT".

So take a second to think about the answer to that question.  What is the reason that people are overweight?     Do you have an answer?   Okay, then read on.

I suppose there are a bunch of reason, but basically people usually either say lack of exercise, poor diet, or genetics/health.

There is new study from a group at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor that says people who name lack of exercise as the main cause of obesity are more likely to be heavier than those who believe poor diet is the culprit.    More than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight.   Inactivity and genetics are definitely factors, but evidence says the main reason is over eating. Portion Control is the Key!

Wayne and I got a gym membership once that came with a visit from a personal trainer.  One of the first things the guy said was, "losing weight is about 90% diet and the rest exercise."   It appears Mr. 2% Body Fat was 100% right.

The findings from McFerran and colleagues suggest that beliefs about weight influence food choices.

I believe in balance and a big picture.  I know myself enough to know that a little exercise may not burn as many calories as limiting portions, but it does elevate stress which makes me not want to stress eat.  It curbs my appetite so I automatically eat less without trying.  It makes me sleep better so I feel rested.  When I'm sleepy I tend to eat more.  After I exercise I have a real deep-down feeling of goodness so I'm less likely to try to get that feeling from taste.

But on the other hand, people tend to think that they can eat more if they exercise.  There has to be a partnership between the two with diet being the leader of the team.  Everything has its place and works together to make health work.   Life feels better when we wear it where it fits.