How to Shift Our Thinking when Losing After 50

Hi Everyone,

If you’re brand new to the Inspired Eater, look to your right. Underneath my round photo and short bio is how to access the Aunt Bea booklet (no charge).

The booklet will be sent to your email, so if you don’t see it, check spam. Without Aunt Bea it’ll be difficult to get the most from this blog. 🙂

And, as always, if you lost your Aunt Bea just let me know: Wendy@theInspiredEater.com and I’ll send one right away.

Onto our pearls!

Pearl One

Before my boys were born I remember thinking, of course I can wake up and be functional at two in the morning for babies; the cat wakes me up every single night.

Right.

That’s how clued-in I was.

But as the little guys grew, I fell so in love that I once asked an empty nester, “Is it awful when they leave the house?”

Her reply, “Oh, no! It’s like a whole new chapter! It’s wonderful!!”

Over time, I infused her attitude into my life.

Here’s why her response matters: a lot of us over-50-types have ridden the horse on the weight loss carousel far too many times. We’re not exactly bitter, but we are very — very — suspicious.

However, for everyone who has said to me, “losing weight has never worked. I just don’t have the motivation anymore”; I’m thinking, because you’re seeing life like it’s a linear line.

It doesn’t have to be linear.

It can be a full, engrossing, can’t-put-down book.

Take how cool our current chapter is: nobody yelling for us in the dead of night, nobody taking all of our money, and – hey! – no more thrill rides on the PMS- roller-coaster.

Yes, we have health problems. Yes, partners disappoint, but no we don’t have to downsize our dreams and plans right along with our clutter.

Maybe “losing weight never worked” for 40-year-old you, but today-you can go for it and create an entirely new, successful chapter for yourself. ♥

Pearl Two

Living an intentional life. I love this concept. An intentional life is all about not being blown wherever the wind flings us. It’s about focusing on what matters most to us and directing the action.

Let’s not be actors memorizing a script that someone else wrote. Instead let’s be the director and producer of our world.

Years ago, Scott Adams said – I’m paraphrasing — that when he wanted to achieve something huge, he’d write it down on paper 15 times a day.

I don’t think there’s anything magical behind 15 times a day versus 12, but his point is good: we need to stay devoted daily to our ultimate plan. We need to set ourselves up for success in myriad ways and stop putting our precious energy into activities that produce very little.

Intentional living is about taking the reins from our default-selves, and pointedly bringing our prefrontal brains to the party.

So let’s don’t “hope” for a good day, let’s intentionally make it a good one by writing every morning about our ultimate plan and why it means so much to us. Then let’s re-visit our writing two to three times a day. Heavy emphasis on the “a day.”

And consider joining me in writing my plan 15 times each morning plan. ♥

Pearl Three

Our March topic: Using time as a supportive tool. Today we’re talking about the time it takes to establish a solid habit. As I’ve mentioned my favorite study out of England concluded that it takes 66 days to fully embed a habit.

And when I was extinguishing my evening sugar-habit, I found the studies’ 66-days to be true. You can read more about how I overcame evening-sugar here: How to Conquer Your Evening Sugar Craving.

In establishing habits the first two weeks are the toughest. After the 14-day mark, establishing or eliminating a habit becomes much easier. Knowing that the first 14-days are hard is good information to have because we know what we’re up against difficulty and can plan accordingly.

Take this week. I once created a remarkable habit – for me – of going to a yoga/Pilates class two to four times a week for over two years. Given that I have no love for fitness activities this was like a bleeping miracle. Sadly the woman who owned the studio moved and I let my habit dissolve.

But good news: I’ve found a new studio that’s much closer to my house. It’s a bit pricier, but if I use the two-classes a week plan, I can swing it.

To establish this habit, I’m re-reading James Clear’s book Atomic Habits. If you haven’t yet read this awesome book, eat it this weekend for dinner. It’s that good. ♥

Pearl Four

Food. This food-suggestion is for those among us who love to mindlessly crunch something tasty while kicked back on the couch reading or watching a show. Back when, I could easily take down a half box of Cheeze-Its while reading (they were “reduced fat,” so maybe okay?).

Today, when I want to graze while reading it’s petite carrots. It took time to move from decimating Cheeze-Its to reaching for petite carrots, but if I can do it, you can too.

Also, dipping tiny carrots into hummus is a great tide-me-over too. Costco sells hummus in tiny one-serving packs perfect for our cold bag when we’re out and about (don’t forget a baggie of petite carrots). Trader Joe’s carries my favorite hummus flavor: cilantro and jalapeno. Yum. And for those snacking on chocolate humus (K!), that is a “to don’t.” ♥

Pearl Five

“There is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.” – Winston Churchill ♥

Intentionally create a fantastic, smart eating weekend for yourself!

♥, Wendy

P.s. Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!

You know the scoop, some links may be affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Of course you incur no additional cost.