Gorgeous dress and photo by Art4Apparel
Pearl One
Are you okay with being different? I sure wasn’t. We moved enough when I was young, and I was terrible at being the new girl in class. Breaking into cliques wasn’t my forte, so I’ve found myself with a lifelong feeling of wanting to blend in.
But the way I see it, we’re the first generation of women over 50 who are taking our food-porn culture by the scruff and telling it, “You’ve done enough damage, we’re taking back our health one smart, ingrained habit at a time.”
Thing is, you have to make peace with being different.
- Different is telling an eating-buddy that you can’t meet her anymore at the cute bakery because you know you’ll overeat the “muffins” (basically cupcakes minus the frosting) in the glass case.
- Different is putting your foot down when someone tries to schedule an activity during the day, time you’ve set aside for your Pilates class.
- Different is asking the server “too many” questions about the ingredients in food at the restaurant and getting the side-eye from your partner.
I’ll say it again: we are the first generation of over 50s who can – and are – taking ownership of our health and our bodies. We determine our weight-fate, not Ben & Jerry’s.
And this requires swimming against the tide.
We can learn to navigate our culture’s gazillion calories, but it’s very unfamiliar territory. It requires entirely new ways of interacting with food, new ways of eating with friends and family, and new habits to establish.
There’s nothing special about me. If I can do this, you can too. ♥
Pearl Two
Do you take notes on your experience as you lose?
I’m not suggesting this lightly. I’m serious. This technique is awesome. Just a paragraph, three or four times a week will do it.
See a person in your mind’s eye as you write and tell her or him how losing after 50 can be done:
- What has been the most helpful to you as you lose: The kids being away at college so there’s less junk food in the kitchen? Your husband behind you one hundred percent because he wants to create a healthier lifestyle for you both too? That kind of thing.
- What structured eating plan are you using? Why do you like it?
- How much money are you saving by not buying junk- and fast-food?
- What has been the hardest part of losing (give several examples)?
- What scares you about losing after 50? Am I wasting my time? Will I be disappointed again?
- How are you navigating the naysayers?
- What have you substituted for desserts in the evenings?
- How do you rid your kitchen, car or cubicle of “trigger” food?
- What progress have you made that you’re most proud of?
As you lose and change your thinking around food in our culture, take notes. One day, someone you love will blurt, “You’ve lost so much weight. I can’t have surgery until I lose 30. Please tell me how you’re doing this!”
And you’ll respond, “Give me a second while I print out my notes.” ♥
Pearl Three
I wouldn’t leave the house without my purse and phone, and I never leave the house without food either.
If I’m planning to be out for a while I bring my cold bag with an ice pack and fill it with half an apple, a baggie of petite carrots, a baggie of chopped, cooked broccoli that I eat cold, and a cup of Chobani yogurt.
But in an emergency I’ll break the glass and eat half of the Clif Bar that I always keep stashed in my purse. Yes, Clif Bars are big on sugar, but I only eat half which holds me for a good hour or so. If you don’t like Clif Bars, find something that won’t spoil and always keep it handy.
These days I’m good at navigating the food scene, but back when I was losing being very hangry (yes, I said hangry) meant all bets were off.
It’s a vital tool: keep yourself moderately full throughout your day. ♥
Pearl Four
From the self-sabotage department: where great ideas go to die.
What I heard this week: this is taking too long!!
My push-back voice: I recently read that truly amazing “overnight successes” took five years of solid 24-karat work.
Then I hear: But I’m so tired. Ice cream would really make it better.
My push-back: Go to sleep, you can have ice cream in the morning. (Happily I never want ice cream in the morning.) ♥
Pearl Five
“Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really: Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, so go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success.” — Thomas J. Watson ♥
What does your self-sabotage voice say to you? Please share in the comments below. 🙂
Happy middle of October!
♥, 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). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. 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: I’m an Amazon affiliate. If you buy from a link in my post, I’ll receive money, but the arrangement won’t cost you a dime.
I am not an expert, a doctor, a surgeon, a nurse or a nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ♥
27 Comments
My favorite self sabotage is telling myself I can’t do those alternative comforting behaviors while I’m working! I can’t take time to read or walk or sleep – I have to be at my desk working – and coping. hmmm ….. But taking a sec to read your posts before lunch really helps! 🙂 Thanks and Happy Friday!
As always thank you Barbara!!
W.
Family party this weekend, and I am telling myself – there are more ways to be happy than food!
You go, Katie!! How was your weekend?
W.
The weekend was wonderful, and I give myself a B+ on rephrasing & thinking differently. I do not HAVE the habits I want quite yet, but I am moving TOWARDS them. I’m extremely slow (as you know!), but I’m learning to accept that. Sometimes standing still IS progress.
Katie, you’ve got this!
W.
🙂
I love pearl three, not leaving the house without snacks. And pearl five, don’t be discouraged by failure but learn from it.
Keeping a light drip-drip-drip of healthy food is really game-changing. lol.
Thanks for writing Theresa!
w.
🙂
I love your wisdom and humor. Some great pearls herr. The idea of documenting my learnings immediately appeals to me. Thanks for linking
Thank you Gail!
W.
I need to do more of the writing you talk about.
Writing is kind of magical. Thank for all of your sweet comments — I really appreciate it.
W.
🙂
As always, very motivating and encouraging!
You are the best, thank you!
W.
Love pearl one , I was never one to be in a clique either. I do think it is so important to be proactive with our health and what we want out of it I too bring snacks like carrots or a piece of fruit when I am out and about 🙂 Great point!
Have a great week Wendy!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you Jess!!
Your beautiful clothes (almost) make me want to have an office job again. 🙂
W.
I try to watch TV upstairs at night so I’m not tempted to snack because it’s true that I rarely ever think to eat ice cream (or any other sugary awful for me treat) for breakfast!!
Upstairs reading or watching is definitely a thing!!
Thanks for commenting.
W.
Thanks for sharing the My Big Fat Menopausal Life’s Share the Wealth Party – Have a fabulous weekend!
Thank you Helen!
Wendy
Yes, I need to stash my purse with healthier choices and start documenting each week. Such great little nuggets of advice. Thanks for linking up and sharing again this week. #HomeMattersParty
A little tide-me-over snack in my purse is always with me. Love your blog!
Wendy
I always take food with me on days out as I’m on a wheat free diet, if I don’t I will turn to crisps and chocolate to fill me up till I get home.
Thanks for linking with #pocolo
Thanks for commenting!
W.