Over 40 Belly Blues

[jamom]

It's soooo not fair! The older we get the less we can eat and the harder we have to work out. I totally relate to the belly thing and the pounds creeping up with each year-maybe it would help if I stopped eating like a pig! (I seriously don't eat like a pig but could stand to cut back!)

[suzbyrd]

I turned 40 this summer, did a trithlon to celebrate, and then my body just seemed to go nuts. First, let me say, I have been basically the same weight since college. I have been a runner, cyclist, etc. my whole life. I actually eat more now than when I was running 50 miles a week in my early 20's. I'm much healthier now. I have carried my weight on my hips and never on my stomach. I hate my "fat butt" :-) My body has just revolted on me. I started having periods every 2 weeks, gaining weight, moody, moody, moody. I went to the doc and she put me on birth control. That took care of the menstrual cycle, but the first thing I did was gain 5 lbs. It makes me feel gross and bloated all the time (it's a very low level of hormone, she said). Long story, shortened, I can't gain weight b/c of my part time job which is officiating. On the court, women just can't carry any extra weight. Men can carry a keg on their belly, but women have to be slim. It's driving me nuts. I have quit drinking any alcohol. I have maintained a calorie intake that is very reasonable considering I ride almost every day and work games 3-4 times a week. I have to take in calories or I can't operate. If it only gets worse as I get older, then it seems I have a tough road ahead. Don't get me wrong, I have worked too hard to give in now, but jeez, something's got to give. Please some of you women older than me, give me some kind of hope for the future :-).

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Suz,
I don't think it gets worse and worse as you get older.- the weight thing that is.
Our bodies do continue to change shape as we age, but it doesn't mean we get fatter and fatter. Changing shape might mean our breasts aren't as perky, or our butts get less round, or we have a little belly- it also means our skin texture changes and becomes less elastic and firm. BUT...we can still look absolutely beautiful at any age, and we don't helplessly get fatter and fatter.
As we get older we need fewer calories and we need less sleep. We shouldn't depress ourselves by wanting to continue eating and sleeping like a 20 year old. Having a tummy that sticks out is pretty normal for middle aged women.
We should stop negatively comparing ourselves to younger ages and just focus on being in a healthy condition for OUR age, yes?
Here's to being older AND fit! Being fit is HOT at any age!

[Maureen Valley]

I'm LOVIN' this thread. Lisa you hit the nail on the head with your response....as did many of you ladies. I guess I'm the matriarch (at 63) of this illustrious bunch of ladies and guess what......you just have to get used to the fact that there is this little thing called gravity that is bigger than all of us. I manage to get through the day with SOME excersize....a morning weigh in that determines what I eat that day....a smile for myself in the mirror....and about a pound and a half of Max Factor!!! No kidding...I don't go to the mailbox without blush. Anyway.....No...I don't look 30 anymore....40 anymore....even 50 anymore. Who the hell cares? I'm glad to put both feet on the ground in the morning (pain free!) ....be able to feed myself....ride my bike....commiserate with friends ...well.... I could go on and on.

It's all between your ears, girls.

Hugs to all:
Maureen

[bambu101]

Amen to what Lisa and Maureen said! My experience has been that as I have gotten older, I may not be thrilled with some of the changes that aging has brought, but I am more accepting of it. I think you can obsess over it, like a friend of mine that went to Weight Watchers at work with me, lost 60 pounds, and keeps it off by starving for a few days before her monthly weigh-in in order to make the lifetime member threshold weight. She also stashes “forbidden” foods like candy around the house so she can eat them after the weigh in is over for the next 4 weeks, and then starts the whole cycle all over again. Or you can just give up completely, like another co-worker who is close to 300 pounds, eats junk all day long, has Type 2 diabetes as a result, and complains constantly about how badly she feels.

I guess I am somewhere in the middle of these 2 extremes by trying to eat healthy foods most of the time, and exercising to feel good and stay physically fit.

To me, getting older means being comfortable in your own skin (wrinkled or not), having a deeper appreciation of the amazing things your body can do, like riding 100 miles, and realizing what is truly important in your life (Is it being a size 2 ?)

[Maureen Valley]

To me, getting older means being comfortable in your own skin (wrinkled or not), having a deeper appreciation of the amazing things your body can do, like riding 100 miles, and realizing what is truly important in your life (Is it being a size 2 ?)

Bambu....you said in a few words what I think we're all trying to say....

Thank you for being succinct.

Maureen

[Bikingmomof3]

Very well stated ladies.