Over 40 Belly Blues

[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.