Living the Lifestyle - Wednesday, May 15th

gadgetgirlIL

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Thread starters for May are below:

Monday - myallforjcbill (Bill)
Tuesday - GavinFlynn1 (Gavin)
Wednesday - gadgetgirl (Regina)
Thursday - misterhub (Greg)
Friday - Al_Howard (Al)

Today's topic: What are the best things about getting older?

No one is immune from getting older, but as the adage goes "with age comes wisdom". What wisdom have you gained over the years? What other benefits do you find from being in whatever decade of your life you are now as compared to when you were just coming of age?

podkey

I had an answer but can't remember it> <<<<LOL>>>

misterhub

Patience. I am not a terribly patient person by nature. But, as I have gotten older, I have grown to realize that not everything requires an immediate solution. And, often, by being patient, many things work themselves out.

That is not to say there are not situations that require an immediate solution. But, age has brought the awareness to determine these situations - most of the time. I still make mistakes, in both directions. Usually, though, these days, I get it right.

imastar2

Getting older makes me realize the wisdom that I still have a lot to learn. Almost 72 and just when I think I've got the answer I realize how little I know. Not just about knowledge but also about myself. Life is really a lot about repetition wash, rinse, and then repeat the process. Learning to come to grips with ones self and figuring your own self out is by far the greater wisdom. Reality sets in the older you get. When I was younger? well I won't go there. Certainly age brings appreciation and I find myself more ambitious believe it or not. More aggressive and as the old saying goes I'd rather burn out than rust out.

Wisdom with age brings knowledge that I should stick to keeping the main thing the main thing and not worry about the petty things. Right now losing this weight is my priority but staying focused is the challenge. Understanding your own thoughts late in life is wisdom in itself that I've learned I really don't understand myself. Thus I must continue learning whatever I thought to be correct! becomes only something to which I may have to undo or learn all over.

gadgetgirlIL

I've learned to say NO more often and set boundaries. I still have a piece of paper on my desk at work with NO! written on it by my former dean. She wrote that for me back in 2015 when I was struggling with the demands being placed upon me by my program director at that time. What he was asking me to do was NOT in my job description. Thus, I really was free to say NO but often I would often say YES to keep the peace. In this case, though, things had come to a head and the extra hours I was working and the stress that I was under was causing me to not perform well on the tasks that are part of my job description.

Today I'm choosing to say NO to showing up at the first part of our employee appreciation event where they want you to mingle with the board of trustees. I know exactly one person on the board and would be unable to pick any of the other members out of a lineup. Small talk with strangers is torture for me. Instead, I will get some errands taken care of and come for the second part of the event where we will honor our colleagues who have been promoted, years of service awards, and the raffle! The raffle last year was really good and about 50% of the people in attendance won something! I got dinner for two at one of those Brazilian steak places.

88olds

I’m less inclined to feel obliged to explain my actions to others. (Actually I discovered this a few years ago. “Less inclined” read, I don’t bother anymore.)

It’s been particularly helpful in weight loss. I’ve had the “too skinny” talks. Folks 300 lbs telling me “old fashioned diet and exercise” wouldn’t work. My coworkers busting my chops because I was too particular ordering lunch. Water off a duck. It’s all water off a duck.

Great topic btw.

steve0mania

I think as I've aged I've become more accepting of others' points-of-view, even when I don't agree with them. I hate to admit it, but I used to equate my disagreeing with someone's point of view as my viewing them as less of a person (less smart, less thoughtful, less motivated, or whatever). This used to come out a lot on the old WW GOAD board as looking for opportunities to argue with folks and then never getting over the argument.

These days, I try to look for the inherent value of every person, even if I don't agree with them.