Ever feel you are too old to start living?

lukewind

One of the worst things about living with a severe weight problem is that It can stall any life that you wanted to have and by the time you get around to doing something about it you may feel that by the time you get healthy your life is too far over to start over. I am 36 years old and its something I think about everyday. I have no kids, no girlfriend, and starting all that at 36 years old feels like a huge mountain to climb. I take comfort in knowing people older then me have done it, but it still cannot stop the feelings like time is not on my side. I know 36 isn't old but if feels that way sometimes.

Does anyone else who let their obesity get the best of them for so many years ever feel that way?

CynthiaT60

36 isn't too old, as everyone will say. :bigsmile:
So who's the cute kid on your profile?

meshashesha2012

nope not me..

my great grand dad died when he was over 100 a few years ago and he FINALLY decided to learn how to read when he was 95.

you're only too old to do stuff if that's your belief, but personally i hink that as long as you are alive then it's never too late. sure you might have to make some adjustments for age but that shouldn't be a deterrent.

we should always be works in progress.

shrinkingmichelle

No. My teenagers will say that I have one foot on a banana peel and the other on a patch of ice on the way OVER THE HILL. But I assure you 46 is not OLD for me and it's not too late to get healthy! I do think that since I am 321 lbs. that it will take at least 2 years to get to a really healthy weight.

Michelle in Ohio

knra_grl

Live for TODAY not what tomorrow may bring. You are still young and have time to experience all the things you want. :flowerforyou:

lewoldt

I'm 43 and have battled with my weight and depression my whole life. Both causing the other to get worse.
I've been jealous of thinner younger people and felt like a dog chained to the porch as life went by.
Finally at 43 I'm ready to break the chains and make people jealous of me for a change.
So at 36 you have PLENTY of time to change your life around and start living the life you dream of

lukewind

That is my niece Ella, she is a quite a handful.

pkw58

No, I don't - at age 55 - but at age 35 I decided since I was single, the only way I was going to have kids was if I married someone with kids or adopted older kiddos. However - it was more related to finding the right person to share my life with than my age.

It's ok to have days and times when you evaluate where you are in life and where you want to be.

broox80

Yep!!! Years 18-34 for me. I have always had an enjoyable life but damn.......Wish I knew then what I know now!!!

Becky60s

I struggle with that occasionally, but I'm almost 60, and working hard to overcome that attitude. How I'd love to have as much life ahead of me as you do! I live alone, too, and I know it's a challenge, but for right now it gives you the freedom to focus on YOU-- eat what and when you want, exercise at midnight if you want-- and be ready when that special lady crosses your path next week or next year or whenever. Trust me, if I've learned anything at my age, it's that life can totally change in the blink of an eye, and when you least expect it.

lukewind

I'm 43 and have battled with my weight and depression my whole life. Both causing the other to get worse.
I've been jealous of thinner younger people and felt like a dog chained to the porch as life went by.
Finally at 43 I'm ready to break the chains and make people jealous of me for a change.
So at 36 you have PLENTY of time to change your life around and start living the life you dream of

Thanks, I hope that you are successful in your goals.

sweetcurlz67

I was 45 when it finally 'clicked' for me and I started losing weight. You're NOT old...

feel free to read my excuses story I posted the other day...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1305329-excuses-excuses

RodaRose

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephenie-zamora/three-basic-steps-to-chan_b_5291901.html

Start by making easy changes.

Madame_Goldbricker

Nope! I believe in the saying "life is for the living. Because you're a long time dead"

You've got to do it for you though. Although of course family/friends can be a great motivation. But the only person who can really change us is ourselves.

PinkyFett

I am 27 and feel that way often. It's sad.

hearthwood

36 years young is the time of life when you get your stride in life. IOW you're young and still have a metabolism that will burn calories and fat if you work it.

You never look back, look forward to the rest of your life. Keep going. You know people who work out 3 to 4 times a week take off 10 to 15 years off of their age. That is a fact.

People who are in their 50's and 60's can be in much better shape than many that are in their 30's. So work for the rest of your life to be like these very healthy and active 60 years young plus people.

FeedTheWolf

One of the worst things about living with a severe weight problem is that It can stall any life that you wanted to have and by the time you get around to doing something about it you may feel that by the time you get healthy your life is too far over to start over. I am 36 years old and its something I think about everyday. I have no kids, no girlfriend, and starting all that at 36 years old feels like a huge mountain to climb. I take comfort in knowing people older then me have done it, but it still cannot stop the feelings like time is not on my side. I know 36 isn't old but if feels that way sometimes.

Does anyone else who let their obesity get the best of them for so many years ever feel that way?

I know how you feel. I feel that way nearly everyday. However, this:

my great grand dad died when he was over 100 a few years ago and he FINALLY decided to learn how to read when he was 95.

Is pretty inspiring, I must say!

Pamelicious1988

Lukewind, you have achieved great success in your weight loss—over 100 pounds! Start by feeling proud of that, every single day. Get outside your own head. Give yourself a hug. Smile. Then start dreaming. You are a YOUNG man. Don't envy other people's lives. Not everyone who has a significant other or kids is happy, and if you want a girlfriend, a good one won't find that negative attitude attractive. Design your own life, dream big, and get busy making it happen. Do something you've always wanted to do. Try something new. Jump out of your comfort zone. Life is short, my friend, so live it up. What I wouldn't give to be 36 again.

CoffeeNBooze

That is my niece Ella, she is a quite a handful.

oh my gosh she is adorable!!! and I love her name

RUNNING_AMOK_1958

I was fat most of my life. I worked very hard to become fit and healthy. I started running at age 53, two years ago. Today I ran my first half marathon distance. Do I wish I would have started sooner? Of course. Now I wouldn't trade my new fit body for anything. What are you going to tell yourself when you're my age? Gee I wish I hadn't quit after losing 108 pounds when I was in my thirties?

It just emotion talking. Don't listen to it. There is a constant battle between emotion and logic raging in most of us. Let logic win.

Quit wearing your wishbone where your backbone should be.

AglaeaC

I'm 35, divorced, single. Guess I'm doomed... Seriously?! Open your eyes and enjoy anything that happens around you. You might die when you're 100 or you might die tomorrow. Live like each day is your last. Make a bucket/life list that reflects your dreams and goals, then start living. Today is as good a day as any to feel alive. Strike a conversation with a stranger because you know you'll never meet them again, go skinny dipping in the night, eat ice cream in the sunshine, stick your toes in the sand or walk on the grass, call a friend, volunteer, walk your dog if you have one, participate in something.

lemurcat12

Does anyone else who let their obesity get the best of them for so many years ever feel that way?

It wasn't related to obesity, but I came to the realization that I had to and eventually quit drinking in my mid to late 30s and had a number of extremely regret-filled "if only" meltdowns and a strong desire to relive parts of my life. It basically went away after a little time passed and (I think) I came to terms with turning 40 and now (even with the weight, which I'm really motivated to get off and keep off this time) I'm probably as happy as I've been.

My sister is 38 now, and she's neither overweight nor dealing with the alcohol-related issues I was, and yet for the last year she's been going through something very similar, and I know some of my friends did too, male as well as female, whether or not they had children. I guess my message here is that it seems like it's something that's not that uncommon for people around your age, and that it does get better.

Plus, a 36-year old man really does have all options before him. I know many men who married and had their first children older than you. The thing about getting older is you look back on how old you felt at younger ages and wonder why you didn't appreciate how young you were. I felt that at 35 about my 30 year old self and at 40 about 35 and so on. At a certain point you just have to live in the moment, although I remember how difficult that was when I was going through my period of regrets.

CoffeeNBooze

I am 27 and feel that way often. It's sad.

I'm 28 and I feel that way at times. It's ridiculous! We are not too old. And you are only as old as you feel. Do what you want to do, not because society or anyone else says you can't. It's your life, live it for you.

wjeter0711

I know what you mean. I'm 32, obese, female, no kids. If I ever want to have children I need to get crackin' before it's too late. Of course, I want to have healthy babies and a healthy pregnancy so that means I need to take control of things now. I feel like my obesity has held me back from reaching my full potential in life. It makes me cry sometimes to think about. But then I also have this overpowering hope within me that my best is yet to come. Look at how far you've come, 108 pounds! You're amazing!

simplydelish2

You are never too old for anything! Especially at 36!

No girlfriend - ask someone you like out! It can even be a "just friends" thing. Get in the practice of getting dressed up and going out. If you enjoy her company - ask again, if not - ask someone else out. Besides being single and unattached has its perks!

No kids - you have plenty of time.

Want something more out of life - go for it! So what if it doesn't turn out as planned - adjust and move forward.

I was 36 when I took my first trip to Europe. I was 45 when I started riding ATV's. I was 55 when I started writing my first book.

You can live the life of your dreams...starting NOW! Just go for it...it will get easier!

Brandon74

Yes, I understand how you feel. I turn 40 in October and am in the same position.

sahi2lynn

I was 45 when it finally 'clicked' for me and I started losing weight. You're NOT old...

feel free to read my excuses story I posted the other day...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1305329-excuses-excuses

Great post Bethany0405! Very encouraging. I am still casting about for an inner directed reason to do the right thing. I have put goals in my profile and yet I still 'fall off the wagon.' Argh!

manderson27

I do feel like that sometimes. But then I am 57 it would be easy to just let myself go and not bother but if you do that you will defininitely miss out on the rest of your life.

I didn't have my first child until I was 37 so plenty of time for you to get fit, find a partner, have a kid or two or do whatever you want. It is the mind set that is restricting you. Lose that along with the weight and you will a wonderful fulfilling life ahead of you

FeedTheWolf

I hate that you all are going through or went through what I go through, but I have to admit this thread actually makes me feel a lot better about myself. Things tend to seem a lot worse when you think you're the only one going through it. So thank you guys for sharing.

krazyforyou

Sometimes when we dont have someone to take the journey with us we feel like life has left us out of the loop and we are watching from the sidelines. But it only takes a hard look to the inside of us to know that only I csn make the decision. once you have made the decision let nothing stand in your way. Happiness is measured by small steps forward. Its never too late, never.

RunnerStephe

36 is not old. Life begins in your 40's.