60+ Have you changed your lifestyle?

nortx

I am 62 years old. Because I stopped listening to my GI about food, I am better off today than I was a year ago! Because of several digestive issues, my doctor told me to stay away from fruit and vegetables, told me that gluten laden foods had NO effect unless the diagnosis was Celiac disease. WRONG!! About 2 years ago I went gluten free with weekly bumps. The strange thing was, I noticed no change in how awful I felt. Then one day something just clicked. Went 100% gluten free, started counting calories, realized that my 8 - 12 tylenol a day weren't really helping, felt depressed, fat, stiff from arthritis, cranky and sorry for myself.

When I made the decision to change my lifestyle (not diet), things started changing. Eating fruit and vegetables did not cause the buildings to come tumbling down... they made me feel better. Going 100% gluten and dairy free did not cause the world to end... my fog lifted, my belly started to go down and it made me feel better. I was able to completely stop taking Tylenol. I joined a salt water aerobic class 3 times a week... my joints started to feel better. I started singing in the car while I was driving... ok maybe that did cause some weird glances. I started smiling at people in lines, at the doctor's office... they smiled back. Hopefully they don't think I'm some menace. I got dressed everyday... that was a change. I still love to put on a nightgown at the end of the day, but I refuse to sit in it all day. I turn off the TV once my DH leaves for work... oh yes... did I mention I retired? Yes... I didn't want to be the cranky teacher in school.

I have lost 16 pounds in the last 12 weeks. Seem to have stalled a bit in the last two weeks, but that will change because I believe in myself. I have a little song that I sing to myself which I will share with you. It is to the tune of "You've got a friend". It goes like this; "I've got a goal, I've got a goal. And I carry it with me, wherever I go. I've got a goal, I've got a goal". Simple but after chanting it thousands of times, I think I am believing it.

So, the title of this post is; 60+ Have you changed your lifestyle? I am so interested in how you changed it, what keeps the motivation going, how you get past a lifetime of bad habits, foods you grew up with, foods that whisper comfort in your ear. Let's motivate each other.

I believe that once you hit the big 6-0 your body changes and you change. What used to me so important to me, no longer holds any fascination. I crave a peaceful, chaos-free life. Now I'm in it for me. I used to hold back so much of what I believed and felt, now I express myself.

This healthy lifestyle is a daily challenge for me. I log every morsel that I eat. I used to think if I didn't write it down, then I didn't have to count it. I make the foods I love and need now. Every pound lost is a victory. Afterall it took me a long time to put on every pound and my body doesn't want to give it up so easily.

Good luck to all the 60+ lifestyle changers. Let's keep track of each other.

:flowerforyou:

Pollywog39

Oh my gosh, I LOVE LOVE your post!

I'm not 60 yet, but am creeping ever closer.......and although my story varies from yours, I, TOO decided to make positive changes - not only in my eating habits and exercise, but in my general outlook on life.

Singing in the car? A regular habit!
Smiling at strangers? Do it all the time - sometimes, I even TALK to them!
No more chaos? Well, that happened mostly when I got rid of the excess baggage (called a husband who made my life miserable and cared more about booze & drugs than he did about ANYTHING else!)

Life is good.

I am heading towards retirement SOON, and that challenge is scary (but good.) I need to semi-retire, and I have that little sweet job just waiting for me.............

Take care, and keep the HAPPY THOUGHTS coming!

nortx

Pollywog39, thanks for the kinds words. It's so comforting knowing that there is another person going through this total life change. Sorry about your marriage. Been there, done that... That's why I moved to Texas. I met a man who thought I was the most important thing in his life. He thinks I'm perfect the way I am.. but admits that the "new me" is even better.

Keep kind thoughts in your chaos-free life!

:flowerforyou:

Pollywog39

Oh, Nora, I am so happy you found someone who cherishes you! I've been single a while, and really enjoy this life..........no strings, very few "have to's"...................life is very good!

Enjoy!

reneecgc

I am not 60 either but I love your post. It show it is never too late to change your life. I just wish it
didn't take me so long. 45 and I am not dieting I made the change to healthy eating.

nortx

Uggghhhh... At the same weight for a while. I know that sooner or later, the scale will drop, but a body this old gets cranky when I'm not seeing results. I have read all the posts and articles about starvation mode, but I'm trying to up the calories from 1200 to 1300. I go swimming and water aerobics three times a week. I wish I could blame the penicillin I'm taking for an ear infection, but I guess that is a lame excuse.

It is hot here in north Texas.. maybe this afternoon I will sit outside and sweat some of this weight off. I'm willing to settle for the loss of water weight right now. Since June 5th, I am down 14 pounds... so I guess bottom line is, that is not too bad.

There is so much activity in the stores with kids going back to school in 2 weeks... Last week I was at Kohl's with a friend and she was looking for something new to wear for the first day back. I kept picking out things for me, before I remembered I'm retired - no first day back for me! Yeah!

Have any retirees found that they sometimes forget their are retired?