My Fellow Seasoned Citizens, Can We Talk?

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There’s something wonderful about getting older . . . about making the transition from middle aged to “seasoned citizen.” (I mean, let’s face it: The alternative isn’t ideal, is it?) Older people have the wisdom of age and experience (yes, I do! 😉) and should be living life to the fullest (yes, I am! 😊). Most every senior we meet tells us they had lots of plans for their senior years, but none planned on being overweight or obese. Here are some of the things we hear from them all the time:

✅ My weight has forced me to give up many of the activities I used to enjoy. I used to especially love gardening, but it’s hard for me to do that now.

✅ Given my weight-related feet issues, I don’t play tennis anymore.

✅ I don’t golf anymore; too much walking, and all my former golf partners walk the course.

✅ I want to be able to take long walks at the beach; we purchased a condo at the beach just so we could do that, and I haven’t been able to take advantage of it.

✅ I don’t see friends as often as I would like; I hate the way I look and don’t feel like socializing as much as I used to.

✅ I hate shopping. All the clothes in my size make me look even older than I am.

✅ I always thought I would travel at this time of my life, but don’t. It’s a chore.

✅ I can’t spend as much quality time with my grandchildren. I can watch them play and read books to them, but I can’t take them to the beach or run after them at the park.

✅ I wanted to be able to take all my children and grandchildren on a vacation for my 50th wedding anniversary but hate the way I look and feel.

If you’re an overweight or obese seasoned citizen, do you feel that your quality of life affects the lives of those around you? . . . your spouse, your children, and grandchildren?

Do you worry that they worry about you?

If you are a seasoned citizen who is overweight or obese, please don’t throw your hands up and say, “What’s the use?” It’s never too late to lose weight and to give yourself the best quality years of living ahead.

As an older person, you have a lifetime of accomplishments on which to look back and feel pride. If you’re overweight or obese, make losing weight one of them.

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Excessive fat, highly toxic and inflammatory, takes a special toll on seniors:

✅ Obese seniors are 50% more likely to have a fall, and 40% of those are more likely to suffer long-term injury as a result.

✅ Obese seniors are more likely to struggle with isolation and depression, and for those between the ages of 60 and 74 who are obese, the risk of depression is quadrupled.

✅ Obese seniors run the risk of serious health issues, as well, higher risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, loss of memory and an even higher risk of developing dementia in later years.

⭐

If you look down and can’t see your feet . . . what are you weighting for? 

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Recommended reading: Lifestyle Changes Can Add Healthy Years Even Late in Life, by Dr. Stephen Schimpff