I made a joke the other day, “Getting a wild hair after 40 sure doesn’t mean the same thing as it used to!” It was funny because it is true. Among the list of things that we (or at least I) always thought fell in the “It won’t ever happen to me,” category is the random, dark, wiry hair that pops up in an awkward location. Other things that, as a woman over 40 (and possibly similar issues affect you guys out there, but I’m not sure if you are as traumatized by them as most women I know), that seems to plague us is back fat…. Really??? How exactly did that get there? I go to the gym almost every day, I eat good, clean, whole food. When exactly did I grow extra boobs on the back of me? Totally unfair!
I won’t complain too much about the magic belly bulge that appears after eating any type of wheat product. In my profession, I know that can be an after-effect of gluten, but seriously… I go from looking lean in the morning, to some days, looking like I’m soon to deliver a bread baby. Come on! I have more than once perused the liposuction clinics in Dallas after a bad week of pants that don’t button. Now, I don’t think I’d ever resort to that, since I am dedicated to living a life that is focused on fitness, I keep holding out hope that I can beat the belly fat genes that I have been dubiously blessed with, but sometimes I think if there was a home lipo-kit, I may watch the wrong infomercial on the wrong day and get literally sucked in (or sucked out as the case may be).
Now, I’ll admit, I occasionally now drive with my turn signal on for a few miles without knowing it. I knew it was something that happens to most everyone as they get older. I’ve more than once been known to walk into a room and have absolutely no idea why I am in there. But hormones… I tell you… again, never thought it would happen to me. PMS has started to stand for Packing My Shotgun, when before it maybe meant having a day or so of feeling emotional, I can’t even imagine what it will be like when I hit the peri-menopause and menopause stage of life. So many women I know who are over the age of 40, find that weight management has become a whole new ballgame. They workout, they try to eat well, but yet the scale barely moves.
My advice to them, my sister middle-aged goddesses is to first of all, know you are not alone. Really, it happens to the best of us, so don’t give up. Keep your focus on the process and keep training, do your cardio. Ask yourself if you are really giving it your best effort. Eat clean, almost all the time. It’s OK to have a treat day, but when you are trying to lose weight, you really need to keep an eye on your food. I know it’s not fair, but it’s a reality that we all have to deal with. We need less food the older we get and the negative effects of processed and fatty foods is amplified once we get past a certain age. If, after taking a realistic inventory about what you are and aren’t doing, you may want to consider visiting your medical professional to have your hormones checked to make sure everything is in at the level it needs to be. Again, I’m here for you if I can help in anyway. Hopefully you catch me on a day where my pants are fitting and my tweezers are resting peacefully in the bathroom. I feel far more inspirational on those days.
Liz Jones is the Wellness Coordinator for the City of Mesquite and a wellness professional in Rockwall, Mesquite, Wylie and surrounding areas. She is a writer, certified yoga instructor, personal trainer and wellness coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management, with a graduate certificate in Ethics and Leadership. Her undergraduate studies included communication, business, writing, art, fitness, and dance. Liz Jones can be reached at: [email protected].