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50 and Fat—or 50 and Fit? (Weighing in on Mid-Life)


I have food issues.

I turn 50 in less than a month.  On March 26th I’ll have arrived at a pivotal middle-aged birthday,  and I’ll still be fighting fat, still fighting food.

In fact, I’ve fought with food for my entire life.

I love to eat more than I enjoy reading or writing or making art.  And that’s saying a lot, since I’m pretty crazy about each of these pursuits.  But I’m even crazier about cake—white cake with white, butter cream icing.  I’m also a big fan of shortbread and French bread with lots and lots of butter—cheese, as well, gouda or extra sharp cheddar.

Sometimes I feel like I am all mouth.  That I am all devour.  That I am all consume.

I come by this issue honestly, however.  My mother has issues with eating, as well—though hers have more to do with not eating.  In fact, I never remember my mother not being on a diet.  Her conversation has almost always been about what she can’t eat, what she won’t eat, what foods are unhealthy, what foods will make you fat.

And, sadly, fat is what I’ve become.  My partner Sara says I’m not.  And it’s true that I am not as fat as I was three months ago, but it’s obvious, as well, that I am still significantly over-weight—that I have a long way to go before I become anything approaching normal.

Yes, I know “normal” isn’t easy to define.  I know using that word poses a semantic problem, not to mention a problem in terms of tonnage.  But by “normal” I really mean my ideal weight—which, in fact, has “evolved” over the years, as what was once “ideal” gets further and further out of reach.  105 ain’t what it used to be.

I haven’t weighed myself in ages, so I’m not certain where I stand today.  I gauge weight now mostly by my clothes, as our scales are broken, and I haven’t replaced them.  I don’t want to begin obsessing over numbers again.  I want to take a less strident approach to weight loss.

In fact, I’ve been dieting and exercising religiously for three months now.  And though my goal was to have lost lots of weight by my 50th birthday, I know now (as that day is less than a month away), that I’m not going to achieve it.

I’d say it’s fairly official now—that I will still be fat when I turn 50.  I won’t look the way I want to look—the way I thought I needed to look to be able to take turning 50 in stride.

50 and fit and 50 and fat are drastically different.

Which will you be? 

(How do you manage your weight?)

79 thoughts on “50 and Fat—or 50 and Fit? (Weighing in on Mid-Life)”

  1. Use words that give you the best chance to grow. Fat and fit are labels that lock you in to a quality. In reality, these qualities operate on a continuum. Every time you exercise or push away from that second helping you are moving toward the fitter side of the continuum. Rather than use words that cast you on one side or the other, use words that emphasize effort, striving, celebrating successes in ourselves and each other. In my opinion, the effort is what makes a life interesting, just as dramatic tension in a story is what keeps you turning the page.

    Jerry

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    • Absolutely. I love the notion of effort creating the dramatic tention that keeps the pages turning. And I know these labels are only that– “labels.” And I am indeed, fit, probably. I have been a workout person for decades and had only lapsed for a few months. And most folks who look at me this morning would not think I was “fat.” Maybe my next post needs to be about “fat” as feeling–as I feel “fat”–or what in my head I call “fat”–probably a mislabel for “inadequate” or something like that.

      Thanks for this comment, Jerry. This gets me thinking–gets my pages turning!

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  2. Kathy, if you’re eating a healthy diet and exercising religiously, then you’re doing great. There are plenty of non-overweight people who do neither of those things, and they are a lot less healthy than you. Keep up the hard work and the results will come. Happy almost-birthday!

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    • Thank you, Heather. As I said to Jerry, I am fit. Most folks would not look at me and think “fat.” I think I’m writing about a feeling–the feeling I call “fat”–which is not really a feeling at all. Probably, I feel frustrated and inadequate and mislabel that as “fat.” Don’t know if that makes sense.

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  4. Kathy, you are so courageous. You are one of the most courageous bloggers I read. You “bare” your soul. I so admire you. You shall be 50 and fat with ideas, creativity, sharing. You shall be 50 and lean with raw sentences, lean with honoring your heart’s desire. I think a lot about our desire to consume. To feed ourselves. What in our human psyche sometimes needs more, more, more? I long for “enough”. And, right now, your words and sharing and precious blog are enough, every pound of it.

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    • Oh, Kathy, I love you for this comment. I don’t know why I feel so hungry–why I feel “all mouth.” And I don’t even know how much of it has to do with food. I simply feel this ravenous thing in me–the need to devour. I guess I just need to honor that. Thanks so much for your dear words, my friend! Hugs————

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  5. You are doing great!!! You are making the effort and that is what counts!! I was always skinny, skinny, skinny. Up until about 45—then I stopped really being as active as I had been and the eating whatever I wanted caught up with me. I took about 15 pounds off early last year and unfortunately due to a stressful second half of the year and bad eating and no exercise and lots of stress I put some of it back on. Time to get back on the wagon and be intentional. Even losing 10 or 15 pounds makes a difference and that is my goal to not obsess about the numbers–like you–but to be healthier. Sounds like a good goal, right? You are doing great! I’ve got a couple years on you but I can totally identify!

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    • Yes, the weight hit me at about the same age—though for me around 40 I needed to fight harder to keep it off. But in the last year, I’ve been lax. I workout hard 6 days a week. I’ve eliminated most sugar and lots of the bread I love so much. There really isn’t anything else I can do. It’s coming off–but slowly–certainly more slowly than I would like. Thanks for this comment, Beth Ann. Thank God I’m not the only one!

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  6. Your wonderful words went well beyond cutting edge. I’d say they are bleeding edge — raw to the bone; authentic. I appreciate what you’ve bared/shared here.

    As a Holistic Health Practitioner, I eat nutritionally balanced meals (although I do dip my toe in the pool of BBQ chips, red licorice, and Moose Tracks ice cream on special occasions). For the most part, I eat for my blood type (A+). You can read all about it in Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo’s book: “Eat Right 4 Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer & Achieving Your Ideal Weight.”

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    • Yes, Laurie, I have heard of that book. I’m so pleased this post spoke to you. Sometimes it’s easier to just be really honest–so glad you recognize that authenticity. Thank you, my friend. I’ve eaten well for the past 3 months, but still the weight is coming off more slowly than I would like. I’ll keep you all posted regarding my progress.

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  7. Your mother’s obsession with staying thin is probably more damaging than being a little overweight. I have to say that I thought Jerry’s comment were gobbledgook. Why do we have to intellectualize this???? I am a bit chubby and I would prefer to be thinner, but I eat mostly healthy food (except for the apple sfoglia that I eat in the morning at the bar across the bridge when I am in Italy) and I walk a lot. That will have to do.

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    • God, yes, the obsessing over food and weight my mom did was not healthy–at all! Sometimes I think I so don’t want to be like her in that regard that I have overcorrected in the direction of being to lax. At any rate, chubby never hurt anyone. It’s obvious you get lots of exercise. That’s obvious from your blog. And hooray that you indulge in the apple sfoglia. It’s good to be happy, Deb! I love that about you!

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  8. Debra, I think you and I would be friends. I was always slim, the “hot mom” who was three sizes smaller than her friends. UNTIL I actually left my abusive marriage, found a wonderful man, and stopped stressing daily. Then, I added 30 pounds (20 needed, 10 just for show). Now I’m hitting 47 and think, hey, I do kungfu three times a week, eat very nutritiously and not to excess, have treats now and again, and so what if I don’t look like Jillian Michaels? Although those little bra bulges gotta go… 🙂 Be yourself, be well, and be happy. We all think you are great!

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    • Hooray for you, Celeste! I agree. Sometimes I think the happiness I’ve found in my partner Sara has caused me to gain weight. I’m so happy I eat. She eats. We eat. Plus, Sara is SUCH AN AMAZING COOK! That’s the other part of this equation I have not addresssed. Amen–no need to look like Jilian Michaels! Thanks for reading!

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  10. I forgot to tell you. My daughter sent me a link to an article: Fasting can help protect against brain diseases, scientists say —http://ow.ly/9o33x

    I once read that a movie star used fasting once a week to control her weight.

    I’m fasting today and feeling a bit nauseated if truth be known. But I know it will make me feel GREAT tomorrow. I’ve done it two other days so far. (Not consequetively-that means in-a-row. Can’t spell.)

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  11. I’m lucky since I don’t have a sweet tooth and the year I turned 50, I was diagnosed with so many severe gastrointestinal issues, I was ordered to stop eating almost every food I enjoy or stay on the course I was on and prepare to buy my rainbow. I have never been fat, but I used to always be fit and that’s where I’ve gone downhill when I reached that dreaded milestone. I’d rather lie in bed like a snoring slug than kill myself to stay gazelle lean on an exercise machine. Yet, what disturbed me most the year I turned 50 was exiting the coveted 18-49 age demographic. Psychologically, that was rough, but now I focus all my aging-anger issues on AARP and their bottomless pit of junk mail that I began receiving at 49 and eleven months — your age now. You’re clever and creative so maybe you’ll take yours and build some sort of monument to middle age that will blow us all away.

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    • You are fortunate in that regard, V. I have a crazy sweet tooth. Sorry to hear you have such gastrointestinal issues. That sucks. I think I naturally preper to lounge in bed, as well. For me, however, I have to manage bipolar disorder–and exercise helps that like nothing else. Alas. Aging is a bitch, isn’t it?

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  14. Knowing me, I’ll probably be in the same boat as you Kathy, ‘feeling’ fat, yet struggling to keep my head above water where fitness is concerned 😐
    I love to eat too, love good food and I have a weakness for any kind of dessert….and then I blame my genes for fat thighs!
    Thank God I have the ability to chew slowly…that helps my brain register when I’m full so I stop eating before I stuff myself, haha.
    Best way to stay thin? Avoid cooking good food.

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  15. I like your idea of fat as a feeling, Kathy. There are people who would be dubbed “skinny” by society at large and who still complain about being fat. Then there are people whose BMI or weight or measurements would classify them as “overweight” and who feel everything but. What matters is finding YOUR OWN “healthy” and striving to feel comfortable in your own skin. There’s a lot to be said for loving yourself just as you are. 🙂

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    • Yes, yes–a whole lot to be said for loving ourselves as we are. I seriously think I will do a post on the whole “fat as feeling” thing, as I suspect it’s a fairly common experience–though I don’t really read anyone writing about it. I will have to do a search.

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  16. Kathy: I laughed at the start of your post by the words “I have food issues!”. Don’t we all?!!!!! Food is so delicious and like you I have a sweet tooth and adore cheese. I also love my wine too. I seriously think that metabolism significantly slows down as we age. In fact, there is probably proof of that. If you are exercising and trying to eat healthy for the most part, yet still enjoying the foods you love in moderation, then you are ahead of the game. I think you are being too hard on yourself and you remind me of myself as I am always hyper about my figure even though I am thin. I think it is hard in this country as foods have become more processed, we walk less and don’t have the lifestyles like other places around the world where you eat less processed foods, walk everywhere and sit down and actually enjoy your meal! I always feel healthier when I travel. Also, about your birthday it sounds like you are facing a similar crisis as I did at hitting 40. It is hard but after a few weeks you’ll be past it and on to brighter days! Great post as always!

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    • Oh, thanks for reading, Nicole. Things really do seem to change around 40. I remember being younger and thinking that was crazy–never believing it would happen. Ha!

      Also, glad you laughed at the opening sentence. I hoped people would. Most folks, if they are honest, do have some kind of issue with food, I suspect–especially women.

      For me, what happened was–I became sedentary when we got home from Haiti. Stopped working out. Ate badly. And I have been a workout freak for years. I don’t know why I thought I could get away with that all of a sudden. Silly me.

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  17. It’s a process, my darling. Don’t worry about the deadline, in fact, don’t worry. Just keep at it, one day or one snack at a time. I told my TOPS group today that we always have the option to *start again*. Every time I binge or make less-than-helpful food choices, I can recommit to doing better—choosing fruit instead of cake, taking a walk when I’d rather veg in front of the TV. We get to our goals one choice at a time.

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    • Oh, thanks, sweetie. You are dear–and absolutely right–one choice at a time. Eventually those choices for health beging to add up. Sometimes maybe it’s even a matter of making better choices–not being totally perfect.

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  18. Maybe it`s just the proximity of your birthday … 50, no more no less. And it sounds like a big number, doesn`t it? I`m turning 50 in september and I tell my younger friends who are 49 that I cannot believe that I`ve lived 50 years on this earth because I feel as if I were 15, with hope, projects, a future … and a bigger stomach. I`d worry if that meant not being healthy. And you are doing ok. Cheer up!

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    • Thanks so much for this comment, Ellen. I know what you mean. Isn’t it crazy to think about having lived for 50 year? Gosh–kind of blows me away–as I, too, feel really young. You’re lucky to feel 15. Sometimes I feel like 12! LOL And how funny to think of my stomoach getting bigger. That’s a hoot. Love that explanation!

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  19. Thank you for this post.

    For me, lately, I’ve been beating myself up for not being the trim in shape, kale and salmon eating model of health I once was…. I’ve realized that “health and fitness” practices sort of ebb and flow over time… and right now I am learning the lesson of acceptance… In fact, just last night, I said to a friend, “For whatever reason, all I want to eat is lomein… if I eat a truly conscious diet, I feel sick and exposed.” This statement was followed by a HUGE awareness for me. Since sleeping in my car, I’ve noticed I’ve closed off a lot of my chakras and right before and during that time, a lot of past traumas revealed themselves…. which I believe left me wanting to protect my most inner, precious self. So, though I know my incredibly healthy ways are still alive, for right now I’ve realized that maybe my eating habits and inability to work out like I used to are serving a deeper and more subconscious emotional function right now…. And starting this morning, in a yoga class, I decided that step one of getting through this is to just accept where I am and trust that I will get to where I prefer to be, as I take the small steps back to what I consider optimum health. For right now, if that means yoga and lomein… okay, then.

    I mean, sometimes when I consult my inner wisdom, I relate to it like it is a good friend of mine and I trust that aspect of myself to give me feedback like I would to anyone outside of me… and what I would tell anyone would be, “You are so awesome and beautiful and acceptable and perfect just the way you are… Just accept yourself and where you are at, because it’s all perfect. So, I am working to accept my own kind words… and I hope you see how incredibly perfect you are in this very moment.
    Happy Early Birthday!

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    • Thanks so much for this comment, my friend. I can totally imagine that sleeping in your car would cause you to shut down–an effort to protect yourself. Makes total sense. I know a similar thing happened to me during the years when I was sickest with bipolar disorder and in and out of hospitals so often. That kind of intense vulnerability impacts people in a big way.

      And you are so right–that we need to love ourselves exactly where we are, exactly how we are. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that reminder. You are dear! Thanks for the birthday wishes, as well. Hugs to you————

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  20. A little over four years ago I went through some personal problems that resulted in a lot of sleepless nights and a complete lack of appetite. Losing ten pounds in just a few weeks was just the encouragement I needed to start eating healthier and exercise regularly. Over the course of eight months or so, I lost thirty pounds and was exercising every day. I had never felt better! In fact, that was right around when I turned thirty and my friends joked that I was going through my mid-life crisis. I cut off all my hair, got my nose pierced, and had a new sense of empowermennt.

    Unfortunately, I’ve fallen way off that wagon, gained about half the weight back and can’t remember the last time I got in a good workout. The weight doesn’t bother me so much because I’ll never be skinny and I know Mark loves me no matter what my size is, but I always feel like crap. No energy, lots of aches and pains, and mostly crappy moods.

    Diets are just quick fixes. Its about good habits and lifestyle changes. Do what’ll make you healthy and happy!

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    • Yes, it makes a big difference to be loved just the way we are. Sara is like Mark in that regard. The difference for me now, is that I feel so much better when I work out. When I don’t, I struggle with lethargy.

      I think it’s great that you have only gained half of your weight back. That’s pretty damn cool when you think about it.

      Thanks for the comment, Tara. Great to hear from you.

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  21. Kathy, how I feel for you, Sista. Your mother’s obsession with food and her weight has definitely colored you as much as my own mother’s obsession with constantly reminding me about how fat I was (even when I was very, very thin) colored me.

    I have a friend who is closer to 60 than 50, who worked very physical jobs her entire life, and never weighed one ounce more than she was supposed to. She is the thinnest, most unhealthy person I know. Everything about her health is falling apart. Sometimes the wrapper is no indication of the wonderfulness of the gift, my dear.

    Cling to the one simple thing that you have in spades: You are loved for the person you are right this very minute. That you lived a life thin will not be remembered as much as that you lived a life filled with love. 50, 60 or 100, that is all that matters.

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    • I love you for this commment, Sista! You are dear–and you are RIGHT! My mother’s obsession messed me up–big time. In fact, it affected all of my sisters–maybe even my brother. The other thing I haven’t mentioned is that I have another sister–one I haven’t really written about–who had/has horrible anorexia. At one point 10 years or so ago, she was 5.8 and 75 pounds. She nearly died. But then that’s another story altogether.

      Thanks for the comment, dear heart–big hugs to you!

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  22. Even if a person isn’t overweight, they may not necessarily be fit. I’ve been blessed with good genetics. My entire family is tall and lean. I try to exercise – and for me that mostly involves a lot of walking/power walking and attempts at running. But when I did a step aerobics class last weekend, I soon found out how UNfit I really am. My calf muscles ached for three days afterwards.

    I’d like to be fit at 50. I’ve got a few years to work on it.

    As for you, my friend … no matter what your physical appearance (which is beautiful, by the way,) you are loved for the person you are inside (which is also beautiful, by the way.)

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    • You’re a sweetie, Terri. I remember you writing about that step class. I don’t know how I would handle that kind of workout. I might drop dead!

      However, it’s true that the inside is what matters. I’m getting back in shape in a significant way, so hopefully I’m on the right track. Hope you are FIT AT 50, my friend!

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  23. I agree with territerri. When people look at you and read your posts, they aren’t noticing your weight. They are seeing the beauty in you, your unselfish works, and your writings.
    Aside from that, I know how it is to want to be comfortable in your body. I’m lucky enough to have been able to maintain a healthy weight after losing 60 pounds 13 years ago. I am now 42 and still love to run and do toning exercises, which allows me to indulge in the foods that I love. ICE CREAM is at the top of my list! I have it every evening, and I savor every single bite!

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    • I think it’s cool that exercise allows you to indulge in something you really love. My thing is cake. The fact of the matter is–when I have my weight in hand, and I am getting serious exercise, I can generally get away with that, as well. It’s amazing the difference a little exercise makes.

      By the way, congrats on maintianing your weight loss. That’s awesome!

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  24. You never know. I gained five pounds when I retired, even though I was still very active, and then I made a few changes and dropped fifteen. That was two years ago and I’m holding steady without feeling at all deprived. And it’s not that all my weight is now lower than it used to be. Even though it is.

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    • I don’t know if that’s common with retirement or not. It makes sense that folks would gain weight without working. It’s great, however, that you lost 15 pounds. That’s an important victory.

      Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment. Great to hear from you!

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  25. Oh, this. THIS pretty much sums up my whole life: “Sometimes I feel like I am all mouth. That I am all devour. That I am all consume.” How brilliantly written! I lost a bunch of weight last year and had the nerve to STILL get all teary eyed and nit-picky with myself in a dressing room recently. I finally had to tell myself to zip it and that sometimes simply trying is more than enough. I’m eating less cake (which is torture) and getting my butt to the gym. I have to let go and realize that the results will be what they are. I think your approach to weight loss (putting less stock in numbers than how you feel over all) is the exactly right step. You put in the effort and you WILL have success, even if it’s slower progress than we’d like.
    Sincerely Wanting Cake For Breakfast/ Settling For Granola,
    Tori

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    • Tori, I love that we are cake-crazed comrads! You look great these days, my friend. You are going to be a beautiful bride!

      I’m so glad you enjoyed this post! Yeah–I am SOOOOOO ALL MOUTH–it’s sad! Hugs, my dear!

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  26. Good for you – it sounds like you’re already on track to getting healthier! Bread products are also my enemy, so I just don’t buy them (as tempting as it is). If you don’t have it in the house, you can’t eat it!

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  27. Oh Kathryn McCullough you are singing my song! Weight has always been my struggle. Right now I’m loving on green smoothies. For someone who craves breads, chocolates, carbs, carbs, carbs….. I am having one of these daily and it helps. I also ride my bike on a trainer EVERY Day. My dedication to that is that I do not allow myself to READ unless I am on my bike! I have it set up so I can. I think FIFTY AND FABULOUS is more about attitude than shape! 🙂 Thank goodness because I’m on the road to fifty! I stopped saying I was “dieting” and try to live healthier. I can’t diet forever. But I can strive to be healthier every day!

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    • How great to hear from you. I’m wondering what’s in a green smoothie. Also, you are so smart to reward yourself with reading when you are on your bike. I usually read when I workout, as well. It’s amazing how much one can read that way, isn’t it? Thanks for taking the time to read and comment–and have a great weekend.

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      • Thank you Kathryn! I have struggled for SO long with cravings. My favorite green smoothie right now is: banana/orange/frozen grapes/stuff it with spinach leaves! and water. but there are SO many combos of fruits. Throw it all in the blender. Read better info on greensmoothiegirl.com or another blog that talked about her smoothie experiences at wilddonna.wordpress.com I hope you try one. I was blown away by how much I love them. It really helps with the carb cravings. Let me know if you try it! 🙂

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      • My partner and I eat lots of smoothies made from frozen fruits, juice, and bit of vanilla yogart, but I never thought of adding spinach. I will check out the green smooothie website. Thanks!

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  28. The proverbial food as emotional reward / retribution dilemna. Golly wolly Ms Molly, it’s a crying shame what well-intending people do to themselves and others. I’m talking about my grandmother, my mother and myself.

    By far, the biggest hurtle for me is what I call CYPS (clean your plate syndrome). Having heard this contantly during my formative years, usually associated with “starving children in China” I still find myself shoveling in the last tasty bits on my plate even though I was full sated six bites back! My new mantra is “My body is NOT a garbage disposal.” The trick is to remember the mantra BEFORE the plate is empty.

    Keep exercising and loving your bod and enjoying life…it will all be over before we know it. BTW, love the picture of the belt vibrator exercise equipment. We had one of those when I was a kid and my mom used it all the time. Rubenesque since her teen years, this and square dancing were her only forms of exercise. Ah, memories, sweet memories.

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    • Great point–gotta remember the mantra BEFORE the plate is empty. Love it. For me sometimes, the food just tastes so good, I don’t want to stop.

      How funny that your mom had one of those belt vibrator machines. You gotta wonder how people thought that would work.

      Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment. Great to hear from you.

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  30. 50 and Flab – take out the L and what have you got? 50 and FAB! 🙂

    And you are … heh heh. You’re smart, accomplished, compassionate, beautiful and caring .. who could ask for more? Really?

    My intention, in a year in a half, is to hit 50 being FAB and taking on a whole new “who gives a crap” attitude about it.

    As an aside, I was feeling badly about the extra lbs I’m touting around until I was out of town this week at a work conference. I met new people who never knew me as the size 6 I was 10 years ago, just the 12 I am now. They didn’t care. The men flocked to my curvature like bees to honey, the women hung on words I didn’t think were all that interesting. The lesson? I sold myself short. Me. I defined my “value” on being a perfect size 6 without the badonkadonk and – truth be told – the only one that cared .. was me.

    Sobering.

    Celebrate all that you are, all that you know – hell all that you have STILL yet to be – and I hope you do it with great flourish and happiness and with someone by your side who loves you perfectly just exactly as you are.

    Hugs and love,
    MJ

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    • I love the “fab/flab” thing, MJ. That’s perfect. I also think you may be on to something about the difference between a size 6 and size 12 only mattering to us–in our own minds. It’s just sad to think that I have somehow bought into that whole super-model agenda. I wear a size 14 now–wore a 4 10 years ago. I need to give this some more thought. Great comment. Thanks, my friend! You are, indeed, FAB!

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  31. Kathryn, I’m looking forward to turning fifty no matter what shape I’m in! I recently read an article that quoted stats on how women in their fifties are in the prime of their lives and happier than they’ve ever been. I say, bring it! I’m ready! In the meantime, I too have to cut back on the French bread slathered in butter. Oh dear. 🙂

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    • I’m glad you’re looking forward to turning 50. I thought I was fine with it. However, I notice that as the date keeps creeping closer, I’m, perhaps, a little less okay. Yeah, the French bread and butter has to go, doesn’t it? Damn! Thanks so much for reading, Bella. Hope to hear from you again soon!

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  33. Oops, I read this the other day and thought I’d commented. My bad. Tara is right – I love her exactly how she is. And like I said on your other post, skinny women just don’t do it for me. They never have, and they never will. Being comfortable in your own skin is what matters most! It definitely helps that Sara loves you for who you are. As long as you love yourself, too. 🙂

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  34. I once had a goal of fit by 50. Now it’s fit by 55. But if I start being so hard on myself I realize that I may not be the ideal body weight, but I am certainly fit enough to hike, practice yoga daily, bike, and do most of the things I wish to do.

    Be kind to yourself. I think that’s the first step. Besides, it sounds to me like you are doing great with the exercise and healthful eating. 🙂

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  35. I was more fit at 50 than I am now. And I was more fit at 45 than at 50. Since I’ve past 55, I cannot say, fit by 55 either. I could say, fit by 60 and who knows, it may happen or it may not. As you know, it gets kind of tricky when you’re dealing with meds etc. I agree with Robin, kindness is good. But, easier said than done. Wishing us good vibes toward improved fitness.

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  36. I can relate to your post as weight has been a life-long issue for me too. Others have also commented on the influence of dieting mothers and being told to eat everything on your plate which definitely played a part in my life. But you know what I am always really healthy and don’t get sick so surely that is more important that fitting with social norms? I thing the biggest battle may be in our own minds. Loving and accepting ourselves for what we are. Beautiful and amazing women.

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    • Absolutely. Health is what matters most. We need to love who we are regardless of our looks–thin, fat, or otherwise. Thanks so much for reading. Great to have you today. Hope to see you again soon!

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  37. Pingback: The Answer Is No | zona pellucida

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