Women are rarely satisfied with their looks. Show me one who is, and I’d like to set that kindergartener straight. Some of us change our hairdos as often as the political candidates change their minds. We fret about our weight or our wrinkles and spend a fortune on anti-wrinkle creams and cosmetics over the course of a year.
Many men, on the other hand, can look in the mirror, gut hanging over their belt, and pronounce themselves quite studly. Their hairstyle has changed little since college, unless their hair has disappeared. I have seen anti-wrinkle creams for men in the stores, but I’ve never see men grabbing them off the shelves. What a happy way to live!
Though my weight has changed little over the last twenty years, where it has settled has. No matter how many sit-ups, crunches, or planks I perform, nothing will dislodge the accumulated layers of fat (oh, how I hate that word!) that insist on taking up residence around my middle. I refuse to go on a diet for two reasons: 1. Diets never work for long. If you go on a diet, there will always come a time when you go off it. 2. I enjoy eating. It is one of my greatest pleasures. If that sounds shallow, so be it. I remain unapologetic. Besides, I make healthy choices nearly all the time and have managed to stay away from Five Guys for a month now.
I’ve decided on two tactics, the result of intensive research on how to reduce belly fat. The first is to take more long walks. Pick up any health magazine and you will see headlines such as “Walk Your Way to a Flat Belly.” The other piece of research that interests me is the study showing that sleep helps you lose weight. People who get adequate sleep actually metabolize their food more efficiently, leading to weight loss. So I will be incorporating these two tactics into my exercise routine to lose this gut. I’ll let you know how it works. Excuse me now. I need to nap.
Coming East 
Let me know how that works, Susan! 🙂
Well, Patti, so far I’ve gained a pound and a half.
I think the sleep thing is key. I also notice that when I don’t eat much at night or eat earlier, I sleep way better. So I’m sure there’s something to that. I am also happy to say that since I quit my job, I’ve lost weight and my jeans fit better. Wish I’d figured that out years ago!
You are right about not eating much at night, Leah. It really helps with sleep. The problem with us is that my husband doesn’t get home until after seven, so by the time we’ve finished dinner, it’s half past seven or later, and then we go to bed at ten. I actually weighed less when I worked! Stress, I guess.
CE–am howling! Hilarious post. I feel the EXACT same way. I read how to minimize belly flab and go out and chow down on my weight in almonds, bananas, and suck down Starbucks green tea frapps like they are going out of style-hah! I need to think “Weight Watcher’s portion” which is roughly the size of half of my starving fist–not nearly enough. I heard about a 17 day diet that sounds way too complicated. I don’t like diets either, except a decadent one my parents went on in the 70’s:
Breakfast: Glass of champagne and omelet. Lunch: Salad and omelet. Dinner: Glass of champagne, steak and salad. Repeat. For. Three Days.
Oh, my goodness, Reeling, I LOVE your parents’ diet. That’s one I could keep up for awhile. Nice to see I have company. Thanks!
By the way, Reeling, I’ve been missing your writing. How are you doing?
I love your way of thinking. I can totally get on board with your weight loss plan!
I know, DF. Just walking and sleeping. I can do that. Just have to get a balance…
I’m on board with long walks and naps. My dog, Lola, loves that plan, too.
Is Lola svelte?
Very. 🙂
Very good thoughts on a subject that’s an issue for so many. Weight sure is a heavy load for us to bear sometimes. 😉
yes, a very heavy load and getting heavier all the time, EC.
Proper sleep has been proven to be key, it’s true! Sadly, getting too much sleep is also a factor in weight gain or changes to physique. (Mean trick.) From what I understand, the problem for women is that, particularly once we reach menopause, the change in hormones produces another hormone called cortisol, which is a major contributor to the settling of fat around the midsection. And… stress also produces cortisol.
The world is set against us. Or at least our waistlines. Good luck Susan!
So we need some scientific breakthrough that can send little nano robots in to destroy the cortisol, SC. Easy Peasy!
I think you’re definitely on to something here! More sleep to get rid of belly fat?? I’m totally on board with that one. Sign me up!
Don’t you wish it could be as easy as that, Mama?
I’m with you Susan. I have friends that seem to be always dieting and there is always yet another fad diet to follow. Inevitably they will come off and then beat themselves up for doing so.
At my vast age I am now past the point of looking for my waist any more – it has gone never to return. But I like your advice on losing weight – walk more with Lotte and sleep a whole lot more. 🙂
I’m slowly getting to the point where I can stop grieving for my long lost waist, but every once in awhile, Judith, I decide to try one more thing. Now that the weather is getting pretty nice, I’m thinking this walking thing will be a good idea. You must be in your fall season now?
I have learned over the last decade, that once you are over fifty, you no longer have a waist. Just a middle.
I know you are right, NQO, but I miss the concept of a waist.
First of all, congratulations on maintaining your weight for 20 years!! I like your plan for weight loss, especially the nap part. Keep us posted!
Thanks, Carol. I’d say more, but…yawn..I’m still a bit groggy. Excuse me while I step on the scale.
If I may paraphrase the late, great, Jim Croce, there are 4 things a man should NEVER do. 1. Tug on Superman’s cape. 2. Spit into the wind. 3. Pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger. 4. Comment on a woman’s weight.
Wise man, old Jim Croce.
Like I needed yet another reason to get more sleep! I do envy my husband. He has hardly any hair left (he buzzes it on purpose because he’s going bald fast) and his gut never bothers him. Must be nice. Unfortunately, after having so many major abdominal surgeries over the years, I will never have a perfectly flat stomach as long as I live. This is good in a way…takes the pressure off. I have managed to up my exercise routine this year. It’s almost April and by god, I’m still sticking with it. It’s a miracle!
Wow! Good for you, Mama! Truly, the only thing that bothers me is my middle, and the only thing that works to get it smaller is to cut out carbs. I did South Beach for about four months a few years ago, and the results were good, but it’s unsustainable. I refuse to subject myself to that again.