A
t this stage of life, it seems that every year is the Year of Eating Dangerously. Why? Because our metabolism becomes sluggish as we age.
Unless you work out two hours a day, seven days a week, and have a personal trainer on retainer…you’re bound to gain some poundage.
And by “some” I mean enough to make your clothes feel like they belong to a Barbie doll.
Who am I kidding by using the third person. I’m talking about me.
I look in the mirror and wonder where my waist went. I used to have this proportionately small waist, of which I was pretty darn proud. Until about age 57.
Then the excrement impacted the ventilation system.
Everything I eat now goes directly to my waist, which looks like a miniature spare tire. It’s not my best look.
A waist is a horrible thing to waste. Or lose. Of course, it might help if I cut out the potato chips, chocolate and cookies…the staff of life.
I’ve been trying, goodness knows I have. But temptation is great. And my self-discipline is…well…not so great.
I’ve been trying to cook healthier — avocado, tomato and cilantro salads, lentil soup, braised kale with extra virgin olive oil.
Yet, I still gain weight. While we’re on the subject, does anybody actually know an “extra virgin”?
An hour after I eat even a healthy meal, I’m hungry again. It’s a hunger that can only be satiated by crunchy and salty foods, such as chips or crackers.
So, now I have two problems — fatty foods that will potentially clog my arteries, and salty foods that could make my blood pressure skyrocket.
I think back and remember my father who had end-stage renal failure (kidney disease), which was caused by hypertension.
Even though he was a doctor and knew the risks of eating salty, at age 83, he decided that “We’re not here for a long time; we’re here for a good time.” Dialysis be damned!
Don’t get me wrong; he went to dialysis three times a week for nearly three years.
But before and after dialysis, all bets were off in terms of eating healthy meals. He wanted his last years to be free from constraints, so he ate whatever he wanted. Yet, the constraint of dialysis still existed….
I am a lot like my father, and a lot not.
I would like to be around for a long time, so I know that means moderating my diet.
And getting more regular exercise. I know, I know…that doesn’t mean walking to the store to buy potato chips.
I am publicly committing to eating healthier and exercising more.
Talk to me in six months.
Shelley Civkin is a retired communications officer with the Richmond Public Library
