Doyou think it is OK to gain weight as you age?
By zandi458
@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
June 14, 2009 1:54pm CST
It is scary to think that when you look at the mirror, you may see similarities to your mother. You have gained weight. Although you have tried to lose some pounds, you have settled into your body and accept that it is no longer as easy as it once was to maintain a thin figure. This is not the unhealthy weight, and you're getting used to the way you look and you dress well to fit the new you. The way you choose your dressings make you feel comfortable and pretty good.
But others who used to see you in your youthful shape before could not stop commenting how big you have grown and they can't seem to see that you are OK the where you are. On the other hand being skinny when you reach midlife invites a host of medical problems compared to people who are on the bigger size. Old and skinny definitely will make you look like a walking scarecrow which is not too appealing to the eyes while maybe it is time to celebrate to be a little bit fleshy, being healthy, fit and comfortable.
7 people like this
30 responses
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
14 Jun 09
Hey zandi! You are such a wise woman! You have put the
explanation about women's weight gain as they reach mid life
so eloquently and you happen to be so right! As a woman does
get older and her weight does increase and she fills out she
does look better, that is if she doesn't become obese! It isn't
healthy or becoming for a middleaged woman to be too skinny!
You were right in your description about walking around looking
like a scarecrow and it isn't very appealing! People were
saying that to me when I lost some weight! They thought I
looked sick and they were actually right and I wasn't even
skinny! Alot of women just don't understand this. They don't
realized that being a bit more curvy as you get older is
definitely acceptable and more suitable and healthy!
2 people like this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 09
lol..it is facts of life and I do realize that after all the years of dieting and trying to imitate the pencil thin shape of the models in magazines, I failed miserably and never came near to my dreams. Now that I have reached the half century mark, time to come down to earth and accept whatever shape I have moulded myself into. No longer spring chicken but a woman of age so what I aim now is to take care of my health as it is around this period of time old age diseases are fond of licking the aging body. 
. Yes, as long as we are healthy and less body aches we are on the road to aging gracefully. 
. Yes, as long as we are healthy and less body aches we are on the road to aging gracefully. @zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 09
Hi Pye, when you were younger I suppose you were the envy of many girls, having a slim body is everyone's dream and that includes me. But I change my outlook now since I need some weight to carry me around so I won't be blown by the wind. LOL No offends huh...Just trying to pacify myself when I cannot shed the extras...
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
15 Jun 09
LOL--my problem is though Opal I've been rail thin all my life...even now, alas, sighs...I've NEVER been curvy
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
15 Jun 09
Though I've had my "moments" when I've gained weight, for most of my life I've always been rail thin---in fact, that was the "Joke" in our family...my grandmother and mother could gain weight merely by looking at food, while my father's side could eat a whole cow at every meal and not gain weight so I took after my father's side of the family. I do tend to gain in my stomach area, and would LOVE a flatter stomach, but even with my "stomach" I'm only about 110 lbs. As for old and skinny and looking like a scarecrow...both my grandmother and mother who were overweight all their lives lost a lot of weight toward the end of their lives..perhaps a genetic thing as well??
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
4 Nov 09
You are lucky to maintain your body weight. Those who are slim have better choices when it comes to buying clothes as they are the designers favorite size model when they design clothes. You only have to thank your genes for the most desired weight where many women can only dream of.
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
15 Jun 09
I think it might be. All the women in my family on both my mother and father's sides have been overweight with one exception, and by overweight I mean huge. I know people who can eat anything they want and never gain weight. My doctor used to tell me that I could gain weight from just reading a recipe and I have struggled with my weight all my life. I think that some people have good metabolisms and some have bad ones.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
15 Jun 09
Well that was cancer Doc.
Now I am going to primary Doc Weds. So I will ask him about it see what he says. AS cancer Doc punched around on my tummy I was wondering if he was looking for a growth and didnt find one.
Oh well life goes on and I dont want to take any more dam pills so I Will see.
1 person likes this
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
14 Jun 09
Gaining weight as we get older is normal for most people; but, that doesn't mean you give up on a healthy diet and exercise. As we get older most people's metabolism does slow down and we do get more sedentary - after all we aren't chasing after a bunch of little kids and once the kids have left the nest there is less to do; and, even if we have jobs, many of the jobs today are sedentary.
Also, some people literally can't help gaining weight because there are medications out there that actually have obesity (weight gain) as a side effect. If that is happening ask your doctor if there is some other medication you can try.
Basically, as long as you are eating healthy and getting daily exercise some weight gain will not harm you as you get older. Of course, if you have gained 50 or more pounds and you aren't even 50 years old yet; that, is another story.
1 person likes this
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
15 Jun 09
It made a big difference when I had to change jobs. My last job was rather sedentary - office work; but, in addition to sitting at a desk we could get up and move around - filing, faxing, mail duties , etc.
My new job requires me to SIT at my desk for 7 and 1/2 hrs or more hours each day - I get 2 - 15 min breaks and 30 min for lunch. Over the past year I gained 15 lbs and I am lucky the average weight gain here is 20 lbs the first year! So, even a little bit of exercise on the job makes a big difference!
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
14 Jun 09
GOSH, I didn't know u had a choice.
. wish i had known & i wouldn't look like i do.
. i'm teasing w/you. i think people look better with a little weight as they get older. it pulls out the wrinkles. was just talking about seeing some that friends lately that were thin but sooooooo wrinkled.
. wish i had known & i wouldn't look like i do.. i'm teasing w/you. i think people look better with a little weight as they get older. it pulls out the wrinkles. was just talking about seeing some that friends lately that were thin but sooooooo wrinkled. 1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
15 Jun 09
ha..ha..ha... that's the plus factor of being on an 'L' size. You get to keep the evergreen chubbiness of the face. All the wrinkles are ironed out hidden under the fatty tissues and no one will ever believe that you are your age. Sad for those on the skinny side, no amount of anti-wrinkles cream can erase their wrinkled face.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
15 Jun 09
THANKS ZANDI, Still enjoy your discussions alot. Hope u don't mind my teasing. Have a good one.
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
15 Jun 09
Well, I don’t think it is OK but I really cant do much about it except exercise. More than the age, for women at least, its pregnancy that puts on so much fat around the mid area and that fat is like a stubborn band of rubber. It is so difficult to get rid of that fat except for strenuous exercise and such strenuous exercise can only be done at the gym under trained personnel, which is not possible for everybody. Also, as the body’s metabolism rate slows down, it becomes all the more difficult to dissolve the fat. I too have put on weight, but its mainly that stubborn band around my waist and tummy…I am overweight by 5kgs and I think that rubber band weighs all of that.
1 person likes this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
15 Jun 09
Gaining weight is fine as long as the person doesn't go overboard. As for my mom's case, she steadily gains weight as she ages. The problem is, her weight gain is too much for her body to handle. Now, she's got problems with her knees and makes it difficult for her to walk.
The way you choose your dressings make you feel comfortable and pretty good. But others who used to see you in your youthful shape before could not stop commenting how big you have grown and they can't seem to see that you are OK the where you are This applies to my father who can't stop commenting once in awhile how my mother have changed so much. From a sexy waistline the first time they met, to a size that I won't mention anymore...
As for me, my waistline has also expanded. Especially now that I've given birth to my second child last April. Fortunately, I can still fit in some of my old jeans. But the fact remains that I've gained weight again.
But despite that I'm a little heavier now, I feel fine. I may feel a little bit conscious at times but what's important is that I'm happy with my body. A little extra fat and all...
As for me, my waistline has also expanded. Especially now that I've given birth to my second child last April. Fortunately, I can still fit in some of my old jeans. But the fact remains that I've gained weight again.
But despite that I'm a little heavier now, I feel fine. I may feel a little bit conscious at times but what's important is that I'm happy with my body. A little extra fat and all...
1 person likes this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
15 Jun 09
I do not care what others think of me any more. I will be 53 in a couple of weeks and all I care about now is doing things that make me happy. If other people have a problem with the way I look then that is their problem not mine. I have struggled with my weight all my life and I had a period when I was slim and a period when I was seriously overweight.
Now I am a little overweight and I work on keeping my weight in check but I have no interest in being thin. It might have mattered when I was 20 but I am old now and even if I lost my weight I would still look old. As for being healthy, well I am on a disability pension so I am not healthy and probably never will be really healthy again. Maybe I am being pessimistic but when I live with pain and exhaustion every day I think weight is a small matter.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
15 Jun 09
I must admit that I don’t ever feel okay gaining weight and I have tried very hard to stay the same shape throughout my life. Of course there have been changes; pregnancy and age have been the two main ones. I guess as long as you are healthy and you feel good about yourself it is perfectly fine for your body to change as you get older, in fact it is inevitable. Losing weight is quite a lot harder as you age too and, as you said, being as thin as some sixteen year olds when you are older can age you considerably. It does depend on the individual, I think. The main focus should be on health.
1 person likes this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
14 Jun 09
I agree with what's been said that our bodies are gentitically tied to those of our parents and so forth. So as we get older we need to take that into account. The thing is, you need to look at your health and potential health issues you might have when you are much younger.
What I mean is, my grandmother is diabetic, my mother is now having trouble and so is my sister. It isn't something that you should look at once you hit your 40's, it's something to be conscience when you are in your 20's.
There is a certain acceptance that we all come to at our changing bodies, but I do truely believe that when it comes to family history, it needs to be taken into concideration earlier then when we start hitting those danger years.
As for generally changing, i've come to accept myself for who I am. Others might make comments here and there, but I look at it that they are insecure in the changes so they point out the flaws of others.
1 person likes this
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
14 Jun 09
A liL bit fleshy,being healthy,fit and comfortable is a perfect level,, as soon as u feel it is comfortable,one can cross the limit and not take notice, thinking all the time, That I will Start working on the PROBLEM FROM TOMORROW,,no no no, in this case,( my view is ) Tomorrow NEVER comes,,If we cannot play a lil bit with the pets,(dogs etc),e g,with a ball,,15 to 2o minutes,twice a day,without getting tired,, we (should) consider our self,, fleshy and NOT COMFORTABLE,, so please for my sake,,TAKE care,, I am 5 ft 7,, 165 pounds,, and I think i am over weight,, does not matter what people sau,, when i look Skinny,, people make a joke at me,, And at that time i laugh at them,,U KNOW Y,,?
1 person likes this
@xoxcharityxox (567)
• United States
14 Jun 09
I'm not that old yet, but it really is a scary thought for me. I can't seem to control my metabolism as well as I did before. I used to do sports that burned over 900 calories an hour. I am trying to get back into shape to do them again, but I've gained so much that it is harder now. I don't want to end up where my mother is. I'm not saying I don't want to look like her, but I do not want to barely reach 5 ft and be over 200 lbs. I'm not near there yet, but it's starting to take a toll on me. I'm not comfortable in my clothes or my body. I've done a 40 lbs jump in 2 years and it's so hard to control.
1 person likes this
@ezekiel71 (132)
• United States
14 Jun 09
as we get older our metabolism change too,it gets a little bit slow and slow so we have to be mindful of how we eat and what we eat. Being skinny or fat does not exactly emphasize if you are healthy or not. It doesnt matter what size you are as long as your medical records says that you are in good condition. So gaining weight is relative too as to what is your height thats where they base you ideal weight should be. Being in ideal weight is part of being healthy too.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
14 Jun 09
I think it's a matter of genetics. Every person's metabolism is different, and a lot of what happens with their weight is hereditary. some people have to be more careful than others. People just need to do what is right for them, and be as careful as possible to make sure they stay healthy.
1 person likes this
@littleowl (7157)
•
16 Jun 09
Hi Zandi, it is scary when you start to put on weight as you grow older, but my weight has always fluctuated and seems to even now, but then all of a sudden I go back to the weight my body seems more comfortable with..I guess as we age our bodies will tell us what weight we are supposed to be and if we dress accordingly we will look good and also feel good and more accepting of our weight...hugs LoLo
@suzzy3 (8342)
•
14 Jun 09
I am fighting to save whats left of my figure to.I am still lovely according to my husband there is just a bit more of me thats all.Everyone I know has gained weight since passing fifty it is just one of those things,hormones ect.You have to be happy in your own skin and as long as you don't gain to much who cares.It is part of being a mature woman.I was a size eight two years ago and now a size 12 to 14 depending on where I shop ,like you say who wants to look like a bag of bones anyway not me.
1 person likes this
@daliaj (5674)
• India
15 Jun 09
I don't want to gain weight. More weight increases the chance for heat attack and so many other health problems. It will make you feel uncomfortable to move from one place to another. It will make others think that you are old. I mean other will think tha you are older than your real age.
I am not very fat, but I still want to reduce my weight. I am in the process of finding a pool or dance class. Swimming is a very good exercise which helps to throw away a lot of fat.
@larish (2191)
• Philippines
17 Jun 09
I am 33 and to be honest, I already feel that my metabolism is slowing down. I am somehow affected because I badly have to change my eating habit. I have to eat more fiber now and less of fats. How I wish that I can easily turn all the food I am eating into energy so that I won't be gaining extra pound. But I think it is part of aging. You are right it is really scary but we should accept the fact. Thanks for this wonderful post.
