Im a60 year old woman and I really cant cope with the fact that Im old and gaining weight. I just cant stop eating choclate and other snacks its really hopeless...I so wish I was dead, this time a year ago I weight 10 kg less and the last year I have seen my body change so much.I wish I could lose weight
Hi Astrid,
lots of people comfort eat, and the reason why they didnt used to so much is quite simple - there just wasnt as much nice tasting cheap food around. They used to do other things that were really bad for them like smoke loads, when fags were really cheap - and as for alcohol - well the damage it has done and still does, knows no bounds. Most humans are prone to be addicted to something.
My husband comfort eats because of stress, and every year we go through this cycle where he tries to lose weight and eats hardly anything for a few months, loses weight, then ends up putting it back on.
I have depression and addiction issues, but they are not food. I also get depressed about aging - I'm in my 50's.
As far as the weight thing goes, - its probably best to join a club like weight watchers or something similar, and there will be other people with the same problem you can get support from.
Best wishes.
The thing which I found most useful to stop me eating chocolate (which I get addicted to) is to buy all my shopping online and to just not buy the chocolate. It really is the only way, because if it's in the fridge, I will eat it! Yes you still get cravings but remember each craving only lasts 17 minutes so if you can ride it out it will get better.
I was on an anti depressant on which I gained 3 stone, and hated it, but it was better than depression. Doctor suggested after 30 years on anti depressant, I try doing without. I lost all that weight within 3 months of stopping as I completely lost my appetite. It is often the anti depressants that make us want to eat more.
Also with depression we either eat too much, or the wrong things, or we don't want to eat at all. You will hear different stories from different people.
Are you on anti depressants? I am 74 and I hate getting old too, and did not like being overweight either. It is not only young people who worry about this. Please don't say you wish you were dead. I sometimes treat myself to chocolate, but do try to eat healthily. When I was on anti depressants I ate far too much.
Years ago I joined Slimming World and they helped me lose 3 stone. Have you tried a slimming club? Support from others does help.
Hi it's very common to gain weight when you are older and comfort eating doesn't help. You need to tackle the issues behind it rather than the eating itself to have any chance of success. I think you are more worried by the 'old' thing. We all have to face it (if we are lucky) but there are benefits. I am 61 now and feel I have paid my dues so I now say and do exactly what I want. I love flirting with all the good looking young men and they don't take me seriously any more. I have a trolley now for my shopping and people are more considerate when I use it.
You can get away with a lot more when you are older. And you care less what people say to you and about you and that is wonderful. I wouldn't like to be young again these days... x