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Seem to have lost my motivation

(9 Posts)
SpinDriftCoastal Sat 19-Sept-26 20:51:16

Why don't you cut your treats down to just a small piece after meals? I love Cadbury's chocolate and can overeat on it. Now, I just have one small piece after lunch and really savour it. Perhaps use a dessert plate instead of dinner plate which will make your portions smaller. Eat the same food but reduce the portions.

CarrotTop Sat 19-Sept-26 15:57:38

Yes, I think it's a normal part of ageing (which we can't outrun, much though we'd like to believe the Everlasting Youth promises churned out by magazines and ads). You won't get obese from the occasional indulgence (nor spend an extra five years in a nursing home!). Plan to give yourself one treat a week (you can have a couple of lean-eating days beforehand to compensate for it). Two days gently cutting calories, one day eating what you like, four days being sensible - sounds like a balanced plan to me.

Sarnia Sat 19-Sept-26 15:11:46

Yes, OP, I feel just like you.

I am 78 with arthritis steadily making its unpleasant way through my body. I also have a rollator and attend lots of local groups.

I was sent on a pre-diabetic course 18 months ago and I did my best to stick to the eating plan and managed to lose just under 2 stone. However, I get cheesed off with looking at appetising things in the shops but think, best not.

I fall by the wayside occasionally as I am only human but I don't beat myself up over it. Treats now and again don't hurt and are good for morale. After all, over 70 is not for sissies. We deserve a goodie sometimes.

teabagwoman Sat 19-Sept-26 15:01:06

I forgot to say that my dd is just setting up the Instagram page. She's done a lot of research, particularly into how CHIME can help people older adults (I wonder why!) and one of the interesting findings is that it can not only help to improve psychological wellbeing but boosting connectedness, hope and meaning are also associated with better physical health.

teabagwoman Sat 19-Sept-26 14:35:58

You're definitely not on your own Travelsafar, I've been there.
There's a way of thinking called CHIME, which my daughter introduced me to where
C = connection
H = hope
I = identity
M = meaning
E = empowerment.

She's a clinical psychologist who uses it with severely mentally ill people but there's lots of research to show that thinking how to improve each of these different aspects of life helps people facing all sorts of difficulties including divorce. bereavement and chronic illness.

There's lots on the internet about it and there's a thread on Instagram called @chimerecovery which I must add, in the interests of transparency, is run by my dd.

It's definitely not a magic wand, takes quite a lot of time and effort but it's helped pick me up so I feel it's worth passing on.

Oreo Sat 19-Sept-26 13:42:20

Allow yourself little treats without going mad, but who wants five extra years in the nursing home?

Cossy Sat 19-Sept-26 11:39:28

Sadly, for many of us with progressive conditions, this seems inevitable.

Take your time, try not to get frustrated and do whatever you can manage. flowers

Fallingstar Sat 19-Sept-26 10:39:02

Yes. Regularly. I also have arthritis and am now 77, caring for my DH. Have put weight on because even when we go for a walk I have walk slowly for my DH, and though I do try to no out for a quicker walk without him sometimes I am usually too pooped to go far.
So yes I do tend to think ‘to hell with it’ and want to devour a box of chocs in one sitting. I don’t btw.
But you are not alone in this.

travelsafar Sat 19-Sept-26 10:10:20

Once like many of us i was able rush here there everywhere didn't worry too much about gaining weight as i ate healthy and steered away from things which were ' bad ' for us food wise.
Now in my mid 70's I've noticed maintaining my weight is really hard. Arthritis limits the exercises I can do although I try to walk every day using a rollator and attend seated exercises weekly. Ive got to the point where im starting to think "oh to hell with it i'll eat what I want and blow the consequences!!
Having to think about every mouthful of food and every movement is a trial and just so boring now.
Anyone else feeling like this??