Big Waistline, Stress and Baby Boomers

Have you ever tried to lose that stuborn fat around the waist? If you are like many baby boomers, I’m sure you have. We all have at one time or another. Some try to work out every day, run 5 miles or go through crash diet after crash diet only to realize that the jiggling belly fat is still there. Many people give up on the gym or diets all together and comfort themselves with even more food. Why bother making all of these efforts if it’s not working or the effect is only temporary? I hear you and until recently, I was no different.

As it turns out, recent research studies have revealed that stress is the cause of fat deposition around the waist. The result is Big Waistline (also called abdominal obesity). Some would argue that there is nothing wrong with having a cute tummy. In some cultures it is even a sign of wealth and prosperity. In fact, most people have no idea that there is a difference between overall obesity and abdominal obesity. In some cases people don't even know that they are obese. One acquintance who was recently told that he was obese exclaimed in dismay, “I had no idea I was obese! Nobody ever told me that! I just thought I was a heavy-duty-cutie”.

The point I want to make is that not all fat in the body has the same function, and that the fat around the waistline is directly related to stress. It is also the worst type of fat for your heart. A big waistline is also linked to diabetes, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and early death.

I dedicated this web site to baby boomers (people born between 1946-1964) not only because I am a baby boomer, but because the baby boomers have a particularly stressful lifestyle. This is the sandwich generation, the empty nesters, the type A generation. As a friend of mine put it, “we are cursed to strive for perfection”. On top of that, half of the 78 million baby boomers are going through menopause, andropause, midlife crisis, and career changes after 50.

I truly believe that bad choices are the result of lack of resources and information. So, rather than simply point out problems, I prefer to focus on lifestyle solutions.

You hear every day that you need to exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, eat organic foods, no trans fat, low carbs etc. etc. I don't mind any of the above if one can stick to them for life. The problem is that I don't know very many people capable of doing it without slipping up here and there. Besides, no one is talking about the other major causes for a big waistline like sleep deprivation, vacation deprivation or work stress. This site is not about diet and exercise only. It is about living a healthy lifestyle. If you are ready for some changes- get started with action as simple as finding a tape measure.

Acknowledgement: The beautiful tree picture is courtesy of FreeFoto.com