Retirement and Waistline, Anything in Common?

By Dr. Neli Stoyanova

How many of you know someone who retired a year ago and has put on some extra pounds since then? I know quite a few.

Is it because retirees are happier, less stressed and sit all day long in front of the TV? Or is it because they hate the fact that they sit ALL day in front of the TV because there is nothing else to do?

Is it because retirees sit around the house and the refrigerator is so close and it just happens that the favorite chocolate cake is on the top shelf? Or is it because they are so bored that they need to occupy them self by eating a slice (or two…or three) of cake.

Then they sit with a book that some one recommended to them some time ago but they never had the time to read it with that hectic working schedule they had. But now they can sit and read. But there is also the big bowl of pop-corn sitting right there. Right there!

After a long “relaxing” day at home comes bed time. Except instead of falling asleep they end up tossing and turning. They are thinking about selling the house and buying something smaller- now that the children are on their own. Or they keep thinking about how to deal with the financial puzzle and it keeps them awake. It is 2 AM- almost snack time. Right?

So, where is the retirement and waistline connection?

1. Stress (and you thought it would be gone once you retired)

2. Poor sleep

3. Low physical activity

4. Poor eating habits (junk food and lots of it).

What is the outcome?

Combine chronic stress, sleepless nights, junk foods glued in front of the TV and the outcome is BIG WAISTLINE. The stress hormone level goes up, and leads to fat accumulation around the waist and voila!

So what are you waiting for? Go grab a tape and measure your waistline If your waistline numbers are outside of the normal range, you better do something before it is too late. People in the South like to say “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” but when it comes to your heart health you better fix it before it is broke.

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