Retirement and Belly Fat

Retirement and belly fat connection? Who knew there was any?

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. Poor Health

Poor health is a major source of stress and often leads to early retirement. Given the fact that baby boomers are not entitled to medicare after the age of 65, health problems can represent a financial challenge especially among low income retirees.

Recent data shows that low income retired people (below $ 23,000) have a higher number of conditions and are generally in poorer health than their counterparts whose income is in the 60 or 70 K.

In addition to their declining health, people who retire earlier because of poor health or become sick after they retire may not be able to consider a career change or find a supplementary income.

2. Poor sleep

3. Lack of physical activity

4. Poor diet (junk food and lots of it).

5. Retirement related emotions

What is the outcome?

Combine chronic stress, sleepless nights, junk foods glued in front of the TV and the outcome is Big Belly. 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. Take the free Stress Level Test to see how bad your score could be (The results are emailed to you along with my suggestions).

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.

Copyright Dr. Nelly Stoyanova

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Author's bio: Dr. Nelly Stoyanova is a physician, medical researcher and health behavior expert. She studies the effects of stress on heart disease, type 2 diabetes and sleep. Her website: Belly Fat, Stress and Baby Boomers (http://www.stress-fat-heart-solutions-for-boomers.com) evaluates sources of stress for people over 50 and provides great tips to balance your day-to-day stress and stay healthy. Turn your life around and benefit from her expertise. For individual guidance sessions or to schedule a public speaking event use the Contact page or email at drnstoyanova@gmail.com

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