It gets harder to lose weight as we age. Habits that were formed in earlier years, even a few years earlier, can be difficult to break.

Food addiction forms habits, like overeating, eating when you’re feeling angry, tired, or depressed, and eating when you’re stressed. Since feelings are linked to compulsive overeating, just changing what you eat isn’t enough.

It starts out simple enough. Go to bed a little later each night. Snack while waiting on hold too long. Trade in your daily walk for hours in front of the TV. Eat when there’s nothing better to do.

Normal aging changes the body. Things slow down. What we used to be able to get away with doesn’t fly any more. We don’t burn fat like we did when we were younger, so those few extra pounds are harder to lose.

It’s hard to get your weight back to normal, whatever that means, until you get yourself back to normal, whatever that means. Normal is up to you.

We all get older. There’s no way to stop that. But you can teach an old dog new tricks. If you want to beat a food addiction, you need to learn a few new tricks.

1. Think of yourself. Make yourself important enough to put first. Pamper yourself with non-food treats as often as you can afford to. It may be a new experience, but it’s a good one.

2. Make eating a one-of-a-kind event. Don’t mix it with something else like talking on the telephone or watching TV, or driving.

3. Get out of the house. Go for a walk, even if it’s at one of those warehouse stores. Swing your arms and stretch out and move your body. Leave your money in your car.

You don’t have to do everything at once. It doesn’t work anyway. Take one new thing at a time, and work on it until it becomes a habit.

There is no reason in the world why someone in their 40’s, 50’s, or older can’t have a body they’re thrilled with, no matter what anyone tells you about getting older.

You just have to be ready to do the work.  When you are ready, you can change your life from one of that is ruled by food to one that is ruled by you.

Are you ready?