Nicole Christina on Zestful Aging and Eating Disorders for Women Over 50

Apr 16, 2019

I begin this show with a little essay called ‘Seven Ideas for a Happier Life’. In short, you learn things as you go through life. My own meltdown in 2012 has helped me reshape my life with a much better perspective.

Here’s my list of seven ideas!

1. I don’t need to make anyone happy but myself. It’s actually my more important responsibility.
2. I really can – and do – say ‘No’ whenever I need to now. The sky doesn’t fall. It’s great!
3. No one has to march to my tune but me. Everyone else has a right to live their life EXACTLY the way they want. As do I. If that means we need to go separate ways, so be it. It’s just part of God’s plan.
4. Things usually work out just fine. Once you’ve been thru the worst thing that can happen and you emerge better for it … you learn to go with what comes. Really, truly. Things do work out.
5. Stop worrying. Turns out worrying doesn’t actually help – and it just produces a lot of agita. So I try not to spend time there anymore.
6. We can’t force reality. What a shocker! So thought I could. Kind of hilarious when you think about it.
7. In the end, all we’ve got is love. Turns out accumulating stuff is highly overrated and somewhat lonely. But love really does heal all wounds.

Psychotherapist Nicole Christina takes on a subject many of us don’t want to think about … until we have to. Self-care over 55 could best be described by her moniker: Zestful Aging. Because by the time we get there, says Nicole, we are either going to have a good run, or we’re going to suffer. Therefore, some of this conversation applies to having a healthy approach to eating and nutrition as we age.

Me? I’m all for the good run. SO I was listening carefully as Nicole and I discussed the following:

• What exactly is ‘zestful aging’ and why does it matter?
• What is body shame and why it applies so much to women over 50?
• Surprising statistics about women over 50 and eating disorders
• How to define an eating disorder
• How eating disorders mash up with modern day tech and your smart phone apps
• How to self-soothe as we age
• Specific tools for longevity and happiness

RESOURCES

Nicole’s podcast – Zestful Aging

HAES – Health at Every Size book

Evelyn Tribole episode of Zestful Aging

MORE ABOUT NICOLE

Nicole Christina, LCSW, is a psychotherapist of 30 years, specializing in food and body issues. She’s the creator and host of the popular podcast Zestful Aging which is heard in 54 countries worldwide. To find out more, go to nicolechristina.com.