Leggings: Why I No Longer Wear Them as a Woman Over 50

It’s hard not to love wearing leggings because they are super comfy but as an older woman, they do me more harm than good.

The reason? They make me fat.

I love to eat and am a bonified foodie. When I wear leggings, I overeat and can’t gauge what I’ve consumed. I admit that I have zero self-control. Zippers and buttons are what I need to stop me from pigging out. I’m sure I’m not the only woman out there over 50 who has this problem.

I’m an Apple shape and carry my weight in my stomach. Apples have slim legs so we naturally gravitate toward leggings. It’s easy to cover up our bellies with a big blouse but then we run the risk of looking frumpy. Pear-shaped women have larger butts and thicker thighs. Leggings can make a large butt look enormous so a pear might want to avoid them.

Stretchy waistbands are just as bad

Pants or skirts that stretch or have an elastic waistband will sabotage you if you want to lose weight. Look for items that have a button closure instead. If the button pops, you know you overate.

Here is why you should toss your leggings in the donation bin

Unless you have complete control over how much you eat you are copping out by wearing leggings. Give them to someone who does not have a weight problem and wear jeans or non-stretch pants instead. Jeans have always been my nemesis and I avoided them for years, but I now wear them.

If I overeat when I’m wearing jeans I know I must stop because they cramp me up and feel horrible. High-waisted jeans are more comfortable and give me tummy control as well. My leggings are hidden away or donated until I reach my ideal weight. I may wear a pair of stretchy yoga pants to work out but that’s about it.

My plan appears to be working

I have good days and bad days but my no-leggings policy helps tame me into submission. When I combine it with eating a mostly Mediterranean diet on small plates and walking every day, it pays off. If I could eat like a bird, I’d wear leggings until the cows come home but I know how I can be tempted.

If you want to join my ban on leggings the photos below are fashionable alternatives. Click on the images to find out more and purchase them.

Are you ready to give up your leggings to help you lose weight? Please leave a comment below.