Of the many numbers you’ve probably been tracking this year (i.e., number of COVID infections in your vicinity, weeks without seeing your loved ones, months without getting a haircut, etc.) one that’s probably crucial to track for your health and well-being is your weight. We know that putting on the pandemic pounds is a real phenomenon, and this many months into the spread of COVID, it’s hard not to wave the white flag and just accept that weight gain is one of the many unavoidable consequences of the coronavirus. Along with that white flag, you may feel that you’ve “earned a break” when it comes to counting calories and stepping on the scale- especially now that it’s holiday time. If you feel this way, you’re not alone. According to a recent public opinion survey, over ½ of adult Americans are putting their diets and exercise on a “pandemic pause” given the stress of the year and the arrival of the holiday season.

But before you resign yourself to loosening your belt or pulling out the elastic waist pants, you may want to think again. As we’ve previously noted in agebuzz, excess weight can be a challenge as you get older, and can mean the difference between healthy and hazardous aging. In fact, a new study recently appeared in JAMA Internal Medicine underscoring that just a few pounds can make the difference for those who are “pre-diabetic” (estimates are that’s 1 out of 3 US adults). The study reports that those who make modest lifestyle changes and drop just 4-6 lbs can cut their risk of developing full-blown Type 2 diabetes in half. So before you indulge in those holiday cookies, think about the consequences and click here.

And to further encourage you, consider new research out of the University of Warwick that reports that regardless of your older age or level of obesity, you can probably lose weight the same as younger adults, with lifestyle changes and an individually tailored approach. And furthermore, it’s a myth that older adults can’t obtain health benefits by losing weight. In fact, if anything, keeping at a trim weight becomes all the more important as we get older This study found that with dietary changes, physical activity, and psychological support, older overweight adults can have just as much success with weight loss as their younger counterparts. To find out more, look here.

Finally, if diet and exercise don’t seem to bring you results, Jane Brody, in a recent New York Times column, reminds us that bariatric surgery, for those who are obese or are suffering from obesity-related medical conditions, remains a viable yet underused option to help you achieve a healthy weight. Though there are still risks involved, as there are with any surgical procedure, bariatric surgery (especially if performed laparoscopically) can be a viable weight loss solution for obese older adults.