Let’s face it; losing weight after you turn the golden age of forty is pretty tough. You are eating less than you use to and exercising just as much- but that pesky needle on the weight machine isn’t moving back at all. You punish yourself by eating even less than before and yet, there is no improvement. Don’t be so hard on yourself! There are a number of factors that make it exceedingly hard to lose weight after your forties and fifties; however, it’s still possible!
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, women over 40 usually weigh 20-25 pounds more than they did in their 20s. This may be due to a combination of factors including activity, food preferences, hormones, and metabolism. Out of these factors, metabolism plays the most important role.
The foods that you could tolerate in your 20s now stick like leeches to your weight. The main reason is a slow metabolism that leads to yo-yo dieting. This causes a reduction in muscle and a considerable gain in body fat. The reasons for your metabolism slowing down are often a sedentary lifestyle that most women/ men have by the time they reach their 50s. A good fitness routine starting in your 20s and all the way through your 50s can overcome the slowing pace of your metabolism.
Eating habits may also play a role in weight gain for women/men. With fluctuating hormones some people find that after hitting the 40 mark they start craving more carbohydrates than vegetables and lean protein. This over indulgence in sweets and other cravings can often lead to weight gain, especially if it is continued over a long period of time. A good way to counter this factor is to start your meals with salads and then move on to the main course, by the time you are done with your meal you will be full and will not overdo desserts.
Menopause is also an additional factor in women who are gaining weight, especially the pre-menopause symptoms. These can cause your hormones to go completely out of whack, resulting in a horde of symptoms such as weight gain and hair loss. In order to thwart pre-menopause symptoms, it is important to indulge in a good clean diet, get regular exercise, and drink at least 3 liters of water every day.
The greatest thing people can do in their 40’s and 50’s is take charge of their life. While most people feel they have no energy left at this age, it is often their poor choices that contribute to this energy deficit. Eating a diet full of nutritious foods such as green vegetables and protein, coupling in easy exercises such as yoga or personal training, weight training, and walking can revolutionize your life at 50. In addition to this, drinking 3 liters of water daily may be the best thing you can do to take 10 years off yourself to look and feel the best you have ever felt!
Original Source: https://bodybyframe.com/transformation/losing-weight-after-4050-how-aging-changes-your-metabolism/
