How to Integrate Weight Loss As You Age

If you think it's getting harder to lose weight as you get older, you're probably right. There are a number of factors that combine to make this a reality. That doesn't mean that if you're over a certain age, you'll never be able to lose weight or keep it off. It might mean you have to work a bit harder to shed those pounds. What will really make a difference though, is knowing where to target your weight loss efforts that they will have the greatest impact.

When the Old Way Stops Working

You had a system that worked, and now it doesn't work. Our body changes. It can be frustrating when you always made fitness a priority and then suddenly you start seeing your weight go up for no discernible reason. This will happen to almost everyone as they get older though, and it's because our metabolism slows down as we get older.

That doesn't mean that you're doomed to pack on extra pounds and there's nothing you can do about it. It just means that you'll have to reevaluate your weight management system. Because you're burning fewer calories a day now, you'll have to adjust to taking in a few less as well. This can be as simple as switching to a fat-free latte or having a glass of red wine instead of a beer. Calories hide in some sneaky places, but that often means they're pretty easy to root out once you know where they are.

Adjusting Your Workout

Your activity level has a direct impact on your metabolism. If you've always been active, you may wind up wondering how it's possible to boost your metabolism even more than you already are through exercise. The type of exercises you do may matter more than you think though. Particularly if you've always focused primarily on cardiovascular exercise, you may have to rethink your workout approach.

The amount of lean muscle mass you have on your body is a major determinant of how many calories you'll burn in a day. Muscle takes much more energy to maintain than fatty tissue, so the more muscle you have, the more calories you need. You start to lose muscle mass as you age though, even when you exercise regularly. This, in turn, slows down your metabolism even more, making it even easier for you to gain weight.

It is possible to combat this loss of muscle mass though. Adding a strength training aspect to your workout routine will help you build up your lean muscle mass again and automatically boost your metabolism. It's also a good idea to make sure you're getting plenty of lean protein like fish, chicken, or turkey in your diet. These types of foods can help to fight the loss of lean muscle mass as well.

Turning the Tides

You can lose weight at any age. It's just important not to fall into some of the same traps over and over again. Our bodies change as we age, and so our approach to health and fitness must adapt as well. It may be easier than you think to shed those unwanted pounds. You just have to know how to get at them.