Weight Loss Strategies For Middle Aged People

Are weight loss strategies for middle aged people any different than they would be for younger people? In theory no! The principles are the same. Regardless of age, any person wishing to lose weight must follow the basic guidelines of reducing calorie intake and increase calorie burning. In reality though, it seems middle aged people have more difficulty losing weight than younger people do. Why?

Our Slowing Metabolism

As we age, our metabolic rate slows down thus allowing excess fat cells and carbohydrates to go unburned and accumulate causing the spare tire effect.

Ask any middle aged person when they first noticed their body’s metabolism slow down and most will say (me included) around 40 years of age. For the majority, 40 appears to be the tipping point when our body slows down burning fat.

Knowledge is power

If we know that our body’s ability to burn fat slows down as we age, then we must turbo charge our metabolism to once again get back into the fat burning routine. How do we do this? By proper diet and exercise.

First we increase our meals to 5-6 small portioned meals per day. Your new dinner plate will now be the salad plate. Reduce consumption of starches and sugars. Limit your intake of bread, pasta, white rice, potatoes, cake, pies, and soda.

Increase the amounts of fruits, vegetables and lean meats, brown rice and fiber. Drink lots of water to hydrate and flush toxins out of your system.

The role of exercise

As you begin to take control of your diet, you should incorporate exercise into your daily routine to help increase the burning of calories, thus increasing your metabolism.

Walking, bicycling, swimming, golf, tennis and moderate weight training will benefit the dieter regardless of age and help them achieve their weight loss goals.

Please consult a physician before starting any diet or exercise program.