If you have hit middle age, you may have noticed that you have gained some weight over the years. Do not feel bad; you are not alone. There are many reasons as to why people tend to gain weight, as they grow older. In fact, no matter how active and healthy you remain, you may gain a couple pounds.
One of the reasons that you may gain weight, as you get older is because you may be less active. As kids, we are often full of energy. Children burn many calories in their everyday play. However, with so much technology today and so many people working on computers many people do not work in jobs that require much physical activity. If you have a family and your kids are all grown up, you may be less active at home. You no longer need to rush around morning, noon and night to take the kids where they need to be. Your children are no longer little and you are not chasing them around the house. When your kids were younger, you may have taken them for walks and played ball with them in the year. If they are teenagers or grown know, this is no longer the case.
Of course, not everyone is less active as they get older. Many people continue to include physical activity in their lives. Some people begin to walk with their friends on their lunch break. If you have been a runner all your life, you may still get up to run in the mornings. Some men and women join gyms to help them keep fit when they are older.
There are some physical reasons for more weight gain being associated with middle age. People start to lose muscle mass around the age of 50. This results in a slower resting metabolic rate. The rate at which your body burns calories decreases with age. But of course the number of calories you need to burn to lose weight, remains the same. Therefore you must exercise longer if you are going to be able to burn enough calories for weight loss.
As you get older, it might not be possible not to gain any weight. However, there are things you can do to keep your weight gain at a minimal. Remain active during your day. You can do this whether you are still working or even if you are retired. There are simple ways you can add some more physical activities to your day: use the stairs instead of the elevator, park a little farther away at the mall, go outside and play with the grandkids.
Starting an exercise routine can help you to maintain your weight. If you already exercise keep at it. Remember you should always consult with your physician before starting an exercise program. If your doctor says it is alright, use some weight training in your exercise program. This will help you prevent the loss of muscle mass. If you have certain health issues such as heart disease or diabetes, your doctor can help you devise an exercise plan that is safe for you. Try to maintain a weight that is as close to the recommended weight for your weight and height as possible.
Continue to make healthy dietary choices throughout your life. Exercise along, will not guarantee that you will maintain a healthy weight. Again you can consult with your health care professionals if you need guidance on a healthy diet. It is important to keep as fit as possible. If you are too much overweight, you are at greater risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.