Losing weight at any age is never easy, but trying to shed excess pounds after menopause can be especially challenging! Here are a few things to consider as you try to stay healthy into your senior years.
Metabolism Is a Factor
The way your body breaks down and uses nutrients changes as you age. Eating habits that helped you lose weight in your younger years may not work now, which can be very frustrating.
For example, going for long periods of time without eating anything may have helped you lose weight fast for a special occasion when you were in your twenties. However, this tactic will probably not work for you now. Your body may actually think you are starving if you go too long without eating and will slow down your metabolism to save your life.
Metabolism can also be affected by how active you are. If you were very active in your younger days, chances are that you have slowed down the pace a bit. This is completely natural and will slow your metabolism noticeably. So eating the exact same amounts of the exact same foods now that you ate in your twenties and thirties may leave you with vastly different results. If your activity level has decreased, the amount of food you need to eat to maintain your body weight will need to decrease as well.
Hormone Levels Are a Factor
As women, and men for that matter, age, their levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone decline. This is just a fact of life and will also have an effect on the way your body handles stress. Lower testosterone levels in men and women can lead to greater stress and anxiety which some people cope with by eating more. This is often called “stress eating.” Stress eating can be a major contributor to weight gain in both men and women in their fifties and beyond. Knowing that this is a natural part of the aging process, helps you to see this behavior for what it is when it happens. Instead of feeling ashamed for overeating “junk food”, remember that there is a biological reason for what you are feeling. This will help you choose a different way to deal with the stressors in your life.
Exercise Is Essential
You may not be able to run five miles a day as you did in your younger days, but daily, cardiovascular activity will not only help increase your metabolism, but it will help you feel better, too. Running after 60 is not as beneficial as it was in your 30’s and 40’s. The stress on your joints can lead to injuries that can keep you on the sidelines when you should be up and moving. Instead of running every day, consider walking, swimming or hiking. These activities can be done alone or with an exercise partner and can become the highlight of your day.
Knowledge Is Power
Knowing that weight loss after menopause needs to be looked at through a different lens than weight loss in your younger years can help alleviate some of the frustration that you might experience. Remember, there is a reason that your body is not responding to your efforts in the ways it did in the past. Making just a few, simple adjustments will make your weight loss journey more enjoyable and ultimately more successful. If you need extra help, seeking out help from a professional at Idaho Falls Weight Loss can help you and your specific needs.
