As we get older the task of losing weight or just maintaining our present weight, becomes more difficult than ever before. Once you pass your prime, then the metabolism slows down by the rate of 5% every 10 years. At 35 years of age you will burn around 100 calories less per day than you did at 25. This increases to 200 calories less per day by 45. If you do not partake in any exercise at all then you could be gaining up to 12lb every year!
This is due to the natural slowing of the metabolism that occurs with age. Add to this the fact that exercise, especially strenuous exercise, becomes more difficult and it leaves us more mature members of society with a problem.
However, this is no reason to give up completely nor to roll over and say "I can't, I'm not as young as I was." While there is still life and power in you then you must keep battling on otherwise you are truly dead in the water.
First step:before you begin any form of diet plan or exercise regime is to visit your doctor to obtain the all clear.
Follow a healthy eating plan. Eat plenty of whole grains and only whole meal bread. Try to eat oily fish two or three times per week. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Only eat lean meat...skinless chicken and white turkey meat are ideal. Avoid red meat, fizzy drinks and alcohol.
As in all age groups the same rules apply:
Stop eating junk food. Avoid convenience foods and fast foods. Pre-packaged complete meals may be simple to prepare by just popping them in the microwave but they are often high in fat and salt and provide little of the daily vitamins and minerals required for a healthy body. Refined and processed foods should be avoided.
Of course, quitting all the foods that you enjoy all at once may be too much for you and you will be happy to hear that it is not necessary; simply stop eating so much of these foods. This is not a diet for quick weight loss and we do not want you to lose weight fast...a steady and regular rate of weight loss is far healthier and more desirable.
Exercise is importantbut it is going to be dependant upon your age and mobility...and your ability.
A 70 year old is not going to be able to do the same as a 50 year old and one 50 year old is not going to be as capable as another...particularly if one is new to exercise and the other has made an effort to keep in shape over the years. So in essence, you have to do what you can within the limitations of your body.
Common sense is required here. If you are 50 years old and 40lb overweight, a regular drinker and smoker who has not done any form of exercise for years then do not think about putting on a track suit and going for a five mile run on the first day.
Start slowly and build it up. Begin by cutting down or preferably cutting out the alcohol and without question cut out the smoking...you need no further advice on that one.
Begin your exercise regime gently, perhaps by walking. Decide on a distance that you can manage but that is also a slight challenge to you. Next day increase this distance and continue increasing it every day. As your distance improves so will your fitness and your ability and enthusiasm too. Next you can begin increasing your pace. It is a good thing if your heart beats faster and your breathing quickens as this is the exercise that your heart and lungs need.
Swimmingis an excellent exercise for people of all ages and is particularly kind to the more mature person as you are able to move the body across a full range of movement and there is no strain upon the limbs and joints.
Yogais a marvellous form of movement. Regular practise of yoga will bring back to you a suppleness and flexibility of the spine and a range of movement you may not have had for many a year. It is never too late to begin practising yoga and there will surely be a regular class being held somewhere near where you live.
It is never too late to improve your health and your way of life. It is all too easy to lay back and watch TV and say to yourself that you are past it and why should you bother now. The old maxim of 'use it or lose it' is very applicable in this case.
You will be surprised at the amount of energy and vigour that you can inject into yourself by following the few things that have been mentioned here. Improve your diet, quit alcohol and cigarettes and take regular exercise and you could soon be feeling and looking years younger.
I am an ex-overweight person who was fortunate enough, many years ago, to find a healthy eating plan that helped me to lose a life-changing amount of weight. I have since maintained that weight loss. I have studied diet and nutrition for many years and I have a passion for health and fitness. I have studied yoga in England and India. I have a diploma to teach yoga from the B.S.Y. and also from the Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Ashram in Majurai, Southern India. I am new to the internet and to article marketing but feel i have a contribution to make. I am currently enjoying expanding my new weight loss website. For further weight loss advice and tips click here => howcanistopeating.com howcanistopeating.com
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