You’re living your life, having fun and enjoying your old age. Then, wham, you lose your spouse, your friends, and your social life. Now what are you going to do? It’s not unusual for people to hit a speed bump in midlife, especially those who diligently maintained their weight through all their adult life. But once you pass the age of 50, can you truly say that you want to lose weight? Is it possible to lose weight after 50?
Let’s explore this question, shall we?
Why Do You Want to Lose Weight?
It’s not a secret that people in general, and men in particular, are struggling with their weight. According to the Mayo Clinic, about one in every four men are obese, while one in every seven are clinically overweight. For women, those figures are 18.5% and 12.9% respectively. The numbers are rising and the trend is alarming. Even more concerning is the fact that, as you get older, the desire to lose weight usually increases. But here’s the rub: Once you’ve passed the age of 50, can you really say that you want to lose weight? Is it possible to lose weight after 50?
There are many explanations for this phenomenon. First of all, as you age, you naturally decrease your metabolic rate. Simply put, the body’s need for energy decreases. As a result, it requires less calories to maintain the same weight. This is called “inverse caloric restriction” or “inverse calorie restriction.” It is also the main explanation for why it’s so hard to lose weight as you get older.
Another factor is that men and women change their bodies and their needs as they age. Most women experience a so-called “biocultural shift” where they become more interested in dressing chic and feeling stylish. This can greatly influence how they view their bodies and the requirements for their physical appearance. Not to mention that life in general becomes more sedentary as you get older, so even if you do manage to keep off some weight, it’s quite possible that you won’t feel that you’re accomplishing much.
Changes to Your Body As You Age
It’s one thing to want to lose weight and another thing to actually be able to do so. If you’re determined to lose weight and keep it off, here are some tips to ensure that you actually manage to accomplish this goal.
When you reach your fifties, you’ll most probably experience some physical changes to your body. Most people dread these changes and don’t look forward to them at all. The main reason behind this is that, as people get older, they start to accumulate more and more weight. Thanks to this, your entire body starts to change, and it’s not always for the better. For example, as you get older, your bones become more brittle, and this increases your risk of breaking a bone. Even more concerning is the fact that, as you get older, your heart and your muscles become weaker, which can put you at risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Even getting a simple cold can turn into a life-threatening situation for you.
Fortunately, there are things that you can do to decrease the negative impact that these changes have on your health. First of all, you need to become aware of them and what’s going on. This means that you’ll need to pay attention to your body and notice if any changes are happening. Are you gaining more weight than you were in your thirties? Have you noticed that you’re having more trouble breathing than you were in your twenties? Do you feel dizzy or lightheaded more frequently than you used to? You might want to consult your physician or a nutritionist to get an idea of what’s going on and what you need to do about it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or express concern.
The Importance of Physical Activity
If you really want to lose weight, then it’s imperative that you get active. This means that you need to do something other than sit on your butt all day and watch television. It’s important to move around and get some exercise. Even walking is a form of exercise that works wonders at keeping your weight in check. If possible, you should try to do some sports or take up a sport. This way, you’ll get fit and enjoy the process.
Nowadays, it’s easy to stay physically active. Just by getting up and moving around, you’ll already be doing enough. But if this is something that you’ve never really tried, then now might be the right time to start. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, then there are a few tips that might help. Make sure to try out at least some of these tips, and you might find that losing weight doesn’t seem so difficult anymore.