Age related metabolic decline
How to fight a slowing metabolism
We have all heard
someone say that their metabolism is
just not what it used
to be – we may even have said it ourselves. We tell
ourselves that we eat the same amount as we did in our
twenties, yet we still pack on the pounds.
Is there such thing as
age related metabolic decline and if so; why does our metabolism
slow as we age?
Your basal metabolic
rate is the amount of calories your body burns every day
just to stay alive. One theory of why your basal metabolic
rate drops as you age is because you tend to lose muscle
mass as you age. The less muscle you have – the fewer
calories you burn.
Another theory for age
related metabolic decline is that you simply exercise less
and move less than when you were younger. The more exercise
you do – the higher your metabolic rate. We tend to exercise
less and not work as hard as we age.
Another theory for why
your metabolic rate slows down as you age is that your
eating habits change. When you are young you tend to eat
when you are hungry. As you age, responsibilities sometime
keep you from eating when you want – as a result, poor
eating habits develop such as skipping breakfast or only
eating one large meal per day.
I am sure that there are
many more scientific reasons for age related metabolic
decline. The fact of the matter is that we must change or we
will continue to gain those few pounds per year. What to do?
Weight bearing exercise
will help keep the bones strong and help to maintain muscle
mass. Learn more about how weight lifting can benefit you.
Join a gym, hire a personal trainer, or purchase some home
gym equipment.
Cardiovascular exercise
burns calories. Start an exercise program such as walking,
running, biking, or swimming. Burn those calories!
Retrain yourself to
start eating 5 or 6 small but nutritionally packed meals per
day. Re-learn portion size so that you are well nourished
but not overstuffed at all times.
These are just a few
ideas on how to combat age related metabolic decline. Always
check with your doctor before embarking on any exercise
program. Do not accept age related metabolic decline
gracefully – Use these tools to combat this menace.
I wish for you the best
of health!
Bill
© weightloss-articles.com
