Before, you never had a problem losing weight or keeping it off, but suddenly the scale won’t budge. Although it’s annoying, you’re not by yourself! Science gives several theories for why our bodies don’t respond to weight loss efforts the same way as we age. Our muscles, hormones, metabolism, and other body systems are in flux as we get older.
Here are a few reasons why you gain weight as you age: –
Lower metabolic rate
The body is continually changing and growing as adolescents and teenagers, which results in a high metabolic rate. The pace at which fat is burned to create energy is referred to as the metabolic rate. This metabolic rate naturally slows down and fewer calories are expended around the age of 30. Fat builds up as a result of this. Exercise is the only way to increase your metabolic rate and burn fat.
Muscle Loss
Sarcopenia, a condition where we lose 3 to 8 percent of our lean muscle mass per decade after the age of 30, is what causes this. If you are less active due to age-related health issues like arthritis or if you have been hospitalized for a procedure, you may also lose muscle. Your body will require less calories each day unless you are routinely using weights for strength training to maintain and grow muscle. If you continue to consume the same number of calories as you did when you were younger, weight growth is likely to occur.
Stress
With our careers frequently in full flow as we enter our 40s and 50s, it’s possible that you spend more time sitting down when commuting or working at your desk, and you find it harder to find the time to go for walks or jogs. It can be challenging to maintain your younger self’s step count as life becomes busier. Additionally, your stress levels may have increased as a result of your inevitably increased duties, increased pressure at work, or a family that depends on you. According to research, increased work-related stress causes the body to produce more ghrelin, a hormone that makes you feel more hungry and encourages overeating.
Menopause (for women)
Menopause is another factor that contributes to weight increase in women. This is due to the hormonal imbalances that characterize this illness. This causes an abrupt decline in estrogen levels, which causes the body to respond by drawing more estrogen from fat cells. In the end, more fat is formed as a result. As they age, men can also have hormonal abnormalities. A decrease in testosterone levels that causes abdominal weight gain is indicative of this.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Our lifestyle becomes increasingly sedentary as we age. Sedentary behavior is particularly unhealthy and contributes to a wide range of issues, including weight gain. Without routine exercise, the body’s already-low metabolic rate further declines, which causes fat cells to accumulate. Take 30 minutes out of your day to walk, cycle, or engage in any other sort of exercise to combat this.
Less time for yourself
We undergo several significant life changes once we enter adulthood, such as starting a family. Spending time with your kids and taking care of the duties that come with being a parent often take the place of the time that was previously available for exercise. In addition to having less time to make nutritious meals for yourself and hence not keeping such a close check on your food, the reasons for not exercising as frequently may now be more understandable than they were when you were a young adult.
The Takeaway
As you grow old, these weight gain problems are quite inevitable. However, they can still be avoided. All you need to do is focus on eating healthy by increasing your fruit and vegetable intake. Don’t eat fast foods or drink beverages which have added sugars. Make sure to stay hydrated all the time. You also need to stop taking stress, meditation will help you a lot in dealing with your stress. Last of all, just make sure that you are getting enough rest. A good amount of sleep is always necessary. As long as you got these in check you should not have any problem dealing with you weight gain when you age.
