I have always been happy with my size until I turned fifty. Now when I exercise I gain weight even though my eating has not changed. It makes me discouraged and I stop exercising. What is going on and how do I deal with it?
I have always been happy with my size until I turned fifty. Now when I exercise I gain weight even though my eating has not changed. It makes me discouraged and I stop exercising. What is going on and how do I deal with it?
0 Answers
Danielle Kramer wrote on :
Understand that every body is different and being a healthy size and waistline is more important than being a size 2. Our basal metabolic rate (the number of calories you burn at rest) can decrease with the normal aging process. However muscle mass and overall physical condition also plays a role. If you have not changed your eating habits, try to change your exercise regimen to include more strength training and interval training or try a new exercise. Non weight bearing exercise like swimming, elliptical and yoga/Pilates are excellent alternatives. Do not give up on your exercise plan; there is a heart protective benefit even to overweight women who do regular cardiovascular exercise. You can find more detailed health information on the Speaking of Womenâs Health website at http://speakingofwomenshealth.com/health_library/listing/category/health_information/ I encourage you to subscribe to our monthly email newsletter where I share up to date health information, recipes and more http://www.fathompbm.com/SpeakingofWomensHealth/SWH-FOF.html
Staness Jonekos wrote on :
I so understand your frustration! I gained 25 pounds in a year once I slammed into menopause, grrrrr. Most want to blame menopause for midlife weight gain. Midlife weight gain appears to be mostly related to aging and lifestyle, but menopause also contributes to the problem. With busy lifestyles many of us don’t have time for exercise, over consume food and increase our alcohol intake.
With a few lifestyle changes you CAN be healthy and get into shape.
You need to change HOW you eat! It is important to reduce calorie intake after midlife because less energy is expended. Whether weight gain is linked to menopause itself and/or age, the important thing is that studies shows that weight gain around menopause years can be prevented by exercise and dietâby minimizing fat gain and maintaining muscle, thereby reducing body size and burning more calories.
I have personally found that increasing lean protein, decreasing high-glycemic carbs, and consuming healthy fats can help you find your ideal weight. As well as, eating 5-6 mini meals a days to kick up your metabolism and prevent sugar crashes and cravings.
With aging, muscle mass often decreases, while fat often increases. Although this shift may not increase weight (muscle weighs more than fat), body size will go up.
Loss of muscle mass also decreases metabolic rate and lowers caloric need, which can lead to weight gain. Conversely, exercising builds muscle mass, which weighs more than fat, so weight might go upâbut this is a healthy change.
It appears you have excellent exercise habits. If you are trying to lose weight aim for 45-50 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week. Make sure you discuss your plan with your healthcare provider, and respect any injuries. You may need to increase the intensity or time to get to your ideal weight.
Stress can also contribute to weight gain, so make ME TIME a priority.
Update your eating program and continue to exercise most days of the week. With a little extra effort maintaining a healthy weight and feeling good about yourself is possible.
If you feel
🙂