Meeting the Challenges of a Slowing Metabolism

As we age our metabolism begins to slow. Fortunately, losing weight after forty is not an impossible task. Research has shown it is possible when people take appropriate steps consistently.

Diet Industry

The diet industry has exploded in the last couple of decades as new research has shown just how many components work together to promote optimal health and well-being. In the past, this has been something of a disreputable industry preying upon the self-conscious nature of consumers. Today, many of the top dietary brands of supplements, fitness equipment, health apps, and active lifestyle accessories are revolutionizing the consumer health marketplace to improve the lives of those they serve. Health and dietary supplements were once filled with chemicals that caused more problems than they claimed to solve. This changed as product lines were launched by medical experts and fitness evangelists developed easy ways for people to improve their health. Diet is one of the most important factors in determining the weight of a person of any age. However, as we age we often begin to feel the toll of years of neglecting healthy habits. Many of these supplements help address problems which can contribute to weight gain like imbalanced levels of bacteria in out digestive systems. Plexus slim ingredients have been clinically demonstrated to help people lose weight by promoting the growth of good microflora and supporting healthy glucose metabolism. Many companies have also developed apps for smartphones or individual wearable devices which can help monitor health conditions, activity levels, dietary intake, and sleep levels. These are all things which can contribute to weight gain when not approached thoughtfully and with the intention to promote a healthy lifestyle. By making it easy for people to remain mindful of their health by leveraging their tech, the diet industry has made improving one’s health almost fun.

Medical Intervention

As we age, there are also medical conditions which can contribute to weight gain. An underactive thyroid can develop at any age in men or women. However, it is most common in women over the age of forty. The thyroid gland plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism and when it begins to malfunction metabolism can decrease dramatically and weight gain can occur. It can also cause a decrease in energy which makes it more difficult to get enough daily activity which can further contribute to weight gain. The hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause can also make women more likely to gain weight, especially around their abdomen and hips. While the two don’t always go together, it can be a contributing factor. Similarly, the natural drop in testosterone as men age can cause weight gain. In cases where weight gain has been extreme or where excess weight poses an ongoing health risk, doctors will sometimes recommend medical intervention. This could include weight-loss surgery, prescription medication, and professional counseling.

Healthy Routines

Fortunately, most age-related weight gain can be addressed easily with a more mindful approach to one’s daily life. This includes healthy eating choices, greater levels of daily activity, adequate sleep, and even techniques such as meditation. Choosing an appropriate dietary plan is one of the health concepts people find most challenging. This is because of the abundance of conflicting medical advice about what are good and bad food choices. There are medical experts who will claim eating any animal products contributes to poor health while there are others who promote eating diets which are protein rich. The truth likely lies somewhere in between and is different for each person which is why consulting a qualified dietician can help people establish healthy new eating patterns. Exercise is one thing most health professionals can agree on. Increasing one’s cardio and strength training activities can help combat middle age weight gain. This should be done under the supervision of one’s doctor but there are many fun activities that fulfill the daily activity requirements without feeling like a chore such as dancing, gardening, swimming, tennis, and golf. Research is increasingly showing the importance of maintaining a regular sleep schedule that provides adequate amounts of rest. This number is different for each person but is usually somewhere between seven and nine hours. Maintaining a healthy weight as we age is more challenging, but not impossible.