The older you get, the harder it is to maintain your weight. In fact, experts say your metabolism slows by about 5% every 10 years, meaning you have to continue to work harder and harder to achieve the same results. Use these tips to help prevent the pounds from coming on with the years.
3 Tips To Prevent Weight Gain As You Age
- Build lean muscle mass: Muscle burns three times as many calories as body fat, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to your body composition as well as your weight. How do you know if you need to build more muscle? You can have a body fat percentage test done at your doctor’s office or local gym, or pinch your belly or upper arm to see if you’ve got extra fat stored.
- Eat lean proteins: Lean proteins can help you retain or build muscle mass while losing fat. Lean cuts of chicken and beef as well as low-fat dairy products are great sources of protein for dieters.
- Change your workout routine: If you’ve been doing the same exercises for years, your body can actually adapt to burn fewer calories from the same amount of work. Try changing up your routine by trying a new exercise class or experimenting with interval training instead of endurance workouts.
As you get older, it’s important to focus on weight loss strategies that allow you to build lean muscle mass instead of just cutting calories.