Losing weight becomes more difficult as we age. The body does not release fat cells as easily and it can be more painful to exercise intensely because of joint pain. Maintaining a proper weight is essential for minimizing risks to your health; those risks include heart disease, diabetes and stroke. By cutting simple carbohydrates out of your diet, drinking more water, sleeping a full night, walking and increasing your protein intake you can lose weight at any age. Use these tips after discussing them with your physician to ensure they are right for you if you have any health issues already.
Cut Un-Natural Simple Carbohydrates
Not all simple carbohydrates are bad for you. Fruits, milk and some vegetables will break down quickly and are good for you, these are natural and you should continue eating these. But unnatural simple carbohydrates break down quickly and turn to fat very fast. These processed simple carbohydrates are typically found in the sugary foods and breads that we consume. Candy, syrups, soft drinks and white breads are all examples of simple carbohydrates you can avoid to lose weight.
Drink more Water
Most people do not drink enough water. Dehydration is bad for your health and makes your body work harder than it needs to work. Drinking at least 64 ounces of water each day will ensure your body can process the food you are eating in the most efficient way possible. If you are exercising or in an environment that is extremely hot, it is necessary to drink more than 64 ounces of water each day.
Sleep
It is recommended that adults of all ages get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. This is necessary time for your body to recover and operate at its best. If you are trying to lose weight, work on getting a full night sleep to encourage your body to recover from your previous day’s activities. Making sleep a priority can increase your weight loss and help you keep it off.
Walking
Even if you cannot find time to hit the gym, walking is something you can do almost anywhere and at any time. Walking can be broken down into small sessions and does not need to be completed all at once. Park farther away when doing errands, take a walking break at work, or go for a brisk walk around your block at night. Increasing the amount of time you are walking will add up to increased calorie burn and will support your body as it tries to burn extra calories while you lose weight.
Increase Protein
Protein helps your body rebuild cells and increase your muscle mass. You need protein to function and many people do not ingest enough good protein throughout the day. If you are eating deep green vegetables like kale, you will be getting extra protein from that. Other ways to get healthy protein include adding protein powder to your morning shakes, eating lean chicken in your salads and snacking on nuts throughout the day. Avoid high fat proteins like red meats, they are not good for your heart and are more difficult for your body to process.
Losing weight is a difficult task no matter what your ages is. As we grow older it may not be possible to run long distances or do extreme workouts. But incorporating less simple carbohydrates, more water, more sleep, more walking and increasing your protein you can lose weight at any ages. Continue these healthy lifestyle changes and you will be able to keep the extra weight off for the rest of your life.
