How You Can Avoid This Trap
By the time we are in high school, we become aware of one number that will always be a priority in our lives. It is not our phone number, our driver’s license number, or even our age. It is our weight. Few people will ever admit to being satisfied with their weight. The average person thinks about their weight seven times a day.
We all remember that person in college that could eat everything in sight and never gain weight. While most of us felt the band to our jeans get snug at the smell of pizza, she could eat three large slices and still have room for a soda. However, nature has a way of narrowing the playing field given time.
Nearing middle age
As time goes on, we reach a point where we can eat within our limits and be able to wear our clothes comfortably. But don’t get too cozy. As you reach the tender age of 25-years-old, your metabolism begins to slow by a rate of 5%. You may not notice this in your 20’s because many things are happening inside your body. For the first time, your body is no longer making new bone growth. There is no energy being used to support that function, and metabolism begins its decline. It is gradual, but by the time you reach your 30’s your systems have adjusted and it is time to address the new “middle-aged” you. This is a natural part of life that can be reversed,but only with a long term commitment.
By the time you reach 35-years of age, your metabolism has slowed another 5%. This means by now your body is no longer metabolizing 100 calories per day. Do the math you are dropping a big 200 calories per day when you reach 45-years-old. This means you can eat what you are eating today and exercising as you do today and you will soon be gifted with 12 extra pounds of fat on your body. Even miss “I can eat anything” will experience some snug waistbands.
If you wonder how much food your 20-something body would have to eat to gain 12 pounds it would be something like this, you could consume three 4-inch pancakes with syrup every day or snack on nine Hershey’s Kisses or you have indulged on four large strawberries dipped in chocolate. But now, you have to find extra calories in your diet to reduce your intake.
What can we do?
We all understand that our doctors determine our ideal body weight by scientific charts. They figure our BMI (Body Mass Index). This means they divide your weight, by your height. This gives them a number that is compared to a chart that calculates the amount of fat on your body. Since we pretty much know we cannot grow any taller, we are left with the option of losing weight by burning more calories than we eat. Because we know that our metabolism gets slower as we age, we must see a doctor that figures in your age.
They can determine by your age, health condition, and BMI how many calories you should eat. There is one more thing to add to the equation. It takes 3500 calories to lose a pound of fat. That means you have to burn (with exercise) 3500 calories for every pound you need to lose. But, we cannot go to extremes and just not eat. This can be called eating disorders which are frowned on. A healthy way to do this is to cut 500 to 1000 calories per day from your normal diet. This will give you a loss of 1-2 pounds.
Get ready to hurry up and wait
You will soon see that the human body is not a machine that you can push around. Your body will hang on to every pound to make sure that the reduction of calories is not the beginning of drought or other reasons for starvation. This is how the body was programmed naturally. When it determines that it is not a life or death problem, it will release the fat.
Glycogen
Glycogen is a form of glucose that is formed in the liver and muscles. It is supported by the stored carbohydrates and it is what gives your body swift energy. These carbs are housed in the fluids of the body. When you diet and/or exercise your body calls on the glycogen and the fluid (water) that holds it is released fro the body. This is why the first few pounds of weight you lose is considered water weight. It takes a bit more effort to burn the fat off.
Closing
Our bodies send us signals. It tells us when it needs more exercise so that bone and muscle can remain strong. When we need more hydration, our bodies show us dry skin and hair. When we are eating too much sugar, fat, and processed foods, we are tired, cranky, and have stomach issues.
While we don’t want to find unwanted pounds especially when we have not enjoyed any wonderful treat to justify them, we will get them and to stay healthy we will not ignore them. It is just a signal that we are on course and we are in control. Of course, you should always check with your doctor to be sure the exercise program and diet program you are considering it is safe for you.
So, tell us, do you feel you gain weight without reason?
Here at Selfweightloss, we show you how to lose weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle with tips and articles on Weight Loss, Fitness, Diet, Nutrition and Food, updated daily by our community of authors and editors.
