Anybody of their 50s with a long-term weight reduction aim understands it takes consistency, dedication, motivation, and an entire lot of endurance. However don’t take it personally. If you happen to’re in a rut and people additional kilos gained’t budge, you’ve come to the precise place.

First, let’s clear the air. If losing a few pounds appears additional arduous with age, it’s not simply you, says Virginia Weaver, MD, a bariatric surgeon and weight administration specialist at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Cordova, Tennessee. The truth is, most girls acquire round 10 to fifteen kilos throughout and after perimenopause, she explains.

“This additionally comes on the heels of most girls experiencing gentle to reasonable weight acquire of their thirties and forties, no matter whether or not or not they’ve youngsters,” Dr. Weaver provides. That is usually resulting from a extra sedentary life-style as ladies attempt to preserve a wholesome work-life stability and train will get placed on the again burner, she notes.

Worry not: It *is* potential to shed weight in your 50s, and the bottom line is adopting constant, sustainable habits that work to your life-style, says Kimberly Gomer, RD, a Miami-based registered dietitian who focuses on weight reduction, diabetes, ldl cholesterol, and polycystic ovary syndrome. “Concentrate on progress, not perfection.”

Meet the consultants: Betul Hatipoglu, MD, is an endocrinologist, professor of medication at Case Western Reserve College College of Medication, and medical director of the Diabetes and Metabolic Care Heart at College Hospital Cleveland Medical Heart in Cleveland, Ohio. Virginia Weaver, MD, is a bariatric surgeon and weight administration specialist at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Cordova, Tennessee. Kimberly Gomer, RD, is a Miami-based registered dietitian who focuses on weight reduction, diabetes, ldl cholesterol, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Why It Can Be More durable To Lose Weight As You Get Older

There are a number of causes for issue losing a few pounds in your 50s, however an enormous one revolves round hormonal modifications and lowered estrogen ranges, particularly between perimenopause and menopause, says Betul Hatipoglu, MD, an endocrinologist, professor of medication at Case Western Reserve College College of Medication, and medical director of the Diabetes and Metabolic Care Heart at College Hospital Cleveland Medical Heart in Cleveland, Ohio.

Because of the declining hormones as you endure these reproductive modifications, your physique triggers a stress response which may enhance insulin resistance and result in weight acquire, she explains. Menopause can also be identified to decelerate your metabolism additional affecting your capacity to shed weight, she provides.

Hypothyroidism is one other widespread weight acquire perpetrator for ladies over 50, says Dr. Weaver. It is a situation the place the physique doesn’t produce sufficient thyroid hormone and might result in an absence of vitality and induce weight acquire, per the Mayo Clinic. If you happen to’re extraordinarily fatigued, constipated, have hassle staying awake, expertise dry hair and nails, and/or discover fast weight acquire, Dr. Weaver suggests speaking to your physician a couple of full blood workup to verify for hypothyroidism.

You’re additionally prone to lose muscle mass in your 50s which modifications the composition of your physique and slows down your metabolism, says Gomer. Why? A lack of muscle mass decreases your resting metabolic price, which interprets into much less energy burned all through the day, in flip, triggering weight acquire, explains Dr. Weaver. In consequence, if you happen to don’t work on constructing and/or sustaining muscle, your metabolism slows down and also you expend fewer energy.

On prime of every little thing else, stressing over all of the above can solely make issues worse, says Dr. Weaver. When harassed, your cortisol ranges enhance (your stress hormone) which causes your physique to retailer fats quite than burn it, resulting in extra weight acquire, particularly within the midsection, she explains.

15 Ideas To Assist You Lose Weight Over 50

Able to get at it? Forward, 15 expert-backed ideas for safely and successfully losing a few pounds in your 50s.

1. Incorporate cardio train.

Whether or not it’s strolling, swimming, working, or dancing, get your coronary heart price pumping, says Dr. Hatipoglu. “Cardio train will assist the physique alter to a brand new metabolic state by growing fats burning and bettering insulin resistance,” she explains. Do your finest to maneuver your physique, in any manner you get pleasure from, for half-hour at the very least 5 days per week.

2. Embrace resistance coaching.

Energy coaching has a big affect in your metabolism and fats burning capabilities, so it’s essential to include resistance coaching at the very least three days per week to construct and preserve muscle mass, says Dr. Weaver. Muscle acquire can occur with easy dumbbells and resistance bands, and even simply exercising utilizing your personal body weight, she provides.

3. Ditch processed syrups and refined sugar.

Keep away from processed meals and verify labels for extreme sugar together with corn syrup, rice syrup, brown rice syrup, fructose, dextrose, maltose, and sucrose, says Gomer. It’s additionally finest to keep away from refined sugar and in the reduction of on sweets, baked items, soda, and jelly, she provides.

4. Restrict snacking.

“Probably the greatest methods to decrease insulin is to keep away from snacking and grazing,” says Gomer. “Insulin is what’s in control of starvation and fats storage, so reducing insulin is essential in weight administration,” she explains. As a substitute of mindlessly snacking, Gomer recommends specializing in three balanced meals a day and loading up on the fruits and veggies.

5. Prioritize fiber.

Fiber is essential for regulating blood sugar ranges and stopping insulin resistance, whereas doubling as an superior supply of diet for the wholesome micro organism in your intestine, says Gomer. Excessive-fiber meals like greens, fruits, oats, beans, and legumes are additionally additional filling to maintain you glad all through the day with out overloading the energy, she provides.
You may get your every day dose of fiber in a complement type, however your finest wager is complete, unprocessed meals.

6. Reduce on alcohol.

“Alcohol is metabolized utilizing the liver in the identical pathway as fats is burned,” says Dr. Hatipoglu. “In consequence, when alcohol is utilized in that route on the highway to be metabolized, the fats can’t be burned and the physique has to attend its flip,” she explains. To not point out, booze lacks dietary worth and is often full of energy. If you happen to’re craving a festive bev, strive glowing water with lime or muddled fruit.

7. Meal prep and prepare dinner at residence.

Do your finest to plan forward and meal prep at residence quite than counting on eating places or meals supply, says Gomer. “Meals ready at eating places is loaded with sugar, salt, and extremely processed elements, and eating places usually supply big parts,” she explains. Her suggestion? Delete meals supply apps out of your telephone and peek on the menu earlier than going to a restaurant so you could find the healthiest selection forward of time.

8. Cut back stress.

It’s simpler mentioned than executed, however stress administration is essential for weight reduction success, says Dr. Weaver. Not solely can stress enhance cortisol ranges which creates cussed fats across the stomach, however it could actually additionally enhance starvation hormones and elevate your metabolic set level (or the physique’s most well-liked weight).

To assist hold stress at bay, Dr. Weaver recommends mindfulness, meditation, journaling, and yoga. Psychological well being professionals and remedy may also be an ideal outlet for extra personalised assist, she provides.

9. Defend your sleep.

As you age, one of the vital important impacts on the physique is sleep disruptions and menopause-induced sleep problems, says Dr. Hatipoglu. “A few of it comes from sizzling flashes in the course of the night time that disturb sleep, nonetheless, sleep deprivation and sleep disruptions have been linked to elevated insulin resistance, elevated threat of diabetes, and weight acquire,” she explains.

Plus, sleep deprivation may also enhance your starvation hormone, ghrelin, which may set off late night time snacking and sugar cravings, provides Gomer. Do your finest to get seven to 9 hours of sleep an evening, however if you happen to want some additional assist, Dr. Hatipoglu recommends lavender or chamomile tea, Epsom salt baths, and meditation earlier than mattress to assist wind down.

10. Search out social assist.

Discovering different ladies present process comparable physique modifications with the identical signs may be extraordinarily useful in sharing ideas and coping mechanisms, says Dr. Hatipoglu. Whether or not it’s by way of in-person meet-ups, digital assist teams, or social media challenges, connecting with different ladies may be key to your success and psychological well being, she explains. A assist system may also hold you accountable and on observe together with your targets.

11. Decide to every day stretching.

Whether or not it’s the very first thing you do within the morning or the very last thing you do earlier than mattress, every day stretching or yoga is price your time, says Dr. Hatipoglu, who explains that every day stretching can assist management cortisol ranges, which may in flip hold your bones wholesome and your physique lively.

12. Get your steps in.

“Being sedentary is an enormous drawback for insulin resistance, and strolling proper after a meal will assist decrease the insulin response,” says Gomer. Strolling additionally helps with mobility and anti inflammatory responses which have long-term impacts in your weight, so get out and strut your stuff at the very least half-hour a day.

13. Undertake a Mediterranean-style weight-reduction plan.

Wholesome consuming is one among, if not an important facet of weight reduction as you age, and a Mediterranean-style weight-reduction plan can hold you on observe, says Dr. Hatipoglu. Concentrate on pure carbohydrates similar to greens and low-glycemic fruits (oranges, apples, cherries, and strawberries), lean protein (eggs, fish, turkey, hen, and tofu), and complete grain carbohydrates (oats, quinoa, and barley), she explains.

It’s additionally in your favor to reduce processed snacks, desserts, easy carbs, and fried meals, she provides.

14. Shift your mindset.

“Weight reduction is an inside job and mindset administration is essential for fulfillment,” says Gomer. “For some, train is a key for mindset and good temper, whereas others discover assist from meditation and journaling.” Discover what makes you are feeling good and keep it up.

15. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

If you happen to’re dehydrated, it’s potential to mistake thirst for starvation, so it’s essential to hydrate all through the day. At a minimal, intention to drink about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluid a day.

Backside line: Weight acquire in your 50s is regular and it’s widespread to battle dropping kilos. That mentioned, discuss with a physician or registered dietitian if you happen to’ve tried all of the above measures for 3 months with out weight reduction success.



Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based author and graduate pupil at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass client of social media and cares about ladies’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all issues health and is at present obsessive about Peloton Tread exercises and sizzling yoga.