Your body becomes less efficient as you age as it goes through a series of changes that impact your metabolism, digestion, and other functions. You can blame this to your hormones, and other factors.

These are the possible reasons why a lot of adults aged 40 and above complain about weight gain and unflattering flab. Weight gain is normal when you age, but this can be addressed. This article has the best tips to help you lose weight, and how you can stay fit and healthy as you age.

Accept your body’s biological rhythm

Older does not always mean bigger. You just have to become familiar with your body’s new biological rhythm. It is important to understand that what goes in, must be burned off or it becomes stored fat. Eating 100 calories more than what you burn daily can already make you gain around nine to ten pounds in a year. After 40, your activity tends to decline, making fat-burning quite difficult at this point. Live a healthy and active lifestyle, and you will never have to worry about weight gain again.

Address Possible Metabolic Conditions

Some people experience thyroid problems when they reach this age. The thyroid produces hormones that help regulate metabolism. Your body becomes unstable when your thyroid is not functioning well, and weight gain is one of the most common effects.

It is important to have your thyroid function checked to address problems immediately. This is often experienced by women, and seldom present in men. Talk to your trusted endocrinologist and see whether there is a need for tests.

Eat for Energy

The main reason why you need to eat is to fuel your body. At this point in your life, it is crucial to eat just the right amount to keep yourself full. Binge eating is completely discouraged because it will be more difficult to keep your blood sugar steady. You should eat heavy during breakfast because that is when you need the most energy. Eat less as the day goes by, especially during dinner.

Adjust Meal Schedule Based on Biological Rhythm

Experts say that eating after eight in the evening will just send the calories to your stomach and hips. They also believe that your metabolism is revved up when you load up in the morning because the calories will most likely be burned. There are people who do not like to eat breakfast, but they should probably start doing so if they want to lose weight.

Consume Fat-Torching Foods

It is said that the abs are made in the kitchen. Your food choices sculpt your body, so eat those that are nutrituous and guilt-free. There are plenty of fat-burning foods to choose from, which can help you drop the pounds and shape your body. The good news is that you can still eat some of the foods that you like, as long as they are consumed in moderation.

Build More Muscles

The more muscle mass you have, the faster your metabolism will be. It is normal for aging adults to lose muscle in the process. Muscle loss is often replaced by fat gain. In order to keep your muscles in top shape, you will really want to work for it. Strength training is the best solution to your problem. It is always best to do strength training exercises with the supervision of a certified fitness trainer to ensure you are doing them right an to avoid injuries.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep becomes more elusive when you get older. A good night’s sleep, however, is one of the keys to weight loss. Your body releases stress hormones when you lack sleep, and they make you hungry all the time. When you have enough sleep, your body functions better, particularly your metabolism. Studies further showed that sleeping less than six hours a day will impair your glucose tolerance, and might eventually cause diabetes.

Set Realistic Goals

You have to burn 3,500 calories to burn a pound of weight. If you want to lose 10 pounds right away, then you will have to torch 35,000 calories. This is an overwhelming number that you can only achieve it fast when you eat nothing for weeks and move more than you usually do. This is unhealthy, and will only lead you to sickness. If you want to drop that 10 pounds of weight, make sure that your goals are realistic. Understand that it will take time to lose the weight the healthy way.