Getting Older and Gaining Weight

We know that getting older is inevitable but, when you look around at older adults these days, they look younger than ever. Part of it is learning how to take care of ourselves with exercise, but no matter what we do, our bodies are going to change.There are some things we can't control as we get older, but one thing we can do something about is managing our weight. We may not be the same weight we were as a teenager, but we can be strong, fit and healthy no matter how old we get.

Most people think that gaining weight and getting older go hand in hand, but the reason we gain weight isn't just about getting older, it's about how our habits change. Many of us gain weight because we:

• Become more sedentary
• Don't lift weights to maintain muscle mass
• Eat more calories even as metabolism slows down

While there are some elements we can't control, most of the weight gain that comes with aging can be avoided with a little exercise.

The main reason for muscle loss, which lowers metabolism, is that we often spend way too much sitting—we sit at work, we sit when we watch TV and we sit when we play around on the computer. If we spend too much time doing that when we're younger, it's that much harder to stop doing that when we get older. It follows that being active and lifting weights will help preserve your muscle and increase your bone density while maintaining a higher metabolism. Before you get started, see your doctor, especially if you're on any medications or have any pain or injuries you're dealing with. Once you've got clearance to exercise, you can follow this basic approach to getting in shape:

• Cardio Exercise: Choose any activity you enjoy or think you might enjoy with some practice like swimming, walking or cycling and try to do that activity at least 3 days a week. Start with what you can handle and gradually add time each week until you can do 30 minutes of continuous activity. 
• Lift weights: Strength training may be one of the most important parts of your exercise program. You'll build muscle and strength while also working on important areas like balance, stability, and flexibility - all things that tend to decline with age. 
• Watch Your Diet: The most important aspect of managing your weight is your diet. Keeping track of your calories and sticking with healthy eating at least most of the time can help you avoid too much weight gain as you get older.  
• Be realistic: As you get older, it will take longer to lose weight, so it helps to focus on the process - getting your workouts in and eating as healthfully as possible. Do that and your body will respond in its own time.

If you find it hard to start or stick with an exercise program, motivate yourself by remembering what you do for your health when you exercise: you feel better, you look better, you reduce your chances of heart disease and diabetes and, best of all, you're doing what your body was meant for: moving around.