If it seems that ever since you turned 50 you more easily gain belly fat, then you are probably correct. Due to hormonal changes that naturally occur around this age your metabolism slows, your muscle mass decreases and your body favors the deposit of fat at your waistline. This can make weight loss for women over the age of 50 challenging, but you can follow a few simple strategies to get your body burning fat efficiently again.
The best way to lose belly fat if you are a woman over 50 is to follow this 2 pronged approach:
1. Eat for your age. Have you noticed that the Hollywood stars we grew up with, including Sharon Stone, Cher, and Goldie Hawn seem to get better bodies with age? One thing is for certain, they do not stay fit and maintain their thin waistline by following a diet they cut out of a magazine.
These fit Hollywood celebs figured out the secret of eating for their age. Your metabolism changes as you move out of your twenties and you need to adapt your diet for these changes with each passing decade.
One of the most notable metabolic changes is how your body metabolizes carbohydrates. When you are young these foods are quickly and efficiently burned for fuel. By age 50 these same foods are more likely to be deposited as belly fat.
You can eat for your age by reducing your carbohydrate intake and replacing those lost calories with protein foods. In other words, have less bun and more chicken. Or, better yet, ditch the bun and eat a chicken Caesar salad.
2. Exercise for your age. After the age of 50 muscle mass diminishes IF you do not work out to prevent it. Each pound of muscle can burn as much as 50 calories, even when you are at rest. Therefore, every muscle counts.
You want to do a minimum of 2 days a week of resistance exercise. This will not only help you burn belly fat, it will also keep your core, arms, and legs toned and shapely, which reduces the look of aging.
You can do yoga or body weight exercises, but don't shy away from picking up a couple of dumbbells. You want to tax your muscles to a point where you feel the fatigue. This stimulates the muscle to grow regardless of your age.
Resistance exercises should be complimented with aerobic exercise. For burning belly fat you should try to get your walk, bike ride, or swim in before breakfast for an added metabolic boost.
This 2 prong approach is a great way to burn belly fat and there is no better time to get started then now! And remember every successful weight loss plan starts at the same place - setting a goal.
