Maintaining a moderate weight can be harder as people get older. Tips for losing weight after 50 years include getting enough sleep, taking regular short breaks at work, treating underlying conditions that might contribute to weight gain, and more.
For a number of reasons, many people may find it more difficult to lose weight after they turn 50 years old. However, various tips can help older adults to maintain a moderate weight.
This article looks at ways a person can lose weight safely and maintain a moderate weight after they reach the age of 50 years.
![a man jumps rope outdoors, a good exercise to help lose weight after 50](http://i0.wp.com/post.medicalnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/GettyImages-627126644_header-1024x575.jpg?w=1155&h=1528)
Many factors contribute to why a person may find it more difficult to lose weight once they enter their 50s.
These factors can
- changes in metabolism, which affects how quickly the body burns calories
- reduced muscle mass, which also affects how quickly the body burns calories
- changes in sex hormones, with reduced estrogen causing increased body fat and reduced testosterone contributing to loss of muscle mass
- increased stress levels, which may increase appetite in some people
- higher levels of hunger hormones due to poor sleep
- reduced ability to exercise or not getting enough physical activity
- consuming more calories than their body needs
Certain conditions can also cause a person to gain weight, sometimes due to fluid retention. These include:
- heart failure
- kidney disease
- liver problems
Some medications can also contribute to weight gain or make it harder for a person to maintain a moderate weight. This may be because some side effects affect a person’s appetite. Examples of these medications include:
- antihistamines containing diphenhydramine
- antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil) and paroxetine (Paxil)
- antipsychotics such as olanzapine (Zyprexa) and clozapine (Clozaril)
- beta blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor) and atenolol (Tenormin)
- sleep aids containing diphenhydramine
It is best for a person to contact their doctor for advice if they believe medication or an underlying condition is affecting their weight.
Learn more about weight loss barriers.
The following sections will describe some ways a person can lose weight and maintain the weight loss after the age of 50 years.
1. Move more
The underlying principle of losing weight is burning more calories than one consumes.
One significant factor in many people’s sedentary lives is having a job that involves a lot of sitting, such as an office worker, driver, or cashier.
However, studies suggest that taking short breaks every half an hour can help reduce the amount of time they spend sitting and potentially increase their overall health.
Learn more about how to stay active in the workplace.
2. Get enough sleep
Specifically, they suggest that there is a correlation between short sleep duration, poor quality sleep, and an increased risk of developing overweight or obesity.
Getting enough quality sleep can help to reduce this risk and better manage weight.
Discover tips for sleeping better.
3. Do not skip meals
It may seem like a good idea to skip meals to lower caloric intake, but this can actually prove detrimental to weight loss.
4. Park further away
While commuting, try parking farther away from work or the destination. If a person takes public transport, they can try getting off one stop ahead of the regular stop. This can all help someone move more and get in more exercise where possible.
The extra calories the person burns may help them maintain a moderate weight.
5. Enjoy exercise
Finding an exercise they enjoy may be the key to a person continuing to participate in it over the long term, according to
Whether a person prefers yoga, weight training, tennis, or some other form of physical activity, enjoying exercise can help keep a person engaged and make it feel less like work and more like leisure.
Even activities such as gardening help to keep the body moving and can be a pleasurable form of exercise.
6. Buddy up
Consider enlisting a friend who shares the same goals.
Having a
7. Avoid sugary snacks
Instead of reaching for sugary foods when a person is hungry, they could try consuming healthier snacks, such as nuts.
Learn more about foods to avoid when trying to lose weight.
8. Set realistic goals
It is important that a person does not try to lose too much weight too quickly or push themselves too hard to hit unrealistic fitness goals.
Not reaching ambitious goals could lead to a person feeling discouraged. They may be less likely to stick to their diet and exercise routine if they do not see the results they were hoping for straight away.
Instead, people should work up to these ideal goals by setting smaller,
9. Lift weights
Aging
Weight lifting also promotes bone strength, which can help prevent injuries, making it easier for a person to stick to their exercise routine.
10. Use fitness technology
Using a pedometer or smartwatch, a person can
Step tracking can also help people calculate how many calories per day they are burning, so that they can accurately calculate their caloric needs for weight loss.
Learn more about step tracking and how it can aid weight loss.
11. Consume more protein
A person may wish to contact a dietitian for advice on how they can add more protein to their diet.
Learn about foods high in protein.
12. Lower stress
Researchers have linked high stress to food cravings and excessive food intake.
People experiencing high levels of stress
Stress also causes the body to produce the hormone cortisol. Researchers have associated high cortisol levels with weight gain,
Reducing stress levels can help a person maintain a moderate weight.
13. Fill up on fruits and vegetables
Not only are fruits and vegetables mostly low in calories, but they also contain many essential nutrients to help the body function better, and they may help
Learn about ways to manage stress.
14. Opt for whole grains
One way to lose more weight is to cook using healthy ingredients. For example, rather than opting for processed foods, a person may choose whole grains.
Learn more about the health benefits of whole grains.
15. Hire a personal trainer
A lack of motivation may prevent a person from losing weight after the age of 50 years, but hiring a personal trainer may help.
Personal trainers can keep people accountable and also advise on the best methods to lose weight.
However, hiring a personal trainer can also be expensive. If this is not an option, try to find a coach who posts videos on YouTube or another video site and follow those instead.
16. Take up yoga
Low-impact exercises — such as tai chi, yoga, and Pilates — may benefit those who want to lose weight but who are unable to participate in higher-impact exercise.
Learn more about yoga and weight loss.
17. Eat mindfully
Often, people eat while doing other things. Whether eating while working at the desk or watching television at mealtimes, concentrating on something else while eating can cause a person to overeat.
This is because they are less likely to concentrate on how they are feeling and may continue to eat after they feel full.
This suggests that mindful eating may be beneficial for weight loss or management by helping a person recognize when they feel full.
18. Cut out sugary drinks
Consuming carbonated sugary drinks such as soda, or even some fruit juices, can mean that a person is drinking a lot more sugar than they may be aware of. This can make it difficult to lose weight.
People can opt for water or herbal teas to stay hydrated while losing weight.
19. Eat out less
It may be difficult to know what goes into a meal if people are eating out. This is because restaurant dishes may contain hidden ingredients and extra fats and sugars that people do not account for.
Staying in and cooking more food at home means that a person can be sure of what goes into their meals and, therefore, their body.
When a person does eat out, they may benefit from avoiding dishes that are typically higher in calories, such as battered or deep-fried foods. Ordering just one course and choosing smaller portions may also help.
20. Get tested
If a person is still finding it difficult to lose weight after the age of 50 years, it may be worth consulting a healthcare professional for a checkup.
A doctor can order tests to rule out any underlying conditions,
Although it can be more difficult to lose weight after a person reaches 50 years of age, there are many lifestyle changes that they can make to help them reach and maintain a moderate weight.
These include cooking more meals at home, cutting down on sugary drinks and snacks, and getting more physical activity.
A person’s doctor can also help them identify any underlying factors that may be contributing to weight gain or making it harder to lose weight. These can include some medical conditions that cause fluid retention and certain medications.