I’ve been pondering this a lot over the last several years. It turns out that there’s an increasingly important aspect that isn’t often mentioned. As we age, our metabolism slows down.

You remember when you were a kid (well at least some of us do) that you could eat anything and not gain a pound, don’t you?

Now that you’re older, that isn’t the case anymore, is it?

It’s not that you’re changing anything, it’s that your metabolism is slowing down.

No matter how much you exercise, the weight just doesn’t come off like it used to, does it?

So, what works best for keeping weight off: diet or exercise? Both. But it’s like a seesaw, changing as you age. When I was in high school and college, running 8-15 miles per day seemed to work. Even in my 20s, this system worked. But as I got into my 30s and 40s, the efficacy of exercise seemed to wane. By my late 40s, I’d put on 50lbs. I was bike riding quite a bit. But it wasn’t helping. I wasn’t running much. So, I got back into running; it helped. I dropped to the high 160s. I’m now in the low 160s, but it’s a constant battle.

Well, the problem is that as you age, your body and metabolism slow down, it can’t burn the calories like it used to. There’s an old saying:

RULE #1: You Can’t Outrun Your Diet

You can choose any form of exercise. Here it is running. It could be anything like weight lifting, biking, swimming, etc.

So, what do you do?

Well, keep exercising or things will just get worse.

You need to change your eating habits. You need to reduce your caloric intake. You need to stop eating three meals a day and snacks between meals. There are all sorts of diets, but they all are based on caloric reduction. Choose one that works best for your lifestyle.

As you age, maintaining a healthy weight hinges increasingly on a balanced diet complemented by regular exercise. With metabolism naturally slowing down over time, the quality of food choices becomes pivotal in managing weight. Opting for nutrient-dense foods, abundant in vitamins, minerals, and lean proteins, supports muscle mass and sustains metabolic function. Concurrently, engaging in regular physical activity helps to maintain muscle tone, boost metabolism, and burn calories efficiently. By combining a nutritious diet with consistent exercise, individuals can better manage weight, enhance overall health, and reduce the risk of age-related conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Thus, a holistic approach to health includes both diet and exercise to support a vibrant and active lifestyle as one ages.

That’s the message for today. Future posts will cover foods to eat and stuff like that. Stay tuned.