Why do I lose weight more than 40 years old?
The diet that still worked well at 30 will certainly not work after 40. This is due to a simple matter: women in their early to mid-40s often go through menopause, and hormones go crazy. A time when love handles accumulate in many women as the body slows down metabolism. So if you want to lose weight over 40, you should take the following tips to heart:
- Hardly any salt and carbohydrates
From the age of 40, salt and simple carbohydrates are on the prohibited list: They bind water in your body - and thus lead to water retention. Complex carbohydrates, lean fish and meat as well as (non-bloating) fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, should definitely be on your menu - and not just while you are on a diet. - Maintain moderation and eat consciously
From a certain age, the body no longer forgives you for all sins - that means that you have to learn to keep moderation and to eat consciously. It's not about counting calories, but rather about avoiding sweets or salty snacks. Prefers wholesome, vitamin-rich food, and better refrains from fatty meat or processed foods. - Avoid stress and get enough sleep
Stress causes the cortisol level to skyrocket, but at the same time, the blood sugar level drops. This in turn causes hunger pangs that settle particularly quickly on the hips from the age of 40. Healthy sleep is at least as important. Because: If you don't sleep soundly at night, your metabolism slows down. And that in turn ensures that the calories ingested are more difficult to burn. - Exercise is the
the be-all and end-all Diets alone do not help, only in combination with exercise, the fat begins to melt. And this is especially true for women going through menopause. Whether it's regular walks or a workout in the gym, exercise helps maintain weight or lose a few pounds. However, it is important to find the right sport that you enjoy and that does not get boring. - Better Avoid Alcohol
There is evidence that moderate alcohol consumption can have a positive effect on the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Excessive alcohol consumption, on the other hand, increases the risk of liver disease, high blood pressure, (breast) cancer, and dementia. From the age of 50, in particular, the brain reacts more sensitively to alcohol, and cognitive decline is accelerated. - Iced tea instead of hot tea
Even if it has always been part of the morning routine: it is better to avoid hot drinks with caffeine or tea. They cause hot flashes and food cravings. Better to use cold drinks that do not contain caffeine but are wonderfully refreshing.
What exactly happens to our body from 40 onwards?
For those who have already trained all muscles diligently, almost everything remains as usual. In those who have not exercised, the tissue rebuilds: muscles disappear and fat moves in their place. This is no different for men, but for many women, there is no "aggravating" that after pregnancy and breastfeeding a few pounds have already been left behind.
The fact that every child gives its mother two kilos more in the long run (as the saying goes) has not been scientifically proven. There are no clear results on how best to prevent superfluous extra kilos during pregnancy (studies have examined individual nutritional advice, cooking demonstrations, and exercise programs).
What can I do to stay slim?
"Good stress management is important now, " says Christoph Bamberger. There are different methods, such as the MBSR program (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, German: stress management through mindfulness). It often helps to relax with autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation. It doesn't matter what you choose, as long as the method suits you. Taking time to relax is not a luxury that you indulge in. It makes your life easier.
Just like with the right muscle training. "The fact that it is so important for staying slim has long been underestimated," says Prof. Bamberger. Today we know: the muscle is the organ that burns energy even at rest, in contrast to fat tissue. That means the more muscles, the higher the basal metabolic rate, the more energy the body consumes even when we are lying on the sofa.