By: Lorna Mae
So, you’ve turned fifty and one of your most challenging tasks is to lose weight. It is by no means an easy task, but it’s not impossible.
Here are some tips that helped a lot of my fifty-something friends shed unwanted pounds:
- Consult with your doctor and not that late night infomercial before starting your weight loss journey! Your doctor is the one who can help you set your goals and determine how much weight you should lose for your health and safety.
- Be realistic! You should aim to lose weight at a slow and steady rate if you want to keep it off. Losing more than one or two pounds a week is an unhealthy short term dream.
- Put healthy, well-balanced meals in your plan! You know all the foods that contributed to your excess weight, so eat less of them. Less sugar, salt, unhealthy fat, processed food. More lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables should be on your plate.
Break a sweat! Get up and get moving! Walking is good, so is swimming, yoga, gardening, cycling, anything to raise your heart rate for at between seventy-five to one hundred and fifty minutes per week.
Since you spoke with your doctor, you should know how much exercise you can handle safely.
- Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! Drinking water helps with your metabolism and flushes out those toxins built up over time. If you drink any other liquid besides water, match it with that H2O!
- Have someone in your corner! Weight loss is one journey you really don’t have to do alone. Avoid abandoning the journey if you step off the path sometimes. Friends and family, a weight loss group, a coach, a cheerleader can help you stay true to achieving your goal.
Regardless of your age, weight loss can be difficult to achieve and maintain especially if you have unrealistic goals and reasons. Be patient with yourself and make small changes in your daily routine that will eventually be reflected in your lifestyle.
Concentrate on being the healthiest YOU at any age, and if you are starting in your fifties, good for you!
