Dec

27

Weight Loss

Posted by maureen

December 27, 2006 |

Top of the list for New Year Resolutions this year, and every year, is to exercise more and to lose weight. I am sure that this applies to baby boomers just as much as any other age group. We all know that carrying extra weight can lead to many health problems Unfortunately, seniors have a greater challenge because our metabolism slows down naturally. As you grow older you burn less calories than you did when you were younger. We tend to become more sedentary and less active which compounds the problem. Keeping those resolutions makes more sense than ever but there are lots of pitfalls that keep us from success.

Weight Loss

Successful weight loss is dependent on more than just dieting. It involves a permanent lifestyle change which includes finding out about foods, nutritional values and appropriate portion size. You need to know the how many calories you should consume a day for your particular lifestyle and what foods and meals work best within that framework for you. Knowledge is key here. Success lies with the ability to live with the changes once you have lost the desired weight so that the weight stays off. The benefits are huge and a five to ten percent decrease in body weight can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels significantly.

Exercise
The single most beneficial thing you can do for your overall health is to exercise regularly. The great thing is that you will start to see health benefits even with small amounts of regular exercise. The key here is to find something that you enjoy doing and to start slowly. If you find something you enjoy doing then it doesn’t feel like exercise and you are much more likely to continue doing it. My first attempts at jogging were comical but I knew it was going to be something I really enjoyed doing once my body got over the initial shock! Encourage your partner to join you. My husband and I walk after work and it’s a great time to catch up on the day and walking is a great way to start exercising if you haven’t done much in the past. Setting goals for yourself can be a great way of getting more out of the work out. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Keep in mind that there are gyms and clubs everywhere that offer a variety of ways to exercise .
The benefits of keeping this years resolutions could be tremendous and could add years of healthy living to your life. Weight lose and exercise not only keep you healthy but make you look and feel better. In 2007 just do it!


Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. 2007 and Network Notables at Content Quake on January 2, 2007 10:24 am

    […] Empty Nest, our original blogger, has been trucking along. No, it’s more like jetting along. They have been super busy lately. They have been involved in blog carnivals, link exchange, cross promotion, etc. And all the while, they have been churning out great content! The latest posts include “Where to Retire,” “Weight Loss,” and “Free Genealogy on the Web.” Keep up the great work! […]

  2. New Year’s Resolutions: Blog Carnival | General Health on January 15, 2007 8:40 am

    […] Maureen presents Weight Loss posted at Empty Nest, saying, “Weight loss is top of nearly everyone’s New Year’s resolutions including baby boomers.” […]

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