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Why do we get fat after 40?
Have you ever wondered why after you turned 40 it becomes more difficult to lose weight? It seems that when we reach this new stage of life, the kilos go up more easily and come down with much more difficulty.
It is normal for the passage of time to leave its traces, and of course our figure will not continue to be the same as when we were 20.
The questions you should ask yourself are what are the factors that are making me gain weight? And what am I doing to control my weight? If you want to know the answers to these and many other questions, join us to find out how to keep the weight off after 40.
We get fat after 40 by nature
It is true that there is great guilt associated with food and some bad habits that are learned along the way, but you can also blame nature.
Sarcopenia is a natural process where our muscle mass decreases with age.
So, if it decreases, why do we get fat? This decrease causes us to burn fewer calories than usual, therefore, there is a higher concentration of fat.
It is estimated that the average 40-year-old burns 200 fewer calories compared to a decade ago.
As age advances, this natural degeneration will also do the same, but, although you cannot stop it, you can support your body so that it burns more calories.
Factors that negatively influence weight gain
We have already made it clear that nature is going to play against us regarding weight gain, but apart from it, there are other factors that do not favor us, and these are the following.
Stress and Emotions
When we are adults, stress intensifies, leading us to eat out of hours. In most cases, it is accompanied by conflict anxiety and worry.
A large number of people who feel anxiety leads them to consume large amounts of food.
On the other hand, if your mood is compromised by sadness or depression, you may be ingesting a lot of sugar, as it is one of the inclinations that your body leads you to.
Stress also causes a release of cortisol and adrenaline, which makes you want to eat more.
The hormone known as hydrocortisone, is also usually released in situations that involve mental load, and to the detriment, it generates an increase in abdominal fat.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Age brings with it commitments and responsibilities, which involve employment, projects and family, this generally makes many have a sedentary performance, which will not hesitate to deform their figure.
Long hours sitting, spending a lot of time in front of the television and refraining from any activity that involves physical exertion, will result in a considerable increase in your weight. In addition, it will create a very unhealthy culture in you, which will affect other areas of the body.
Bad Sleep
Do not take insomnia as a simple thing, as this is very detrimental to our health and weight. In this sense, poor sleep affects the functioning of the hormones Ghrelin and Leptin, responsible for appetite and satiety.
The effect they cause responds to a negative increase in appetite towards foods that have a higher calorie index, such as sugars and pasta. Automatically, it will generate a noticeable increase in weight.
On the other hand, poor sleep generates a lack of control in the production of insulin. This is due to an increase in glucose margins, which ends up supporting fat accumulation.
Taking Medications
It is not surprising that at 40 we are already consuming some drug, which is necessary to face a problem or pathology. In this sense, it is well known that some have side effects, and among them the most common is weight gain.
Antidepressants are one of the most consumed worldwide, however, they are also among the ones that most frequently cause these metabolic changes. These are followed by medications used for cardiovascular care and protection.
What do I do to maintain my weight at 40?
Once you have studied what are the factors that most affect our weight at 40, you will already have an idea of some of the things you should avoid. But, also as an extra point, so that you control the weight you can apply the following.
Control how much you eat: Consult a nutritionist to help you determine how much nutrients and food you should eat per day, dividing it into 5 small portions so as not to overdo it.
Don't wait to get fat:
If you are young, start creating a healthy eating routine, where you balance everything that enters your body. So when you get older, it will not be difficult for you to make nutritional adjustments, and surely your figure will not be very compromised over the years.
Exercise correctly:
If you are already in your 40s, you should look for exercise routines that suit you, but also motivate you. The best for this are aerobic exercises, these can range from a walk to integrating dance.
Keep in mind that to increase your muscle metabolism, include the application of weights to your routines. It has been shown that, by increasing resistance, your body awakens its muscular adsorption, which will lead you to burn more calories.
Whether you're turning 40 or not, don't worry, and better focus on avoiding certain factors and executing each of these recommendations. Be aware and act promptly, for your health and figure.