Why We Get Fat As We Get Older

Here are my thoughts on why we get fat as we get older.

One major reason is that our metabolism slows down since we are no longer growing into an adult. There is nothing that we can do about this, but we can try to fight it by increasing our metabolic rate via exercise.

But, back on topic, several reasons are:

• food is all around us because we can afford to stock our shelves and refrigerator
• we are less active, watching TV, not going out much, or playing sports
• we spend a lot of time driving instead of walking or cycling to places
• we are married, so there is less need to look attractive to the opposite sex
• we have a comfortable life, there is no need to change
• our partner doesn’t care what we look like
• our friends are chubby too – it’s normal

So these are just a few reasons as to why we get fat as we get older that I came up with. Given these reasons, there doesn’t seem to be a huge incentive to slim down. But I think that this is only true if you are slightly over-weight. I think that I am in this category at the moment i.e. around 15% too much fat weight. Losing more weight for me is more about vanity to look good in a T-shirt, or at the beach.

But, if you are obese, then you have many potential health issues that losing weight would take care of. I probably don’t need to list them here since it is well known e.g. diabetes, heart disease, wear and tear on the joints, increased risk of cancer etc.

From my first list we can look at lifestyle changes to assist with weight loss. Some simple measures to take would be to remove all the fattening food from your house, and to set yourself up with much more daily activity.

If the bag of crisps is not on the shelf, you can’t eat it, only the banana in the fruit bowl.

And before you drive your car, check the tire pressures, and hand wash it. When shopping, use a basket rather than a trolley.

Do some daily exercise walking in the park, digging the garden, cleaning the pool etc.

Try to get out of the house in the evenings to do something that takes you away from becoming a couch potato and munching on snacks. Get home tired and ready to go straight to bed after a glass of water.

Drink a large glass of water mid morning, and mid afternoon.

Keep an eye on your waist measurement. If it goes up, exercise more and consume less.

Hopefully this gets you thinking of ways to avoid getting fatter as you get older.

Andy