Many people think of the process of losing weight as a struggle against themselves. They assume they can’t eat the foods they enjoy, and have to push themselves through hours of exercise. There are many aspects of self-care that can impact your weight. Not all bodies are the same, so the key is to find methods to care for yourself that leave you looking and feeling great.
Diet
It’s well-known that eating a healthy diet can help you lose weight. But what a “healthy” diet is for someone else’s body might not be for yours. Despite what many people assume, eating as few calories as possible is not what makes a diet healthy. Rather than temporarily following a restrictive eating plan, you should be looking for long-term ways to change your overall eating habits so that your body functions at optimum efficiency. Nutrition becomes even more important as metabolism slows as people age and as your body becomes less efficient at absorbing nutrients. Make sure you are getting adequate amounts of antioxidants, iron, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and lean protein. You should be eating less processed foods, eating more nutrient rich foods, and spending time on achieving a healthier gut and metabolism.
Exercise
Not everyone is able to spend hours at the gym every week. Instead of shaming yourself for not being able to exercise as much as you “should” be, focus on what you can realistically accomplish. Even fifteen minutes of moderate exercise is better than no exercise at all. The important thing is to find a type of exercise that you actually enjoy, as you are more likely to stick to an exercise routine if you’re not dreading working out. It’s best to incorporate a combination of aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching.
Hormone levels
Hormone levels also change with aging, affecting weight in ways that can’t be controlled without hormone treatment. High estrogen and low testosterone levels are particularly known to cause weight gain. Thyroid issues could also be a culprit, as well as the “stress hormone” cortisol. Some hormone imbalances can be improved by managing diet and stress levels, while others may require hormone replacement therapy.
If you are struggling with your weight loss goals, the team of coaches and doctors at WildBerryMD can help you develop an individualized weight loss plan to meet your needs that works with the body you have now. Call us at (520) 762-1557 or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information.
