The Best Way To Lose Weight For Mature Women

Wondering what's the best way to lose weight for a woman over 50?

Our metabolism decreases by 5% per decade from menopause to end of life. So it's no suprise we can tend to pack on the pounds after 50.

Studies have shown that many women gain an average of 12- 15 pounds during this phase of life, most of it settling around our abdomens.

But not all women gain weight as they age and, even if you've gained a few, you can lose weight and keep it off, if you take the right approach.

We all know that obesity has negative affects on our health...

A study (Eliassen, JAMA, 2006) that followed 50,000 nurses over a 2 year period found women who gained 22 pounds or more following menopause had significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Another study (Mishra, Diabetes Care< 2007) of 7000 women aged 45- 50 found that those with a BMI (body mass index) of 25 or greater greatly increased their risk of developing diabetes.

What's even more important is, women over 50 who change their lifestyles and eating habits can successfully lose weight and keep it off. Many mature women have succeeded on doing this. They've found the best way to lose weight at this stage of life.

So what do these women do differently?

• They eat a relatively healthy diet and pay attention to their feelings of hunger and fullness, thereby eating just the amount their body needs.
• They've developed the healthy habit of eating to live instead of living to eat.
• They regularly include nutrients that are helpful to post menopausal women in their diet.
• They think of food as food and not as being either good or bad.
• They start their day with a simple, healthy breakfast to jump start their metabolism.
• Because they listen to their hunger levels and don't overeat, they eat more frequently, keeping their blood sugar level throughout the day.
• They're active. These women realize what they've done in the past is no longer working. They've adapted their activity and exercise for this stage of life and choose physical activities they enjoy.
• To stay on track they monitor their progress on a regular basis.
• Through trail and correction, they've learned what works for them and... they do it day after day after day.

Change Begins In The Mind

Want to join the ranks of trim, vibrant, mature women? Think of menopause as a new beginning. Accept the physical and emotional challenges of this stage of life as natural.

See yourself looking and feeling good as you continue to age. Find this difficult? Find role models in friends or people in the public eye. Use pictures to remind yourself it is possible. Create a wellness vision for this phase of your life.

Realize you are more grounded, accomplished, and wiser than you were in your 20's. Give yourself credit. Then...

Use those hard-earned smarts and approach weight loss in a healthy, balanced manner.

The following video is by Michelle May, M.D. author of Eat What You Love Love What You Eat. She offers a non-diet approach to losing weight and keeping it off for life.

Finding Your Best Way To Lose Weight...

What you're looking for is a way of eating that will work for YOU from now on, not just "until". Here are some steps you can take to find YOUR best way to lose weight and be healthy...

Create your wellness vision.

Be honest about where you currently are.

Set some realistic weight loss goals.

Learn about healthy eating for mature women.

Monitor your progress.

Develop a safe and successful exercise program.

Reward yourself along the way.

Experiment with these tips to fine tune your program.

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, or arthritis learn more about these diseases and develop a safe exercise program for your condition.

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