How to Avoid Middle Age Spread
Spare tyre, muffin top, love handles, whatever you call it, middle-age spread isn’t a myth Although middle age is becoming
harder to define these days as we live longer, it is usually considered that
our bodies start losing the youthful ability to remain in shape without too
much bother around 35 onward. If you're lucky, you might make it to your 40s
before you have to start being a little more concerted in your efforts. But
everyone needs to pay attention to the potential for middle-age spread. This was a determining factor as to why, on that wet and windy autumnal day last year when I decided to hang up my tubby boots and try to stave off the approaching flaccid gut years.
Steps
1 Eat correctly
Always maintain a
healthy, nutritious and optimal energy diet. By optimal energy, this means that
you should avoid eating "empty calories" and should get the most
nutrition and energy benefits from any food that you consume. The occasional
pastry and beer is fine but not daily. This is a big part of my philosophy. There are a vast number of schemes and fads, but the one I am concentrating on is SIRT food.
Even the British press are starting to see the benefits of SIRT foods Which is good news. Please see the following link
2 Exercise for life
Exercise is not
something you do in your 20s and then get bored with. Work may become more
strenuous or dull as you age but .....no matter how much we bitch and complain....that is no excuse for letting yourself get
mired in self-pity and using food and drink as anesthesia instead of
maintaining a good exercise routine. Find the exercise that works for you too. It
might take a while but keep trying different things until you find the one that
"fits" and keeps you "fit".
A good game of badminton or round of golf may be my idea of the worst kind of living hell, but even I will grudgingly admit that they do burn off calories fast. Even a walk round the park three times a week will be good, or when you go and buy your wine or beer from the local shop, try to walk to the shop instead of jumping into the car.
3 Use your clothes as an indicator
Like the litmus test
that shows a color change in the presence of new growth, you should use your
clothes to assess new growth. Even a little tightness is a warning sign to cut
back on food and drink and to up the exercise routine. Use this early warning
sign to stop a lot of pain later. If you have read my past blog posts you will know that I measure my rotundness by the hole on my belt. (I'm proud as punch to tell you that I have moved two notches on my belt)
You never know, there may come a time that I will be able to fit into my Purple Rain suit just once more in my life.
Ahhhhhh....... Happy memories
4 Eat raw foods a lot more
Consume raw vegetables,
seeds and fruit for snacks. Especially the vegetables and seeds. These will
keep you regular, provide nutrition and fill you up quickly. If you can't be
bothered cutting them, buy them already cut from the grocery store. There is no
excuse.
5 Avoid fattening food.
Now I know I run the risk of you hating me, but it's time for us mid-life monsters to face facts.
White bread, burger buns, burgers, fries, pastries, candies, sodas etc. are not food. They are treats. And treats can only be treats when eaten rarely. Rather than viewing this as "deprivation", view avoidance of such foods as the biggest treat of all - how much more memorable become birthdays when you can have cake and soda without a worry? The memory is great too! And no more afternoon slumps at work when you consume celery sticks with hummus in place of a cinnamon roll and soda.
like I said, I can now feel the hatred coming from you like a Tsunami of scorn.
BUT I SAY...........SUCK IT UP, FATTY!
6 Drink water or Make Smoothies
Water or smoothies in place of sodas will ensure you remain healthy. Sodas contain much hidden sugar that increases middle-age spread. Avoid the trap and drink water. Spritz it up with a little freshly squeezed citrus of choice and some ice cubes. It tastes wonderful. I don't need to tell you that smoothies are a great way of getting nutrients in your body. Just remember......instead of milk, use water or a non-dairy alternative.
7 Help your friends and colleagues lose middle-age spread too.
It is much easier to justify stacking on the pounds when those around you look similar and everyone is mired in the self-conviction that "this is just what happens when you get older".
Instead, set a challenge to all lose weight and keep fit together. That way, the norm that compels you will be average weight, not overweight.
8 Banish the belief that
older people get fatter and stay that way.
This is nonsense. Try saying that statement to someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone.
Older people justify being more sedentary and having high calories in their diets merely because they are "aging". Stop it now! You wouldn't be feeling so tired if you fueled your body with something a lot more healthy every day and you got out there and exercised. Go on! Cut this belief in half now and increase your chances at longevity.
TTFN
IJx
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