A Slow Metabolism with Age? How about a Fast Metabolism for the Long Haul?
A slow Metabolism vs a fast Metabolism with Age … Baby Boomers’ Fitness, continued.
As pointed out in last week’s post, hormone levels do decline from about 25 onwards, but this state of affairs can actually be completely offset by a healthy lifestyle coupled with intelligent training and supplementation!
I bet this Dude's Metabolism is fast!
When folks say that it’s normal to get fat around 40 then that’s a fallacy or even just an excuse.
In the simplest sense, overweight at 40 is caused by near 20 years or more of eating too much and exercising too little.
That’s the gist of it.
So it’s not an age-related condition or disease, but just the accumulation of lard over time.
And the shrinking of muscles due to sheer lack of use …
Muscle Mass Burns the Same Calories per Pound, no matter how old
Apparently the average male gains about one pound of fat per year from the age of 35 to the age of 60 …
But how come?
Research shows that regardless of age, the daily calorie requirements (energy burned) per pound of muscle mass are always the same. So whether 25 or 55, you have the same calories:lean-mass ratio.
In English that means that 50 pounds of muscle use the same energy/calories per day in a teenager as they do in a baby-boomer.
| Only problem is that folks tend to lose muscle as they age … and hence burn up less energy each day! So all that means is if you maintain lean body mass –-your muscles— the metabolism will not slow down at all. And when you train regularly, and maybe even increase strength and mass for a bit, you might actually speed it up as you get older! |
Maintain Your Muscle to Maintain Your Metabolism, And Even Speed It Up With Regular Exercise!
Here‘s a „secret“, if you like: maintaining strength and hypertrophy levels (muscle mass) is really very easy.
An example: my athletes do 1 short workout per week on average when they‘re in-season, sometimes less. And that‘s enough!
At least to maintain, read: stay at the same level. If you want to build up, a little more is required, but still the good news is that once you‘re there, you can keep what you got with ease!
So while build up might take say 3 sessions a week, one short session is plenty enough for maintenance.
“Your Metabolism Won’t Slow Down if You Don’t”
Clarence Bass
This also gives us one good example on why exercise is recommended, even though not necessary to lose weight.
Because you can burn all the fat you want without moving so much as a finger, by dietary intervention alone.
And correct nutrition is the key to weight loss, that’s for sure.
But the right training will speed things up considerably, shape you up nicely in both the health- and looks-department, and ensure that metabolism keeps a-humming along just fine.
More on how to keep a fast metabolism going in Part 3 of Baby Boomer Fitness … coming soon! 
Mark
13 Comments
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“Muscle Mass Burns the Same Calories per Pound, no matter how old”! This is the simplest explanation of the issue concerning metabolism I’ve ever heard. Thanks for the great post!
Thanks Tim, appreciated.
I must add thoigh that I came across this concept on Rusty Moore’s Fitness Blackbook
I’m sure you know him: he’s a GREAT source of fitness information!
This is an excellent overview! I’ve read that Creatine is being tested with baby boomers to see if it can help prevent muscular atrophy. What are your thoughts on the use of Creatine with age?
Hey Srdjan!
Welcome back brother!
And thanks for the comment. It’s actually more of an intro, the beginning of a series of Baby Boomer related posts that will follow …
Yeah Creatine? Definitely, it not only an help boost short term strength levels and consequently prevent atrophy/support hypertrophy of skeletal muscle tissues, it also helps alkalize the body: altogether great, definitely recommendable!
In that context I’d recommend using it with Beta Alanine, which will boost the effects in a synergistic double whammy to something like 3 x as effective.
Thanks man,
Mark
“Your metabolism won’t slow down if you don’t” Such a great concept and one that I think a lot of people would benefit from. As you mentioned, even a minimalist approach of 1-3 workouts per week should be enough to maintain or gain muscle.
Hey Dave!
Thanks for the comment man!
Yeah, Clarence Bass, a GREAT role model for all Baby Boomers!
Yebbs, maintenace is just a breeze …
Mark
Hi Mark,
any chance you will put more articles on here?
I know an “old” guy who is looking forward to it. lol
All the best and speak you soon…
Maya x
Hey Maya!
Ahhhhh don’t say that now!
Yebbs sure that’s the plan, I gotta apologize for the delay: I was gonna put up the next installment much sooner than that, but it’s definitely in the queue!
Mark
P.S.
Who was it, Johnny Depp? LOL, just kidding…
Same age but in better shape!
Thanks.
Maya x
Heehee, Great!
Will you give my Greetings?
Mark
Hey Maya guess what? Please tell your Dad the next one up and running!
It’s on heart health and totally awesome!
Mark
Done! He is swallowing his Lugol’s drink lol
Maya x
Cool!
Hey, here’s my favorite Sports/Health drink recipe featuring Lugol’s:
Super Health Lemonade Soda Pop Drink (it’s alkalizing!)
1 Teaspoon Magnesium Citrate Powder
1 Teaspoon L-Glutamine Powder
1-3 Drops of organic Oil of Rosemarine
2-4 Drops Lugol’s Iodine solution (5%)
30-50ml Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix all ingredients in some 700ml fresh water, shake, enjoy!