Over Fifty Weight Loss: Is It Really All That Different?

Posted by Mark on June 2, 2011 in Blog, Fitness and Health with 8 Comments

This guy’s my Old-Timer Hero!

So I’ve been super-busy these days working on my new project, a book/fat burning program for Baby Boomers: all those folks born in the late 50′s and sixties, who are at about that exact same age now too: 50-60 years.

The idea and title (not the post-title) were suggested to me by top notch copy writer and internet marketing consultant Bob Bly, and when this guy makes a suggestion I’m sure to pay very close attention!

1st thing comes to mind is this question: what’s up with all this business about the metabolism slowing all down as you age, that it’s quite normal to gain weight and get all bent out of shape as you approach the 40′s and 50′s?

Because I don’t know about you, but I was born in 1971 (you do the maths, I try not to think about it, it’s too frustrating!),
and the fact is that today I’m in the best shape of my life:
I look better, am in better condition and have more energy than ever before … and no kidding!

MG 8747 199x300 Over Fifty Weight Loss: Is It Really All That Different?

Mark Kislich at Age "Not 20 Anymore"

So one of the things covered in the new ebook is this Metabolism-Fallacy, why it doesn’t have to be like that at all and exactly how to avoid it.

Then there certainly are a few special considerations for folks who “are not 20 anymore”, like heart health for example and sleep?

Sleep is super-important from baby to baby boomer, but it seems to become ever more crucial and precious –and harder to come by!– as we age.

I want to just give you a few excerpts out of some chapters to get the discussion going, and as some “food for thought”.

And hopefully there will be the one or other useful tip in there for you guys, no matter what age!

Mark

Intro

Is it normal to get fat and out of shape with middle age?
Not.

Yes, hormones decline, but you can offset that with some special herbals and other intelligent and natural supplementation as well as healthy nutrition and training.
It’s very possible to be in better shape with 50 than most people are with 25.

74yearoldbb 300x202 Over Fifty Weight Loss: Is It Really All That Different?

The 74 Year-Old Body Builder!

70 is the new 50, 90 is the new 70.
Nowadays you don’t have to “be” –or feel—old, if you don’t want to.
Following is a strategy that’ll allow you to stay strong and youthful well into high age …

If you look at the pictures of the two gentlemen here: the body builder and the dude with the dumbbells, you will see great examples of just what I’m talking about, of what is actually possible.

Now these guys are exceptional for sure, but it is my absolute conviction that this is achievable for anyone, regardless of genetical background or fitness history …

Metabolism Chapter:

Your Metabolism and You

As pointed out above, while hormone levels do decline from about 25 onwards, this state of affairs can actually be completely offset by a healthy lifestyle coupled with intelligent training and supplementation!

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 …

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?

Muscle Mass Burns the Same Calories per Pound …

No Matter How Old!

Research shows that 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!

larryscott64 Over Fifty Weight Loss: Is It Really All That Different?

Keep the Muscle, Keep a Fast Metabolism:
Larry Scott aged 64!

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.

Exercise and Seniors
It‘s no problem for even seniors to lift weights, just take it a little easy on the intensity:
Unless you‘re a competitive athlete there‘s not too much sense in training extra heavy or extra explosive at any age!

I’m really pumped about this book: it’s nearly finished now and I think it’s going to be GREAT, even if I say so myself!