As we get older it can become increasingly difficult to shake off those pesky pounds that stick around our tummies. Luckily, we’ve got five to tips that will help you get rid of them for good!
Wrinkles, aching joints, grey hair… they’re all inevitable signs of ageing. Not to mention that as we get older, our tummies grow a little bigger and those pounds can become harder to shift and we start to move into middle-age spread territory. So is it simply a matter of getting fatter? If you’re noticing weight gain specifically around your middle, then you should take heed.
Commonly described as excess fat around the stomach, bottom and hips in men and women as they get older, middle-age spread is not acknowledged as a medical condition but does affect a large number of the population over the age of 45. Weight gain around the abdomen is a typical indication that fat is possibly being deposited around the internal organs, which can be associated with an increased risk of type two diabetes as well as heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer.
There are a number of reasons why we are prone to middle-age spread. Lifestyle factors such as poor diet and a lack of exercise can play a part, but we can also find ourselves subject to changing hormones, a slower metabolism and reduced muscle mass past the age of 40. But there’s good news: there are a few simple tricks you can try to lose that stubborn belly fat
1 Avoid sugary drinks
Refined sugar can only be metabolised by the liver and any excess energy it produces turns straight into fat around the middle. Ditch the fizzy stuff and go for water instead.
2 Opt for foods rich in fibre
Our expert Lisa suggests bypassing processed and refined foods in exchange for fibre-rich meals to keep your digestive system functioning well.
3 Track your intake
For those of us who’ve fallen into bad habits with our diet, keeping a food diary can be a simple but effective way of revealing just how many calories we consume daily.
4 Eat more protein
Want to feel fuller for longer? It’s recommended that eating protein which slows down the rate at which your stomach processes food and slows the passage of carbohydrates with it.
5 Get enough sleep
If you’re not getting enough sleep your levels of the stress hormone cortisol will rise, which has been associated with weight-gain. Studies have also suggested that those who receive 8 hours of sleep a night will burn calories quicker than those who only sleep for 5 hours.