I’m getting fat – this is a common statement from people especially women as they get older. There are reasons why women believe they are getting fat.
To start, women have a higher body-fat percentage than men — 22 to 28 percent, versus 15 to 20 percent. This process begins early during puberty.
As a woman, you are likely to keep gaining weight, partly because there is a four to five percent decrease in your metabolic rate every decade. There’s also a decrease in energy-using muscle cells and an accompanying accumulation of not-so-attractive fat cells.
During pregnancy, placental hormones increase your appetite and foster fat accumulation. This provides nutrition for the developing fetus and allows for the production of breast milk (which contains 50 percent fat).
What can you do if you are gaining weight
The simple answer to lose weight permanently is to burn more calories or take in fewer (or, better yet, a combination of the two). How you go about this is a matter of choice, depending on taste, economics and common sense.Bear in mind: It takes time to gain weight, so give yourself time to lose it. Aim for no more than two pounds a week.
Avoid fad diets and introduce a permanent change to your lifestyle. You can introduce this change bit-y-bit over a period of time, but it should be something you are willing to stick with.
Getting Fat – the hard way
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Getting Fat
I’m getting fat – this is a common statement from people especially women as they get older. There are reasons why women believe they are getting fat.
To start, women have a higher body-fat percentage than men — 22 to 28 percent, versus 15 to 20 percent. This process begins early during puberty.
As a woman, you are likely to keep gaining weight, partly because there is a four to five percent decrease in your metabolic rate every decade. There’s also a decrease in energy-using muscle cells and an accompanying accumulation of not-so-attractive fat cells.
During pregnancy, placental hormones increase your appetite and foster fat accumulation. This provides nutrition for the developing fetus and allows for the production of breast milk (which contains 50 percent fat).
What can you do if you are gaining weight
The simple answer to lose weight permanently is to burn more calories or take in fewer (or, better yet, a combination of the two). How you go about this is a matter of choice, depending on taste, economics and common sense.Bear in mind: It takes time to gain weight, so give yourself time to lose it. Aim for no more than two pounds a week.
Avoid fad diets and introduce a permanent change to your lifestyle. You can introduce this change bit-y-bit over a period of time, but it should be something you are willing to stick with.