Are you a woman having trouble getting rid of those unwanted extra pounds as you get older? Check out these 10 secret tips to help you lose weight, especially those pounds you gained over the holidays!
We all get to choose the food we eat – that’s the best part about being an adult. Nobody can tell us we can’t. But, what happens when the belly starts bulging and the pounds keep packing on?
Even if it feels like nothing has changed, as we age, our metabolism starts slowing down and parts that seemed easy to target aren’t anymore. Our shape and form begins to take on a life of its own and, if we aren’t careful, this can lead to obesity.
Information is power. It is best to know what food we can and can’t have after 40. Here’s a list we’ve come up with to help you stay in the shape that you want.
1Soda
Must we even go into details with this one? Not only is it high in sugar, but the chemicals found in the beverage are said to cause cancer. It is also associated with infertility and having the drink regularly in your diet may cause you to have difficulty in conception. If wanting a big family, remove this unhealthy drink completely from your diet.
2Sugar
You need to expect that after you reach the age of 40, things will start to change in your body, including your skin. You slow down in your production of collagen and the protein called elastin, which keeps your skin firm, begins the break down process. You start to see the formation of fine lines in the most common areas, like around the eyes, and even wrinkles. No wrinkle cream can completely eradicate the changes.
It is not possible to stop aging, but it is good to know what could slow down the process in the body. Sugar is the number one enemy. It has been awarded first place in hastening the promotion of sagging and wrinkling. Now, you might have removed the obvious sugary food from your diet, but be aware. It hides in some of the food items we believe to be healthy. Some examples are flavored yoghurt and ketchup. It is best to take a look at the ingredient content section of the items you purchase and stick to those low in sugar.
3Canned Soup
Canned food items contain a great amount of sodium in them – around 40% of the daily recommended allowance in just one serving. That’s a lot. Research has found a connection between skin aging and high blood pressure. So, it is safe to assume that the lower your blood pressure the better your skin condition will be. It won’t hurt to take an inventory of what canned items you have stocked up and maybe donate what you don’t need. Switch to the natural food items for better skin health.
4Beers and Cocktails
As we age, the body changes and so does the way we metabolize the food and drinks we ingest. Two things can happen after an alcohol binge. Firstly, have you noticed that after drinking it gets harder to have a good night’s rest? That’s the result of the alcohol in your body. That could have been okay in your 20’s, but not anymore. Second, after an alcohol binge you look for a sugar fix. Getting drunk can lead you to snacking the day after which can then bring on weight gain.
In your 40’s, you need to be more cautious about how much you drink to keep the figure you want.
5White Bread
Brown is better! Choose multi-grain bread and bagels to start up your day. Why? Well, the body converts refined carbohydrates from white bread into glucose which can cause fine lines and wrinkles to form in your skin. We definitely don’t want that. Choosing the whole grain version can help you keep your blood sugar levels low and promotes proper digestion which leads to a healthier and slimmer body.
6Diet Soda and Sugar-Free Snacks
If you’ve been noticing a build-up in your middle section, then it might be high time to re-evaluate your diet. Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can cause this to happen. To establish a healthier diet, remove all sugar-free drinks and snacks you patronize so much and switch to healthier food sources that give you the natural nutrients you need to keep your body fit, lean and healthy.
7Iced Coffee
Coffee, in essence, is found to be good for the body. It gives us energy for our day and promotes a healthy metabolism. However, having too much of caffeine can cause us to lose sleep which is essential for our bodies to recharge and rebuild. This stress induced by a lack of sleep can cause fine lines and wrinkles to develop. You know your body better than anyone. Have the right amount of coffee per day that your body can take. What’s even better is for you to substitute it with the nutrient rich green tea which is a natural detoxifier for the body.
8Margarine
This butter-alternative is recommended by doctors as a better option, but the truth is, it isn’t really. Margarine is high in trans-fatty acids which heighten the possibilities of a heart attack. It also contributes to the body’s bad cholesterol levels and reduces the ability of our immune system to function right. On top of that, it can also lead to the improper aging process of the skin by making it more vulnerable to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. A much better option for the health conscious is to use olive oil as a butter alternative. We all know that it contains healing properties which will definitely benefit the body.
9Bacon
To all bacon lovers out there, listen up. This favorite breakfast food should no longer be part of your diet at this point of your life. Why? Bacon is composed of 68% fat. YUP! And half of that is saturated which can cause the skin to sag. There’s more. The fat content promotes weight gain and even increases the risk of heart disease. Studies show that bacon, along with other processed food, contains sodium nitrate which can cause changes in the structure of collagen and elastin in the body which may result in wrinkles. Yikes! Time to be careful and stay away from the fatty food that you love so much.
