Why it is difficult to lose belly fat after 40 and how to overcome this issue
Here is the reason
Belly fat is a common area of concern for all. Be it men or women, both struggle to keep the mid-section of their abdomen flat. But shedding inches from the midriff has never been easy. No matter which exercises you try or whatever diet you follow, the stubborn belly fat does not budge that easily. This problem becomes more common once you hit the age mark of 40. In this article, we will tell you why it is difficult to lose belly fat as you get older and what you should do to speed up the process.
Why losing belly fat is hard after 40
The
major reason is the loss of muscle mass. As we age, we lose our muscle
mass, which slows down our metabolism and we begin to burn fewer
calories. Both these factors make it harder to shed kilos, especially
from the midsection.
Another reason is the hormonal changes. Both weight gain and weight loss are driven by our hormones. Women generally store more subcutaneous (soft) fat in the abdominal and thigh area and men store more visceral (hard) fat in the abdominal area. This starts happening when they hit puberty and remains the same till they reach 40. After this age, hormonal changes take place in both men and women. Women go through perimenopause and menopause and the fat storage tendencies shift. They gain more hard abdominal fat due to lower testosterone and estrogen levels and men gain more soft fat.
Why losing belly fat is important
Losing belly fat is more important than losing fat from any other part of the body. The visceral fat that remains deep inside the abdomen is harmful to health in many ways. It is linked with an increased risk of breathing problems, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
How to lose belly fat effectively after 40
To
shed kilos after the age of 40, you need to make some extra effort. You
have to change your weight loss tricks in order to shed kilos faster.
Here are 3 ways to maximise your weight loss as you age.
Reduce stress level
Stress is the major contributor to weight gain. So, managing your stress level is the most effective thing you can do to shed some kilos. Try yoga and meditation for that.
Add compound exercises in your routine
With age, most people exercise less. As a result, they burn fewer calories and shed fewer kilos. You need to add compound exercise in your routine to burn more calories and build strength. Compound exercise works on multiple exercises in one time.
Dietary changes
You need to take extra care of your dietary habits when trying to lose weight at an older age. Include a plant-based source of protein in your diet. Avoid processed and refined food items.