It is important not to be too fixated on one’s weight and let it consume you or your loved one’s life. However, at times, losing a few pounds is necessary to improve our physical health. Making this change should be gradual as losing too much weight in a short time is never healthy. In addition, any weight loss should only come from healthy lifestyle choices instead of obsessive habits or fad diets.
The same rules for weight loss apply to everyone, including older adults: consuming healthy meals that consist of veggies, whole grains, fruits, low-fat dairy, and lean protein while reducing empty calories from sugars, as well as burning more daily calories than what you consume.
However, there are a few additional weight loss tips to keep in mind for your loved ones who are above the age of 60.
Replacing Calorie Snacks
Firstly, having a proper and balanced nutrient consumption is much more important than the number of calories your loved ones consume. Secondly, consuming 100-calorie junk food will not satisfy your needs. Instead, this will only represent wasted calories since your body does not have much use for it. Therefore, your loved ones should replace diet snacks that are typically filled with harmful chemicals with nutritious snacks such as fruits and yogurt.
Eating Regularly
There lies a misconception that one should not snack. However, in reality, one can improve their basal metabolic rate, the amount of energy the body consumes when resting, by consuming three meals every day and snacking regularly. Snacking provides your loved one’s body with adequate fuel and ensures that they do not overeat at meals. However, do make sure that the snacks they consume are still healthy and nutritious.
Consuming a Balanced Diet
Moderation is key and one should not consume only nutrients. For instance, while butter may not be the healthiest choice, bread with a spread of butter is still better than plain bread. This is because butter contains protein which helps to slow down the rate at which the carbohydrates break down and convert to sugar in your loved one’s body.
Strength Training
Putting on muscle mass is also an integral aspect of raising your loved one’s metabolism. Adding muscle helps to burn calories so any muscle growth will result in a lower weight. In addition, since muscles do not take up as much space on your body as compared to fat, increasing one’s muscle mass will thereby result in a drop in body fat percentage. However, before strength training, you should consult a health professional to ensure that the training program is safe for your loved one.
Senior Living Programs at Rittenhouse Village At Muhlenberg
As we age, our immune systems become weaker and we are more susceptible to illnesses, especially when we are not fit. As a caregiver, it is important to help your loved ones stay fit to keep the illnesses or viruses at bay. However, it may be tougher to care for your loved ones who are staying in isolation. Here at Rittenhouse Village At Muhlenberg, we provide a multitude of senior living options your loved ones can live in and have their health-related needs be cared for by our health professionals. Contact us to learn more about our living programs today!
