Turning 50 is a milestone. But it can bring new health challenges along with it. One of the most talked about problems, associated with aging is obesity. Women over 50 can gain weight very rapidly and can find it equally challenging to reduce those extra pounds. If you want to lose weight after 50, the foremost thing is to change your diet. Losing weight after 50 and menopause can be difficult but it is certainly not impossible.

The Ideal Diet Plan

As you age, the body loses muscles and the metabolic processes slow down, affecting the way your body utilizes energy. At 50, your body’s ability to consume energy is considerably slower. So, a diet for a 50 year old woman to lose weight needs to reflect this change. If you continue the same diet, you followed in your 30s and 40s, you can gain considerable weight and experience a number of other health problems as well.
For optimum weight loss for women over 50, it is important to assess the current diet plan and make the necessary changes. To lose weight after 50, you will need to eliminate or at least cut down on your consumption of processed foods. Consume less of white sugar and fatty foods. And whenever possible, eat home-cooked healthy meals rather than eating out. In order to lose weight after 50, it is also important to incorporate healthier food and cooking alternatives in your diet. For example, instead of frying the fish, you can steam it. In lieu of eating French fries, you can eat baked potatoes with olive oil and herbs.
Include fresh vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots and pumpkin in your diet for plenty of fiber. These vegetables can keep your bowels healthy with rich fiber content and also satiate your hunger well. A healthy bowel is important for optimum metabolism and hence, for losing weight. Also try to include green vegetables, berries, apples, nuts, low-fat dairy, lean protein and whole grains in your everyday diet.

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The Right Exercise Schedule

To lose weight after 50, you also need to incorporate a definite exercise plan in your schedule. You will need to exercise keeping in mind your current health needs. For people over 50, osteoporosis, arthritis, muscle pain, heart disease and other health conditions can make working out difficult. So, consult your doctor about the typical or necessary exercises you can do at your age. Remember that you don’t necessarily need to indulge in strenuous exercises. A brisk walk for 30-35 minutes every day can reward you with the desired results. Water aerobics is gentle on the joints and can be another option to help you burn significant calories.
One particularly effective exercise for those over 50 and overweight is weight training. When you exercise with weights, you sweat and the increased metabolism helps you lose a proportionate amount of kilos. After running, weight training is considered as the next best exercise for burning significant calories and at the same time helps to keep your bodily movements (a significant issue at this age) in check.
If your health permits, biking, running and playing a sport can also be extremely helpful for shedding the extra fat.

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