Maintaining a healthy weight as we age can get tricky. Our metabolism starts to slow down, meaning how our bodies absorb energy from food changes, so even though we need less food for energy, we do still need to ensure that we’re getting in healthy nutrients.
A lot of different things can affect weight — genetics, gender, lifestyle, culture, sleep, diet, etc. Being conscious of these factors is the first step in managing and adopting a healthy attitude toward weight management. Seniors especially can benefit from weight management because a healthy weight can help lower the risk of chronic ailments such as diabetes and heart disease. Being over or underweight alike can affect our levels of comfort and how we manage throughout the day.
If you’ve begun to notice that you may need to start changing your habits to either maintain or achieve a healthy weight, read on for our tips!
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Weight
What is a healthy weight for one person isn’t necessarily the same for another. Talk with your doctor to determine what your healthy weight is, based on your health history and current conditions.
A few overall healthy aging tips for seniors are:
- Walk regularly! Getting 30 minutes of movement alongside your daily activities is a great way to not only stay active but improve your mood as well.
- Sleep. Getting your ideal number of hours is important to the body’s processes and cognition.
- Regular exercise is crucial to maintaining a healthy weight, especially in the case of weight loss or maintaining muscle mass — something we start to lose as we age! Incorporate some of the movements from our Stretching Exercises for Seniors blog into a healthy routine!
- Eating a balanced diet. Verve Senior Living prides itself on our exceptional culinary program, focused on delivering nutritional and delicious meals. Discover more about your own eating habits through the Dietitians of Canada Nutri-eSCREEN Eating Habits Survey.
- Practice good hydration! Especially as we age, this is an important factor in keeping our joints lubricated and delivering those all-important nutrients to our body’s cells.
The Bottom Line
Healthy aging involves a combination of mind, body, and spirit. Combining a positive attitude with a healthy weight management routine can make all the difference in your success.
Try some of the healthy weight management tips for seniors above, and always remember to talk to your Doctor before making any lifestyle changes. Every day is a new opportunity to take those small steps toward a healthy future.
