There is no better time than now to start focusing on your health and wellness. Once we hit 40, we start to see certain changes in our bodies, for better or worse. A common complaint for those of us at or over that magical age is that energy levels seem to go down from their peak in our teens and twenties. The good news is that there are things that you can start doing today to help improve your energy levels and metabolism. The silver lining of turning 40 in this day and age is that knowledge of our body and the technology to help improve our lives has never been better and we have a lot that we can do that our parents and grandparents couldn’t dream of.
Strength Training for Muscle Growth
Muscle training isn’t just for athletes or young guys wanting to get shredded to show off their biceps. Maintaining and even growing your strength via increased skeletal muscle mass is an important factor in improving your quality of life as you age. Yes, muscle mass slowly deteriorates over time, but it doesn’t have to! If you start training and work at maintaining or even growing your muscle mass and strength, you can see improvements in your quality of life in many ways.
One reason we start to see a slower metabolism overall when we age is actually due to the general reduction of muscle mass that comes with age. If you can slow or reverse this once you hit 40 and beyond, you will see your metabolism not only go back to normal levels, but even improve to that of a younger person! You don’t have to start by diving right into messing with dumbbells and complicated weightlifting programs. Ease into the process by starting with bodyweight exercises like pushups, squats, lunges, and planks. Doing several sets of 5 of those types of exercises a few times a week can really help improve your muscle strength and mass without ever having to pick up a barbell.
Nutrient Timing and Protein Focus
We already know that we are what we eat, but in a way, we are also WHEN we eat. Timing is important to nutrient optimization and even in improving your metabolism. Add more protein to your diet and make sure that you add it to each meal instead of just a single meal throughout the day.
- Eat smaller meals, but more frequent meal sessions
- Incorporate lean proteins like eggs, legumes, and greek yogurt
- Avoid processed protein choices like canned meats, frozen TV dinners, etc.
- Consider buying a protein powder to help supplement diet
Manage Stress and Sleep Better
If you’re not sleeping well, then it has huge impacts on just about every other facet of your life. Being stressed out and having a sleep deficit are two huge factors in a sluggish metabolism. Prioritize good sleep and take up mindfulness habits like meditation, yoga classes, or relaxing walks in nature or around your neighborhood.
For The Road
We hope you enjoyed learning about the benefits of increasing your metabolism over the age of 40. If you would like to know more about this or anything else along these lines, we are happy to help. Just contact us and we can go over your options and help you find the best path for your health and nutrition goals. Schedule a consultation for any of our amazing services by reaching out to us here. We look forward to hearing from you.
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