Metabolism Killing Habits #FitnessFriday

It gets harder to maintain a good weight as you get older because your metabolism starts to naturally slow. An article in the MyFitnessPal blog list eight bad habits that can actually accelerate that decline. Among them:

• Skipping Breakfast
• Sitting Too Much
• Neglecting Strength Training
• Not Getting Enough Protein
• Not Getting Enough Sleep

My solution for the breakfast and protein problem is a daily protein breakfast shake. I get 30 grams of protein in that, which is enough to tide me over until lunch.

Sitting too much isn’t a problem. As a teacher, I spend my day prowling the classroom, keeping students on task. I regularly log in 10,000 steps. I also either walk a round of golf (6 miles) or do a three mile walk through the neighborhood or on my gym’s track.

I also started weight training a couple of years ago when I was in my early 50s. I dropped fifteen pounds and a couple of inches from the waist very rapidly, and have had little difficulty maintaining weight since.

Still, it takes dedication. I do strength training three times a week, and when the weather is bad, that evening walk is often the last thing I want to do.

I am convinced, however, that if I keep it up, I can keep playing golf into my eighties.