The Big reason you get big.

Not looking as legendary as you used to? Three reasons why it's not your metabolism. 

Many of us have received love handles and a tummy, not as a Christmas gift, but just a gift from getting older, and for some of us, this has continued to accelerate.

And you thought it was all metabolism? And you were just a metabolism victim.

After a study of 6.500 people, 80 contributing authors, and 40 years of data, the evidence showed it's not just your metabolism.

Metabolism

In our previous Old Bull article on protein and metabolism, Dr. Jason pointed out human metabolism is unknown. Metabolism does move around and is

• At its maximum in the first year of life,
• Slowing into our twenties.
• Levels off until we reach, you guessed it fifty.
• From sixty-odd, it decreases.

But according to the researchers, mid-life weight gain is not that metabolic, it is rather a lifestyle thing. Let's be fair, keeping an ironing board of a tummy is hard. 

Further research also showed:

• Nobody has ever actually fallen over onto a pizza and eaten it by mistake.
• Nobody, not ever, has accidentally drunk a beer.
• Watching skinny people on Netflix doesn't make you thinner.

These are the big reasons you get bigger. What you do about it, to live healthily and generally longer is all about CHOICE.

Key choices you can make, should make, but might not want to make today.

1. Cut down on the booze.

Too much alcohol = weight gain and other unhealthy outcomes. Many studies have shown this. Try this alcohol intake calculator. I found as a result of doing this:

• I was spending about $5K + on alcohol a year.
• Beers and a half bottle of red wine can easily tip 10 standard drinks.
• I didn't think I drank a lot but ended up in the harmful drinking range.

Like everything, this information and my surprise at the results gave me the "energy" for change. 

2. Slow muscle decay.

Goodbye muscles, hello fat gain. Yes? Not very legendary at all. Muscle decay starts around thirty-something. Muscles need fuelling from quality calories and protein. Just like you wouldn't put sugar into your car, what are you putting into your muscles?

Resistance training, movement and understanding your protein intake is a key part of this. Use basal metabolic calculators and protein intake tables. Get what you need, not what fast-food outlets are selling.

3. Get busy.

Our bodies are made to move. The more time you are online or Netflixing, the less time you spend moving. Duh. Gluttony and Sloth research from 2016 shows obesity has more than doubled since the eighties.

The research includes data on how our movement in general has declined, and we have moved to more sedentary lifestyles. Think about the move to services versus labour-type jobs.

In other words, sitting on your bum looking at a screen the whole day is not good for you. This needs to be balanced. Not only for your body but also for your eyes. 

Love handles are stubborn.

Love handles love you; they just don't want to leave. And trust me, they are not really love handles. Ever heard of anyone, ever, grabbing a love handle and yelling "Yea baby, I'm holding on". Um nah. But love-handles do love junk food. 

How do you move stubborn love handles? Let them know they are not wanted. Cut the booze, feed them healthy food, and make them work. They will eventually decide to move on as they realise they are no longer welcome.

So, eat healthy and get moving. Get the junk out of your trunk, it's expensive, gives you gas and you almost instantly regret it once eaten.   

5 Steps to freedom.

1. Find your energy for change.
2. Cut down the booze.
3. Add movement and weights.
4. Cut the blatant junk. Chocolates, ice cream, pizza, fries, etc.
5. Add healthy food choices. Think vegetables.

This is inspired by a great article in the Australian entitled "Don't look like a Hollywood star? It's not your metabolism".