More Exercise as You Age

I finally had time to get caught up on the news and MSNBC has an article about exercise and aging. A study that was published in the American Medical Association found that women ( who did not diet) gain and average 6 pounds in the 13 year study.

Most women gain weight, especially in the tummy area, as they age. In order to maintain your current weight you will need to exercise at a moderate level for one hour a day. If you want to lose weight you will need to cut calories as well as exercise for 60 minutes and/or exercise for more than 60 minutes per day.

The increase in weight over time also increases the risk of many other health problems. Some of the suggestions were to cut down on snack foods. You don't have to starve yourself or never eat another candy bar again, you just need to choose a healthier lifestyle. Remember one candy bar has an average of 200 calories. To burn those extra calories you will need to walk at a moderate pace for one hour. So, eating a candy bar means you will need to walk for two hours in order to maintain your weight. Is that candy bar worth another hour of exercise? I will now think twice about eating junk. I don't have time to exercise for three hours a day.

This just means that I need to really get back into the gym. For some reason I have a hard time exercising for 45 minutes at home, but at the gym I have not problems getting in 60 minutes or more (if I have time) .

So, my goal is to get back down to 140 by the end of April. That means I need to eat more fruits and veggies and less ice cream and exercise for no less than 60 minutes a day.