Drinking Habits for Getting a Lean Body After 60, Say Dietitians
Your age doesn't have to stop you from achieving any of your health goals this year. Whether you're wanting to exercise more, try different foods, or lose some weight, you can make significant changes regardless of your current age—even if you're over 60.
But if you're someone who is in your 60s and trying to lose weight, you may have noticed that it can feel a bit more difficult at times. This can come from changes in appetite, muscle mass loss, or other common, age-related health complications.
However, there's no need to fear! We talked with registered dietitian Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at Go Wellness, about healthy diet tips for those wanting to lose weight in their 60s, and she shared some simple drinking tips for getting a lean body as you age! Read on, and for more on how to eat healthy, don't miss The #1 Best Juice to Drive Every Day, Says Science.
Limit alcohol before bed
According to D'Angelo, getting enough sleep is important to your overall health in your 60s. "However, drinking alcohol in general, but especially right before bedtime, can interrupt sleep during the night and can cause you to wake up too early, but if your body isn't getting the proper amount of sleep, it will have a hard time recovering," she says.
D'Angelo recommends stopping at least an hour before bed and switching to water to ensure a restful night's sleep, which has been linked to better weight regulation.
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Add a whey protein shake into your diet
As some people age, they may have a hard time getting an adequate amount of protein in their daily diet. But protein is one of the most important factors in losing weight and getting a lean body.
"Protein helps build lean muscle and harness more energy for you to be more active throughout your day, which can be difficult when you're over 60," says D'Angelo, "and one of the best ways to make sure you're getting enough is to add a whey protein shake into your diet."
Start your morning with a glass of water
D'Angelo says that along with restful sleep and getting enough protein, drinking enough water on a daily basis is crucial for healthy weight loss as well. And starting your morning off with a cup of water can help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
"Research has shown that people who drink water immediately after waking up can consume more water throughout the day, and, better yet, drinking water is on their mind more during the day," she says, "so I always recommend people should aim to drink 1 gallon of water per day, and starting it off in the morning (even before your cup of coffee) is a great way to get on the right path."
Avoid coffee after noon
The justification behind this habit is similar to our first point about not drinking alcohol before bed. If you have too much caffeine too late in the day, you risk ruining your chances of a restful slumber.
Dr. Krystal L. Culler, DBH, MA, founder of the Virtual Brain Health Center, tells us that caffeine also acts as a diuretic, and because of this, too much coffee will have you in the bathroom instead of in your bed!
