Does metabolism slow as you age?
Discussion
I don't think it slows down as much as some people think. I think there is a higher decline in older age but even then I think it's a relatively small amount.
I think what generally happens is people start to get less and less active as they age, whether they realise it or not and the weight slowly creeps on.
I think what generally happens is people start to get less and less active as they age, whether they realise it or not and the weight slowly creeps on.
1800-2000 kcal per day is not much for someone your height. It's no wonder you are thin.
You do lose muscle mass as you age. That does slow your metabolism. It is a good idea to get some exercise. You don't have to win the Olympics, gentle exercise will do.
But in truth most people get middle aged spread because they overeat daily. Not much, a few biscuits with their morning tea or a packet of crisps with lunch will do it.
You do lose muscle mass as you age. That does slow your metabolism. It is a good idea to get some exercise. You don't have to win the Olympics, gentle exercise will do.
But in truth most people get middle aged spread because they overeat daily. Not much, a few biscuits with their morning tea or a packet of crisps with lunch will do it.
It's something like 0.1% decline every 10 years. It might be more or it might be less but the real factor is that we move less and eat more. Crazy thinking, eh. Imagine that. If I put in more calories and move about less, I get fat. However, if you do the reverse you still get fat unless you eat the right food... apparently. 
#FastingForLife
#FastingForLife
grumbledoak said:
1800-2000 kcal per day is not much for someone your height. It's no wonder you are thin.
You do lose muscle mass as you age. That does slow your metabolism. It is a good idea to get some exercise.
This. It's fairly easy to maintain lean mass with resistance exercise up into your eighties and keep a consistent metabolism. The word 'metabolism' only refers to the body processes involved in taking in food, digesting. and converting to energy after all.You do lose muscle mass as you age. That does slow your metabolism. It is a good idea to get some exercise.
Interesting stuff. I thought at 2000kcl a day I was eating a lot!
I have a friend who is shorter than me and substantially larger, around 110kg. I have always wondered how he puts on the lbs so easily. He says he doesn’t eat that much but I’m guessing it will be a lot more than 2000kcl.
I have a friend who is shorter than me and substantially larger, around 110kg. I have always wondered how he puts on the lbs so easily. He says he doesn’t eat that much but I’m guessing it will be a lot more than 2000kcl.
AI1601 said:
Interesting stuff. I thought at 2000kcl a day I was eating a lot!
I have a friend who is shorter than me and substantially larger, around 110kg. I have always wondered how he puts on the lbs so easily. He says he doesn’t eat that much but I’m guessing it will be a lot more than 2000kcl.
Usually, they're kidding themselves. Of course, a small % of people who say this actually have some kind of medical condition and it's usually sorted out by visiting a GP. PCOS is a common culprit... but I suspect he doesn't have ovaries. I have a friend who is shorter than me and substantially larger, around 110kg. I have always wondered how he puts on the lbs so easily. He says he doesn’t eat that much but I’m guessing it will be a lot more than 2000kcl.
Despite the studies I do think there must be a difference - at uni I ate a ridiculous amount, had far more alcohol than was sensible and didn't particularly go out of my way to exercise but stayed relatively slim. Think multiple bowls of Crunchy Nut every morning for breakfast, footlong subway for lunch, piled up plates of spag bol with seconds for dinner.
If I ate like that now in my late 30s I would be enormous!
If I ate like that now in my late 30s I would be enormous!
AI1601 said:
I’ve always thought I’ve had a fast metabolism. Been slim all my life and find it very hard to gain weight even though I’m 32 despite people saying it slows down once you hit 30. Or is it that I’m not eating enough?
I’m 5ft10 and weigh 70kg, eat roughly 1800-2000cal a day.
See the TV programme. Your "fast metabolism" will be because you walk places, up stairs and don't snack much. That vs people who sit on the sofa eating their own bodyweight in snacks and have a "slow metabolism" I’m 5ft10 and weigh 70kg, eat roughly 1800-2000cal a day.
TX.
Snow and Rocks said:
Luke. said:
That BMI range was devised in the 1830s and is woefully out of date.
By out of date, you mean before we become accustomed to being so fat?! My great great grandfather was a soldier in the Crimean War. He may have been shorter than me, but he was probably lighter too. Humans were not dissimilar to us 200 years ago.
Terminator X said:
AI1601 said:
I’ve always thought I’ve had a fast metabolism. Been slim all my life and find it very hard to gain weight even though I’m 32 despite people saying it slows down once you hit 30. Or is it that I’m not eating enough?
I’m 5ft10 and weigh 70kg, eat roughly 1800-2000cal a day.
See the TV programme. Your "fast metabolism" will be because you walk places, up stairs and don't snack much. That vs people who sit on the sofa eating their own bodyweight in snacks and have a "slow metabolism" I’m 5ft10 and weigh 70kg, eat roughly 1800-2000cal a day.
TX.
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