Live the Fat Burning Life

By Myatt Murphy

Having trouble shedding pounds as you age? Here, 4 simple strategies that fire up metabolism and jump-start weight loss

When you work out and the pounds still don't come off, it can be incredibly frustrating. But what you may not know is that certain habits and physical changes can undermine even the most scientifically proven weight loss strategies, especially after you reach age 40. When Australian and UK researchers reviewed nearly 100 studies on exercise and weight loss, they discovered why those extra pounds won't budge despite your best efforts. These four targeted fat-fighting tips are the key to turning the tide--so your body will finally shed the weight.

1. MAKE SOME EXTRA MUSCLE

After 40, your body's metabolism begins to decline at a rate of 2 to 4% per decade, and weight loss can slow it down even more. In a University of Colorado Health Sciences study, losing a mere pound a week for 12 weeks lowered metabolism by 165 calories a day. Part of the reason is that it's nearly impossible to slim down without losing some muscle--your body's calorie-burning engine--along with the fat. Each pound you shed is about 70% fat and 30% muscle. But you can counteract the effect.

Simple Strategies
Lift weights three times a week It's the fastest way to build muscle and get results when the scale is stuck. "Research shows that regular strength-training can increase your resting metabolic rate by up to 8%," says Wayne Westcott, PhD, fitness researcher in Quincy, MA, and author of Get Stronger, Feel Younger. In one 8-week study, women and men who did only cardio exercise lost 4 pounds but gained no muscle, while those who did half the amount of cardio and an equal amount of strength-training shed 10 pounds of fat and added 2 pounds of muscle.

Rest less If you already strength-train, shorten the time you linger between sets. "Taking a brief, 20-second break after each set burns extra calories and accelerates metabolism more than waiting the standard 60 to 90 seconds, studies show," says Westcott.

Do double-duty moves Trade exercises that isolate a single muscle, such as biceps curls, for multijoint, multimuscle moves like chest presses and squats. "The more muscles you engage at once, the more calories you'll burn," he says. 

Break up your meals If you're losing weight (and therefore muscle) by cutting calories, eating five small meals instead of three large ones helps keep metabolism high. Spreading calories throughout the day "keeps blood sugar levels even and controls the release of insulin that can cause your body to store more calories as fat," says Leslie Bonci, RD, MPH, director of sports medicine nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "And every time you eat, your metabolism speeds up to digest the food."