“ if you are experiencing mid-life spread you can no longer blame it on a declining metabolic rate.”

[ChocAuVin]

Article here explaining in groundbreaking terms that: “Middle-aged spread cannot be blamed on a waning metabolism, according to an unprecedented analysis of the body's energy use.

The study, of 6,400 people, from eight days old up to age 95, in 29 countries, suggests the metabolism remains "rock solid" throughout mid-life.

It peaks at the age of one, is stable from 20 to 60 and then inexorably declines.

Researchers said the findings gave surprising new insights about the body.”

I’m surprised but also cheered by this! I’m 42 BTW. How do others feel to know that ‘middle-aged spread’ is not a metabolic probability?

Why does the chart use pictures of women to demonstrate the age ranges? Why is it only women being told what they should and shouldn't eat and look like?

But, yes, I knew this already. It's not really news.

I didn't know this - I thought that in women, at least, metabolism decreased during and after the menopause. Did they check for the effects of the menopause in the study?

Oh, just read the article and they did look at menopause and pregnancy - I confess to also thinking that pregnancy increased the metabolism! I wonder why so many women see an increase in weight during the menopause, then?

Well everyone I know who hits menopause has a change in shape and tone. (Including people with frankly horrifying mega marathon habits etc)

Yes 5zeds.

I find it all a bit baffling. What is going on then? There's such a common mid-life shape. At 38 my body just changed, and what I'd previously been able to eat suddenly no longer applied.

A similar story is told here, Exercise does not increase our metabolism. Instead, we burn calories within a very narrow range: nearly 3,000 calories per day for men and 2,400 calories for women, no matter our activity level. In fact, our metabolism – the way our body burns energy – affects every aspect of our biology from our pace of growth, reproduction and ageing to our weight and health. If we burn more energy in one area, our bodies will adjust by spending less energy in another. But all this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t exercise. Far from it. Herman explains why movement is essential for humans.

drchatterjee.com/the-truth-about-calories-with-dr-herman-pontzer/

It's hormones

Never was about calories in calories out

I get the hormones and changing shape issue, but I SWEAR it takes longer to lose weight if you're middle aged. And wtf is that in that article about burning 2400 cals per day? I wish!

I just don’t get how this can be true.
I do agree that exercise makes little difference to weight loss itself, though has lots of other benefits.

But I gain on more than 1600 calories a day. I just do, I track every day, scan barcodes, weigh portions etc, I’m not cheating or underestimating my intake.

@Buggerthebotox

I get the hormones and changing shape issue, but I SWEAR it takes longer to lose weight if you're middle aged. And wtf is that in that article about burning 2400 cals per day? I wish!

Insulin resistance as you get older.

I am 46 and eat at least 2400 calories a day. But I don't eat food that raises my insulin and I fast. You can't lose weight if your body has constantly raised insulin - even worse that it's been like that for year and you have developed even minor insulin resistance

I am BMI 20 and have a very slim waist - 26" and I'm 5'6

*if it's been like that for years (i.e. constantly raised insulin)

@alternista Same here. I have SUCH a narrow window. I lose on 1000cal a day and gain on 1200cal a day. And similarly, I weigh everything, cook from scratch so I know there's no hidden calories, drink loads of water etc etc. I absolutely cannot believe my metabolism is the same as a "normal person".

@Buggerthebotox

I get the hormones and changing shape issue, but I SWEAR it takes longer to lose weight if you're middle aged. And wtf is that in that article about burning 2400 cals per day? I wish!

God yes! I was a steady 8 - 9stone for years, very slim androgynous type shape and able to eat whatever I wanted without doing any exercise! Since hitting my fifities I have become a dumpy old dear. I'm around 10 and a half stone, which is still fine but my shape is all over the place. I run around 20 miles a week and really take care of what I eat but my tummy bloats uncomfotably whatever I do and I just feel....heavy :(

That sounds strange, given that muscle mass declines as we age, from about 40 years old.

So if we have less muscle mass, then we require (slightly) less calories to maintain that muscle? Which would lead to slow but steady weight increase over the years if we are eating the same amount of food.

It takes something like 13 calories per hour to maintain one pound of muscle, whereas it takes just 4 calories per hour to maintain one pound of fat.

I agree that hormones also play a part, especially in where the weight is distributed, which is why many women struggle with belly fat after menopause.

So what's the relationship between metabolism and hormones?

Erm, I might just have lost 4 stone by magic then.... (not the running and walking I've been doing every day).

I've been reading a bit about the menopause and it talks about falling levels of oestrogen creating the propensity to store fat around the middle rather than on the hips. I think I'm only about half a stone heavier than 10 years ago but while my hips and boobs are the same measurements my waist is about 4" bigger (and goes up by another 2" the week before my period : quite handy actually as the periods are irregular now so at least I know if It's been 8 weeks and I have to loosen me belt I know It's due .

@Monestera

So what's the relationship between metabolism and hormones?

I know people with disorders of certain hormones which cause them metabolic issues.

1. Thyroxine - thyroid hormone. Too much your metabolism speeds up and too little it slows down.
2. Testosterone - too little in men causes decreased metabolism leading to increased body fat

Many women are very hungry 7-10 days before their period as they have a progesterone surge as your metabolism increases.

I’ve just lost three stone - gradually over the last year - through running and hill walking. I haven’t really changed my diet and eat cake and drink wine most days 🤷🏻‍♀️ In a period of not exercising my weight increased. And if anything I eat more when I exercise than when I don’t.

@grasstreeleaf

Erm, I might just have lost 4 stone by magic then.... (not the running and walking I've been doing every day).

Same magic here it appears @grasstreeleaf - we should bottle it and sell it for millions

I have had some further thoughts.

Maybe the 'magic' consists of exercise optimising bodily processes so the body is well versed in burning fat in order to sustain lengthy activity for example. MAF training hones this ability. Through training people at a particular low level intensity have noticed an improvement in endurance during fasted exercise - they don't hit a the 'wall' or become weak and shaky/ lacking in energy. This means the body is more likely to burn fat during activity rather than seek rest and food.

Maybe the energy that exercise consumes is better being consumed through exercise than the body using it up in activity that could be harmful. Exercise is said to reduce stress and inflammation for example which some have said contributes to obesity.

@grasstreeleaf I do indeed do a lot of long slow runs which suit my build and stamina. Weight drops steadily once I’m over 30 miles per week.

I do lots of long slow runs too, @catinthewindow.

So are they thinking that our metabolism changes to mitigate the effects of hormones at menopause?

I wonder how they explain middle age spread (if indeed they recognise it)?

I think it's positive in so far as it fits into new narratives about aging in which women aren't encouraged to view age 40 as the beginning of the end!

**Many women are very hungry 7-10 days before their period as they have a progesterone surge as your metabolism increases.

I'm 36 and only just found this out because I'm counting my calories for the first time. I need twice as much food this week as last. I'm not eating that much, but the hunger is real. Wish we were taught more about this as young women - instead of feeling ashamed of our hormones and appetites!