58-Year-Old Trainer Reveals 5 Habits to Look Half Her Age
Are you letting your age be an excuse for not getting into shape? Don't, says one expert. Michaela Bentley is a CPT & Nutrition coach. At the age of 58, she looks half her age! In fact, she maintains that she has a much better grasp on diet and exercise now than she did in her forties. In a new Instagram post she reveals 5 secret habits that women her age follow to help them look half their age. "The fittest women over 50 share these 5 habits," the video reads. Here's the list:
They Stay in a Moderate Calorie Deficit
The first thing these women do? Make sure to eat enough. "Ultra low calorie diets are not sustainable and set us up to fail from the start. Instead opt for a moderate calorie deficit that you can handle without feeling deprived," Michaela writes.
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They Track Their Calories
They also know exactly what they are eating every day. "Tracking calories is the only way to know how many calories you are actually taking in. All three macro nutrients are important but most important is protein and fiber. This will keep you satiated and help preserve muscle and gut health," she says.
They Walk 10,000 Steps Per Day
They also get their steps in. "Walking upwards of 10k steps a day will ensure you are getting enough movement into your day. If you work a desk job consider a standing desk and a walking pad," says Michaela. Science agrees with her. A 2018 study published in the journal Obesity found a link between walking 10,000 steps a day and weight loss and weight management. Other studies published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in JAMA Neurology and in JAMA Internal Medicine also linked walking 10,000 steps a day to less dementia and less cardiovascular disease overall, with less heart disease, less heart failure and fewer strokes.
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They Strength Train
When it comes to exercise, these over-50 women are lifting weights. "Strength training to build and preserve muscle mass are the key to successfully improving body composition over 40. More muscle mass you have the more efficiently your metabolism performs," she writes. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:
- Develop strong bones
- Manage your weight
- Enhance your quality of life
- Manage chronic conditions
- Sharpen your thinking skills
And, They Get Enough Sleep
Rest is also something these women make a priority. "Sleep is so important for fat loss. When you don't get enough, sleep, the hormones that control hunger and satiety get out of whack causing overeating, making fat loss more challenging," says Michaela. According to the Sleep Foundation, getting enough z's is a mood booster, promotes heart health, regulates blood sugar, improves mental function, restores your immune system, helps relieve stress, and aids in weight loss. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss I Hit 60 and These 15 Anti-Aging Foods Keep Me Fit and Feeling 20 Years Younger.
