Why It's Harder to Lose Weight as You Age

Aging comes with lots of challenges, including sleep changes, aching joints, and an increased risk of chronic disease. While those changes may be relatively well known, there’s another change that’s less widely recognized by many: age-related weight gain.

As a leading internist in New Braunfels, Texas, Caleigh Rodriguez, MD, helps patients manage their weight as they get older with medically supervised weight loss plans focused on improving health and confidence, too. Here, learn why aging makes weight loss so difficult and how medical weight loss can help.

Age and weight

One of the major drivers of age-related weight gain is a slowdown in your metabolism — the rate at which your body converts the calories you consume into energy that’s usable by your cells and organs. When metabolism slows down, your body stores more calories as fat, and many people find it harder to lose weight.

At the same time, you tend to lose muscle mass as you age. Because muscle tissue burns a lot of calories, when muscle mass declines, it’s harder to lose weight, too — even using methods that were once effective. A loss of muscle mass can also be related to the marked hormonal shifts that occur as you age — another potential obstacle to weight loss. 

Additionally, lifestyle-related changes, like a decline in physical activity, take a toll on our weight loss efforts. Finally, if you take medication for chronic health problems, like hypertension, those medicines can make weight loss more challenging.

How medically supervised weight loss can help

If you’re dealing with age-related weight gain, you might be surprised (and frustrated) to find that diets and exercise plans that once worked for you are no longer as effective in helping you shed extra pounds. That’s because those underlying age-related changes work against your best efforts to slim down.

Fortunately, medically supervised weight loss with Dr. Rodriguez can help. Our custom plans begin with a medical exam and a review of your medical history, along with lab tests to identify nutritional deficiencies and other issues that could be interfering with your weight loss efforts.

Dr. Rodriguez works with you to develop a comprehensive weight management plan that may include:

• Nutrition plans tailored to your needs and preferences
• Physical activity tuned to your likes and lifestyle
• Lifestyle guidance to help you kick bad habits
• Nutritional supplements
• Weight loss medications, like tirzepatide injections
• Hormone therapy
• Stress management
• Chronic disease management

She tailors your plan to your unique needs not only to help you lose weight, but to improve your overall health and wellness, too.

Plus, throughout your weight loss journey, you’ll have regular follow-ups to ensure your plan stays on track and attuned to your goals. These visits provide you with the motivation you need to reach your goals — and maintain them.

Weight management for a healthier life

Weight management plays a central role in preventive care for patients of all ages, reducing your risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even dementia. 

To learn how a customized medically supervised weight loss plan can help you achieve and maintain your weight-related goals, request an appointment online or over the phone with Caleigh Rodriguez, MD, today.