Exercise and weight management in middle age
By middle age, men begin to lose their youthful enthusiasm for exercise as they see their bodies beginning to show signs of aging such things as their waists beginning to bulge, and their muscular mass beginning to shrink. It is common for men to experience a mid-life crisis at this point in their lives.
What can be done?
Since men are less likely to admit something is wrong, understanding a mid-life crisis can be very important. We now know that these feelings of self-doubt or lowered self-esteem may actually be the result of hormonal changes as men age. The mid-life crisis may also lead to erratic behavior. This can manifest itself as strange purchases (such as trading in the family car for a sports car), or life decisions (such as deciding to sell the house in the suburbs and moving to an apartment in the city), but may also provide an excellent opportunity to take up a new sport or hobby. Taking up a new sport or hobby could be a good way to keep yourself interested in exercising while giving you a sense of accomplishment.
If you are exercising, try to incorporate both cardio and strength training. The cardio will help keep your heart strong, while the strength training will keep muscle mass from deteriorating. This is important because muscle has higher caloric needs and therefore helps to keep up metabolism.
Again, men are also at a disadvantage when it comes to being open with their emotions. For this reason, it's important to discuss feelings or anxieties with friends or a partner. This will help to prevent alcohol abuse or binge eating. If the problem is more pervasive, it may be a major depressive episode which can be treated in a number of ways such as medication or therapy.
