Why do we gain weight as we age? (muscles, weightlifting, skinny)

[ClaraC]

There is no one standard for humans - we're all approximations on the mean.

I have experienced the cliche of being impossibly thin in my youth. Such that CPS was once called out when I was about 8 because I appeared to be starving.

I didn't break 100 pounds, although I'm 5'5" until my mid 20's.

And I ate a LOT. And besides nature type hikes and getting out camping, I didn't do any kind of exercise.

Now, in my 50's, I exercise, watch carbs, and am holding at 125 with effort.

For many, it IS true. You can eat like a pig and not exercise in your youth and not gain a pound, but when you're older, it's nearly impossible to lose any weight gains.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Because for far too many everything slows down except the eating.

[TBMorgan]

Men at middle age often have testosterone changes....affecting metabolism, muscle growrh.....increases body fat.

[AliefNorth]

Originally Posted by Rocko20

That makes zero sense. I’m 5’10” and 190 pounds and likely more healthy than you, because I have this thing called “muscle” and I do this thing called “weight training.”

Heavier means nothing without the context of how much muscle there is

Your considerably overweight for your height.

Many people who are much taller than you 6’2-6’5 weigh around 190

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by AliefNorth

Your considerably overweight for your height.

Many people who are much taller than you 6’2-6’5 weigh around 190

That's nonsense. I'm 5'11" and 200 lbs. No one would even think about calling me overweight. I actually look pretty lean at this weight.

[Ralph_Kirk]

Originally Posted by WildCard~

I can only speak for myself, staying active (running and working out with lightweights) has keep the weight off for me, plus eating a healthy diet of organics, no processed or fast food. Took this up 12 years ago and haven't had an weight issue since... As I age I have found staying active is the key, keep moving!

Originally Posted by Steve McDonald

Not everyone follows the same regression with age. There are many variables and things you can do to offset such changes. I'm 15 lbs. lighter than when I was in my twenties, but yet I'm stronger, because of hard training and improved eating habits.

So how old are you guys now?

Originally Posted by AliefNorth

Your considerably overweight for your height.

Many people who are much taller than you 6’2-6’5 weigh around 190

You seem to have overlooked his last sentence.

[WildCard~]

Originally Posted by Ralph_Kirk

So how old are you guys now?

I'm 56.

[Eman Resu VIII]

I used to be underweight so I gained weight to "get healthier". I have a fast metabolism so when I ate enough to get into the "normal" weight range I get impaired glucose levels. Despite having virtually 0 fat and gaining muscle. My blood sugar only goes normal again when I'm underweight according to BMI.

[GraniteStater]

Don't eat wheat, you won't gain weight period... Many many people have figured this out a long time ago. Paleo, keto, and gluten free approach combined for over 10 years now. (I do have Celiac Disease, however). I am rarely very hungry with a high protein low carbohydrate diet. Wheat is an automatic appetite stimulant for many people.

[Robinwomb]

I ate like a horse when I was a teenager and didn't reach 100 lbs or get my first period until I was 16. I also developed hypothyroidism at 16 and was put on medication for it that I still take 30 years later. I was taking 22 hours per week of advanced ballet training as a teen. In college I went to Ohio State University, walked everywhere, lived three miles from campus and didn't own a car, carried books on my back all day, was a dance major my first year so dance classes in addition daily. I could get away with eating a lot of food and some junk.

I quit dancing in my early twenties and my weight settled to about 116 to 122 lbs for a long time, but I smoked for most of that time which supressed appetite. I had a hysterectomy and lost both ovaries at age 33, throwing me into endless surgical menopause. My highest weight at 5' 5.5" as an adult went up to 132 lbs shortly after (and also after quitting smoking) and I was so disgusted with it I vowed to drop the weight. I dropped to 90 lbs at age 37. I stayed underweight, from 90 to 105 lbs, for six years until I was 42, then finally put on weight intentionally to 110-113 lbs where I have been for the last five years.

It's harder work to maintain this weight now in my mid 40s and in surgical menopause on top of hypothyroidism, but not impossible. Though I exercise quite a bit (average 1.5 to 3 hours day depending on if I have a ballet class or just a normal gym day or an all day weekend adventure), even during the times I have had to drastically cut exercise, such as a recent tibia injury, I can maintain this weight range if I eat very clean, eat at "maintenance", and keep fat intake lower. Granted I probably eat less now than I did as a teen and I am far more aware of what I eat and how it affects my body. But I love a wider range of food as an adult than as a picky teenager.

Also, for the record, I have been either vegan, vegetarian, or currently pescetarian for 8 years, so my carb intake is higher, and fat intake lower than many people, but I have never had trouble maintaining a lower weight with this way of eating, as long as I keep the processed foods to a minimum.