heavy to healthy

Male Weight Gain

Remember when you thought the “middle-aged spread” was the sort of thing that happened to other men? The lazy types who ate poorly, didn’t exercise and drank too much? Turns out male weight gain is as much about your biology as it is about your lifestyle. 

The average adult loses between 3% and 8% of muscle during each decade after 30. This loss of muscle tissue and mass as a natural part of the aging process is called sarcopenia. Age-related muscle loss can also slow down your metabolism by an average of 2% every decade, which means it becomes even harder for your body to burn calories instead of storing them as fat. In other words, you can eat the exact same amount that you did at 40—and even exercise the same—and still gain weight in your 50s. 

Some of the cellular components that drive metabolic processes also lose efficiency with age. In one study, scientists compared changes in the mitochondria (the “energy factory” of our bodies) between younger and older adults and found the older group had 20% fewer mitochondria—additionally, the mitochondria in older adults was nearly 50% less efficient at creating energy. 

Long story short, the number attached to your age can have a lot to do with the number on the scale. One of the biggest reasons why? Hormones. 

Hormones and Weight Gain in Men 

Andropause, also known as male menopause, describes decreasing levels of the male hormone testosterone that come with aging. Testosterone levels gradually decline throughout adulthood (about 1% a year after age 30, on average). Trying to lose weight and keep weight off is difficult enough when your body is in peak physical condition. During andropause, weight loss can feel like trying to push a heavy rock up a steep hill—and the more out of balance your hormones become, the steeper the hill. 

Hormones control your desire and willingness to be active by affecting your energy level, so you may not have the stamina and vitality needed to burn fat through physical activity. Hormones also regulate your mood, which means imbalances may cause overeating due to depression, fatigue and a lack of motivation to exercise and take care of yourself. Adding to this vicious cycle of aging-related male weight gain is the fact that fat cells actually break down testosterone into estrogen, which builds more fat. So, as you age and your testosterone levels drop, you gain weight due to listlessness and inactivity, which builds more fat that causes you to lose even more testosterone and therefore gain more fat—and on and on and on until you barely recognize the man in the mirror. 

In addition to increased body fat, reduced muscle bulk and strength, swollen or tender breasts and loss of body hair, other recognizable signs and symptoms of low testosterone may include: 

  • Reduced sexual desire
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Infertility
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Memory loss
  • Hot flashes
  • Depression 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone and want to feel more like the man you remember, contact New Results Medical Weight Loss Center. Low testosterone can be diagnosed and measured using a simple blood test, and then we can recommend the right treatment option to help you restore testosterone levels to normal. In addition to hormone optimization and testosterone replacement therapy, we can also provide individualized nutrition and exercise plans to help boost testosterone levels naturally. 

Medical Weight Loss for Men 

Carrying extra weight around can make you feel less confident, but having a large amount of belly fat also increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and osteoporosis. Men who want to look healthier, feel healthier, and actually be healthier need to address their increasing waistlines. Unfortunately, diet and exercise alone may not be enough to lose weight and get rid of stubborn excess fat. 

You need to burn off 3,500 calories more than you take in to lose one pound. Even if you are just a few pounds overweight, it could take months to notice any benefits from eating healthy and moderately exercising. That doesn’t mean lifestyle changes are completely useless, but for some men (especially older men) it takes more than eating fewer calories or burning up more through physical activity. 

New Results Medical Weight Loss has helped men lose 10 pounds to 110 pounds and more. Our success comes from the simple fact that our individualized weight loss protocols and programs for men are medically sound. During your first appointment, you will receive a complete medical evaluation to ensure that there are no reasons we can’t prescribe testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), appetite suppressants, or other medical weight loss protocols.  

Our doctors and nurse practitioners will address hormone issues (e.g., low testosterone or elevated estrogen) and offer creative solutions as appropriate, like growth hormone therapy and injectable nutrients. Balanced hormones will supply you with the energy and motivation you need to stay active, lose weight, and keep the weight off. Another reason our male weight loss programs are so effective is that at New Results Medical Weight Loss, we have created a nurturing and supportive environment where our staff helps you achieve your weight loss goals through education and encouragement. In addition to metabolism enhancers, fat-burning injections, and testosterone replacement therapy, we provide: 

  • Weekly accountability and weight loss monitoring
  • Recipe and snack ideas
  • Tips on how to maximize the benefits of exercise
  • Unending support and encouragement