Weight 1: Objective, Science

[Mars]

Please make your comments in the appropriate Weight thread 1, 2, 3.

I am not expert here, so make corrections and fill in the many blanks. 

Thousands of years back, humans were programmed like modern day bears.  That is, they ate much during the growing season, put on extra pounds and then shed those extra pounds during the rest of the year when less food was available.

In modern days where food is available year round, a yearly weight gain will occur for adults . . . if the person lets it happen.  I think it is supposed to be something like 1-2 pounds per year.  This is because the body is still programmed to store as many calories as possible for the lean days, but the lean days never come.

Questions:

Should this weight gain be considered normal, just because almost everyone seems to let it happen? 

Or should it be considered normal that you adjust your calorie intake and calorie burning to adjust, so that the weight gain does not occur?

Also, there is talk of change in metabolism as people age.  Not sure here, but I think it has something to do with the body slowing down the rate of burning calories, becoming more efficient in the use of energy so fewer calories are burned to complete a given task, etc.

Questions:

Since this change in metabolism does happen, should it be considered normal to just let your weight go up accordingly;

Or should it be considered normal that you will decrease your intake of calories as you age and not allow the weight gain happen?

The same questions arise with respect to other events such as change in hormones, menopause, etc.

That is: Should it be considered normal to just let the weight gain occur;

Or should it be considered normal to adjust calorie intake downward to compensate for the event?

[BillyB]

Indians in North America hundreds of years ago lived a life that required a lot of physical activity to hunt and gather to feed and clothe themselves. They do not need to work so hard anymore in modern times and with a white man's diet, they are on average some of the most overweight people in America. Genetics play a part along with eating habits.

Anybody can overeat. I like to eat but I also control my intake because I do not want to be overweight. If your metabolism changes, so should your eating habits.

[Mars]

Gator posted this in the Weight - Pursuit thread.

Billy and I already gave some thoughts on the metabolic idea
Aside from stating that metabolic changes will add weight, my question was:
Should intake and use of calories be adjusted to offset the metabolic.

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Gator:

If you are dating women in their late 30s, metabolic changes will add weight.

And it is not healthy for a women to be too thin as she ages.

So you date 40-50 yo women.  I spent a lot of time with this group.  Most were packing some fat mass albeit less than their AW sisters.  And that is the way it should be to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.