Weight Loss: Six Tricks To Beating The Aging Metabolism

It's no secret that losing weight gets more difficult as you get older. Part of this process is the occurrence of naturally declining levels of human growth hormone (HGH) and Testosterone once we reach the age of thirty. These two hormones are two of the most important hormones in our body when it comes to building muscle, burning fat, feeling energized and youthful. Here are six tricks to naturally and safely boost these hormones which will keep you building muscle and burning fat for years to come:

1. SLEEP 7-8 GOOD HOURS A NIGHT - A University of Chicago study found when men were deprived of sleep or were interrupted during sleep (not allowed to get to their deep stage 4 cycle) their daily growth hormone levels dropped by 23 percent. Our stage 4 deep sleep is typically when our body releases it's largest pulses of growth hormone. If you're getting seven to eight hours of sound sleep a night you are probably OK. The quality of sleep is very important here and one of the easiest ways to keep your growth hormone levels up and normal.

2. WORK THE BIG MUSCLE GROUPS REGULARLY AND INTENSELY - Short, intense bouts of heavy resistance exercise and interval style training have shown to be more efficient at boosting growth hormone and metabolizing fat (triglycerides) for energy. Research also suggests compound movements, or movements that require action at more than one joint, are more effective at boosting testosterone than single joint, isolated movements.

3. LOSE WEIGHT AT A SAFE RATE OF 1 TO 2 LBS A WEEK - If you're working the body out regularly and intensely like in tip 2 and you cut your caloric intake by more than 15% than your daily needs then you run the risk of lowering your body's testosterone production. By over training and drastically cutting calories you will in fact lower your ability to burn fat, rather than the opposite effect you are striving to achieve.

4. EAT GOOD FATS -  Good fat and cholesterol are building blocks for Testosterone. Boost your body's ability to produce Testosterone by getting 30% of your daily calories from good fats found in avocados, peanut butter, walnuts, flaxseed and omega-3's.

5. SKIP ON ALCOHOL - Alcohol inhibits Testosterone production and increases Estrogen in the body. As if the aging process wasn't making it hard enough to burn fat and build muscle, alcohol only magnifies some of the hormonal changes that create belly fat and man boobs.

6. EAT WELL, EXERCISE AND USE THESE TIPS EARLY - For some of you reading this now, it may be too late to start "early", but these tips can certainly help you no matter how old you are. Research suggests that taking the proper steps to boost testosterone levels in your 20's and early 30's can help battle the natural decline of these "youth" hormones as you get older.