'I'm over 60 - my protein-dense breakfast is perfect for melting menopausal fat around the abdomen'
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Kickstarting the day with a protein-dense meal may help burn the middle-aged bulge
Failure to lose weight rarely stems from laziness to eat healthily but rather from a misunderstanding of what healthy eating is.
Many weight loss strategies stay the same as we age, while others have to be tweaked to be effective.
Debra Atkinson claims that after 60, a healthy diet is one that emphasises protein.
To start the day on the right note, the fitness expert6 recommends aiming for 30 grams of protein at breakfast.
Debra recommends a protein-dense meal for breakfast
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The fitness veteran explained in a recent YouTube clip that a breakfast consisting of yoghurt, protein powder and creatine is perfect for supporting weight loss around the body's midsection.
“I’m going to tell you about how to fit protein in, starting with breakfast because it sets the tone for the day," she told followers.
“It’s probably easy for you to get your protein in both at lunch and at dinner, but where women struggle, is getting high protein early in the morning."
She points out that hitting protein targets is more important than ever after 50 because the body loses muscle faster at this age.
“You want to break your fast with a high-protein meal,” she explained, adding that skipping breakfast may do more harm than good.
“This is what I will do before a workout,” she said. “A Minimum of 30 grams is the threshold you need.”
Debra adds Greek yoghurt, one serving of pea protein, and a serving of creatine to a bowl.
For an extra protein boost, she suggests mixing in hemp hearts - also known as hemp seeds.
“Three tablespoons of that adds 10 more grams of protein,” explained the fitness enthusiast.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, creatine provides energy to the body and helps increase muscle growth while speeding up muscle recovery.
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“When you exercise, you create micro-tears in your muscle fibres,” says the health body.
“As you recover, the micro-tears in your muscle fibres heal and your muscles get stronger.”
Though protein is an important component of weight loss, other elements are also vital.
Exercise and hydration are key elements to remember for long-term weight loss.