You cannot take your body for granted, especially when you reach your 50s. At this age, many of your body's natural prowess - strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and mobility - are already gaining momentum on the downward slide. Furthermore, the body's built-in calorie burning mechanism, the metabolism, begins to really slow down. All these declines become most evident in the rising number on the weighing scale and an expanding waistline.

Weight gain is more than just a vanity issue; it is also a health issue, especially at...