By Dr. Jamie Y. Marable, Contributing writer

It is a common misconception that losing weight after 50 is nearly impossible without resorting to extremes such as starvation diets, lengthy workout sessions or weight loss surgery. Perhaps you have bought into this notion and abandoned the quest to shed those extra pounds that are often triggered by such things as menopause, loss of muscle dexterity and a slowed metabolism.

While losing weight is not as easy as the snap of a finger for baby boomers, the good news is that weight loss after 50 is possible and does not have to be an unpleasant process. There are several practical things that you can begin to do immediately to rid yourself of unwanted flab and improve your overall health.

Opt For Action

A sedentary lifestyle gives fat a chance to accumulate rapidly in your body. It can also speed up the loss of muscle dexterity and increase the likelihood of depression. You do not have to work out in order to be active. All you have to do is get moving. If engaged in regularly, activities such as walking your dog, gardening, playing with your grandchildren or taking dancing lessons can help you lose a few pounds. If you would prefer to step up the pace a bit, you can sign up for a water aerobics or yoga class in your area.

Hydrate For Health

Health management expert Shawn Talbott suggests green tea, calcium and thiamine to control metabolism and increase energy. Dietitian Lynn Moss recommends drinking green tea with meals for optimal results. While green tea has been shown to help speed up metabolism, you can never go wrong with good old-fashioned water. Drinking six to eight glasses a day is enough to keep you hydrated and naturally promote weight loss.

Strive For Regularity

Constipation is a major contributor to weight gain. Fried and processed foods contribute to constipation, which in turn helps to store fat and harmful toxins in your body. To help relieve constipation the natural way, drink plenty of water and eat several servings of fruits and vegetables regularly. Prunes, raisins, apples, sweet potatoes and salads made with leafy green vegetables will help you maintain a healthy digestive system and stay regular.

Rest For Rejuvenation, Hunger Control

Although an active lifestyle is critical to losing weight, so too is getting plenty of rest each day. If you are not getting at least seven hours of sleep each night, you run the risk of throwing certain hormones in your body that contribute to hunger and fullness out of sync. When this occurs, you will be more likely to get the munchies, and this could possibly lead to overeating or snacking on unhealthy foods in between meals.

De-stress For Healthy Mind and Body

Although some people lose weight when they are under stress, it is far more common for persons to gain weight when they allow stress to consume their lives. A stressful life can lead to a number of additional problems, from emotional eating to less time for healthy cooking and exercise and increased fat storage in the abdominal area. If you are feeling stressed, the first step to take is to uncover the source of your stress. Are you working too hard? Are you trying to please everyone all of the time and taking little time out for yourself? Do you have one or more toxic relationships? Are you surrounded by negative people? Once you determine the source of your stress, you can begin to make changes that will improve your peace of mind and overall quality of life.