Most women who hit their 40s think that it is all downhill from here. However, I am sure you hear about women over 40 who are doing life-changing feats such as running a marathon or climbing Mt. Everest. For some women, they sit back thinking this is not something for them. They prefer to think about getting plastic surgery, starving themselves and going after the next quick fix to get them into shape. Many others take advantage of other unnecessary treatments.
Is it possible for women to get into shape after 40? Of course it is. But just like anything else, it takes time and dedication.
Keeping in shape even for women over 40 is easier than you imagine. It is true that women gain weight much faster because of hormonal changes that take place around the age of 40. For that reason, you would be certainly required to make changes in your lifestyle. Here are a few tips to get or keep you in shape after 40.
Health Tips for Women Over 40
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Your Diet
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- The very first thing you should have an honest look at is what you are eating. Most women are aware of what they should eat and what they should avoid but seldom follow it. However, if you want to lose weight or stay in shape, it is impossible to do so without the required changes in your eating habits.
What you eat on a daily basis plays an important role in determining if you will break or make your weight loss goals. You should opt for five to six small meals over the day. Also, you should go for foods that rich in fiber and protein rather than foods that are loaded with sugar and fat. Weight loss is 80-percent tied to what you put in your mouth. If you are eating a lot of horrible foods, then there is no amount of exercise that will get you to your weight loss goals.
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Exercising
The second most important thing is to include an exercise plan for women over 40. A good exercise plan would include flexibility training, cardio training, strength training, etc. To get the most out of your exercise program, choose a program that focuses on high-intensity interval training (HIIT). You can consider joining a gym, but if you don’t have the time or money to do that, you can equally benefit by exercising daily at home for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Exercising on a regular basis boosts the metabolism to burn fat, and, thus, you are able to lose weight in a natural fashion.
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Resistance Training
Regular weight lifting can greatly benefit women over 40. To derive the best benefits, you should practice weightlifting at least three times a week. It is also extremely essential that you work on reducing your stress levels. If you are always stressed, it would be very hard to achieve your weight loss goal. When you are stressed you produce the hormone cortisol. An excess of cortisol in your body has been shown to lead to an increase in your body retaining the fat that it already has. You can practice meditation or take a break from routine activities to relax your mind.
There are many other things that women over 40 can do to stay in shape. The above four health tips lay a foundation on which you can start your stay-in-shape program. Just remember that your age is just a number and is not indicative of you or your health. Stick to a consistent nutrition and exercise program, and you will be amazed at the results no matter what your age.