Struggling to Lose Weight After 40? You’re Not Alone—Let’s Rethink Your Approach!

28 Nov

"Struggling to Lose Weight After 40? You’re Not Alone—Let’s Rethink Your Approach!"

Ladies, if you’re over 40 and still trying to lose weight the same way you did in your 20s or 30s, it’s no wonder you’re frustrated! After 40, our bodies don’t respond the same way, and the old approach—intense workouts and restrictive diets—is actually working against you. Here’s why, and what you should do instead:

Why Intense Workouts Are Holding You Back

Many women think they need to push themselves through high-intensity workouts to shed the pounds. But here’s the truth: Intense exercise, especially when you're already juggling a busy life, can increase cortisol, the stress hormone. Elevated cortisol actually triggers your body to store fat, particularly around your stomach. So, instead of burning fat, you're just adding to the stress load and making weight loss harder, not easier. 😩

The Dieting Trap: Why Restrictive Diets Don’t Work After 40

Now let’s talk about diets. Restrictive diets (like keto, shakes, or cutting out whole food groups) can give you quick results, but they leave you feeling deprived and exhausted. Over time, they mess with your metabolism, lower your energy, and make you crave unhealthy foods. If you’ve been stuck in this cycle, you know it’s not sustainable. Diets are a temporary fix that can lead to bingeing, mood swings, and frustration. It’s time to change that.

The Complete Approach: Exercise, Food, Stress, Boundaries & Mindset

What we need is a complete approach that looks at ALL the elements of wellness. Weight loss after 40 isn’t about pushing yourself harder in the gym or cutting out carbs—it’s about creating balance in your life and giving your body exactly what it needs to thrive.

Here’s what that looks like:

1️⃣ Invigorating Exercise That Strengthens All the Right Bits
Forget punishing, high-impact workouts that leave you feeling drained. The secret is invigorating exercise—movement that strengthens all the right bits, gets your endorphins flowing, and helps resolve those common issues like leaking, back pain, and bulging tummies. The right exercise doesn’t trigger cortisol. Instead, it supports your body, boosts your mood, and makes weight loss easier by lowering stress and supporting your core and pelvic floor. You can still get fit and lose weight, but you need to do it in a way that supports your energy and overall health.

2️⃣ Fuel Your Body with Love
Rather than dieting, fuel your body with nourishing foods that give you energy, balance your hormones, and keep you feeling full and satisfied. Eating from a place of love (not restriction) is the key to long-term success. No more starving yourself or feeling guilty about what you eat. Fueling your body well helps you feel energized, reduces cravings, and makes weight loss a natural byproduct of eating in a way that honors your body. 🍎💪🏼

3️⃣ Manage Stress and Set Boundaries
Stress is one of the biggest barriers to weight loss after 40. High cortisol levels from constant stress make it much harder to shed those extra pounds, especially around the belly. You need to manage stress by creating healthy boundaries in your life. Saying no to things that drain your energy, prioritizing self-care, and giving yourself permission to slow down are all key to reducing cortisol and restoring balance to your body. 💆‍♀️✨

4️⃣ Mindset Shifts for Long-Term Success
Mindset is everything. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking “I’m over 40, I can’t do this anymore” or “I’ll just start tomorrow, it’s too overwhelming.” But small, consistent changes lead to big results over time. Shifting your mindset to progress over perfection will keep you motivated and help you stay on track, even when life throws curveballs. 🌟

The Key to Feeling Energized and Healthy After 40

When you take a complete approach—one that includes exercise, food, stress management, and mindset shifts—you’ll see massive changes in your body, your energy, and your overall happiness. You’ll stop feeling like you're constantly battling against your body and start feeling in control again.

In my Fabulous After 40 Project, we focus on these principles to help you feel energized, strong, and confident—all while enjoying life, food, and exercise. This isn’t about quick fixes, it’s about creating a sustainable lifestyle that works for YOU. 💖

Ready to stop struggling with intense workouts and restrictive diets?

Let’s create a plan that fits your life, reduces stress, and makes you feel amazing! 🌱

Leave me an enquiry letting me know you’re interested in our Fabulous After 40 Project. I’ll ask you a few questions to learn more about you—your body, your challenges, and how we can best support your journey.

Looking forward to helping you feel your best again!

Warmly,
Julie
Founder, Fabulous After 40 Project

Julie Cunningham