Hey…are your assumptions holding you back from achieving your goals? 🤔 Could it be that you believe that once you hit your late 40s. That there is no way that you can be healthy and fit without being genetically blessed or extremely lucky?! – Yup it is quite a common thought amongst my friends I have found but Hmm is there anything else that’s holding you back though apart from thinking that? come on now seriously what’s holding you back? lets talk about that…
Here is what I think. I believe being strong, healthy and fit at any age does not always have to do with genetics nor luck. No! Instead, it has a lot to do with dedication and consistency.
In my opinion if you want to live healthy and be strong at any age. Do so like any other athlete and stay consistent with nutrition & exercise. Definitely include actively steering clear from stress and most of all having good recovery. Yes REST! I am choosing to normalise average mom babes being strong in their 40s and beyond. No I do not think that ‘strong’ women as a freak of nature! I will be and I invite you to do the same and get consistent with working towards achieving this! Who’s in?
Rid The Excuse
There are so many dumb things which keep us holding back from losing weight. For instance like “your’e a woman” ” you’re snacking” “you’re not snacking” “you’re dieting” or “you’re not dieting”” you’re stressed” “you’re not stressed” and on and on. Although in some cases, weight gain or difficulty in losing weight can signal a health problem. Like thyroid, hormonal or even certain medication I feel what’s holding back is the lies that we tell ourselves. You keep telling yourself that the time isn’t right to start. The specifics of whatever it is that you’re trying to start doesn’t matter. However, the constant excuse you give yourself makes you feel better about giving up before you’ve even begun. If you keep waiting until tomorrow, next week, next month, next YEAR… It will never happen.
The truth is, life never slows down and you know this mom babes it just presents opportunities in different angles. It’s your decision to choose whether you want to succeed, and when the time is right. The answer? There is no better time for losing weight than right now! No more holding back…
Muscle Mass
There’s so much to love about getting older. Life experiences are priceless but yes, with it come so many grim realities we must face, as well. Truth is our muscle mass (essentially the amount of muscle in our bodies) peaks at age 30. And our metabolism start to sputter after 40. In most women, what I have learned is that. “Loss of muscle mass” really starts to accelerate after age 50. Which is partially caused by hormonal changes of menopause, but partly also by inactivity.
What’s more, our muscles and tendons lose elasticity, and thus our joints will inevitably suffer. All of this is why, if you’re looking to get a lean body after 50. Which, let’s be clear, you still can. You will need to take a hard look at both your diet and exercise regimen. As neither can remain the same as they were in your 20s and 30s. As it pertains to your diet, see here.
Recommended Read
A simple, no nonsense approach to a healthier body and happier mind. Peak 40 is for anyone wanting to rediscover the best version of themselves coming into their middle years
Training
My weight loss has been a combination of diet and exercise. I do almost all my exercise routines at home and follow SWEAT trainers @cassolholm @chontelduncan . Three times a week at a minimum for 45 minutes a day. I was incredibly proud of myself when I managed to develop a little defined ‘look’ at the age of 47.
Since then I have started weight training twice a week, for one hour at a time. Although I used a personal trainer for the first ten sessions. I now do it on my own with the SWEAT app. And now in my fitness journey I’m currently building muscles (trying). Looking slightly leaner than when I first started out and continuously and actively working on having a good diet.
I put my success thus far down to having given myself a clear goal. Which is to feel good about myself.
Family and friends tell me I have inspired them. Today I am active with both my under 16 children and guess what?! – If I can do it, anyone can.
Nutrition
There are so many women that I personally know that are into their nutritional health and diet. And I guess are trying to hold back those aging years. Many too, reach a certain point and they think, ‘Oh I am too old now, so I give up, what’s the point bla bla’. But to me that’s not an acceptable way of thinking.
I think the first step for women or especially us mom babes in our 40s or 50s. who are attempting to reverse some the aging is to recognise and accept that our body is changing. What worked for us in our 20s is not going to work for us now. I’m sectioning out portion control and exercise as the key to successful weight loss and/or maintenance. That means eating less (I do between 1,600 and 1,700 calories a day). Fasting for four hours between meals (no snacking) and sometimes skipping breakfast — yes, shock horror missing the most important meal of the day?? I do skip it, if and when I am not hungry.
Our diet plays the starring role in how easily we put on or take off weight. So basic right? yes! but yet looking back that’s what I most struggle with. You see we can increase our activity level. But if we’re still getting too many calories or eating unhealthy foods, well guess what, we won’t lose weight. So mom babes before you lace up your gym shoes, take a look in your refrigerator.
Some Favourite Recipes To Lose Weight
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Sesame salmon, purple sprouting broccoli & sweet potato mash
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Choose the Right Foods
If you’ve been eating a lot of processed foods that are low in protein and fiber and high in fat and sugar. Just making one simple change to fresh foods can make getting fit after hitting mid 40s is so much easier. While reducing our overall calorie intake below our calorie expenditure is the goal, you probably don’t need to sit around counting calories. Well I don’t anyways. I just make sure that my diet is high in lean protein and dietary fiber.
The take away – Be active! Yes get enough aerobic exercise and regain muscle mass. There’s still plenty of time to start or continue healthy habits that will make your golden years enjoyable. Well I’ll be one trying to do so anyways and it would be great if you did it too.
#mgfnest | mama-gets-fit 
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