If you are at least 40 years old, I am sure you have noticed a marked change in your metabolism.  If you don’t change the way you exercise or the amount you eat – those mid-life pounds will creep up on you!  I used to be able to workout and eat what I wanted OR I could watch what I ate and not darken the doors of a gym and keep my weight off.  These days, not so much.  I HAVE to do both in addition to a few other tricks to help keep my weight in check.  Weight maintenance or loss is an ongoing battle, but a battle I am not willing to lose!  And not for the sole purpose of appearance – I want to be healthy in my golden years (did I seriously just say that out loud?!?!?)   Below are a few tricks that have helped me and hopefully – you will find them useful as well!

Cut Out Soda – Even DIET.

I’ll be the FIRST to admit – this is a difficult one for me.  Not regular soda – but diet soda.  I love, love, love the fizziness of the Co2 bubbles and the sweet, calorie-free flavor.  However – I notice when I don’t have one for 2 -3 days, I am no longer puffy and swollen.  The sodium is so high – it makes water cling to your tummy giving that lovely bloated appearance. Now, on to regular soda.  Back in the day, soda was loaded with sugar which is unhealthy in its own right.  But now manufacturers use high fructose corn syrup and suddenly, soda got even worse.  Our bodies have so much trouble metabolizing this ingredient and it causes weight gain and a higher risk for diabetes.  Stay away from carbonated beverages – and you will be on your way to skinnier, healthier you!

Exercise: Keep it Low Impact

Adding low impact exercise to your routine will not only help boost your metabolism – but it will tone up those muscles too!  Muscle burns more fat than fat – so it’s a win-win situation.  Additionally – when you strengthen your muscles, it strengthens your bones and this is super important for women heading into those menopausal years.

5 Small Meals a Day

5 small meals will keep that metabolic fire burning!  Just make sure you make wise choices and keep calories to a minimum.  Higher protein and fiber will continue to fuel your new found muscles.  Keep away from processed carbohydrates – if it’s white – you can pretty much assume is processed and should be avoided.

Lifestyle- It’s more important than ever

Lifestyle choices are very important as we age.  Keep drinking alcoholic beverages to a minimum – we just don’t need those empty calories that pile weight on.  Smoking is pretty much a no brainer.  Your entire system does not function as smoothly when oxygen is depleted.  And the ever elusive….sleep!  Sleep is so important as it allows your body to recover and repair itself so you are able to continue those new work-outs you are doing!

Find Ways to Exercise – Without Exercising

If you are one of those people who loathes working out – find ways to exercise.  Take the stairs, park far away from the door of the mall or even walk to the neighborhood grocer.  I have a friend who push mows her lawn – which is weird to me!  You would rather push mow a lawn than jog on a treadmill??  Oh well – if it works for her!

Weight loss in your 40′s isn’t the easiest thing in the world- but it can be done!  A little planning and a few lifestyle changes will have you fit in no time at all!