Why Is Losing Weight So Difficult After 40?

As a woman over 40 I’m here to tell you that women over the age of 40 are amazing. We are in constant motion from the time our feet hit the floor in the morning to the time we fall into our beds in the evening. We manage households and careers! We are super mom’s and super wives! Statistics show we feel wiser, more secure, and more confident. Unfortunately, statistics also show that we are gaining more weight and struggling more to lose weight.

Why is losing weight so difficult after 40? Well we can blame part of it on estrogen. Declining estrogen levels as we age leads to loss of lean muscle mass and slower metabolisms. Estrogen loss also tells the body to start storing fat in the mid-section, which can then increase insulin resistance. So how can we fight the effects of estrogen loss? One way is with a balanced diet that meets your nutritional needs. Here are just a few small, nutritional changes that can help you fight the effects of declining estrogen levels on your waistline:

• Eat lean proteins at every meal to help maintain your lean body mass. Lean proteins include chicken, seafood, beans, nuts, and eggs.

• Embrace vegetables! Vegetables are the rainbow of nutrition, they come in all colors, dark green, orange, purple, red, and yellow! Eat them all!

• Try to avoid processed foods. They are often full of sugar, bad oils, and artificial ingredients.

• Use healthy oils like olive oil and flaxseed oil.

• Get plenty of calcium in your diet by eating foods like soy, almonds, and kale.

• Incorporate more fruit into your diet. Try a handful of fresh berries for a snack instead of chips!

Just remember, small changes eventually add up to big results!