Losing weight and maintaining a healthy body is no easy task at any age. It takes time, effort, and dedication to truly reap the benefits of exercise, and doing so becomes more and more important with time. As we age, our bodies begin to wear with time, leading to more diseases and physical difficulties, and one of the most common side effects is weight gain. In order to maintain a healthy weight and prevent gaining any more pounds in your 40’s, there are several strategies you can implement. Below are just a few that you can add to your daily routine.

Exercise Smart

Obviously, exercise is vital to one’s health. However, older individuals may see their age as an excuse to take it easy in the gym, or not go at all. Unless you are recovering from a previous injury or complication, there should be no reason why you don’t take part in a variety of workouts focusing on different parts of your body.

For your own safety, work closely with a personal trainer to develop a workout routine suited to your physical capabilities. They will explain that just because you are no longer in your physical prime does not mean that you cannot still take part in grueling workouts. Don’t let any inabilities of yours deter you from trying your hardest. A beneficial workout is one in which you break a sweat, no matter what area of the body you are focusing on.

On the contrary, choosing exercises that are easy on the joints are great for those over the age of 40. Look into water aerobics for an extremely beneficial workout routine that puts very little stress on your joints. Additionally, exercising underwater can actually promote a higher calorie output, helping you lose even more weight than traditional methods.

Test Hormone Levels

The older we get, the less hormones our bodies produce. Whether it is testosterone, estrogen, oxytocin, or cortisol, the fewer hormones the body releases, the more fat it stores rather than burns. With that said, you should regularly have your hormone levels checked by your doctor, and develop a regimen accordingly in an attempt to regulate and maintain sufficient levels. This can go surprisingly far in losing weight as a middle-aged individual. Normal levels of testosterone in men and estrogen in women can promote weight loss.

Watch Your Diet

As difficult as it can be, everyone understands the importance of maintaining a healthy diet. The effects of a poor diet can be even more exaggerated on those past the age of 40 as well. We are given the luxury of being able to splurge from time to time in our 20’s, but doing so as frequently as we did back then can result in accelerated weight gain without exercising to balance it out. Substitute junk foods with fruits and vegetables as much as you can. Though this is much easier said than done, it can make an enormous difference for those trying to cut calories and see a physical difference.

Balance Your Work and Personal Life

There is no mental detriment as harmful to one’s health quite like stress. It can be extremely difficult managing your stress levels depending on the demands of your career, and the older you are, the more likely you are to have more workplace responsibilities.

It’s hard to avoid, but learning how to manage this can do wonders for your health seeing as stress can affect your metabolism, leading to weight gain. One way to combat this is to consider your daily exercise as an important part of your routine; just as important as your three meals a day. Try to never skip exercise, and unless the circumstances are dire, keep your career responsibilities out of your home. A happy personal life can translate to a happy work life, effectively reducing stress.