When women reach 40, they also approach perimenopause and menopause that throw hormones into a frenzy of fluctuation, causing weight gain, muscle tissue loss and food cravings. That doesn’t mean that you have to succumb to weight gain or an ever growing muffin top. You can fight back with a healthier lifestyle that will also reduce the effects of menopause by balancing your hormones in the process.
Regular exercise can help prevent osteoporosis, strengthen and maintain muscle tissue and keep you healthier.
Even though it’s harder to maintain muscle tissue the older you get, it’s not impossible. Not only does a program of regular exercise maintain your muscle tissue, it also can help you maintain bone tissue too and prevent osteoporosis. In fact, one study showed weight bearing exercise was more effective than drugs. You’ll also keep your entire body healthier, your skin younger looking and your energy levels high.
Eating healthier not only helps you lose weight, it helps you prevent serious conditions.
Eating healthier doesn’t mean dieting, but you will end up lowering your calories. When you eat healthier, you’ll prevent the sugar highs and lows that can plague everyone and cause further binging on high calorie foods. Eating healthier doesn’t mean you should feel deprived either, but just learn to make smarter choices when it comes to food. Making some small changes in your eating habits can reap big rewards. Not only will you help prevent the accumulation of extra weight, you’ll also be preventing many serious conditions, which include high blood pressure and diabetes. Being prepared with healthy snacks for those times you need an extra boost is also extremely important.
What you drink makes a difference too.
If you’re not drinking plenty of water, you’re cheating yourself of one of the most valuable beauty secrets. Water flushes your system of toxins and waste while aiding in rehydrating it. Alcohol dehydrates you, making you look older than your years. It also adds plenty of extra calories. Choose your beverages as wisely as you choose your foods. Water retention is often a problem at this age and you can prevent that with either plenty of water or the powerful backup, unsweetened green tea.
You’ll improve your circulation when you exercise regularly sending oxygen and nutrient rich blood to all parts of the body, including the skin. You’ll not only have a healthy glow, you’ll also help build connective tissues that keep your face firmer and keep wrinkles at bay.
Getting adequate sleep is often neglected as a fitness ritual, but it’s just as important as eating healthy or exercise.
The development of abdominal fat is one problem after forty. Sometimes it’s caused by stress related hormones, such as cortisol. Exercise burns off these hormones and replaces them with ones that make you feel good.
Some foods actually help flush out excess estrogen, such as crucifers and citrus fruit. This can help you balance your hormones and help you stay fit, while also staying calmer and more collected.