Nearly every week I meet new clients, in their late-40’s and beyond, who are convinced that it is their stage of life which is to blame for their expanding waistline.
They have almost resigned themselves to be overweight and out of shape. Many of their friends are in the same boat and when they get together their diminishing hormones become a hot topic of conversation.
They believe that it is their destiny to have rolls of fat rippling under their bras and for muffin tops to infiltrate their trousers.
You know what? It isn’t.
It doesn’t have to be like that and with the right information and guidance these ladies can generally lose that extra fat. But, it does require a change in habits.
I would say that at least 90% of the time it is lifestyle habits that are to blame for the additional fat as we age. Some of the insidious little changes over the years might be:
- Portion sizes are simply too large.
- Alcohol has become more than an occasional treat. It has become part of the daily food group in many cases which is both unhealthy and unhelpful for fat loss.
- They are eating out more.
- They are not preparing their own food or they are preparing food that is too high in calories for what their body can handle. We are spoilt for choice with cooking shows and fancy ingredients. Get back to basics.
- They are not as active as they used to be.
- One exercise session per week (if that) does not cut it.
- They are regularly having café coffees – milky coffees like flat whites, lattes, chai, moccas, hot chocolates, etc. These are liquid food ladies and need to be treated as snacks.
- They may be in stressful jobs or have other ongoing stresses in their lives which leads to comfort eating.
- Missing meals.
- Not eating enough protein and/or veggies. How many people ensure that half of their lunch comprises salad or fibrous veggies.
I have met very, very few ladies of a certain age who could not lose fat when they knew what to do and did it.
Maree's Story
Maree, aged 49, blamed menopause and an office job as her reason for not being able to lose her excess kilos.
"It was starting to get me down a lot, with my 50th only 12 months away and a time in my life when I wanted to be looking and feeling good about myself. I was thinking it could be impossible to get back to the weight I was when I turned 40."
With a bit of help and professional guidance Maree was able to shed over 8 kilos in 4 months.
"I still can't believe it, I was so convinced that menopause and a sit down office job were to blame for my weight gain and the reason why I was struggling to lose it. Not only have I lost the extra weight but I also have a lot more energy, I need less sleep now and a few of the old joint pains have disappeared as well. By choosing the right food types, with the right portion sizes and some regular exercise, I no longer believe that menopause and a sit down office job has to mean difficulty losing weight."
