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When we are twenty-something, we feel young, energetic, and like we can conquer the world. We eat what we want, we keep late hours, we think we are immune to the inevitable effects of aging. Little do we know what lurks just around the corner for many of us as we reach our fourth decade on this planet. Read on to learn more about why we gain weight after 40 and tips on how to lose the weight and keep it off!

You deserve to have balanced hormones and a shaped body. But before making any drastic decisions you should always consult with a medical expert in your area. One option is an HRTGuru clinic (they provide HGH and testosterone treatment) where doctors will help you with the first steps on how to lose weight.

How to Balance Hormones to Lose Weight After 40

Why do we gain weight after 40?

The majority of us who don’t maintain a strict diet or vigorous level of physical activity will gain weight as we reach our mid-forties. Some start packing on the pounds with sudden weight gain at 40, while others wait a few years to see what the effect of mid-life experiences will do. 

Regardless of when it creeps up on us, we seek to find ways to return to health. Lose those extra pounds. And feel young and energetic once more. There may be many reasons that men and women alike gain weight after forty, including:

• Reduced levels of progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen
• Increases in appetite and more sedentary lifestyle
• Aging and excess toxicity in the body
• Increased insulin resistance
• Added stress and increased levels of cortisol flooding the body
• Your own unique body composition and genetics
• Poor eating habits, eating highly processed foods
• Drinking alcohol
• Taking certain medications
• Poor thyroid function
• Entering menopause

How can I stop gaining and start to lose weight after 40 instead?

Although there is a strong link between hormones and weight loss, it is possible to reverse the runaway train. Thus bringing your body back to a level of health and energy that you had before you hit your mid-life spread. 

Making small yet sustainable changes to your daily routine can result in big changes on the scale. If you’re wondering how many calories you should eat daily to help accelerate weight loss you can try a weight loss calculator. Here are some simple things that you can implement starting today to start to lose weight after 40, get rid of unsightly belly fat and take control of your health once more:

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

Studies show that fresh produce is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and other compounds that promote good health. They are also satisfying and delicious! Aim to fill at least half your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables at every meal, and you’ll be on the way to a smaller waist in no time. Try adding fruits like bananas, kiwis, or tart cherries before bed as these are some of the best foods to help you sleep better, and given that weight gain is a common side effect of sleep deprivation sleep-inducing foods can certainly help!

2. Eat small meals and snacks several times per day.

As your metabolism slows, so does your body’s ability to process calories efficiently. You can kickstart your metabolism into high gear with an early morning meal like oatmeal and berries, followed by a high protein snack mid-morning. Continue this cycle of meal and snack alternating for a total of 5-6 times per day to keep the fire stoked and burning efficiently.

3. Be a conscious eater.

Your body is a high-performance machine, and as such, you should feed it with premium, high-quality foods. Make conscious, good choices about the foods that you eat, and save the indulging for one night a week when you splurge on a special treat. Plan your meals in advance so you are not grabbing convenience food and takeout, and look forward to feeling better with every pre-planned choice.

4. Cut back on those things that aren’t necessities.

Do you really need that extra can of soda? Limit your alcohol consumption to a few servings per week instead of a few servings daily; you’d be surprised at how fast those extra calories pile on the pounds. Switch to low-cal beverages like sparkling water with fruit slices, green tea, or fresh, pure water.

5. Stay active.

There is a strong link between our energy levels and the amount of physical activity we engage in. The more you stay active, the more energy you will have when you need it. Staying active helps to burn additional calories as well; it’s a win-win for you and your waistline. Selecting the perfect pre workout or energy drink can give you the boost you need while you’re adjusting to a new routine. 

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Can hormone therapy help you lose weight?

When considering HRT and weight loss, you must consult a physician to determine what your unique hormonal imbalances may be. In doing so, your physician can then make recommendations that will work most efficiently to correct your hormone levels, restore metabolic function, and help you to lose weight.

Women in menopause may be ideal candidates for hormone replacement therapy, as declining levels of both progesterone and estrogen are responsible for slowing metabolic function and other systems throughout the body. 

Men with hormonal imbalances can also benefit from hormone replacement therapy and the additional strength and energy that can result from restoring balance to the body once more.

Other natural weight loss options

In addition to making diet and activity changes for those of us reaching this stage of life, there are other life changes we can implement to more efficiently burn fat and increase energy. These include:

• Taking proper vitamins and supplements to help the body metabolize and build muscle more efficiently
• Getting quality, restorative sleep to help naturally balance hormone levels
• Reducing stress levels; taking up meditation or yoga to help naturally counteract the effects of stress
• Performing a medically-supervised detox using non-processed foods and water to help reset the body’s optimal function

While we have to be a bit more deliberate about our choices when it comes to health and weight loss, creating a state of optimal health in our forties and beyond is not only possible but incredibly exciting and rewarding as well. So cheers to losing weight after 40!

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