Cheers! The purpose of this article is primarily to offer help to the hundreds of thousands of people who struggle with weight and fitness issues after the age of 40. As we all know, it certainly doesn’t get any easier to stay in shape after 40. The body goes through some significant changes in this period of our lives and we find limitations where there were none before; we find weaknesses that we were previously unaware of; and… yes… we find pounds that we used to lose easily but now stubbornly refuse to go. We all share this plight to varying degrees and we are going to employ a very old concept here… “United we stand, divided we fall.” If we come together and share our experiences, good and bad, we will all benefit. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably lost over 500 pounds over the years and I’ve been told more than once that if you look back, you’ll find it. Extra weight is not only unsightly, but more importantly, it’s unhealthy! Hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels are just a few of the diseases that await us as we continue to “grow up” each year.

The quest… should you accept it?

First, let’s talk about the different meal plans; we don’t want to call them “diets” because diets are very temporary. A healthy, well-balanced meal plan is vital to any weight loss/fitness goal. To do this, you’ll need to steer clear of “fad” diets and rely instead on the basics of good dietary nutrition. One type of eating plan is the USDA Food Pyramid and the good nutritional advice and information contained in that pyramid. Portion control is very important in any eating plan. You may be eating the healthiest foods on the planet, but if you’re eating too large a portion or too often or with the wrong foods, then these healthy foods will pack on the pounds fast. Weight Watchers and the South Beach Diet Plan are also other good, reliable eating plans with solid nutritional value.

You need to make lifestyle changes. These changes must be developed and adhered to if you plan to reach your goal of getting and staying fit. These lifestyle changes should include different eating patterns and shopping habits, as well as changes in exercise. The things you’ve tried in the past that have worked for you and the things that haven’t, and why they haven’t worked, should be identified and analyzed for potential improvement. Most of the information available on exercise, for example, says that you only need about 30 minutes a day four or five days a week to achieve better health and fitness. This can be a simple brisk walk around the block while walking your dog or it can be as elaborate as joining a gym and working with a fitness trainer. The most important thing to keep in mind when deciding which exercise route to take is to make sure you’re doing something fun and that you’ll want to do it four or five days a week for 30 minutes. If you’re out of shape, you’ll need to start slowly and work up to longer, more intense periods of exercise. Aerobic walking is a good activity for anyone, of any age and fitness level because you can start slowly and build up to a faster pace as your energy and endurance increase.

So get up and get going! Start today with a strong determination to lose weight and get in better physical shape to improve your health. It’s a decision only you can make for yourself… and you’ll be glad you made it.