Why Weight Loss Looks Different After 40

If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you probably know that it usually requires substantial effort. And if you feel that you're not seeing weight loss results as quickly as you used to, you wouldn’t be wrong. 

Our bodies start to look, feel, and function differently as we age; as a result, the process of weight loss also changes. Unfortunately, this usually means that it becomes more challenging. 

But don't lose hope just yet. Aging is a natural process of life, and the best way to go about it is to acknowledge the different changes happening and ways to adapt. Let’s take a step back and understand why weight loss looks different after 40. 

Weight Loss 101: How Metabolism Works

Metabolism, the process of our body converting food into energy, plays a key role in weight loss. Your body needs to burn more calories than you consume to lose weight — therefore, a well-regulated metabolism is a must-have! 

Certain age-related factors can affect our metabolic function as we age. Lifestyle choices also play a large role in weight loss in older age. Here are four ways our age affects weight loss and lifestyle choices: 

How Age Affects Weight Loss

Your bones get weaker, making mobility more challenging. 

As you age, your bones get weaker as a result of calcium and bone density loss. This phenomenon tends to start around age 50 and continues thereafter. This increases the risk of osteoporosis, a bone disease that causes your bones to become brittle. That’s why it becomes increasingly important to take precautions to avoid bone breakage and bone fractures! 

Older adults can also experience stiffness in their joints that leads to increased joint pain. This, combined with weaker bones, make mobility and strenuous exercise more challenging. High-impact activities, like jumping or running on hard pavement, can cause pain that you may not have felt before.

Safe aerobic exercises like fast walking, swimming, and dancing are great ways to get your heart rate up and burn calories. Additionally, supplements like Digestive Enzyme Multiplex can help optimize nutrient absorption, supporting better digestion and overall mobility.*

You get less quality sleep, which interrupts your metabolic function. 

Sleep is more important for weight loss than you might think! Aging can affect sleep quality, which can, in turn, disrupt proper metabolic function.

Older adults may experience changes in their sleep patterns, like waking up more often throughout the night. This can complicate weight loss since sleep is linked to the regulation of neurotransmitters like ghrelin and leptin, which control appetite. Poor sleep can lead to an increased appetite and make it harder to maintain a caloric deficit.

To combat this, aim to maintain consistent sleep schedules and manage stress levels. If sleep changes increase your appetite, Super Apple Cider Vinegar may support natural appetite management while promoting healthy digestion.*

Your weight can fluctuate due to hormonal changes.

After 40, those with uteruses have a higher chance of experiencing menopause, bringing many hormonal changes, including a drop in estrogen levels. Lower estrogen can lead to increased storage of visceral fat, commonly seen around the abdominal area.

Menopause can also disrupt metabolic function by causing symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, which affect sleep quality. As mentioned earlier, poor sleep can make it harder to lose weight.

However, visceral fat is often the first to go with weight loss. Supplements like Super Apple Cider Vinegar can also support your metabolism and aid in maintaining a healthy balance as your body adjusts to hormonal changes.*

We increasingly lose muscle mass. 

After 30, adults lose about 3% of their muscle strength each year. By 60, this muscle loss happens even faster. Sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss, can affect over 10% of adults over 50.

Muscle mass is essential for weight loss and metabolic health. More muscle means a higher resting metabolic rate, which results in faster caloric burn. As muscle mass decreases, weight loss becomes more challenging.

To combat muscle loss, focus on strength training activities like yoga, pilates, or weightlifting. Supplements like Digestive Enzyme Multiplex can support nutrient absorption, ensuring your muscles receive the nutrients they need to recover and grow.*

Weight Loss and Aging: It’s Normal to Experience Change

When the weight-loss tactics you relied on in your younger years no longer work, it can feel frustrating. However, understanding how your body ages is the first step to finding new strategies that work. With patience and the right support, including products like Digestive Enzyme Multiplex and Super Apple Cider Vinegar, you can adapt to your body's new normal and achieve your health goals.*