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[quote=Anonymous]I'm mid-40s and I've changed my diet and exercise plans some, but my body has not fallen apart. It's entirely possible it will, but so far so good.

I have always been naturally thin but I used to eat horribly and never exercise, and it wasn't until my 30s that I discovered a healthier lifestyle. My mom got very fat in middle age and it has caused a lot of health issues for her and I really didn't want to follow in those footsteps. I could feel some unhealthy patterns setting in during postpartum years and then as I went into peri-menopause a couple years ago, and I wanted to head off problems before they started.

I think the biggest changes I've made that have paid off are:

(1) Focus as much on incidental exercise as intentional exercise. I've set my lifestyle up so that I walk most places and am very active even if I don't get my workouts in. No, walking to the store and gardening on the weekends will not keep you fit on their own. But they are good habits that help keep you healthy, and also motivate me to stay fit. I notice I'm more sluggish when I'm not taking care of myself, and it motivates me to get that Monday morning workout in.

(2) Shift to more sustainable workouts. I used to run in my 30s and did some athletic stuff that was tough on my body (flying trapeze, Cross Fit) because they were trendy. There's nothing wrong with that stuff, but as I get older, I've learned to avoid stuff that makes injury more likely, because recovering from injuries in your 40s is so much harder than when you are younger, and that's when you are most likely to start adding weight. So no more trapeze or Cross Fit. I do HITT workouts and barre, and then flow yoga once a week, plus hiking and pickle ball on the weekends (I know, I know, I'm so middle aged). But I workout every day. I never deal with injuries anymore, but sometimes I have small issues and I deal with them by adjusting my workout to accommodate. This is way better than when I used to deal with significant injuries due to my workouts. In the end it's counterproductive. Don't choose sports or workouts with high risk of injury at this age.

(3) Cut back on alcohol. The less you drink, the better you feel. Sorry. It's also a weight thing, but I personally have found the biggest benefit is that I sleep better and have more energy, which makes it easier for me to stay active and eat well.

(4) If you meal plan, it's easier to balance your diet so you don't have to totally cut stuff out but can reduce your consumption. Like I don't think I could totally cut out past or red meat. But if I meal plan, I can design my meals for the week so it's mostly plant-based and whole grains and lean proteins, and then I'll make a bolognese on Sunday and feel zero guilt because I know it's balanced out. I would not do well with a diet that was just about self-denial. I'll give up.

I actually think I'm healthier at 47 than I was at 35. Older, but healthier.[/quote]

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