Nutrition In Your 40s: Start Doing The Right Things

 

What if I told you it was possible to age better than everyone else – including having an awesome physique after 40? My clients are achieving results like this everyday, and you can too. 

It starts with changing what you are currently doing – because it’s not getting you results and it’s not meeting the needs of your body as you age. In this article, I’m sharing the most effective nutrition strategies I use with my over 40 clients – plus a simple, realistic plan that actually works. It’s a long read, but it’s packed with practical advice. Stick with me, and make a commitment to try at least one thing after reading.

First, please hear this: it’s not your fault. Almost everyone starts off doing the wrong things. I did too. And let’s be honest – the advice out there is noisy, confusing, and often completely unrealistic. No wonder so many women feel stuck.

But here’s the truth: nothing changes until you make a shift in the right direction. And that shift doesn’t have to be dramatic – but it does require consistency.

I also want you to understand that, in many ways, age really is just a number. We’ll talk more about that soon. You are not too old to change your body, your energy, or your health. Even if you are deep in the perimenopause hormonal swings – it’s not too late. In fact, there’s so much you can do right now – and you’re in exactly the right place to start.

 

Your 40-Something Plan

 

It’s really important to have a coach you trust and who gets you. 

So why should you take my advice? Because this is what I live and breathe – working with women your age. For over a decade, I’ve worked with women in person and online. That’s a lot of experience and I’ve helped many women like you transform not just their bodies, but their mindset, their strength, and their relationship with food. You’ll find some of their stories and testimonials here.

I’m also your age. I’m going through the same things you are. I’m seeing more wrinkles and sagging skin. I have to work harder to maintain my weight and prevent cellulite. Like you, I’ve looked in the mirror and wondered if my best days are past.

But here’s the thing: I genuinely feel better in my body now than I did in my 20s. I lift heavier, move with more confidence, and I like my shape more. As a bonus, I can still keep up with my 18-year-old nephew in the gym. He trains hard – and I love that I can match him rep for rep.

While appearance is a legitimate concern, having more compelling goals like maintaining activity and independence in your senior years is so powerful. My job as a coach is to remind you of that vision and help keep you on track.

It’s possible for you to change not just your body – but how you age and I’m here to help you do that.

 

 

I hope you realize now it’s not too late. What you need is a plan – one built around simple, proven strategies that work and respect what your body needs now.

That’s what I’m going to give you here.

You can start with just weight loss (step 1 below) – but if you want to go next level, check out the advice in steps 2 and 3.

I want that for you. And I believe it’s absolutely possible.

 

STEP 1: Nothing changes until YOU change

 

It’s not age holding you back – it’s your habits and lifestyle.

Before you can blame age, you need to take an honest look at your lifestyle – including your habits, your environment, and your daily choices. So many women I work with make dramatic physique changes just by addressing these things – proving that age doesn’t have to be a limitation.

Most women already know, deep down, what they’re not doing consistently. But if you’re genuinely confused, don’t worry – I’m going to help you figure it out.

Here’s the deal: your current lifestyle might not support your goals. You’re likely less active than you were in your 20s. Maybe you sit at a desk all day. I get it – I used to walk or bike everywhere, had tons of free time for the gym, and evenings were often active. Now? The gym gets scheduled in between work, clients, and everything else. I don’t always get my steps in and making time for extra activities like cardio? I wish I could say I was better about that.

And let’s talk about food. If you have a busy or high-stress job or family obligations, just getting to the gym can feel like a win. Eating well on top of that? It takes planning and energy – and by 6pm, your willpower is often done. Who wants to spend their spare time planning and prepping healthy meals? I don’t either so I really do get it.

You might also have more disposable income now – which means weekend wine, meals out, and “treats” feel like you’ve earned them (and in many ways, you have). But if those habits aren’t balanced, they’ll hold you back.

The real skill isn’t restriction – it’s balance. But that’s a big topic, and this article is about what actually works. So let’s get to it.

 

Do what actually works – and it’s pretty simple…

 

For most women, the first step in a major transformation is losing weight – so what actually works? Forget paleo, keto, intermittent fasting, or whatever the current trend is. Most extreme diets only work short-term – they’re not sustainable, and they’re rarely the best choice for women over 40.

There’s a simpler, smarter way – and it’s been around forever.

You need to eat fewer calories than you burn.

It really is that simple. So let me ask you:

  • Do you consistently eat the same amount of calories most days?
  • Do you know how many calories you consume everyday?

If the answer is no, that’s likely why you’re not getting the results you want.

I’ve worked with women who resisted calorie tracking for years – worried it would feel obsessive or restrictive. Then, once they finally started tracking, the results came quickly.

One of my clients had a wedding coming up and decided to give tracking a go. In just a few months, she dropped over 18lbs. She told me, “I wish I had done this years ago.

Client testimonial demonstrating weight loss.

That’s why programs like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig work – they control calorie intake and create consistency. But tracking calories, instead of following strict programs, means you get to eat the foods you love – as long as they fit your budget.

Tracking doesn’t have to be a full-time job. It doesn’t mean perfection. And it’s far less restrictive than most trendy diets. Honestly, staying stuck and frustrated is harder than taking a few minutes a day to track your food.

So here’s your first step: download a calorie-tracking app like MyFitnessPal and start getting clear on your intake. If you are worried about tracking calories, try to treat it as learning about your body versus being obsessed or restrictive with food. It’s such a powerful tool!

STEP 2: Lower inflammation to lose fat and age slower

 

Why Your 40s Feel So Different

 

Your 40s can feel like the perfect storm – changes in body composition, shifting moods, stubborn weight, and new health challenges can all seem to show up at once.

Feeling more tired, achy, irritable, anxious, or low? Struggling to lose fat, especially around your belly? You’re not imagining it – and you’re definitely not alone.

One of the major culprits behind all of this is inflammation.

We tend to associate these challenges with aging, but many of them are actually linked to chronic, low-grade inflammation – from joint pain and digestive issues to hormone shifts and mood swings. Even conditions like period pain, heavy bleeding, and endometriosis (which often flare up in our 40s) are strongly tied to inflammation.

And here’s something you may not know: inflammation can also make weight loss much harder. It interferes with metabolism, hormone function, recovery, and even motivation. We won’t get into all the science here, but if your body is constantly inflamed, everything – including fat loss – becomes more of a struggle.

The good news? There’s a lot you can do to reduce inflammation and feel like yourself again.

 

How to Lower Inflammation and Support Your Body

 

Here are some of the most effective (and realistic) strategies I share with my clients:

  • 🌱 Include some plant-based meals. You don’t need to be vegetarian, but reducing excess meat, dairy, and eggs can help calm inflammation.
  • 🚫 Limit deep fried foods, junk food, and baked goods.
  • 🧴 Avoid inflammatory oils like canola, grapeseed, and corn oil. Check food labels – these sneak into everything.
  • ⚖️ Reduce total fat intake and aim for a better balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fats.
  • 🐟 Add more omega-3s, either through foods like fatty fish or a quality supplement.
  • 💊 Support with targeted supplements like curcumin, magnesium, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).
  • 🍭 Cut back on sugar.
  • 😴 Prioritize sleep (7–8 hours) and find simple ways to manage stress.
  • 🏋️‍♀️ Follow a balanced exercise plan that includes strength training and low-stress cardio like walking, biking, or hiking outdoors.

These strategies aren’t extreme – but they can make a big difference. Clients often tell me how much their periods improve, even women with endometriosis, simply from following the guidance in my Meal Plan, which you can learn more about here.

Or, if you want the best value, most popular program that combines both training and the Meal Plan check out my Over 40 Transformation Program.

Banner promoting the best strength training program for women over 40.

 

STEP 3: Use food and supplements to turn back to the clock

 

Have you ever looked at someone and thought if I look like her at that age I will be really happy?

That woman is probably doing things you aren’t when it comes to nutrition and supplements. The good news is that I work with many exceptional women like this and I’m going to share some of their secrets in this section. In case you are wondering what’s possible…

  • I have a 40-year-old client without a line on her face. We’d all kill for her skin, and she’s got a great physique too.
  • I have an online client who is 50 with an absolutely fantastic physique and who still rocks a bikini on holidays.
  • I train a lady who is 68 years old and lifts heavier weights than most of my other clients – including the 20-somethings. No one believes she is 68 when they see her leaving her sessions.

These women aren’t just above average – they are exceptional – and they are proof that it doesn’t have to be complicated. That, with a bit of effort, you can age better than most people.

These women aren’t doing anything extreme. They still enjoy their lives – but with moderation and thoughtfulness about their health and longevity.

In fact, one of these women has been grateful that she has been able to achieve results without having to give up her wine – because in the past she tried to be more restrictive and she could never stick with it.

Don’t get me wrong – you will need moderation and strategies to balance out your lifestyle. But what I want you to think about at this stage is not what you should restrict – rather what can you add in that will supercharge your body?

 

What foods and supplements will take you to the next level and be your ally when it comes to aging?

 

 

Food is one of your most powerful allies when it comes to longevity. Once you’ve cut out the junk – ask yourself what can I add into my diet that will supercharge my body against aging?

This is a huge topic in itself but here are some of my preferred foods and supplements for women’s health:

Superfoods:

  • Cacao
  • Maca
  • Berries
  • Green and white tea
  • Mushrooms (ie. reishi, shiitake, cordyceps)

Anti-inflammatory:

  • Curcumin
  • Fish oil
  • Magnesium
  • Ashwagandha
  • N-acetyl cysteine
  • Ginger

Hormonal help:

  • Cruciferous vegetables
  • Diindolymethane (DIM)
  • Magnesium
  • Curcumin
  • Cinnamon

Immune support:

  • White button mushrooms and mushroom supplements
  • Green and white tea
  • Garlic
  • Astragalus
  • Ashwagandha
  • Zinc

 

This is next level stuff but, in keeping with my overall promise at the start of this article, it’s not complicated. Getting these foods on a daily basis is as easy as making smoothie using a couple of the ingredients and doing some targeted supplementation based on your specific challenges.

 

Refuse To Age Like Everyone Else

 

Those exceptional women we just talked about? They aren’t special unicorns. They’re women who chose to take control – not just of their nutrition and training, but their mindset too.

They’ve decided they’re not going to age like everyone else.

Because while aging requires us to train smarter, eat more intentionally, and care for our bodies in new ways – it’s not a reason to give up. It’s a reason to step up. To invest in yourself like never before. You’ve still got so much life left to live, and you deserve to live it feeling strong, confident, and fully in control of your body.

Getting the best body of your life after 40 is absolutely possible. But you don’t need to figure it all out alone.

If you’re ready for real results – not just weight loss, but strength, energy, and lasting change – I’d love to coach you inside my Over 40 Transformation program.

You’ll get a proven plan designed for your changing body and confidence that comes from finally doing what works.

👉 Click here to learn more and join the program today.

Let’s make this your strongest decade yet.

 

Banner promoting the best strength training program for women over 40.

 

About Melanie

40+ Transformation Specialist

Hey! I'm Melanie - personal trainer, nutrition coach and Over 40 Transformation Mentor. My qualifications include Precision Nutrition, the International Sports Science Association, the University of Saskatchewan and over 10 years of research and working with women both in person and online.

Thanks for checking out Female Fitness Systems. If you are looking for me on social media, I'm most active on YouTube. See you there!

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