5 Tips to Stay Healthy and Thriving in your 40’s

If they say 30 is the new 20 then surely 40 is the new 30, right? I truly believe that age is just a number and after having just turned 40 myself I truely believe you are as old or as young as the activities you pursue and how you feel doing them.

With the shift towards mid-life career development leading to more women delaying marriage and motherhood until their late 30s and into their 40s, the parameters have shifted on what to expect as we age.

But despite how fit or healthy your life is, there are certain things that you just can’t escape, and the body aging is one of them - unfortunately!

Hormones play a big role in this, affecting metabolism, energy levels and the impact that stress and anxiety has on the body.

Keen to stay healthy as you enter your 40s and beyond?

The good news is there are some simple tips that you can follow to help you thrive as you age (gracefully!) and make your 40s the best years’ yet!

5 TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY AND THRIVING IN YOUR 40'S

Kick those bad habits to the curb

The unfortunate reality is that as we age our bodies become more susceptible to damage and illness. If you have an unhealthy bad habit, then it is possible that it will start to catch up with you during this decade of life. That occasional cigarette or Friday bottle of champagne was more acceptable in your younger years, but you may find that as you enter your 40s it will be harder to recover and may feel more taxing on your body the next day. Not to mention things like alcohol and tobacco can contribute to premature aging – if you ask me that’s as good an excuse as any to kick your vices to the curb!

Keep moving

The type of activity you do needs change as you age but your requirement for regular exercise does not. What this means is that you might not be able to run as fast or as hard as you did when you were younger, However, that isn’t an excuse to give up exercise all together. In order to reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis, static state cardio (think active walking or cycling) and weight bearing exercises are recommended at least three times per week.

Eat more protein

Protein is essential for maintaining a healthy muscle mass as you age. Especially important as your metabolism starts to slow down, and those unwanted kilos can start to creep on. The benefit of muscle mass is that the more you have of it the less room there is for fat to store. The gold standard recommendation for women is between 20 and 30 grams of protein with each meal. Looking for some great ways to squeeze in extra protein? Try plumping up your dishes with things like Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, boiled eggs or quinoa.

Avoid over-supplementation

It can be very easy to reach for a vitamin bottle to solve all our health problems, especially as our body starts to feel a little wear and tear. The wellness industry is booming and big marketing budgets from pharmacy and health food chains mean that supplements are everywhere – targeting all sorts of ailments and it’s easy to fall into the trap. Supplements should never be in place of a well-balanced nutrient-rich diet and ideally should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner as part of your ongoing treatment plan. Why not book in for a nutrition consultation with me to find out what supplements you should be taking and what you can thrive without.

Eat plenty of plants

We all want to stay young forever, and one of the best ways to reduce the signs of aging is to eat foods high in antioxidants and plant phytonutrients such as fruits and vegetables. Not only do plants help keep your digestion moving along (vital at this age and beyond), but they also help keep your skin, liver and gut flora in top shape. Fruits high in antioxidants and vitamin C such as blueberries, oranges and grapes are great for immunity and reducing the effects of stress. While leafy greens and cruciferous veg have detoxifying and anti-cancer properties. If you are looking for ways to sneak more veg into your day, why not check out this blog post. And as the saying goes, let thy food be thy medicine.

I hope you found these 5 tips useful in help you stay healthy and thriving in your 40s!

Psst... If you would like some help with improving your eating habits, losing a few extra kilo's and/or increasing your energy levels perhaps a nutrition consultation would be of benefit to you? To find out more Book a Free 15 Minute Nutrition Consult. Click here to book a FREE 15 Minute Nutrition Consultation