When you hit 40, things change.
What you did to keep your figure in your 20s and 30s might not cut it anymore.
But I am here to tell you that it is possible to lose weight into your 40s, 50s, even 60s and beyond.
And it’s actually not as complex as it may seem.
If you follow these simple principles, you will be sure to drop weight, even while going through menopause.
The four key principles you must know if you want to get rid of the meno-belly are:
- Circadian Rhythms
- Regular Blood Work
- Nutrition
- Exercise
This article will focus on Circadian Rhythms, and the other three principles will be introduced in future editions.
Circadian Rhythms are natural cycles present in all life on our planet.
These natural cycles turn your genes on and off like a light switch, regulating body functions in sync with a 24-hour cycle.
External influences such as the timing of light exposure, eating, and physical exercise all stimulate these “time-keeping cells” in your body to maintain the delicate balance of these cycles.
If we disrespect them for too long, they lead to weight gain, lack of energy, and eventually chronic disease.
The good news is that you have 100% control over the habits to fix this.
To get started, follow these three circadian rhythm rules:
- Eat all your calories within a 12-hour window – 12 hours of optimal digestion & absorption and 12 hours of rest and repair for your digestive tract. You will sleep better, have more energy and start losing weight just from this alone.
- Get one hour of direct sunlight daily. The best light is early morning when you first wake. This stimulates the “master clock” in your eyes and helps regulate all other circadian rhythms. Try 20 minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Skip the sunscreen or sunglasses as you want the light in your eyes and on your skin. If you have a medical condition that recommends against direct sun exposure, please seek your doctor’s advice before trying this, and please do not stare directly at the sun.
- Do cardio in the morning and resistance training in the afternoon. These are the times your body will respond optimally to those exercises. If you are struggling to work out at all, try to commit to any time that is convenient for you. Make sure that it is attainable so you can be consistent most days of the week.
Don’t overwhelm yourself. It’s best to meet yourself where you are at by working on just one of these habits until it’s second nature. Only then should you add another.
Check back for the next article, where we will discuss the importance of blood work and give you a list of insurance-covered tests that your doctor can run for you.
