Why You're Doing Everything Right… But Still Not Losing Weight After 40

If you're eating well, exercising and still losing weight after 40 is a struggle; here's what could really be going on.

"I'm eating less than I used to."

"I'm trying to make healthier choices."

"I'm walking more than ever."

"So why am I still putting on weight?"

If you've ever found yourself asking these questions, please know this…

You're certainly not alone.

In fact, it's one of the most common conversations I have with women who come to me for help.

Many of them feel as though they're working harder than ever, yet their bodies simply aren't responding the way they used to. After a while, they begin to question

themselves.

"Maybe I just don't have enough willpower anymore."

"Perhaps this is just what happens after 50."

But here's what I want you to know.

Your body isn't broken

It has simply changed.

And that means the way we approach our health sometimes needs to change too.

For years we've been told that losing weight is simply a matter of eating less and moving more.

Whilst energy balance absolutely matters, the picture becomes much more complex during perimenopause and menopause.

As oestrogen levels change, many women notice that body fat seems to settle around the middle more easily. At the same time, we naturally begin to lose muscle mass if we aren't actively working to maintain it.

That matters because muscle is incredibly important.

It helps us stay strong and independent as we age.

It supports our metabolic health.

It improves insulin sensitivity.

And because muscle is metabolically active, having more of it means our bodies naturally use more energy throughout the day.

This is one of the reasons I'm so passionate about strength training for women over 40.

Not because I want everyone lifting enormous weights…

But because I want women to stay strong, healthy and capable for decades to come.

Eating less isn't always the answer

One of the saddest things I see is women becoming frightened of food.

Breakfast gets skipped.

Lunch becomes a yoghurt.

Dinner gets smaller and smaller.

Yet energy levels plummet.

Cravings increase.

And by the evening they're left wondering why they feel so hungry.

Your body isn't asking you to eat less. It's asking you to nourish it differently.

Rather than simply eating less, I'd much rather help women eat better—prioritising protein, colourful whole foods, healthy fats and plenty of fibre to support both body composition and long-term health.

The scales don't tell the whole story

This is something I've become even more passionate about recently.

A few weeks ago, I started using my Hume body composition scales to track my own progress.

Years ago, I'd have stepped on the scales hoping for a lower number.

Now?

I'm much more interested in what's happening inside my body.

Over the last few weeks, my body weight has barely changed.

But my body fat percentage has reduced.

My lean body mass has improved.

Those changes tell me I'm moving in exactly the right direction.

And that's what I want for my clients too.

Because two women can weigh exactly the same, yet have completely different body compositions, different strength levels and different health outcomes.

The scales only tell one tiny part of the story.

Consistency beats perfection

One of the biggest myths in the health and fitness industry is that you need to be perfect.

You don't.

You don't need another restrictive diet.

You don't need to punish yourself for enjoying a meal out.

And you certainly don't need to wait until Monday to "start again."

What you do need is a sustainable approach that you can actually imagine following months—and years—from now.

That's why I encourage my clients to focus on habits like:

• Eating enough protein at every meal.

• Strength training two or three times a week.

• Walking regularly.

• Sleeping as well as possible.

• Managing stress.

• Choosing progress over perfection.

They're not glamorous.

They're not quick fixes.

But they work.

If you're feeling stuck...

If you've been blaming yourself because the weight isn't shifting, I'd love you to hear this.

Please stop being so hard on yourself.

Your body isn't working against you.

It's simply asking for a different approach than it did ten or twenty years ago.

With the right nutrition, appropriate strength training, patience and consistency, it is absolutely possible to improve your body composition, feel stronger, increase your energy and regain your confidence.

I've seen it happen with so many women over the years.

And there's no reason it can't happen for you too.

Jen's Take

If I could leave you with just one thought, it's this…

Please stop judging your progress solely by the number on the scales.

Instead, ask yourself:

• Am I getting stronger?

• Do I have more energy?

• Am I nourishing my body well?

• Are my clothes fitting differently?

• Am I building habits that I can realistically maintain for years to come?

For me personally, reaching my fifties has completely changed the way I think about health and fitness. In my younger years, my focus was very much on how I looked. Now, my biggest goal is to build and maintain a strong, healthy body that will allow me to keep doing the things I love for decades to come.

Yes, I still want to feel confident in my clothes, but I'm no longer chasing a number on the scales. I'm investing in my future health.

That's the mindset I hope to inspire in every woman I work with.

Because losing body fat is wonderful…

But gaining strength, confidence, energy and a healthier future is even better.