Women Over 40: The Top 10 Dangers Threatening Your Permanent Weight Loss

Are you a woman over 40? Are you unable to lose as much weight as you’d like to? Seriously, how often have you tried to lose weight without a permanent result? When working with women over 40 I see the same dangers to permanent, lasting weight loss over and over…

Too Many Starvation Diets
Every deprivation diet starts a new weight loss-weight gain cycle. Less than 5% of all of these dieters lose weight permanently. Aim for a gentle lifestyle change instead:

• Pay attention to your natural “I feel satisfied” signals when eating and stop. Try to stretch your meals to take at least 15 minutes so your body can develop the “I feel satisfied” emotion.
• Change your nutrition long-term to a well-balanced, full-value mixed diet.
• Avoid hunger and overeating.

Lack of Social Contacts, Attention and Sex
Women often tend to compensate emotional needs by eating- making it impossible to lose weight permanently:

• Expand your circle of friends if you need more social contacts
• Cultivate existing friendships
• Value your private life

Too Much Stress
Stress is closely linked to weight gain and inability to lose weight permanently:

• Learn relaxation techniques
• Practice conscious breathing and go calm through your day
• Write down stressful situations and how you either can avoid or deal with them

Not enough sunlight
Sunlight has many benefits for our physical and emotional well-being making it easier to lose weight permanently:

• Go outside daily, not enough sunlight creates cravings for sweets
• Don’t wear sunglasses on a gloomy day
• In wintertime go to a tanning salon every now and then, or get a lamp producing light similar to bright daylight

Too much alcohol
Alcohol contains a lot of calories and stimulates eating:

• Never drink alcohol when you’re feeling down or depressed
• Only drink occasionally and in social situations, never when alone
• Avoid drinks high in alcohol content

Uncontrolled Eating As a Substitute for Unmet Needs
Many women over 40 eat to compensate, making it impossible to lose weight permanently:

• Check if you eat too many calories because you don’t plan for proper meals
• Have a meal plan for every day reflecting your actual calorie requirements
• Pay attention to moods causing you to eat without being hungry. Have strategies ready to cope with these moods, e. g. have a walk, call somebody on the phone or meet friends

Physical Inactivity
Women over 40 often start gradually a sedentary lifestyle- but physical activity is important to lose weight permanently:

• Get more exercise in your daily life, for example use the staircase instead of the elevator or walk instead of taking the car
• Get a fitness program and find some friends to do it in a group
• Many simple exercises can be done at home without much equipment. Get into the habit of doing them

Genes
Some women have a natural disposition to gain weight after 40. If your parents and grandparents are overweight, you might belong to this group making it harder for you to lose weight permanently:

• Conscious nutrition and regular physical activity is particularly important if you belong to this group
• Accept that you might never be thin like a supermodel. Don’t invest too much of your money in diets and products, better get a style and beauty consultation

Hormones and Medicament-Induced Side Effects
For Women over 40 the delicate hormone balance changes- permanent weight loss is harder to achieve:

• If you experience sudden weight gain, consult a physician
• If you are taking drugs, talk to your physician about weight gain as a side-effect of medication
• Never discontinue a drug on your own

Errors in Nutrition
Over 40 the body stores fat much easier. Pay close attention to your nutrition if you want to lose weight permanently:

• Have as much fruit, vegetables or whole wheat products as possible
• Pay attention to hidden fats, for example in cheese, sausages, cake or packaged food
• Use cooking methods that do not need much fat (stewing, steaming). Avoid frying, breading and fat dressings
• Avoid empty carbs, for example in white sugar, white flour, white rice, many sweets, white bread or cake
• Always read the label before buying a product and check the calories contained
• Avoid processed foods
• Don’t use artificial sweeteners. They’ll make you hungry

Follow these easy guidelines and you’re on your way to lose weight permanently after 40.

Are you interested in a free weight loss program for women over 40? Have a look here:

Are you a woman over 40? Do you want to lose weight permanently? Signup for your free, personalized “Lose Weight Permanently” program. I answer your questions individually. Click here now.

Recommended reading:

• Why Are You Hungry?
• Stressed? Relax Into Losing Weight Permanently
• Women Over 40: Hormones And Weight Loss
• Permanent Weight Loss Over 40
• Do You Want To Lose Weight Permanently Over 40? The 10 Best Lifestyle Tips
• The Balance On Your Energy Accounts Is Making You Fat
  

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