5 Simple Tips to Make Weight Loss Easier Than Ever After 40

Let’s be honest: by the time you hit 40, you’ve probably tried every "hack" in the book. You’ve counted calories until you were blue in the face, spent hours on the elliptical, and cut out every food that brought you joy—only to find that the scale is still stuck.

If weight loss feels harder than it used to be, it’s not because you lack willpower. It’s because your biology has shifted.

Most weight loss advice is written for 25-year-olds with different hormone profiles. In midlife, "working harder" is usually the fastest way to stall your progress. To drop the weight now, you have to work with your body, not against it.

I’ve spent two decades as a celebrity weight loss expert, and I’ve seen thousands of women over 40 transform their bodies when they stop the "math" and start the "chemistry." These 5 simple tips are designed to flip the switch in your system so that you can lose weight faster and easier than you ever thought possible.

Tip #1: The 100-Ounce Hydration Protocol

There is a lot of noise online right now about whether or not we should be drinking "all that water." Some influencers claim it’s unnecessary, but in the world of weight loss and anti-aging, water is non-negotiable.

I recommend aiming for 100 to 120 ounces per day. If that sounds like a lot, consider 80 ounces your absolute bare minimum.

Why Your Metabolism Needs the Flush

Your brain is mostly water. Your muscles are mostly water. Your kidneys and other organs require water to flush out toxins. When you are dehydrated, your metabolism slows to a crawl because your body is focusing on basic survival rather than burning fat.

One of the biggest myths is that drinking this much water will "drain your electrolytes." Here’s the reality: if you are eating normal, whole foods, you are getting plenty of sodium and potassium. Unless you are running a marathon in the Sahara, you don't need to worry about water "thinning" your minerals. 99% of us aren't over-hydrated; we are chronically parched.

My "Morning Flush" Strategy

Living at 6,200 feet in Colorado, I know how hard it is to stay hydrated. It’s dry up here! If I don’t start drinking the moment I wake up, it’s impossible to catch up.

Think about it: you’ve just gone 8 to 12 hours without a single drop of liquid. Your body is naturally dehydrated. I aim for 20 to 32 ounces of water right around breakfast time.

And for those worried that drinking with meals dilutes stomach acid? In twenty years of coaching, I’ve never seen that be an actual issue. In fact, drinking with my meals is the only way I remember to hit my goals! I eat six times a day and have 12 ounces with each meal. That gets me to 70 ounces right there. Combined with my morning water, I’m at my 100-ounce goal without even trying.

Keep your water ice-cold and easy to carry with my favorite tumbler: 👇

STANLEY Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler with Leakproof Lid 💧

Tip #2: The 30-Minute "Sweet Spot" for Activity

We’ve all seen the "no pain, no gain" posters. In our 20s, we could push our bodies to the limit and bounce back. But as we enter menopause, "Beast Mode" can actually become your biggest enemy.

The Cortisol-Aging Connection

When you work out too intensely for too long, your body produces a massive surge of cortisol. In midlife, a constant state of high cortisol doesn't just stall weight loss—it speeds up the aging process. If you notice your hair is thinning, your skin looks "papery," or you have deep brain fog despite working out daily, you are likely over-training. High cortisol tells your body to store fat (specifically around the belly) as "survival insurance."

The Perfect Weekly Rhythm

We want to stimulate the body, not annihilate it. For the average woman over 40, the "sweet spot" usually looks like this:

• 3 Days of Weights/Resistance Training: This is vital for building lean muscle (your body's primary sugar sponge).

• 3 Days of Aerobic Activity: This could be a brisk walk, Pilates, or a light jog.

• 1 Day of Active Recovery: Think gentle yoga or a dedicated stretching session.

The goal is to move for 30 minutes every single day. This keeps your cardiovascular system healthy and your metabolism humming without throwing your hormones out of whack.

Level up your home workouts with these resistance bands: 👇

Booty Bands for Working Out 💪

Tip #3: The Fountain of Youth: Collagen, Gelatin, and Bone Broth

If you want to see a radical change in your hair, skin, and nails while supporting your weight loss goals, you need to make collagen, gelatin, or bone broth a staple in your daily nutrition.

More Than Just "Incomplete" Protein

Some people dismiss collagen because it’s not a "complete" protein (it’s missing a couple of amino acids like tryptophan). But I disagree. Those specific amino acids it does have are the building blocks for your connective tissue.

I have seen it for two decades: when women start incorporating collagen or bone broth into one or two meals a day, the results are conclusive. Their skin looks more supple, their joints feel better, and their hair regains its volume.

Easy Ways to Incorporate It

You don't have to spend hours simmering bones on the stove (though you can!). Nowadays, you can get high-quality bone broth and gelatin powders that are incredibly easy to use. I mix them into my meals or even just with water. It’s a fantastic protein source that is much gentler on the gut than traditional whey protein.

This is the specific bone broth powder I use and recommend to all my clients: 👇

Pure Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth with Natural Collagen, Glucosamine & Gelatin 🥣

Tip #4: Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Inflammation and Fat Burn

If you want to lose weight and slow down the clock, you have to talk about inflammation. Chronic inflammation is the enemy of weight loss. The best way to fight it? Omega-3 fatty acids.

The Power Trio: Salmon, Sardines, and Walnuts

There are three main sources I recommend. If you can, aim to eat these several times a week:

1. Salmon: Rich in EPA and DHA.

2. Sardines: A powerhouse of healthy fats (and very sustainable!).

3. Walnuts: These contain ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).

Note: The fish sources are superior because they contain EPA and DHA, while walnuts only have ALA. If you don't eat fish, a high-quality fish oil supplement is a must.

The "Brown Fat" Connection

Omega-3s don't just reduce inflammation; they actually increase your insulin sensitivity. This helps stabilize your blood sugar, making it easier for your body to access stored fat for fuel. Plus, these healthy fats help convert white fat into brown fat, which is metabolically active and helps regulate your body temperature.

Bonus Tip: Don't forget the Olive Oil! While not an Omega-3, it’s incredible for your telomeres (the caps on your DNA), which helps slow down the aging process at a cellular level.

Grab my favorite high-potency Omega-3 supplement here: 👇

Micro Ingredients Triple Strength Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplement 🐟

Tip #5: The Mineral Power Couple: Calcium and Magnesium

This is one of my absolute "must-haves." I call it Cal-Mag. Calcium and magnesium are two minerals that are vital for hundreds of functions in your body, yet so many of us are chronically deficient.

Why You Can’t Have One Without the Other

Calcium is vital for bone health, but if you don't have enough in your blood, your body will actually pull it out of your bones to compensate. Magnesium is responsible for over 300 chemical reactions, including muscle protein synthesis, DNA regeneration, and dementia prevention.

When you take them together, they help with the absorption of one another. This is the most potent and effective way to supplement.

The Absorption Secret

Most pills don't digest well, meaning you're literally flushing your money away. I recommend a powdered form that you blend into water. This creates a specific chemical reaction that allows for instant absorption.

Magnesium also helps reduce stress and improves sleep—two things every woman over 40 needs more of! When you sleep better and stress less, your cortisol drops, and your weight loss accelerates.

This is the "Cal-Mag" powder I use every single night: 👇

Natural Calm Cal Mag Drink 🥛

Your 5-Week Transformation Plan

I know this feels like a lot of information. The secret to success isn't doing everything perfectly on Day 1; it’s about building consistency.

I recommend a 5-week rollout to make these habits stick:

• Week 1: Focus only on your water. Hit that 100-ounce goal every day.

• Week 2: Maintain the water and add 30 minutes of activity daily.

• Week 3: Integrate collagen, gelatin, or bone broth into your meals.

• Week 4: Make Omega-3s a consistent part of your diet (or start your supplement).

• Week 5: Start your nightly Cal-Mag ritual.

If you commit to this for 30 to 60 days, I promise you will be shocked. I’ve had clients who struggled for years to grow their nails, only to find them so strong they can't even snap them off. I’ve seen skin transform from dull to radiant in a matter of weeks.

You have nothing to lose but the weight and the brain fog. It’s time to send those signals of safety and vitality back to your body.

Make this your healthiest chapter yet!