Research has shown that living through your 40s can be the toughest decade of your life both physically and mentally.
It is when you are most likely to be diagnosed with chronic diseases, often associated with lifestyle habits.
In particular, excess levels of body fat are associated with decreased life expectancy, fertility and hormonal issues, poor mental health, productivity, and self-image.
The statistics for middle-aged men and women make for grim reading.
Did you know?
- More than 1.9 billion people worldwide are now classed as overweight or obese – around 40% of people are in their mid-to-late 40s.
- 80% of obese women suffer from PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
- Up to 40% of obese non-diabetic men register low testosterone levels.
- Men in their 40s are most likely to commit suicide.
- 1 in 5 adults in their mid-40s report depressive symptoms.
- 60% of obese individuals deal with mental health issues.
But these issues do not need to be inevitable and it is never too late to turn things around.
A healthy lifestyle can be the solution to managing, preventing, and reversing many of the health problems listed.
Remember, you don’t have to be fit to start, you just have to start to be fit.
Here is why starting your fitness journey in your 40s could be the best ‘anti-ageing pill’ you can find:
1. With a healthy lifestyle, type 2 diabetes is preventable and reversible for most individuals. Research has shown that if you are overweight and diagnosed with diabetes, losing 5-15kg (11-33lbs) can reverse this within months.
2. Fertility rates in both men and women see their first significant dip in the 40s and decrease even further for those who are overweight and sedentary. For example, obese men are more likely to suffer from issues with decreased testosterone production when compared to healthy weight individuals. Fertility levels may increase by almost double for obese individuals who lose weight and research has also shown that testosterone levels improve with regular exercise in men.
3. Individuals who regularly exercise report an almost 50% reduction in mental health symptoms and a high-quality varied diet is linked to improved mental health and cognitive function.
So, your 40s may bring a raft of increased mental and physical challenges, but these do not have to be a life sentence. You can take control of your health.
Nick’s 52kg transformation story
Nick was like many middle-aged men – for years he had focused on his career at the expense of his health.
Now 45, all the warning lights were flashing red with his health – he was 125kg (275lbs) and the spectres of hypertension and high cholesterol were looming large.
Wanting to be a healthy role model for his children and press the reset button on his health, he began a transformation journey at Ultimate Performance.
Now he is 52kg lighter, his worries of high blood pressure are gone and he was even fit enough to swim the English Channel.
Read how Nick achieved this dramatic transformation in his 40s at Ultimate Performance here.
