Muscle First, Then Fat Loss: Why Strength Training Works After 40

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Most women I talk to in midlife aren’t clueless about weight loss.
They’ve read the books. They’ve followed the plans. They know protein matters. They know movement matters.

But they’re confused.

They’ve been told a lot of things — and not all of them can be true at the same time.

They’ve been told to walk more… but also lift heavy.
To eat less… but not starve.
To do more cardio… but protect their hormones.
To strength train… but only after they lose the weight.

So what happens? Exercise becomes the first move every time.
“I’ll just start working out again.”
“I need to get moving before I focus on food.”
“If I can just be consistent with exercise, the weight will follow.”

That thinking makes sense — especially if it worked for you before.

But in midlife, that old order quietly stops working.

Not because exercise is bad. Not because strength training doesn’t matter. But because exercise alone can’t fix a body that doesn’t yet feel metabolic...

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Walking More Isn’t Helping You Lose Belly Fat—Here’s Why

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If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Is walking really enough to help me lose weight in menopause?”—friend, you’re not alone.

I hear this question from midlife women every single week. Women who are doing their best to stay consistent. Women who are walking faithfully, eating Trim Healthy, and trying to honor their bodies… yet still feel confused and frustrated about stubborn belly fat that just won’t budge.

On one hand, you’ve been told that walking isn’t enough. That you need harder workouts. More sweat. More intensity. On the other hand, when you do push harder—longer cardio sessions, bootcamp classes, fewer rest days—you end up exhausted, inflamed, hungrier than ever, and still not losing weight.

So which is it?

Today, I want to clear this up once and for all. Because walking can be one of the most powerful menopause exercise tools for fat loss—but only when it’s used strategically, not as punishment.

And this conversation matters, es...

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Strength Train or Rest? How to Listen to Your Body in Menopause

 

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If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Should I push through this workout… or should I rest?” — you’re not alone.

In midlife, that question carries more weight than it used to. What once felt like motivation can suddenly feel like pressure. What once felt empowering can start to feel confusing. And when hormone imbalance enters the picture, even your best efforts at menopause exercise or strength train routines can feel unpredictable.

I want to talk to you today—not as someone handing you a rigid plan—but as a coach who has been walking this road right alongside you. This isn’t a “do more” message. It’s a wisdom message. A discernment message. A listen-to-your-body message for the woman navigating menopause with faith, grit, and a whole lot of responsibility on her shoulders.

Because sometimes the bravest thing you can do in midlife… is pause.

 

When Menopause Changes the Rules of Exercise

There’s a moment most women don’t expect.

Y...

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3 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight After 40 Even If You Exercise Daily

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If you’ve been doing all the “right things”—eating healthy, moving your body, staying on plan—and still can’t lose that stubborn belly fat, I see you, friend. It’s one of the most common frustrations I hear from women in midlife:

“Kris, I’m exercising every day, but my body just isn’t responding anymore.”

The truth? It’s not that you’re not trying hard enough. It’s that your body has changed. The same workouts and routines that once worked in your 30s may now be keeping you stuck.

Let’s unpack why—and how you can start seeing results again, without living at the gym.

 

Why What Used to Work Doesn’t Work Anymore

When estrogen begins to decline in perimenopause and menopause, it affects everything from how your body stores fat to how efficiently it builds muscle.
Estrogen used to help regulate insulin and protect your muscle tissue. When it drops, your metabolism slows, and your body becomes less sensitive to insulin. Translation? You store ...

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2 Powerful Exercises That Beat Belly Fat In Perimenopause And Menopause

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Why Cardio Isn’t the Queen Anymore

I grew up in the 80s and 90s with leg warmers, Jane Fonda, and step aerobics leading the fitness scene. Back then, cardio was the queen. We were taught that the more you sweat it out on the treadmill or in an aerobics class, the more calories you’d burn, and the more weight you’d lose.

But here’s the thing: in perimenopause and menopause, more cardio doesn’t equal more fat loss. In fact, it often backfires. Long sessions of running, cycling, or high-impact classes actually raise cortisol, your stress hormone. And when cortisol goes up, guess what else goes up? Belly fat.

That’s right—those endless cardio sessions that used to feel like the gold standard are now contributing to the very thing you want to get rid of.

This doesn’t mean cardio is bad or that you should never do it. But it’s no longer the star player. Midlife bodies need a smarter strategy—one that works with your hormones, not against them.

 

...
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Stop Overdoing Cardio - The Better Way to Burn Fat in Menopause

 

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If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and wondering how much cardio you really need to lose belly fat and support your hormones—girl, you’re not alone.

This episode of Menopause Makeover (aka The Honeycast) is for every midlife mama who has tried to out-cardio her belly fat, only to feel more tired, achy, and frustrated. I’ve been there too—with the Jane Fonda workouts, the step aerobics, and hours logged on the elliptical. Spoiler alert: It didn’t work.

Let’s talk about what does.

 

Why More Cardio Isn’t the Answer in Menopause

For years we believed more cardio meant more calories burned—and that meant more fat loss, right? Not so fast.

Here’s the truth no one told us: More cardio can actually stall fat loss and increase fat storage when you're in midlife.

That’s because...

  • It increases cortisol (your stress hormone), which signals your body to store fat—especially belly fat.
  • It can break down lean muscle, which we need mor...
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How To Strength Train For Fat Loss After 50 Without Burning Out

 

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Strength training in your 40s, 50s, and beyond isn’t about chasing soreness or trying to keep up with some influencer’s 7-day shred. It’s about training smarter—so you can burn fat, build muscle, and feel good in your body again without wrecking your hormones in the process.

If you’ve been wondering why your old workouts aren’t working anymore or why you feel more drained than energized after exercise, you’re not alone. Midlife bodies don’t respond the same way they used to—and that’s not a bad thing. It just means we need to shift how we move, how we recover, and how we fuel.

Let’s break down exactly how to strength train for fat loss in menopause and perimenopause—without the burnout.

 

Why Strength Training Is the #1 Belly Fat Loss Exercise in Menopause

Let me say it loud and clear: strength training is your best friend after 40.

You can cardio yourself to death and still not budge the scale—or worse, see it creep up. Why? Because yo...

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How to Stay Consistent and Lose Weight in Midlife

Apple Podcast - Spotify

 

Welcome, friends! I get a lot of questions about what I do in a day—what I eat, how I exercise, how I stay consistent. I love sharing because I’ve been exactly where many of you are, struggling to find a rhythm that works. After over 14 years of refining my habits, I’ve created a lifestyle that keeps me healthy, supports my hormones, and allows me to live with energy and joy.

 

If you're a midlife woman trying to lose weight, struggling with belly fat, or wondering how to make Trim Healthy Mama work for you, this post is for you. Let’s dive into my daily routine and the strategies that have helped me create lasting habits.

 

The Power of Small, Sustainable Habits

For years, I was an all-or-nothing person. I’d dive into a new diet, fitness plan, or life change full throttle—only to burn out in a few days. Sound familiar? I had to learn that consistency isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, about stacking small, sustainable habits that add up ov...

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How to Build Muscle and Burn Fat During Menopause

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This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

 

Welcome, friends! Today, we’re talking about a topic that’s near and dear to my heart: the best exercises for women in midlife. 

As a Trim Healthy coach, personal trainer, and menopause fitness specialist, I’m here to help you navigate this new season of life with practical, science-backed strategies. 

Let’s talk about how to build muscle, burn fat, and take control of your health during menopause and beyond.

 

Why Exercise Changes During Midlife

In our 30s and 40s, many of us could do a variety of exercises and still see results. But as we move into perimenopause and menopause, our hormones shift, and the game changes. The hormones that once helped us build muscle, regulate blood sugar, and burn fat are no longer as abundant. This means we need to be intentional about our exercise...

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How to Thrive in Midlife with Movement, Nutrition, and Hormone Balance

 

Hey there! Quick heads-up—this post contains affiliate links to products I’ve mentioned. If you choose to use them, it won’t cost you anything extra, but I may earn a small commission. No pressure at all, just a big thanks for your support!

 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

 

Midlife can feel like a rollercoaster, especially when your hormones seem to have a mind of their own, your body isn’t responding to old routines, and stress levels are through the roof. 

 

But here's the thing—you can thrive in this season of life! 

 

It takes smart movement, mindful eating, and the right support system to get you there. 

 

I’ve been where you are, and through years of trial and error, I’ve discovered what works for me and the women I coach. 

 

So, let’s dive into how you can thrive, starting with movement, nutrition, and managing those hormone changes you’re dealing with in midlife.

 

The Non-Negotiables: Movement in Midlife

Staying active is essential for overall health, especially...

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