Have you ever felt frustrated because exercise that used to “work” for you suddenly doesn’t?
Maybe hours on the treadmill or long runs no longer shift the weight, and instead leave you exhausted.
I’ll never forget when one of my clients, Sarah, came to me with exactly this problem.
She was in her late 40s, running three times a week, and still wondering why the scale wouldn’t budge. “I just need to do more,” she told me, “maybe add another run or spend longer on the treadmill.”
But in her case, more wasn’t the answer.
In fact, it was the problem.
In midlife, your body responds differently to exercise.
High stress hormones from too much cardio can actually worsen the very symptoms you’re trying to fix: sleepless nights, hot flushes, fatigue, and that stubborn belly fat that seems glued in place.
Sarah wasn’t lazy or unmotivated. Her body just needed a new approach.
So instead of asking her to push harder, I asked her to train smarter.
We swapped out the endless cardio for shorter, strength-based workouts a few times a week.
We added in gentle mobility sessions to ease her stiff hips and shoulders. And for cardio? Brisk walks with her dog instead of punishing runs.
💓 The strength work built back lean muscle and supported her bone health.
💓 Mobility reduced her aches and helped her move more freely.
💓 Walking gave her the energy lift she was missing, without draining her system.
Within weeks, Sarah noticed a difference. Her sleep improved, her mood lifted, and the stubborn weight around her middle finally started to shift. Most importantly, she felt like herself again – strong, capable, and confident.
Do you know what Sarah did in her first week?
Bodyweight squats – 10–15 reps once or twice a day.
They strengthen your legs and core, protect against bone loss, and keep your metabolism humming. And you don’t need a gym, you can do them while your kettle is boiling!
Midlife isn’t about giving up on exercise.
It’s about choosing the kind that supports you now, and sets you up for the years ahead.