“How do I get rid of belly fat???” is one of the most common questions I get asked as an experienced Personal Trainer for women over the age of 55.

An important event is coming up, maybe it’s a wedding, a bucket list vacation, or a celebration. Reaching into your closet you pull out your favorite dress, you look at it, you remember how you felt the last time you wore it, it looks at you back and your heart sinks. 

You can’t fit into this dress anymore. 

Do you donate it and go shopping for something new and give in to your new rounder figure? Do you go on a cleanse that leaves you exhausted to try to quickly lose a few pounds you will likely gain back plus a few more pounds? 

Or do you take this as a sign to get serious about the changes that are going on in your body? 

This may be the wake-up call you need to make a few simple and natural lifestyle changes to help you lose belly fat over 55. 

As women, we go through menopause which alters our hormonal balance. The loss of estrogen and changes in progesterone cause body fat to store in our middle as belly fat. These changes of hormones can also cause mood swings, anxiety, and depression.

We also lose muscle mass in the natural process of aging starting in our 30s. But most times, we don’t notice the changes until our 50s and 60s when we start to see less muscle tone, more loose skin, and more aches and pains. 

So many of the women I work with blame themselves and feel like they are the only ones who have no willpower to control their eating and not enough discipline to exercise for hours in the gym and as a result they feel like it’s inevitable to have belly fat as a woman over 55. But it absolutely doesn’t have to be that way!

Let me share 3 types of proven exercises to get rid of belly fat naturally over 55. 

#1: Move More! Start Walking! 

Over the past three years since the beginning of the pandemic, our world has changed and our routines have changed. Often, I speak with women who realize that they are not moving as much as they used to. They know they need to do something, but they aren’t even sure where to start. 

One of the best ways to get started with more movement to get rid of belly fat is with walking! Start by adding a walk after dinner or a morning walk when the weather is at its best. Make it more interesting and stay motivated by saving your favorite podcast to listen to while walking, grab a friend and chat while you walk, or cue up your favorite playlist of songs. 

Use an app or device to track your steps and strive for 7-10,000 steps a day, and the app will even give you reminders throughout the day to get up and get moving. You might even find that walking becomes a great stress reliever for you. BONUS! Managing stress and lowering cortisol levels is another way to get rid of belly fat. 

On a day where you can’t get outside because of the weather or you want to get in a few more steps, check out this quick indoor walking workout:

#2: Add Interval Training

Changing up your cardio routine to include interval training can help you to get more out of your workouts and movement and help to reduce belly fat and even save you time. Interval training can give you more challenge in your cardio routine by increasing the challenge intensity.

You can add interval training to any activity including biking, walking, rowing, elliptical, and even strength training. In my virtual workout programs, we offer interval workouts along with strength training workouts. 

Start by performing your exercise at a steady state for 5 minutes then add 20 seconds up to 1 minute of more intense movement followed by going back to a moderate intensity of movement or a short rest. Try adding interval training twice a week to your workouts. You can get more out of your workout in a shorter time.

Interval workouts can be 20 to 40 minutes. But be sure not to over-do your workout intensity or frequency. As a woman over 55, too much exercise or overtraining can cause cortisol levels to rise and increase belly fat. Check out this quick Interval Workout:

#3: Strength Training 

As we age, we lose muscle mass, this can lead to more loose skin, less tone, easier fat storage, especially belly fat, and more aches and pains. It’s time to change up your workout routine. The same routine you had in your 20s won’t cut it and walking alone won’t cut it anymore either. 

You need to add strength training to your routine to build muscle, improve your metabolism, which will help you burn more calories than cardio, and build stability in your joints. Focus on working the major muscle groups like the glutes, thighs, core, mid back, and shoulders.

Add strength training two days a week with 8-15 reps and 2-3 sets of a few exercises. Use weights and resistance that can maintain your form but give you challenge by your last few reps each set. Focus on strength training about 3 times a week for 25 minutes to 1 hour. 

You won’t see a reduction in belly fat by targeting only the core with crunches and sit-ups. These exercises will only place more strain on your back. If you want to build a stronger core and add strength training, try this standing core workout:

Working with an experienced personal trainer is one of the best ways to ensure you are starting strength training safely with great technique and ensure you have the right exercises for your body as a woman over 55. 

These 3 exercise types are the best way to get rid of belly fat and are proven to help you trim down your waistline and get rid of belly fat for good. To help you develop your personal plan to get rid of belly fat and have more energy, join my upcoming workshop!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Is belly fat one of your fitness issues? What steps have you taken to fight and keep belly fat off? What results have you noticed?

Thank goodness for books.

It’s been a difficult past few weeks in my city. An armed woman stormed into a school, killing innocent children and teachers. Our community continues to cry, grieve, and rage for the lives of families and schoolkids changed forever.

Although they can’t possibly alter the horrific circumstances, books can help. When we transport ourselves to coastal Australia or rural Colorado or 1880s’ New York, we escape into another world. And, for just a while, we forget our troubles and the news of the day…

I hope a book or two on this list offers you a fun escape!

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley

Calling all fans of intergenerational stories!

Tanner, a 21-year-old college soccer player, injured herself leaving a party. She lost her full scholarship to Northwestern, and she doesn’t have the money to continue. Tanner needs a job, somewhere to sleep, and a place to wallow in self-pity.

Louise, a spunky octogenarian, is certain she is capable of taking care of herself and does NOT need a caregiver. But her children insist.

When Tanner moves in with Louise, the new roommates set boundaries and agree to ignore each other. But Tanner can’t overlook her housemate’s odd behavior. What has this older woman done?

The two women set off on a wild and twisty road trip, and readers will enjoy coming along on the fun adventure.

The Nurse’s Secret by Amanda Skenandore

“She folded up her regret alongside her unease and stowed them both away.”

I’m a big fan of Amanda Skenandore’s historical fiction novels and will read anything this infection prevention nurse writes. With her beautiful, descriptive writing and medical knowledge, her books always introduce me to a subject I know nothing about.

In 1880s’ New York, nursing was largely a profession for the untrained and illiterate. And then Bellevue Hospital, a free public institution, started the first nurse-training program.

Since age eleven, Una had survived on the streets with petty crime. When she’s fingered for a murder she didn’t commit, Una enrolls in the nursing program. She figures it is easiest to “hide in plain sight.”

Another favorite by this author – The Second Life of Mirielle West.

We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

“Family didn’t mean hiding the hard stuff from each other. It meant facing it together.”

A charming, joyful ride of a book! This one has been on my “books to read” list for a long while, and I wish I’d gotten to it sooner.

After a drunk driving accident in California, Sunday Brennan moves back home to heal – mentally, emotionally, and physically. She’d left for the west coast five years ago, leaving a family and fiancée without explanations. And her tight-knit Boston Irish Catholic family wants answers.

And they get the answers they seek, many in the form of long-buried secrets. Like me, readers will adore the Brennans – and the ex-fiancée too – and root for them on every page of this book.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

Sally Hepworth does it again! The beloved Australian author delivers her eighth fast-paced, gripping novel about family, relationships, and our (often) odd behavior.

Pippa, Gabe, and their two young daughters move to a small coastal town in Australia. Their dream home sits at the edge of a cliff, where people sometimes choose to end their lives. Gabe has a reputation for convincing folks NOT to jump. Until one day, his encouraging words don’t work…

Was the death a suicide, an accident, or something else?

Those around us might observe our life situations with clarity and discernment. But, as we muddle through our days, we often don’t see what we aren’t prepared to handle.

I raced through Hepworth’s latest domestic suspense novel. Fans may also want to check out The Younger Wife and The Mother-in-Law.

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“Maybe it’s a lie that you have to keep doing what you have always done.”

There’s lots of hype surrounding this book by fan-favorite Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’m glad I read it, I enjoyed it, but the main character’s attitude left me unsettled. But then, I have no idea what’s happening inside a professional athlete’s head.

Prepare for LOTS of tennis. Carrie grew up playing tennis. Her father coached her and pushed her to be the best in the world. And she was. Now, Carrie wants to come out of retirement and, under her father’s tutelage, retake her crown.

If only Carrie had taken the time to appreciate what she had instead of wallowing in the muddy waters of what didn’t go her way.

Go as a River by Shelley Read

“Just as a single rainstorm can erode the banks and change the course of a river, so can a single circumstance of a girl’s life erase who she was before.”

Inspired by actual events surrounding the destruction of Iola, Colorado in the 1960s, this lyrical and poignant novel captured me right away.

Seventeen-year-old Victoria is the only surviving female in a family of troublemaking, frightening men. She runs the household on a peach farm in Iola, Colorado.

A chance encounter with drifter Wilson Moon leads to heartache, decisions, and new-found strength. When the government plans to flood Iola, situated along the Gunnison River, Victoria leaves her past behind and creates a new life for herself. And another encounter changes her path yet again.

A beautiful, moving story.

I hope you find a book on this list to escape into for a while. Happy reading, and I’d love to know what you think.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What is a favorite book you’ve read lately? Have you read every book by a particular author? (Me? Fiona Davis) Any book with rave reviews that wasn’t your cup of tea? What type of books do you like to escape into?

With turmoil in the financial world – inflation, bank bankruptcies, recession concerns, etc. – you may have reached the point that you want to check in with a professional advisor. If nothing else, it may calm any anxiety about your future.

Common questions I hear as I speak to audiences across the nation are: Am I on track? Will my savings last through retirement? Do I need to adjust my investment mix? How do I address unknown risks? Am I spending too much?

No matter your age or your accumulated assets, getting help and insight from a professional is a good idea, especially if your concerns are taking a toll on your quality of life.

Who to Choose

If you choose to use an advisor, it is important to find someone you trust who will take the time to know you and answer all of your questions in terms you understand… and someone who is a fiduciary.

A fiduciary is bound legally and ethically to put your interests first. That is not a universal requirement in the industry. Being a fiduciary is the highest legal duty of one party to another. It is a higher standard of care.

How do you find an advisor who is a fiduciary? Look for a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) or a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional. You can search for an advisor in your area who is a CFP® professional at the following website: www.letsmakeaplan.org.

One of my recent blogs described the difference that a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional brings to the table. See Extra Retirement Plan Catch-Ups.

Let’s imagine you have decided to hire a professional and have narrowed your search to several CFP® candidates you found in your area using www.letsmakeaplan.org. What should you do next?

Interview Questions

I suggest you schedule an appointment with two or three possible financial planners in your area. The following questions may help you decide which advisor is the best fit:

1. What are your qualifications and credentials?
2. What services do you offer?
3. Will you have a fiduciary duty to me?
4. What is your approach to financial planning/investing?
5. What types of clients do you serve?
6. Will you be the only advisor working with me?
7. How will I pay?
8. How much do you charge?
9. Do others stand to gain from the financial advice you give me?
10. Have you ever been publicly disciplined for unlawful or unethical actions in your career?

If you choose an independent advisor, a RIA, it is also important to ask: “Where will my assets be held?” A Registered Investment Advisor should not mix your assets with other clients’ assets. They should create separate accounts for each client and use a third-party custodian, such as Pershing, Schwab, or Fidelity, to hold the assets.

When there is a third-party custodian, you can expect to receive two statements: one from your advisor and a separate one from the custodian. The two should reflect the same information. The statements from the custodian should clearly show that you are the owner of the account.

Why is a separate custodian important? Unfortunately, there have been instances of advisors mixing client funds with their own and then using the funds for themselves. An unethical advisor may create their own client statements with false information, and if there is no custodian statement for comparison, the situation could go undetected.

Background Check

Before you select a particular advisor, it is also a good idea to check their background, work history, and any client complaints. There are two sources for that information.

If the advisor is associated with a broker-dealer, use FINRA’s BrokerCheck. If the advisor is associated with a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), then use the SEC website.

Any important decision requires research and, especially when it comes to your money, take your time to make a wise advisory choice. Compare your options and make sure you and your spouse or partner are on the same page.

Do not be pressured into a decision. Ask questions and make sure that you will be comfortable with the advisor you choose. Not only do you want someone who is knowledgeable and ethical, but also someone who you trust to deliver both good and, if necessary, bad news.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you currently use a financial advisor? Are you happy with your advisor? How did you choose him or her? Do you know if your advisor is a fiduciary?

Rachel Fuda’s Snake Print Bodysuit on Instagram

Real Housewives of New Jersey 2023 Instagram Fashion

I feel like it’s been a hot minute since we’ve covered something snake print, but here we have Rachel Fuda looking hot in her snake print bodysuit. She brought some tea about RHONJ and thankfully none of it spilled on that fab bodysuit, only on the Betches podcast. It makes me very excited for whats to come on Jersey, but for now we can just be excited for what’s to come in 3-5 business days which is a new bodysuit, obvi.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Commando Bodysuit

Photo: @rachelfuda

Originally posted at: Rachel Fuda’s Snake Print Bodysuit

When you blaze a new path for yourself after 60, you are charting a course to where the life of your dreams lives.

How do you go about this in a way that is practical, accessible, and fun?

By changing your perspective of what you believe is possible for yourself.

In this fourth article of a five-part series for Sixty and Me readers, we’re going to focus on the third step of the 4 Steps to Blaze a New Path for Yourself After 60.

STEP 3: Change Your Perspective On What Is Possible.

Fixed Beliefs Be Gone

The road to becoming a trailblazer after 60 can get a little bumpy. To make it a smoother journey, you will want to recognize and release fixed beliefs and behaviors that disempower you.

Fixed beliefs are your internal perceptions about who you are, what is possible for you, and how things are supposed to work in the outer world.

This includes fixed beliefs such as:

• How life should be.
• What you can be, do, and have.
• Behaviors required to get your desires met.
• How your desired outcomes must turn out.

Whatever your beliefs are in these and other important areas of your life, how are they serving you today?

For example, early on in life working long, hard hours to get ahead or sacrificing your fun and well-being to take care of other’s needs may have seemed sensible.

But is that true today?

If you still place other people’s needs and wants before your own, this can prevent you from exploring more of your own personal desires, wants, and needs after 60.

For instance, what if you desire to take more leisure time for yourself but don’t because you feel that is being unproductive and lazy? Or maybe you do take time for yourself but feel guilty about it because you feel you should be doing something for someone else.

If you can relate, but don’t take the time to challenge these fixed beliefs, you are building up a tolerance to being stressed.

This causes you to overlook the root cause of feeling physically and mentally exhausted. All of which leads to an unbalanced emotional state.

Removing Unseen Obstacles on Your Path

Fixed beliefs are often the unseen obstacles on your new path in life after 60.

That is why the third step in blazing a new path for yourself involves developing a growth mindset.

A simple way of developing a growth mindset is to shift from fixating on what you believe you have to be or do to realize your desires. Instead, take time to tap into your feelings and emotions as if your desires were already accomplished.

One effective way of doing this is using your childhood imagination to play with your desires through daydreaming.

This is about spending less time lamenting about what you don’t have, or focusing on what is not going well. This frees up your mind to focus on what lights you up.

When you engage in this shift of perception, do so with an open mind by not placing limits on how your desires unfold. For this reason, developing a growth mindset after 60 requires doing something most of us were told was unproductive and unrealistic.

Daydreaming.

Allow Your Imagination to Lead the Way

Author Earl Nightingale wrote many years ago, “Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.”

This is where daydreaming comes in.

Daydreaming nourishes your desires and dreams, while uplifting your emotional state. It is not a waste of time or some guilty pleasure. It is a necessity if you want to walk the path to where the life of your dreams lives.

How do you go about doing this?

1. Shift from an overly busy lifestyle, and quiet an overly active mind by daydreaming about your desires being fulfilled. You do this by slowing down and going inward at least three times a day, for 10 to 20 minutes.
2. When’s an ideal time to do this? Preferably in the morning, mid-afternoon, and before going to bed. Another ideal time is whenever you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious.
3. If you are experiencing racing thoughts, give yourself a prompt, such as focusing on a personal desire that really excites you.
4. Feel into this desire as if you are literally living it in the moment. Allow your childhood imagination to lead the way.
5. Journal your thoughts and how you are feeling so you can track your progress.

Whether you call this meditating, daydreaming, or playtime with your imagination, the outcome is the same. You feel better about yourself, you are rejuvenated, relaxed, and much more open to receiving your desires than repelling them.

All of this might be a challenge at first.

But if you are to begin blazing a new path for yourself after 60, changing your perspective on what is possible is how you go from where you are to where the life of your dreams lives.

Join me in the video where I will share additional insights, along with guiding you through three journal prompts to help you integrate what you are learning.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you use daydreaming as a mindset reset tool? What kinds of things do you daydream about? Is it a different kind of life? A hobby? A fun activity? What is hindering your daydreaming?