Staying fit during your younger years may have seemed near impossible due to a busy schedule. As you age, however, it becomes even harder to stay fit because your life continues to remain busy and your metabolism slows. A slowing metabolism can wreak havoc on your fitness goals as it can cause you to gain unwanted weight.
Diet
Once you reach your 40s, you burn approximately 100 fewer calories than you did in your 20s or 30s, according to "Fitness" magazine. You'll need to make some changes to your diet to accommodate burning fewer calories. You won't have to make drastic changes, as 100 calories can easily be cut out of your diet by skipping an afternoon soda, making healthier snack choices or by going easy on condiments such as mayonnaise or salad dressing. Small, seemingly insignificant changes can make all the difference, and you won't even notice the 100-calorie deficit --- but your body will. Drinking water will also help limit the number of calories you consume since water makes your stomach feel full, which causes you to eat less.
Exercise
Exercise is important, especially in your 40s, which is the time when most women are premenopausal, according to "Fitness." Before you become menopausal, your estrogen levels decline, which causes excess fat stores in your stomach to settle --- making more fat settle closer to your heart. This is dangerous, as fat near your heart can cause a heart attack or stroke. Plan on fitting aerobics into your schedule for at least 45 to 60 minutes, three to five times per week. Cardio will become your new best friend to keep you healthy and fit. Osteoporosis is another condition that affects many women. To help keep your bones strong and healthy, perform weight lifting or weight-bearing exercises, such as carrying weights while walking or jogging.
Sleep
In your 40s when you become premenopausal, you may begin to suffer hot flashes or night sweats. They may keep you awake during the night as it becomes uncomfortable to fall asleep or stay asleep. If your body does not receive an adequate amount of rest, you won't have enough energy to perform daily tasks the next day. Your body also repairs itself as you sleep, which is especially important when you're lifting weights and working out on a regular basis.
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