Dec24/Jan25 Aspire Magazine FULL Issue | Page 66

Our strength and muscle mass peaks around our mid-30s , and after that , we lose about 5 % to 8 % of our muscle mass every decade . And since muscle burns calories , the less muscle we have , the fewer calories we burn .

Many of us have tried all the fads , thinking the “ next best thing ” will finally be the one that works long term . But many of these plans involve severe restrictions or eliminating entire food groups ( like carbs or fat ), which can disrupt the body ’ s metabolism and do more harm than good in the long run .

In addition , our busy lifestyles don ’ t afford a lot of time to prepare food at home . We end up hitting the drive-thru or grabbing whatever is convenient more often than we should , making it even harder to maintain a balanced , nourishing diet .

Midlife often brings a whirlwind of major life shifts : children leaving the nest , career changes , retirement , divorce , relationship changes , caring for aging parents — sometimes , all at once .

Living in a chronic state of fight-or-flight , leads to elevated cortisol , which can cause hormone imbalances , a slower metabolism , and stored body fat . Stress also tends to trigger cravings for comforting , sugary , or fatty foods , creating a vicious cycle of relying on food to feel better .

By adopting a holistic approach that nurtures the physical , mental , emotional , and spiritual aspects of your life , you can get your metabolism back up and running , release excess fat , and feel like yourself again .