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"Many people find it difficult to maintain their weight as they get older, especially those whose parents or close relatives have belly fat," health adviser Hannah says.
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This is because your body is reducing the amount of estrogen it produces."Īs one of the early signs of perimenopause, she says, "the change in hormone levels will affect how fat is distributed in the body, meaning you might develop a more 'apple' than 'pear' shape." 50s It's particularly important for reducing belly fat though, as compared to previous decades, "you might find that your belly fat increases in your 40s, even if you're not gaining weight. To find out how your metabolism is performing currently, working out your metabolic age is a good start. "This will help reduce the chance of you gaining weight and increase your body's muscle reserves, as your metabolism continues to slow down," Hannah says.
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If you want to know how to get a flat stomach at 40, be mindful of how many calories you consume and up the amount of strength training you do.
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