Fortyfy yourself
A strict but controlled workout regime teamed with a balanced diet can go a long way in making you look young
Forty-year-old Gwyneth Paltrow turned up at the Iron Man 3 premiere in a dare-tobare dress that showed off her toned body. The way she carried off the bold look could have put women half her age to shame. This simply goes to prove, yet again, that age isn’t a barrier when it comes to maintaining your physical appearance. Flaunting a fabulous body at 40 is the new age mantra. After all, 40 has come to be known as the new 20.
SWEAT IT OUT
Leena Mogre, fitness trainer who has worked with Bollywood actresses such as Kangna Ranaut, Sameera Reddy and Neetu Chandra, says, “As women age, they lose the lean muscle mass. A good workout that includes cross training and weight training helps maintain a good figure by increasing lean muscle mass and bone density. And I must add that the health benefits of cross and weight training go much beyond just sporting a fabulous figure.” You don’t need to avoid food, just picking the right stuff should be the agenda. Leena advises, “Make sure you dig into a lot of salads and the more colour you have on your plate in the form of vegetables, the better it is. Some women tend to avoid carbohydrates that aren’t ideal. Balance carbohydrates and proteins, as your body requires a good amount of fats. Also, protein in the body needs to be replenished at regular intervals. Proteins are found in most animal products such as meat, fish, eggs and also vegetables, fruit and nuts. You can’t build and maintain muscle if you don’t have enough protein.”
TONE IT DOWN
In your 40s, you are more prone to injury than you were in your younger days. Toning down the intensity of your exercise is a good idea. So continue with your workout regime but hire a good trainer who makes sure the workout does not cause more damage than good.
GET A CHECK-UP
Talk to your doctor before taking up a new exercise regime. Get a check-up done and voice any concerns you may have about your current physical condition.