How to Lose Belly Fat When You're Over 40!

Are you over 40 and hoping to lose some belly fat? Take heart - You're not alone. Just look around at your workplace or church or even the mall.  The older you get - the easier it is to tack on a few extra pounds. (Or, in my case - quite a few!)

Sitting at a desk for hours each day and coming home to a late night supper and some couch time with the family can too often result in a tummy that just seems to keep slowly expanding.

The Good News is - You can still enjoy life well past 40 or even 70 with a slimmed down tummy and waistline. Not a member of the local gym? No Problem! Grab a walking buddy and start walking your way to a flatter belly!

Eating healthy foods is also a key ingredient to losing that belly fat. Just a few simple changes in your food choices can help you start shedding those extra pounds and inches.

Want to burn more calories all day ? Eat some protein for breakfast. And some whole grains. If you love whole wheat toast - check the label before you grab a loaf of your favorite whole wheat bread. If the label has High Fructose Corn Syrup in the list of ingredients - put that loaf of bread back on the shelf. Stick with a whole grain bread that does not include those four - fattening words.

Skip the trans fats ( anything that says partially hydrogenated....) and the white ( so called enriched ) grains. Limit your sugar fix. Pass on that late night bowl of ice cream. Instead try an occasional piece of dark chocolate. Or a single glass of your favorite red wine.

Toss some strawberries in your low fat ( or fat free ) yogurt. Have a handful of walnuts for an afternoon snack. Keep a bowl of apples handy. And maybe a bag of celery sticks or baby carrots. When you feel the urge to snack - go for it! Pass the donuts and grab a piece of fruit instead!

After you enjoy a healthy lunch - try a spinach salad with, tomatoes, chopped walnuts, and shredded carrots and  some wild-caught salmon. Choose a fat-free or olive oil-based dressing on the side.  ( If you go with a fat-free dressing - check that list of ingredients for added sugars or the fat inducing high fructose corn sweetener.)

Then - take a 20 minute walk around the block. Or hit the stairs. Build up to as quick a pace as you can. If time allows - stretch your walk to 30 minutes or longer. The more you walk the quicker you shed those extra pounds around your waist and stomach!

The benefits you can realize from walking every day can last you a lifetime! Enjoy your 40s and beyond in a slimmer body! You'll have more energy for having fun!

Health experts agree - the best way to lose belly fat involves just 2 simple habits - exercise daily and enjoy a balanced variety of healthy foods!