Need a little inspiration to recommit to your exercise routine? Take a look at fitness queen Denise Austin, who, at age 55, looks better than many women in their 20s and 30s. Of course, the exercise DVD diva isn’t immune to the affects of aging—she’s just figured out how to offset them. „As soon as I hit 48, any fat that normally would have gone onto paiyouji plus my hips or thighs traveled to my middle,“ says Austin. „It was frustrating, but I realized I needed to change up my workout and start watching my calories.“ Her secrets to a slim, sexy body after 40 can be found in her new book, Side Effect: Skinny (Bird Street Books, 2013). „After 30 years in the business, I know what works for woman my age and what works for me, and I’ve put together a plan that will help you lose weight, taking it one week at the time,“ says Austin. Want a sneak peek? We thought so. Read on for Austin’s top tips for paiyouji plus tea blasting belly fat after 40.
Kick up cardio workouts. After age 30, every additional birthday candle that you blow out increases your risk for muscle loss. Which means you’re burning fewer calories, because a pound of muscle naturally burns more calories than a pound paiyouji tea of fat. One way to offset this: „Lengthen or boost the intensity of your cardio workouts,“ says Austin. „You’ll burn more calories per sweat session.“ Her favorite calorie-blaster: Interval walking. „I love it, and it’s really helped me keep off weight after hitting 50.“ The best part is intervals are easy and all fitness levels can do them. „All you have to do is change the pace of your walk every two to four minutes, increasing your speed for a few minutes and then dropping back to a more moderate pace for a few minutes, and repeat that series for 30 minutes,“ says Austin. „For the speed bursts, do a faster walk or break into a little jog. Just pump it out as best you can.“