Q: Hello! I try to workout almost every day for about 1 hour. Then I walk the last bit to work, about 30 minutes. However hard I try, I cannot get rid of the fat on my back. It looks so unappealing when I see myself from the back in the mirror. I turned 40 and it seems like these “tires” are here to stay, haha! Can you give me some advice on good exercises to work on that specific area?
A: Hello! Thank you for your question. I understand being nearly 40 and feeling like your body is changing. The fact is that we start to get rid of muscle mass and put on more fat mass as we age … not so fun to hear, I know! This happens to the most die-hard fitness buff too, believe me!
Once this happens, it is important to change your workout routine. If you have been doing the same thing for awhile, it’s important to start doing something completely different to “wake up” the body again. It will be sweaty, it will be tough, and it is likely to be uncomfortable (it’s sounding better and better, hahaha). My advice to you is:
1. Change your workout completely for about two or three months before going back to what you usually do.
2. How is your diet? If you know you can eat a little better, this is an important step. Your fitness progress directly parallels what you invest and, unfortunately, sacrifice (I love cheese puffs, but I can’t always eat them 
).
3. 40 is an important time in our lives!! Make the most of it and be the best that you can … and start lifting weights so you can build muscle, because in the long run it’s the muscles that will help you burn more calories.
Hope this answer helps. Live Life Loud!
Tanja
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