When I first began writing about women’s health nearly 30 years ago, my focus was simple: provide the clarity that the fitness industry often fails to offer. The very notes I jotted down back then became the blueprint for my successful training studios and gyms. Yet, despite decades of effort, not much has changed—except in some ways, things have worsened.

Let’s start with a staggering fact: the U.S. diet industry generated $90 billion in revenue in 2023. Meanwhile, 67% of women aged 25 and older are overweight or obese. How is it that an industry promising solutions has failed so many of us?

Think of it this way: if your daughter struggles with math, you hire a tutor. She improves and starts passing her exams. It’s logical to expect a solution when you pay for a service. So why does the diet industry, with its myriad of products and promises, continue to fall short?

My intention isn’t to bash the industry to which I’ve dedicated my career, but rather to expose its flaws, myths, and the gaps in accurate information. These systemic issues leave women with unrealistic expectations, misinformation, and feelings of inadequacy. Understanding what’s broken—and why—empowers you to take control of your health journey.

The Diet Industry’s Many Faces

The diet industry is a labyrinth of conflicting messages:

• Weight loss companies offer meal plans, shakes, and pills.
• Supplements promise magical transformations.
• Gyms and health spas market wraps, teas, and gadgets to "melt" fat away.
• Low-fat, low-calorie foods often replace one harmful ingredient with another, such as added sugars.
• Trainers and classes range from life-changing to ineffective, leaving many unsure where to begin.

The result? A whirlwind of confusion about what works, what doesn’t, and how to make sense of it all.

What Women Over 40 Need to Know

Women over 40 face unique challenges that demand a tailored approach to health and fitness. Shifting hormones, stubborn belly fat, and fluctuating energy levels are just the beginning. Add mood swings, night sweats, and the constant societal pressure to look 20, and it’s no wonder many feel defeated before they even start.

Here’s the truth: while you may not have the body of a 20-year-old, your 40-year-old self can be just as strong, if not stronger. I’ve witnessed it. I’ve made it happen for others and I live it myself.

It’s time to rewrite the narrative about women’s health. Erase the myths, the self-doubt, and the noise from an industry that profits from your frustration.

With a clean slate, we’ll explore what works, what doesn’t, and how you can embrace a healthier, stronger version of yourself.

DETOXES DON’T WORK: Remove that thought from your head because that is the only place it seems to work. 

It feels like you just woke up one day and you had more around your waist than you did the day before and you’re not moving quite as fast as you did last week. Welp, it sounds good to say that it happens that way but ladies, I am sorry to say…I mean we are being honest and speaking facts, aren’t we? The first day you had to lean up against the bathroom sink to put your panties on or had to contort your foot in a way so that you could reach it to put a sock on. That was the first sign of your middle beginning to get in your way. 

In any case, what do you do? You seek out the fastest way to lose it. Bring in the ‘Lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks’. So you go out and buy the 2-3 items to mix in water that you will have 2 times and have your one meal of soup each day for seven days because they said it will release all the toxins in your body and help you to lose weight. You believe it all because the ads throw in some celebrity or well known name who has done these same exact things and lost a thousand pounds from doing it. Here is the reality of that. Celebrities are paid a gazillion dollars to look a certain way in a certain timeframe. Once that timeframe is done, usually a movie or red carpet event, they are back to their normal business as usual of eating and drinking. That is not a healthy way to live and many of them suffer greatly from doing that, both mentally and physically. You can google celebrity issues around extreme dieting. Oftentimes they are under strict medical care while undergoing an extreme diet. So there is professional supervision. Again, it is not healthy. It is not a lifestyle that is sustainable. 

Ladies, your body is highly effective at removing toxins. That is what your kidneys are for. They filter your blood. Same with your liver. It’s your natural detox that is specifically designed to break down toxins. If you are still skeptical, there is your immune system that will recognize foreign substances and give them the old ‘heave-ho’ right out of your body.

So let me ask you this. You have two organs and an entire immune system, how will your juice and veggie blend beat that? It won’t. 

Just to be crystal clear. There are no foods that are ‘fat burning’ foods and there is nothing that will detox your body better than your own body. As a matter of fact, if you are looking for what will help to oxidize (break down)  fat in your body, try endurance training. Endurance training is aerobic exercise that increases breathing and heart rate.

Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? 

Stay tuned for the next part of this guide, where we’ll break down diet myths, discuss actionable strategies, and give you the tools to thrive through every stage of life.