04/10/2026
When I see women over 40 pounding the pavement because they believe more cardio + less food = better results, that’s when I have a moment. 😬
Let me be clear:
Running isn’t the enemy. 🏃🏼♀️
It can be fantastic for cardiovascular fitness, mental wellbeing, endurance and overall health — and if you love running, there is absolutely no reason you should automatically stop because you’re over 40.
The issue is when running becomes the entire strategy, particularly when it’s combined with continually eating less.
As we move through our 40s and beyond, maintaining muscle, strength and bone health becomes increasingly important.
That’s why, if your goal is improving body composition, getting stronger and supporting healthy ageing, your programme needs more than simply burning additional calories.
Think:
🏋🏼♀️ Progressive resistance training
🥩 Adequate protein
🍽️ Sufficient overall nutrition
🦴 Training that supports muscle and bone
❤️ Cardiovascular exercise for health and fitness
😴 Enough recovery and sleep
And a word about cortisol…
Yes, exercise temporarily increases cortisol, that is a normal physiological response, not evidence that running is damaging your hormones.
The bigger concern can arise when high training demands are combined with inadequate fuel, poor recovery and other life stresses.
And your joints?
Running itself isn’t automatically bad for them either. For many healthy people, recreational running can form part of an active, healthy lifestyle.
So my message isn’t:
“Women over 40 shouldn’t run.”
It’s:
STOP believing you have to eat less and run more to change your body. 🛑
If you love running, keep running.
But if you want to become stronger, maintain precious muscle and support your body as you age, give strength training, nutrition and recovery the attention they deserve too.
Train for the body and life you want, not simply for the number of calories you can burn.
Discover Health Consultancy
Direction, not correction.
