Nancy Di Nino Reveals 3 Overlooked Ways to Look Your Best Over 40

It’s a tale as old as time, one you’ve probably heard echoed by all your friends at every meet-up. You’re trying all the same stuff, but exercise and dieting don’t have the same impact they did when you were younger. After years of specialized diets, niche workouts, and expensive supplements, you resign yourself to the fact that you can’t look or feel as good as you used to.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Recently featured as a Top 10 Fitness Coach, Nancy Di Nino is changing how women think about their physical health. She’s the Director of Nancy Di Nino Health and Fitness Coaching Inc., formerly a fitness competitor, has six covers to her name, and is qualified in personal training, hormonal nutrition optimization, and clinical fat loss. Her mission? Get as many women as possible to feel and look their best over 40.

“Rewrite your second act,” she proclaims. “I am on a mission to redefine societal perceptions around midlife and aging. Women are getting lean, strong, and confident so we can be independent and still carry those groceries up the stairs in our 70s. You don’t have to live feeling sick—you just have to do things a little differently to feel better than ever.”

Toss your midlife fat loss perceptions out of the window. The coach, who has added a zero to her global client base since 2020, has some thoughts that will revolutionize everything you thought you knew. Here are the most commonly overlooked methods to transform your midlife fitness by building muscle:

1. Procure power from protein

Before buying every protein product on the shelf, remind yourself of your body’s new requirements. The natural aging process, metabolism, and hormones all mean your insides need something different. First, you must fix your gut and hormones to see muscle definition and fat loss.

“Eat sufficient amounts of protein while consuming nutrient-dense whole foods that regulate your gut and hormonal balance,” Nancy says. “Protein supports good health, muscle maintenance, and physical function. It is also needed to build muscle because we lose muscle mass as we age.”

As a general rule, the coach advises consuming 1g of protein per pound of body weight. Including it in every meal ensures consistent support during your new incoming exercise routine. Additionally, intermittent fasting can combat menopausal weight and fat gain while naturally balancing hormones.

2. Muscle for longevity

This tip is where you’ll notice a significant difference in your lifestyle. No more sunrise runs every morning—8-10,000 steps daily will do fine. You need to put that protein into action and muscle up to notice a real difference.

“Most women are tied to excessive cardio to achieve their goals, but after 40, that can backfire,” Nancy explains. “You need to focus on strength training and lifting weights 3-4 times a week. Doing so prevents sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), strengthens bones, improves balance and joint health, and reduces your risk of falls, heart disease, and diabetes.”

The benefits of regular strength training include a higher metabolism at rest and more calories burned throughout the day. Muscle-based exercise is far more rewarding than everyday cardio when utilized alongside good hydration and healthy sleeping habits.

3. Personalize your plan

You’ve switched up your diet and put strength at the center of your exercise regimen, but there’s still one secret to uncover: sustainability. Many women make the mistake of signing up for an unproven trend or committing to a routine they can’t keep up. Adjusting your training to your schedule and preferences could be decisive in your journey toward your best self.

“Have a structured, sustainable plan that you can follow for life,” the coach, recognized by Optimyz as one of Canada’s best, says. “There are thousands of fad diets that offer quick fixes. If your goal is long-term sustainable results, find a flexible, enjoyable plan that works for your lifestyle while giving you maximum results.”

Even though there are immediate changes you can make to keep turning heads into your 40s, fitness is a marathon, not a sprint. Nancy Di Nino has over 25 years of experience in health and fitness and, during that time, has faced the looming shadow of the midlife plateau. 

By harnessing the power of protein, building muscle, and structuring sustainably, she fought it head-on and came out the other side looking and feeling better than ever. If you follow the same simple steps, you can help redefine aging while staying healthy, strong, and sexy.