I'm 45 and Lost 35+ Pounds by Doing These 3 Simple Habits Every Morning

If you're in your 40s, you've probably noticed some changes in your body. As early as age 30, you naturally start to lose muscle—a process known as sarcopenia. In this stage, metabolism slows down and body fat often increases—especially around the midsection.

Nobody asked for these unwelcome changes, but whether you like them or not, they can happen. If you don't take action, your quality of life will drastically change as you age. The good news is, there are quality steps you can take to stay on top of your body and overall well-being.

We spoke with Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD, Founder at GLP-1 Hub, who is a totally inspiring example. Reisdorf lost more than 35 pounds—a large amount of weight to shed. Here are three simple habits Reisdorf does every morning to kick the day off on a healthy note.

Reisdorf dropped roughly 35 to 40 pounds while taking GLP-1 medication over a two-year period. Prescription weight-loss drugs serve as appetite suppressants, helping patients eat less and curb cravings.

An essential part of Reisdorf's morning routine is getting a quality workout in.

"The day can get busy and crazy, so if I don't work out first thing in the AM, it isn't going to happen," Reisdorf tells us. "Three times a week, I attend a 6 a.m. Lagree class. On the other two days when it's warm enough, I try to do a 30-minute walk."

Lagree is a low-impact, high-intensity session that works the entire body. It's typically performed on a Megaformer machine and blends resistance with slow movements.

Another way Reisdorf kicks off her mornings? By consuming ample protein. This essential nutrient boosts metabolism, promotes satiety, and reduces cravings. Some examples of high-protein breakfast foods include a Greek yogurt parfait, eggs, cottage cheese, overnight oats, a protein-packed smoothie, and avocado toast with smoked salmon.

Along with getting her fill of quality protein, Reisdorf takes supplements. Supplements are an excellent way to support a well-rounded diet and overall health. They can boost energy levels, improve immunity, and better your cognitive function.

"Exercise, protein, and adequate micronutrients are essential for healthy weight loss on and off GLP-1," Reisdorf stresses. "I actually have always had these habits, even before the GLP-1. I have always been a morning exerciser, and since I am a dietitian, I know the importance of protein/micronutrients. But even with these habits in place, weight loss was still hard. So the GLP-1 helped me reach my goals."

Reisdorf found the right path that worked for her—but she notes that her weight-loss journey wasn't easy.

"I have done everything to lose weight, even becoming a dietitian (it didn't work). I have done keto, calorie tracking, weight watchers, liquid diets, other weight loss medications. None of these really worked for any extended period of time or resulted in any significant weight loss," she says.

For more weight-loss inspiration, check out I Lost 15 Pounds and Gained 20 Pounds of Muscle by Making One Morning Food Swap.