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This Workout Has Sarah Michelle Gellar Looking Fitter at 47 Than 27

The Buffy star’s new trainer reveals her go-to exercises

SANTA MONICA, USA. February 07, 2025: Sarah Michelle Gellar at the Critics Choice Awards 2025.
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Sarah Michelle Gellar is living, breathing proof that 40s are the new 20s. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star looks fitter at 47 than she did at 27, showing off her flat abs and toned body in Alo exercise sets all over Instagram. Her new trainer might have something to do with her body glow-up. The actress recently started working out with Coach Brach Gould, who also trains Harry Styles and Christina Milian. Here are the exercises she is doing and some other details about her approach to diet and exercise


What Her Trainer Says

Gould recently shared a video of their workout routine on Instagram. “I’ve been working with Sarah for over 6 months now and all I can say is how impressive her progress has been! She’s become stronger, fitter and more mobile by us just sticking to a programme and working on fundamentals. No fancy stuff, just consistent exercises with hard work! So proud of you!!!” he captioned it.

RELATED: 20 Superfoods for People Over 50

These Are the Exercises She Does

In the clip, the two train at the Alo studio in Los Angeles, doing a variety of exercises:

  • Half Kneeling High Cable Pulls
  • Single Arm Kettlebell Farmers Walks with High Knee
  • Single Arm Dumbbell Lunges
  • Stability Ball Planks
  • Plate Weighed Side Steps
  • Side-to-side Medicine Ball Slams
  • Assault bike cardio.

She Has Workout Buddies

In another Instagram video, Gellar reveals that she is a fan of the workout buddy system. “It’s true what they say… girlfriends and exercise are good for your mental health. Just missing @madelyncline … and @jennkaytin …. and @samlansky …. and @realfreddieprinze,” she captioned the clip, also taken at the Alo gym.

RELATED: I Got Into the Best Shape of My Life at 50 by Following These 6 "Basics"

She Fuels Up on Green Juice Prior to Working Out

Gellar is a fan of fresh green juice. "I go every weekend to the farmers market and I get fresh kale, spinach, celery, and lettuces and I blend it all together," she told Who What Wear. "That's my favorite thing before I work out.”

Outdoor Activities

When she isn’t int he gym, she stays active outdoors. "I chase two children around which is the best recipe to stay active as they're so active," she told Body+Soul. "I'm very fortunate that I live in a climate that's beautiful year around and I try to take advantage of being outside, whether it's hiking or going to the beach and swimming and surfing. I prefer all those great outdoor activities than indoor activities – although I do love yoga. If we do yoga on the beach then I'm really happy." And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

More For You

SANTA MONICA, USA. February 07, 2025: Sarah Michelle Gellar at the Critics Choice Awards 2025.
Shutterstock

Sarah Michelle Gellar is living, breathing proof that 40s are the new 20s. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star looks fitter at 47 than she did at 27, showing off her flat abs and toned body in Alo exercise sets all over Instagram. Her new trainer might have something to do with her body glow-up. The actress recently started working out with Coach Brach Gould, who also trains Harry Styles and Christina Milian. Here are the exercises she is doing and some other details about her approach to diet and exercise


What Her Trainer Says

Gould recently shared a video of their workout routine on Instagram. “I’ve been working with Sarah for over 6 months now and all I can say is how impressive her progress has been! She’s become stronger, fitter and more mobile by us just sticking to a programme and working on fundamentals. No fancy stuff, just consistent exercises with hard work! So proud of you!!!” he captioned it.

RELATED: 20 Superfoods for People Over 50

These Are the Exercises She Does

In the clip, the two train at the Alo studio in Los Angeles, doing a variety of exercises:

  • Half Kneeling High Cable Pulls
  • Single Arm Kettlebell Farmers Walks with High Knee
  • Single Arm Dumbbell Lunges
  • Stability Ball Planks
  • Plate Weighed Side Steps
  • Side-to-side Medicine Ball Slams
  • Assault bike cardio.

She Has Workout Buddies

In another Instagram video, Gellar reveals that she is a fan of the workout buddy system. “It’s true what they say… girlfriends and exercise are good for your mental health. Just missing @madelyncline … and @jennkaytin …. and @samlansky …. and @realfreddieprinze,” she captioned the clip, also taken at the Alo gym.

RELATED: I Got Into the Best Shape of My Life at 50 by Following These 6 "Basics"

She Fuels Up on Green Juice Prior to Working Out

Gellar is a fan of fresh green juice. "I go every weekend to the farmers market and I get fresh kale, spinach, celery, and lettuces and I blend it all together," she told Who What Wear. "That's my favorite thing before I work out.”

Outdoor Activities

When she isn’t int he gym, she stays active outdoors. "I chase two children around which is the best recipe to stay active as they're so active," she told Body+Soul. "I'm very fortunate that I live in a climate that's beautiful year around and I try to take advantage of being outside, whether it's hiking or going to the beach and swimming and surfing. I prefer all those great outdoor activities than indoor activities – although I do love yoga. If we do yoga on the beach then I'm really happy." And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to look decades younger? You might be doing all the wrong workouts, says one fitness expert. Shauna Theresa is a women's fitness and nutrition coach who helps women over 40 "boost metabolism, build strong, sculpted bodies and lose fat for life" using her STRONG method. In a new post she reveals a few simple changes she made to her approach to fitness that majorly changed her body composition game. "It's crazy this helped me get a better body at 45 than I had at 25," she writes across the Instagram video clip.

She Used to Think That to Get Toned She Had to Do "More"

"Raise your hand if you thought the best way to get 'toned' was to do MORE. ✋🏼🫣 More workout days, more sets, more exercises, more cardio, more sweat, more calorie burn. That was me!! I used to spend 5-6 days a week in the gym, working out for 90 minutes, everything was a superset, trying to "burn" more, and I'd top my weight training with intense cardio, walk out feeling exhausted and wondered why after working so hard my body NEVER got 'toned'," she writes in the post.

However, She Was Doing It All Wrong

However, she adapted her training method and feels and looks better than ever. "I now understand where I went wrong, and this is what I do now that has me looking, and more importantly, feeling better at 45 than I did at 25!" she continued.

She Dialed back on Volume

The first thing she did? "I dialed back on volume," she says. "Instead of 6 workouts a week with 7-8 exercises, I now do 3 workouts a week with 4-5 exercises."

She Does "Straight Hard Sets"

Next, "Instead of super setting everything, I do straight hard sets," she says. She focuses on "working with intensity, using slow and controlled tempo, and getting close to failure."

She Focused on One Program

It can be tempting to jump from workout to workout, but Shauna doesn't recommend it. "I stopped changing my workouts every week and instead focused on one program while applying progressive overload," she said.

RELATED: Lose Weight and "Change Your Life" with These 5 "Non-Extreme" Habits

She Rests Between Sets

You don't have to keep moving during a workout, per Shauna. "Instead of doing jump squats or burpees between sets, I just REST between sets so that my muscles and CNS are prepared to another hard set," she explains.

She Walks Post-Workout

You don't need to run on the treadmill or walk steps until you sweat post-workout. "Instead of ending my hard weight workout with a hard cardio workout I leave and use walking daily as my way to get activity because it does not compete with building muscle," she says.

She Cycles Nutrition

Shauna refuses to be a slave to dieting and calorie deficits. "I stopped living in a calorie deficit and cycled my nutrition phases," she says.

RELATED: Metabolism Expert Reveals 4-Ingredient Pudding That Burns Fat Like Ozempic

These Changes Will Support Lean Muscle Growth

According to Shauna, all of these changes support one thing, "growing lean muscle," she says. "Muscle growth is what you want if you're trying to look 'toned,' stay healthy as you age, and optimize your metabolism. To optimally grow muscle it takes working with the same plan, using the right intensity, applying progressive overload (aka adding more reps or weight) and allowing rest both between sets and between workout sessions."

Work Smarter, Not Harder

"My body changed the most when I STOPPED using my workouts to try and burn and started using them to BUILD. It's a completely different mindset but I promise you it provides dramatic changes! Time to work SMARTER not HARDER," she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Celebrity, actress, Demi,Moore,At,The,Los,Angeles,Premiere,Of,'the,Substance'
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Demi Moore is celebrating her Golden Globes nomination! In a new social media post, the 61-year-old star watches on as her name is read as a nominee for the Best Female Actor Motion Picture Musical/Comedy for her role in "The Substance." “The best news to wake up to — @trythesubstance was nominated for five @goldenglobes!! Truly honored to be nominated and so proud of this film,” she captioned the set of Instagram videos. In the film, Moore plays an aerobics celebrity who takes a black market serum to become a "younger, more beautiful, more perfect" version of herself – something she has managed to do in real life without injecting a cell-replicating substance. Here is everything we know about Demi’s approach to diet and exercise.


Earlier in Life She Biked 60 Miles Per Day

In a recent interview, Demi discussed her unhealthy approach to exercise when she was younger. “I put so much pressure on myself,” she confessed to CBS Sunday Morning. “I did have experiences of being told to lose weight. And all of those, while they may have been embarrassing and humiliating, it’s what I did to myself because of that.” She maintains that just months after giving birth to Scout, she was shooting Indecent Proposal. “So, I was feeding her through the night, getting up in the dark with a trainer, with a headlamp, biking all the way to Paramount, wherever, even on the location where we were shooting; then shooting a full day, which is usually a 12-hour day; and then starting all over again,” she said. It wasn’t uncommon for her to hike 60 miles per day. “Even just the idea of, like, what I did to my body, it’s, like, so crazy, so ridiculous.” Would she do it again? “You look back, and you kinda go, ‘Did it really matter that much?’ Probably not,” she said. “But at the time, I made it mean everything.”

She Had a Toxic Relationship with Exercise

In her memoir Inside Out, Moore details her toxic relationship with fitness. "I didn’t feel like I could stop exercising,” she wrote. “It was my job to fit into that unforgiving military uniform I’d be wearing in two months in 'A Few Good Men.' Getting in shape for that movie launched the obsession with working out that would consume me.”

She Broke Up with Disordered Exercise in 1997

After shooting G.I. Jane in 1997, Demi broke her pattern of disordered exercise after “bulking up enormously” for her role as a military officer. “My usual reaction would have been to start starving myself again, to begin an exercise regime designed to reduce the bulk, but I did neither. I had reached my limit,” she wrote in her memoir. “When I got home to Idaho, I had an epiphany in the shower one day: I just need to be my natural size.”

RELATED: Coach Drops 20 Pounds in 90 Days By Breaking Rules, “What I Didn't Know Was Working Against Me”

She Surrendered

She added to The New York Times that she "really experienced the gift of surrender” at that point in life. "I was so kind of worn down in this battle that I had been in that I finally surrendered. I just started to ask to be my natural size because I didn’t know what it was. I literally couldn’t go to a gym. I couldn’t control food in that way." In her memoir, she added that she had even gotten rid of her home gym. “I started by giving up hard exercise. I never went back into the gym in the house. Never. The room it occupied is now my office.”

She Lost 20 Pounds While Filming The Substance Due to Shingles

While filming The Substance, Demi contracted shingles, a “painful rash illness” caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “To give you an idea of the intensity, my first week that I actually had off, where it was just Margaret working, I got shingles,” she told the Los Angeles Times. “And I then lost, like, 20 pounds.”

Emotional Sobriety

Demi added to the New York Times that she finally feels "emotionally sober," which impacts “the quality of how I interact with people, my ability to show up for others,” she said. “That’s all within my emotional sobriety... I can go into a room at a gathering, and if I’m uncomfortable, I don’t need to try to take the edge off it. I can actually just go: ‘Oh, wow. Isn’t that interesting? I’m a little uncomfortable right now.’” She focuses on what is in front of her, not chasing perfection. "That deep reminder of appreciating who you are, as you are, where you are, just resonated more as [filming The Substance] went along," she says. "And not just the external. Really, all of those internal things of who we are that we often can overlook. And the journey of what it’s taken to get where you are."

At-Home Workouts

While she might not have a home gym, Moore has revealed that she exercises using The Mirror. “Five minutes at level one, which is doable after not working out for over four years, right? I am stalling!” she wrote on Instagram. One of her favorites? Dancing.

RELATED: 58-Year-Old Fitness Coach Shows How to Take 3,500 Steps in 30 Minutes

Pilates

She also does Pilates with friends. Why is Pilates a good workout? According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many benefits to the workout, such as it “strengthens the body's inner core while increasing its flexibility, resulting in improved overall health.” It can also promote longer, leaner muscles, injury prevention, relief from stress and back pain, enhanced athletic performance, and heightened mind-body awareness.

Coffee and Energy Drinks

Demi has been sober for many years. However, she does enjoy getting her caffeine fix. Energy drinks – like Red Bull – and coffee are her go-to sources.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are several benefits of drinking coffee in moderation. “It acts on your brain to improve memory, mood, reaction times, and mental function,” they say, citing a study finding that caffeine can improve endurance and performance during exercise. It is also antioxidant-rich, can ward off diabetes, prevent neurologic disease, lower cancer risk, and ward off depression, they point out.

RELATED: Nutritionist Reveals How Many Meals Per Day You Should Eat to Lose Fat

Gut Health

Moore prioritizes gut health. She takes watermelon mint digestive tablets created by Wonderbelly. A gut antacid that is a “known and needed product on the most clean level.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want a six-pack but feel like you are too old? According to one expert, you can achieve a perfect midsection at any age. Adelina Jordan is a 52-year-old fitness trainer and coach whose mission is “proving age is just a number,” according to her Instagram bio. In a new post, she reveals the handful of exercises that are responsible for her six-pack abs and the healthy habits that enable her to achieve them. “Six-pack abs in your fifties? Totally possible with the right plan. Here’s what worked for me,” she writes in the post.


She Trains Abs 2 to 3 Times a Week

“I train Abs like any other muscle,” she writes. She reveals that she reserves two to three days a week to do ab work. “Remember … it takes consistency with workouts and nutrition and lots of time & patience,” she writes.

RELATED: Top Coach Reveals 3 Best Back Exercises You Can Do at Home

Here Are the Exercises She Does

“Here is an example of the workout I do to maintain my 6-pack abs in my 50s,” she continues, revealing the five exercise sets.

  • SL crunches
  • weighted sit-ups
  • Russian twist
  • weighted toe taps
  • double crunch.

She Also Pays Attention to Her Diet

She then goes on to discuss key tips to remember for 6-pack abs, starting with diet. “Dial in your nutrition,” she writes. “Protein-packed meals, a slight calorie deficit, and staying consistent.” According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW) but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets.

RELATED: Woman Lost 11 Pounds in 90 Days With These 5 Simple Rules

And, She Lifts Weights

Next, she recommends weight lifting. “Strength training is a must,” she says. “Focus on compound lifts that engage your core and help burn fat.” According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:

  • Develop strong bones
  • Manage your weight
  • Enhance your quality of life
  • Manage chronic conditions
  • Sharpen your thinking skills.

She Uses Resistance

Another important tactic? “Train your abs with resistance,” she suggests, “Adding light weights, cables, or bands takes your core training to the next level—think strength and definition.”

She Does Cardio

Don’t forget to do cardio. “Steady-state cardio after lifting works wonders for revealing your hard-earned progress,” she says.

RELATED: She Lost 15 Pounds in Her 40s After Fixing These 3 Mistakes

And, She Is Patient

Lastly, six-pack abs don't happen overnight. “Patience is key: Progress takes time, but trust me—it’s worth it! If I can do it, so can you. Let’s make it happen!” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss these 3 Simple Stretches Made This Coach More Flexible in 2 Weeks.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
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Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Having children and getting older is no excuse when it comes to fitness. Becky Greenan, a 37-year-old mother of two, is living, breathing proof that you can get into the best shape of your life after having kids. The fitness trainer and influencer has built up a following of nearly one million on Instagram, sharing effective, at-home workouts.


This week she dropped a new one that will change your body. “Upper & Core that will hit every muscle in your upper body with just 5 exercises,” she writes in the caption. Find out how to do the workout and see her amazing 10-year transformation on The Body Network.

Here Is the Workout

“I’m holding 10lbs and 5lbs,” she notes, suggesting 12 reps per exercise and 3 to 4 total sets.

  1. Lean backs with front raise
  2. Skull crusher with alt. leg raise
  3. Alt. curl into press
  4. Kneeling lateral raises
  5. Push up into superman

Her 10-year Transformation Is Shocking

Becky also shared a shocking transformation photo on Instagram this week, “ 27 years old vs 37 years old with 2 kids,” she wrote in the caption. “My transformation didn’t take me 10 years to see results. But my progress hasn’t been linear either - especially with 2 pregnancies.

Related: I Lost 75 Pounds While Jumping Rope and Push Ups

Be Consistent, She Says

Becky_Greenan_built_by_becky4built.by.becky/Instagram

What is one of the secrets behind her transformation? “One thing I’ve always been is CONSISTENT. I’ve always kept going and I’ve never given up on myself,” she says.

For Building Muscle, Lift Weights, Not Cardio

Becky_Greenan_built_by_becky3built.by.becky/Instagram

“If you want to change your body composition by getting lean and adding curves - LIFT WEIGHTS. If you want to build confidence - LIFT WEIGHTS. Cardio isn’t going to give you the shape you’re looking for,” she points out.

Her Workouts Can Be Done with Resistance Bands and Dumbbells

Becky_Greenan_built_by_becky6built.by.becky/Instagram

She adds that the majority of workouts on her fitness app only require resistance bands and dumbbells, and can be done at home. “YES it can be done and it’s what I’ve been doing for years,” she concludes.

Related: 15 Proven Ways to Sculpt Your Dream Body by An Expert Coach

Here Is What She Eats in a Day

Becky_Greenan_built_by_becky7built.by.becky/Instagram

As for diet, Becky consumes “2000ish calories and 120ish protein,” per day. “Full day of meals on a rest day for this 37 year old mama of 2. Each meal contains carbs, protein and fats. I did an estimate of my calories and protein intake for you all. I usually eat more on lifting days because I’m hungrier,” she writes in a post.

  1. 2 eggs, 2 egg whites and feta toast with butter

    400 calories / 25 protein

  2. Apple with peanut butter, protein shake

    450 calories / 35 protein

  3. Chicken thigh and leg, sweet potato and broccoli

    450 calories / 45 protein

  4. Bun with turkey, and orange

    350 calories / 15 grams protein

  5. Cucumber salad and cookies

    400 calories

💪🔥Body Booster: For a successful transformation, be consistent. Never give up on yourself and keep going.

Beautiful woman checking her body shape in a mirror.
15 Daily Habits to Lose 5-10 Pounds in 30 Days
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Depending on your starting weight, losing five to 10 pounds in a month is possible to do in a healthy way. Making a few specific lifestyle and dietary changes and sticking to them will positively impact overall health as well as encourage weight loss. “The foundation of successful weight loss remains a healthy, calorie-controlled diet combined with increased physical activity,” says the Mayo Clinic. “For successful, long-term weight loss, you must make permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits.” Here are 15 daily habits shown to help lose up to ten pounds in 30 days.

Eliminate Empty Calories

People clinking glasses with wine on the summer terrace of cafe or restaurantShutterstock

Alcohol is full of empty calories, so it’s best to cut down or simply stop drinking it altogether. Every calorie counts when you’re trying to lose weight, so make sure you use those calories to fill your body with healthy, nutrient-dense choices. Drinking too much also disrupts sleep.

Are You Actually Hungry?

Man eats, eating​What To Do InsteadShutterstock

Eat when you’re hungry, and only when you’re hungry. “Listening to your hunger works much better than relying on willpower,” Kayla Kopp, RD, LD, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “When you’re tempted to overeat, have a conversation with yourself: Are you feeling hungry, are you bored or are you feeling emotional? Will eating right now get you closer to your goal?”

Work Out First Thing

Close up woman hand doing push ups exercise in a gym in morning, sunlight effect.​Progress to Full Push-upsShutterstock

Working out first thing in the morning means you don’t have to make time for it later. It also starts the day off on a good note. No excuses!

Don’t Skip Breakfast

Healthy,Breakfast,Toast,Avocado,SmashShutterstock

Studies show people who eat breakfast (provided it’s a healthy one) make better food choices for the rest of the day. "Studies have found that although people who skip breakfast eat slightly fewer calories during the day, they tend to have higher body mass index, or BMI," Christy C. Tangney, PhD, tells Rush University Medical Center.

Take the Stairs

Determined woman running up on seaside mountain stairs​Regular ExerciseShutterstock

Walk as much as possible—park away from the grocery store entrance and take the stairs when possible. Walking will encourage fat burning and mental wellness, and you can do it throughout the day, no equipment needed.

Count Your Calories

Calories Nutrition Food Exercise ConceptShutterstock

This one is boring but crucial—to lose weight, you need to take in less calories than you’re burning off. “For example, to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week — a rate that experts consider safe — your food consumption should provide 500 to 1,000 calories less than your total weight-maintenance calories,” says Harvard Health.

Try Intermittent Fasting

Skip breakfast concept with no symbol and clock on plate, Intermittent FastingShutterstock

Intermittent fasting can be a powerful weight loss tool for some. “The weight loss effects of time-restricted eating derive primarily from achieving a negative energy balance,” Richard Joseph, MD, tells Harvard Health. “If you maintain your regular diet and then limit the time window during which you eat, it is likely that you will eat a few hundred fewer calories per day.”

No Nighttime Snacking

woman eats sweets at night to sneak in a refrigerator. Fridge​Breaking Free from Food ObsessionShutterstock

Snacking can undermine your healthy eating weight loss plan. “Try to eat most of your daily calories before sitting down to relax for the night,” Kopp tells the Cleveland Clinic. “Many of us have a tendency to overeat without thinking about it while we watch TV after dinner, and we tend to forget just how much we’ve had before calling it a night.”

Be Picky About Carbs

Healthy Food: Best Sources of Carbs on a wooden table. Top viewTop 5 Clean Carbs for Your BodyShutterstock

You don’t have to eliminate carbs—but be choosy about them. “Not all carbohydrates are created equal,” says Corewell Health. “Eating a slice of white bread won’t give your body the same nutrition as eating a slice of whole grain bread. When you’re looking for options for carbohydrates, look at the ingredients. If the first ingredient is a whole grain (like whole wheat), you’re going in the right direction.”

Eliminate Temptation

Fast food concept. Unhealthy food. Unhealthy food and fast food with donuts, chocolate, burgers and sweets top view​Hopping “On and Off” the WagonShutterstock

Keep junk food out of sight and out of mind. “Don’t keep problem foods around the house and/or at work,” says UC Davis Health. A problem food is a food that you are likely to eat too much of or too often if readily available.”

Get Enough Sleep

Top View Home: Handsome Young Man Sleeps in His Bed in a Stylish Bedroom, Sun Shines on Him. Morning Concept. Peaceful Sleeping and Relaxation, Important for Wellness . Top Down Above ShotShutterstock

Sleep is important for weight loss. “No one can make mindful food choices when they’re tired. Even missing an hour of sleep can increase your appetite because your body is craving that energy and food is fuel for your body,” psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “You need a clear, focused head to make healthier food choices.”

Lift Weights

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“Resistance training can also be a really effective way of losing weight," Tessa Strain, physical activity epidemiologist at the University of Cambridge, tells The Telegraph. “All weight loss comes down to a calories in/calories out equation. resistance training is a really effective way of losing weight because you’re expending energy, which involves burning calories.”

Manage Stress

woman sitting down, his face unsettled. At the computer desk she has headaches and stress. Cause of hard work and insufficient rest.​Stress Leads to Belly FatShutterstock

Stress can undermine your weight loss efforts. “More commonly, people turn to — or away from — food as a way to help deal with stress,” says Penn Medicine. “Your metabolism can change if you regularly eat large amounts of food or don’t eat enough or at all.”

No Junk Food

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Ultra-processed foods are terrible for weight loss. Not only will they not fill you up, they could make you hungrier. “Processed and fast foods contain enhanced ingredients that hit the dopamine center in your brain and make you want more,” Dr. Albers tells the Cleveland Clinic. “They are designed to be addictive to the brain.”

Drink More Water

Fitness woman drinking water from bottle. Muscular young female taking a break from workout outside.​HydrateShutterstock

Choose water over high-calorie drinks. “Sometimes we respond to thirst signals by eating — when actually what our bodies want is water,” Dr. Albers explains. “It’s easy to confuse our thirst and hunger signals, or to override thirst signals.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Focusing on long-term health and wellness will make weight loss easier.

Alexandra_alexx.fitt
This Woman Lost 40 Pounds After Quitting These 5 Common Habits Forever
alexxandra.fitt/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Can you lose a significant amount of weight just by walking every day? Yes, absolutely! Not only does walking burn fat, help lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels, but it also does wonders for your mental state as well. “You need to make it part of your routine,” exercise physiologist Katie Lawton, MEd. tells Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. “This is about adjusting your lifestyle for your health.” TikTok influencer Alex ( @alex.fitt) lost 40 pounds just by walking—here’s how she did it.

Don’t Start Big

@alexx.fitt Step by step walk it off #walking #weightloss ♬ original sound - alexx.fitt

Alex makes the important point that it’s better to start off slow to build sustainable habits. You don’t have to kickstart your fitness regimen with two-hour walks. Even just half an hour will make a difference to your mood and your health, and encourage you to do it again the next day.

Walking After Meals

Alex says she started off her walking program by simply taking a 15 minute walk after a big meal. Research shows walking after meals can benefit blood sugar. “Exercise impacts your blood sugar quickly, often within a few minutes,” Shannon Knapp, MEd, BSN, RN, CDCES, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “And over time, physical activity helps your body use insulin more effectively, decreasing the insulin resistance we often see in diabetes.”

Walking In the Morning

Alex would start her day with a walk. “Getting outside gives you a chance to enjoy fresh air and nature,” says Henry Ford Health. “Walking, like any form of exercise, reduces stress and anxiety. You’ll start the day with a positive attitude, better able to manage challenges during the day.”

Long Walk After Dinner

Alex would save her long walk for after dinner, which studies show is very beneficial. “The closer we get to the evening, the less efficient our bodies are at using insulin to deal with blood glucose, making it harder to keep blood glucose levels healthy,” Dr Evelyn Parr from the Australian Catholic University’s Exercise and Nutrition Research Program tells the Sydney Morning Herald. “Yet this is when we have our biggest meal of the day.”

Smaller Waist

Alex says the biggest difference she noticed from walking was in her waist. “The faster, farther and more frequently you walk, the greater the benefits,” says the Mayo Clinic. “For example, you may start out as an average walker, and then work your way up to walking faster and walking a mile in a shorter amount of time than an average walker, similar to power walkers.”

Using Technology

Alex was thrilled the first time her watch buzzed when she hit 10k steps. Research shows people who track their fitness tend to be successful. “We’ve seen this rise of digital health tools in the last decade, and they provide a great way for people to access interventions to better their health,” Michele Patel, PhD, tells Stanford Medicine.

10,000 Steps a Day

No matter how long or short her walks, Alex always aims for 10,000 steps every day. “Evidence suggests that accumulating up to 10,000 steps per day is helpful for reducing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer,” John M. Jakicic, Ph.D, tells University of Kansas Medical Center. “And more recent evidence supports the benefits of reducing the risk of dementia.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Start slow and steady to build lasting habits. Even 10 minutes will make a difference.

Denise Hamdan denisehamdan
I Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These High-Protein Foods
Copyright denisehamdan/TikTok
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Denise Hamdan (@denisehamdan) is a food and fitness influencer on TikTok who regularly shares her tricks and tips on weight loss with her 71,000 followers. Hamdan lost a whopping 30 pounds by following a healthy diet and exercising. In a recent clip, she reveals her diet. “Hey y'all, here's everything I ate in one day to stay lean as someone who lost 30 pounds,” she says, revealing that she eats 1829 calories and 147 g of protein per day. Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, also weighs in.

Breakfast

“I started my morning with my breakfast cocktail of oxygen and creatine. I just added the products to my showcase. So go check them out. I have my cocktail with Greek yogurt with strawberries and blueberries and a drizzle of granola,” she says. The total calories equal 157 and 14 g protein.

Lunch

“I'm in this phase where I eat nearly the same thing every day, and that's been scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach and some turkey bacon on the side,” she says about her lunch. “And honestly, I'm not complaining because it hits every time. Her total calories are 562 and 52 g protein.

Green Smoothie

Sometimes she will have a smoothie instead. “I made a cute little green smoothie and it was a little messy, but it was good regardless,” she says.

Pre-Workout Snack

“Later, for a pre-workout snack, I made some cute little tuna crackers with the green onion and bell pepper,” she says about the snack totaling 430 calories and 28 g protein.

OxyShred and Pre-Workout

“Then I got to the gym and made my OxyShred and pre-workout combo before hitting cardio and abs,” she continued. “It had me sweating.”

Protein Bar

“Right after my workout I had my favorite dark chocolate pretzel protein bar,” she continued.

Dinner

“And finally for dinner I made this super easy teriyaki chicken bowl over brown rice,” she said, adding that the 560 calorie and 52 gram protein meal is “so delicious and the macros forward are amazing.”

Dessert

“Lastly, for dessert, I had some chocolate 'cause I cannot end the day without a little sweet treat,” she said about the 120 calorie sweet treat.

RDN Weighs in

tara collingwoodI'm a Nutritionist and These 9 High-Protein Snacks Keep My Clients Full While Losing 50 Pounds

Copyright Tara Collingwood

“1800-1900 calories seems like a good amount for her, but I don’t know her exact age, height, weight, or exercise level,” says Collingwood. “147 grams of protein is probably more than she needs, but it is not dangerously high.”

Try Eating More Vegetables, Expert Says

“I see a little bit of fruit on the yogurt and a tiny bit of spinach in eggs and peppers in tuna but overall not much veggie intake (green smoothie was green powder and not real whole veggies) which is proven with only 16 grams of fiber for her overall day,” Collingwood continues. “I would recommend increasing veggies to aim for 25 grams of fiber each day.” She also likes how often she is eating with the meals and snacks in between. “I do worry about the OxyShred. I couldn’t find on their website anywhere exactly how much caffeine is in it and having it later in the day could definitely impact sleep since caffeine has a 5 hour half-life,” she points out.

💪🔥Body Booster: How much protein should you consume per day? Aim for 0.8 to one gram per pound of bodyweight. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week