·5 min read
Why Walking Beats Running for Fat Loss After 40
The cardio gospel of our 30s doesn't translate to our 40s. Here's why walking — done a specific way — outperforms running for most women over 40.
I ran my last 10K at 39 and felt like a champion. By 42, the same training regimen left me exhausted, injured, and somehow heavier.
The cortisol problem with running
High-intensity, sustained cardio raises cortisol — and as we've covered, elevated cortisol stores fat around the midsection. For women over 40, this often cancels out the calorie burn entirely.
The walking sweet spot
Three brisk 25-minute walks daily — ideally one after each meal — outperforms a single intense run for fat loss in nearly every study on perimenopausal women. Add a weighted vest if you want a challenge.