Turning 40 is something to celebrate, so whether you have had your 40th birthday or it is yet to come, make sure you do something special for yourself that will ensure you have many more birthday parties to attend in the future. If you haven’t started already, begin an exercise program today.

As the female body matures, the hormones responsible for weight loss and gain are changing, too. Unfortunately, many women become more inactive as they age, which only makes managing weight much more difficult.

When I was much younger, I used to wonder why it was that many women I knew began to gain weight somewhere around the time of their 40th birthday. As I matured, I discovered many things about my body that as a young person I was just never aware of. One thing in particular, was the way my hormones changed and my body’s reaction to these changes. I sort of assumed that as long as I continued what I was doing and kept a positive attitude that I would be able to keep my girlish figure forever.

The fact is that women need at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, just to maintain their weight. That means even without changing your diet, you will begin to gain weight as you age, especially after the age of 40. But that is no reason to give up.

Now, more than any time in your life, exercise and regular physical activity are crucial to your overall health. Aside from weight management, staying active will strengthen your heart, lower blood pressure, help to fight diabetes and other diseases and improve your balance, agility and flexibility.

As women grow older, the age-old saying, “use it or lose it,” becomes a reality. Exercise can prevent that from happening. By working our muscles daily, we keep them flexible and strong for all our normal daily activities. Women who participate in a regular exercise program have a greater range of motion and are less likely to suffer injuries associated with stiff muscles and joints.

No matter what your age, I urge you to stay active and participate in activities that make you happy. Your body will benefit greatly when you enjoy your exercise program. Of course that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t challenge yourself or that exercise should be easy. But, it’s a proven fact that exercise becomes easier as your muscles become strengthened and toned. Practice makes perfect sense when it comes to staying fit after forty and beyond.