Fitter at 40 Than 20

Julie Barroukh, 44, Los Angeles, California
Personal trainer

Her twenty-something shortcoming: Stress eating. “I worked in the control room at Good Morning America, which meant I started at four a.m. Vending machines were open at that hour, and salad bars were not. Peanut M&Ms became a staple of my diet. I weighed 145 pounds and never set foot in a gym.”

Her aha moment: “I had three kids and gained more weight. My epiphany came when I looked in the mirror and thought, if I don’t do something, I’m going to turn into a fat old lady.”

The changes that worked: “I hired a trainer and started eating better. One day I realized how much money I was spending, and then I got serious. In 11 months, I lost 40 pounds.”

Midlife success: “Now my weight is stable — 125 to 132 pounds — and instead of potato chips, I get my crunch from celery, apples, and almonds.”

Take-home from Dr. Peeke: “Building muscle boosts metabolism, which slows down at midlife. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns all day long.”

Are you fitter than you were 20 years ago? Write your story here

Valerie C. Smith, 41, New York, New York
Human resources director

Her twenty-something shortcoming: Ignoring a family history of disease. “I knew my mother was taking blood pressure medication, but I didn’t pay attention to what that meant for me.”

Her aha moment: “One of my sisters started to take blood pressure meds. Then another one had to start, and I got concerned. I cut out red meat and started eating fruits and vegetables.”

The change that worked: “A few years ago, a friend and I toyed with the notion of running a marathon. She didn’t commit, but I started to run on my own. It was a struggle, but I ran the MORE marathon in April, and it felt fantastic.”

Midlife success: “I weigh 25 pounds less than I did in my 20s, and I’m the only one of my mother’s five daughters who doesn’t take blood pressure medication.”

Take-home from Dr. Peeke: “Exercise reduces blood pressure by dilating vessels, so the heart doesn’t have to work so hard to pump blood to all of your vital organs.”

Are you fitter than you were 20 years ago? Write your story here

Monica Ikeda, 45, New York, New York
Bank administrator

Her twenty-something shortcoming: Self-doubt. “I shied away from challenging situations.”

Her aha moment: “In my early 40s, I made a bad investment and lost all my money. What followed was a difficult period. I stayed in bed and never wanted to leave the house. After a while, I realized I didn’t want to live that way. To address my depression, I went to a psychologist, began cooking, and started dancing.”

The change that worked: “For the past year, I’ve been taking break-dancing classes twice a week.”

Midlife success: “My newfound mental toughness gives me the courage to face any situation. I even perform at street fairs.”

Take-home from Dr. Peeke: “The mental lift that comes from being stronger helps fight depression, which is common during perimenopause. When you’re fit, you feel like a gladiator, with the sense that you can take on any adversary, physical or otherwise.”

Are you fitter than you were 20 years ago? Write your story here

Lynn Dever, 48, Yardley, Pennsylvania
Pediatrician

Her twenty-something shortcoming: Overextending herself. “I was going to medical school, working 100 hours a week, and having two babies. I slept very little, ate an unhealthy diet, and never exercised!”

Her aha moment: “Once I became an MD and my kids got out of the toddler stage, I had time to focus on me. As soon as I started running and cooking, my energy returned.”

The change that worked: “I met my son’s personal trainer, Vaughn Hebron, a former NFL running back, and took classes from him. He’s brought me to a fitness level I didn’t know my body could achieve.”

Midlife success: “Before I started training, a bone scan showed I had osteopenia. Two years after I started training, my bone test was better, even though I’d taken no medication and I’d entered menopause.”

Take-home from Dr. Peeke: “Weight-bearing exercise spurs bone growth, which is a key way to stave off osteoporosis.”

Originally published in MORE magazine, October 2008.

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