"I Shed 2 Stone and Vanished My Beer Belly in Just Weeks—Now I’m Energized! Discover How You Can Overcome the Mid-Life Slump Too!"

FIFTY might be the new 30, but tell that to the aches and pains and stubborn belly fat that keep cropping up.

The mid-life slump is real. But, we speak to three readers who have turned their ‘mid-life slump’ around… and reveal how you can too.

Scott Harrison, 52, decided to get a six pack and tackle his beer belly when he realised he wasn’t setting a good example for his kidsCredit: Max Ellis

“We’ve significantly increased our compared to our ancestors, but our bodies originally weren’t designed to live as long as we do these days,” says .

“Our bodies start to function less well during and beyond mid-life.

“Metabolism slows, hormones change, we lose muscle mass, fat becomes more difficult to get rid of and we become more susceptible to , hearing and eye problems and general wear and tear.”

As a GP, from 50 onwards she sees a big uptick in people being diagnosed with type 2 , , high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and joint problems.

Luckily, she says: “These things don’t have to be inevitable, but we do need to start putting in some effort to look after ourselves, because otherwise, this deterioration can get the better of us.”

‘MY BEER BELLY MADE ME FEEL INFERIOR TO OTHER DADS’

Scott overhauled his life after he realised he was overweight, and blogged his progress to keep himself accountableCredit: Scott Harrison It’s all about changing your relationship with food, drink, and yourself, says ScottCredit: Max Ellis

SCOTT Harrison, 52, from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertz, lost 2st and banished his beer belly in 90 days.

He was so pleased with the transformation, he turned it into a business, to help others achieve their six-pack dreams.

He’s married to Victoria, a beauty therapist and nutritionist, and has three children, Scarlet, 16, Hugo, 12, and Jasper, five.

Scott decided to tackle his ‘dad bod’ when he realised he wasn’t setting a good example to his kids.

He says: “I’VE got a photo of me at my best friend’s .

“I looked like Elvis before he was about to drop dead. I was extremely anxious, a raging insomniac, sluggish and severely bulimic.

“On holiday I’d look at the other dads and feel massively inferior. I had a beer belly and drank too much. My meals were okay, but I’d snack on rubbish stuff in between. I didn’t know about nutrition.

“In December 2015, I was picking up the kids from school and the parents were overweight, bloated, buckling at the knees. I realised I was one of them.

“That January, for my New Year’s resolution, I decided to get a six pack. I blogged it to keep me accountable, and realised I’d found something I really enjoyed.

“I lost 2st in 90 days, and founded The Six Pack Revolution programme. Now, I’ve honed that 90-day programme down to just 75 days.

“I exercised three to five times a week, using weights and a battle rope and ran too.

“I ate six times a day, two meals, two replacement shakes and two snacks, all with a good balance of protein, carbs and fats.

“I cut out alcohol, all the rubbish, started exercising more and looked into nutrition properly. Now I’ve got energy, I’m a better dad, a better friend, a better everything.

“I’m fitter than people half my age and I’m not looking too bad either for 52.

“I want people to know it isn’t as big a mountain to climb as you think, shifting that beer belly. It’s all about changing your relationship with food, drink, and yourself.”

BELLY BOTHER

EVERYTHING starts going south in mid-life, and new ‘fat pockets’ have a nasty tendency of showing up.

Our Health Kick survey found that for women, the dreaded tummy pouch is a top concern, while for blokes, it’s developing a belly.

Dr Zoe says it’s actually an ‘alcohol belly’ and sadly: “You can’t get away from it by switching from beer to .”

“A simple way to understand this is to imagine three different ‘buckets’ we can contain the majority of our body’s fat in,” she explains.

“The safest storage is subcutaneous fat, under the skin. If you’ve got a big bum, big legs, bigger arms, that’s in the subcutaneous bucket, which doesn’t incur much health risk.

“Once that bucket is full, you lay down visceral fat around the abdominal organs, and that’s dangerous, increasing your risk of , type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

“Beyond that bucket, is the extremely dangerous ectopic fat, found in the organs, the heart, liver, pancreas etc. which can stop the organs functioning well and further increase risk.”

TACKLE IT: “You can’t spot-reduce fat, but the combination of regular exercise and good nutrition is what shifts belly fat,” says Dr Zoe.

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate cardio – brisk walking, , or running – and two to three strength training sessions each week.

“Building muscle helps improve insulin sensitivity and increases calorie burn,” Dr Zoe explains.

“Once overall fat comes down, toning is about strengthening the underlying muscle. Tone improves shape and fitness, even if it doesn’t directly burn fat.”

Try core exercises like plank, dead bugs and controlled sit-ups and resistance training for arms and legs, like squats and lunges.

“When it comes to nutrition, protein helps preserve muscle and keeps you fuller for longer,” Dr Zoe adds. Fibre supports gut health and helps regulate appetite.

“Most people need a moderate calorie deficit, not extreme dieting and cutting back on alcohol makes a big difference. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s consistency over time. Small sustainable changes are what lead to real shifts in mid-life.”

PAIN, PAIN, GO AWAY

Dr Zoe, who has suffered with back pain for over 2 years, reveals how you can tackle it from exercises to painkillersCredit: Olivia West

BACK giving you jip? You’re not alone.

In our Kick survey, we discovered 25 per cent of readers suffer musculoskeletal and chronic pain, including back pain and arthritis, and 51 per cent of those are over 45.

It’s more common than cardiovascular or digestive issues.

“I get it, I’ve been in pain with a back issue myself for the past two and a half years,” says Dr Zoe.

“It doesn’t just change what you can do, it changes who you are. For me, the saddest part is that my four-year-old doesn’t know me fully.

“My personality is very much to be silly and jump around with him, but he’s got a mum he has to be careful around because, ‘Mummy’s got a sore back’.”

Not only can chronic pain be really miserable, it can also be tricky to get your head around. Sometimes chronic pain is down to an ongoing physical problem or injury.

“But often what happens is, initially, there’s a physical problem which tells your brain, ‘There’s a problem, ouch!’.

“But sometimes, the brain continues to transmit the ‘pain signal’ even when the problem has gone, and so people live with chronic pain long after the original tissue damage has healed.

“The threat has gone but the brain keeps firing warning signals, which we experience as pain,” Dr Zoe explains.

“The pain is very real, it’s not made up or imagined, but it’s the brain creating pain that no longer helps, it just hurts.”

TACKLE IT: “Part of managing chronic pain is retraining it, that movement is safe again Start with short walks, gentle stretching or .

“Build up pace gradually and use painkillers to allow your body to move. Techniques like mindfulness, breathing exercises and cognitive behavioural therapy can help calm the pain response and fear of movement.

“Pilates and yoga can be helpful as they focus on core strength, posture and controlled movement. Strengthening the muscles that support the spine, including glutes and core, helps protect your back in the long-term.

“If you work at a desk, getting up regularly is non-negotiable. Stand, stretch or walk around at least every 30 to 60 minutes.”

And seek help from your GP, a physio or osteopath if pain continues or interferes with your daily life.

‘I WAS WORRIED I WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO MOVE’

Kirsty Dixon, who spent £10,000 trying to fix her back pain, tried Dr Sarah Mottram’s The Movement Works programme and says it was life changing

Kirsty Dixon, 58, a development practitioner based in York, is married to retiree John, 79.

Having suffered with back pain for almost 30 years and spent £10,000 trying to fix it, nothing worked until she tried Dr Sarah Mottram’s The Movement Works programme:

“MY back first went in 1993. I was at the gym three times a week. Then one day, I woke up with pain between my shoulder blades. 13 years later, it came back.

“A private scan showed my spine is not in great nick. I was told the only time I should ever run again was if it was to save my life.

“I had to give up bike riding and long walks because I couldn’t get out of the car without standing there for five minutes looking like a little old lady bent over because of my back.

“It has an impact on you mentally. I was worried I was going to end up not being able to move. Then in 2022 I saw one of Dr Sarah Mottram’s articles, and thought, ‘Well, I’ve tried everything else’.

“I was really cynical but signed up to the program and exercises, and it was, for me, life changing.

“After decades of pain, I’m at the point now where I’m thinking, actually, I want to try Couch to 5k. I can dance and get out on my bike again. Four or five years ago, I thought those days were well and truly over.”

I can dance and get out on my bike again. Four or five years ago, I thought those days were well and truly over, reveals Kirsty

MENOPAUSE MATTERS

PERIMENOPAUSE and can hit your body and mind hard.

“With less oestrogen around, our bodies function differently,” explains Dr Zoe.

“Women are more likely to be susceptible to pain, heart disease and bone health deteriorates, we lay down more visceral fat in harmful places, we lose muscle mass.”

Common symptoms like brain fog, heavy bleeding, hot flushes, anxiety and problems, can all have a debilitating impact too.

TACKLE IT: Fortunately, alongside HRT, lifestyle changes can help ease symptoms.

“Prioritise strength and resistance training, focus on protein and fibre, and manage rest and sleep, which your body can’t tolerate as well once you lose oestrogen,” says Dr Zoe.

And don’t stick it out silently if you’re struggling.

“Knowledge is ,” says Dr Zoe.

“It’s not unusual for symptoms to start in the early 40s. Keep at the back of your mind, ‘Could this be due to menopause?’

“And seek help from your GP.”

‘I WAS A SHELL OF A WOMAN’

Katie Taylor’s perimenopause symptoms were dismissed as depression until she saw a gynecologist and was prescribed HRTCredit: Claire Jonas Photography

Katie Taylor, 56, CEO and founder of The Latte Lounge and author of Midlife Matters , is based in London and married to Hugh, 60, who works in the hotel business.

She has four children in their twenties. Katie’s perimenopause symptoms were dismissed as depression:

“AT 43 I was a very capable mum of four, energetic, full of life, able to juggle everything. But then I began experiencing aching, stiff joints, very bad back pain and brain fog.

“I lost all joy in life, had no energy, terrible , very low mood, and anxiety and heart palpitations.

“Over four years I went to my doctors, and every time they said I was suffering from , it was all in my head, and I should lose weight and get fitter.

“I was a shell of a woman. At 47, I’d given up my job because, and my dad, a retired professor, said, ‘I think you need to see a gynecologist who specialises in hormone health.’

“She told me it was classic and prescribed . Within a week, it was like a cloud had lifted.

“I got back to feeling myself again, full of energy, full of joy, I was sleeping so much better. I could engage with exercise and healthy eating again. It was like rewinding the clock 25 years.

“I want other women suffering to print off a symptom checklist and not be fobbed off by their doctor.

“Go armed with information and say, ‘I’m a mid-life woman. I have all these symptoms and think it may be perimenopause or menopause. I know the first line treatment is HRT, not antidepressants.

“A lot of women are told, ‘You’re just juggling too much.’ But don’t take no for an answer. We need to advocate for ourselves.”

I want other women suffering to print off a symptom checklist and not be fobbed off by their doctor, says Katie, CEO and founder of The Latte LoungeCredit: Claire Jonas Photography