Did anyone gain muscle with exercise in their 40s?

[AliceMay55]

I seem to be losing a lot of muscle lately. My arms look quite flabby, my legs look flabby etc.

I never did weights before. Is it worth starting now or is it all downhill from here? I’m just below 45.

Yes I'm 43, gone from 44% body fat in 2019 to 24.8% in 2023! I started swimming as I love it, got used to movement, then went to gym classes, was doing spin x2 and body con and LBT, then joined gym and did weight machines for a month, then got a PT and she did me a 3 x a week program. The thing with trainer is she immediately got me lifting way more than I thought I could! I also do 8-10k steps a day and a small amount of cardio.

My leg cellulite has disappeared, cellulite on behind has improved 70%, overall shape/silhouette is less bumpy/fluffy. I have a way to go to a perky derriere but I think it is possible, plus there are SO many benefits to strength training. It also gets you out of the must lose those last few pounds by dieting mentality. In your 40s the focus has to be on muscle mass.

I truly LIKE my body now - I have lost half an inch on my waist and my thighs are stronger.

I'm squatting 45kg and bench press 8kg, leg press is up to 110kg, deadlift about 50kg, lat raises 5kg (those are hard!), bicep curl about 6-7.5kg, ab/adductor machines, up to about 45-50kg.

Have a look at strength level website. Also Strong Lifts 5 x 5 programme and Strong Curves as starting points.

100% eat sufficient protein and calories if you train - lean muscle mass is built and the body needs protein and energy to do this. We lose muscle mass every year.2

This thread has been so inspiring, thank you all for sharing!