Personal trainer shares steps rule to stop fat gain over 40

Ageing can be a challenging process for many, particularly when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. However, one mum has shared her simple trick to prevent unwanted weight gain.

Shannon Collins, known as The Gym Nurse on Instagram where she boasts a following of 150,000, is a familiar face in the online health and fitness community. She’s renowned for sharing her personal weight loss journey and offering valuable advice.

She acknowledged that it’s just a “small piece of the perimenopause puzzle”, but women can reach a stage where they need to become more mindful of their eating habits and activity levels.

Despite maintaining her gym routine and daily walks, Shannon experienced a period of low energy and struggled with motivation. She attributed this to hormonal changes and poor sleep.

However, she found a simple solution that helped her regain control – tracking her steps.

In a recent Instagram post, Shannon explained: “A watch won’t pick up every little activity you do, but it shows a lot. And you can take an honest look at all the data and compare, especially if you’ve been wearing one for years.

“Keeping an eye on my steps daily is the only way I can ensure I get enough movement. Because, at this point in my life, I don’t have a big desire to be as active as I was a couple of years ago.

“The other thing that has saved me is my previous years investing in building muscle. Having more muscle has allowed me to burn calories when I’m not exercising, and my body isn’t as senstive to gaining fat. Even without tracking every calorie.”

Shannon emphasised that using a tracker can help ensure you’re moving as much as you think you are, helping to prevent long-term weight gain, provided your diet remains consistent.

Her post has since garnered more than 1,000 likes and dozens of comments, with many women seeking advice on how to increase their energy levels.

One person said: “I love to track my steps. It has made me so much more self-aware, and motivated to get my NEAT.” Another wrote: “This matters post-menopause too. I hit my 10,000 steps each day.”

A third also replied: “I’m 66, and I track my steps. I’m still working three days a week, constantly on my feet. I’m now taking myself back to the gym to so some weight training. Your advice is excellent.”