With the endless amount of fitness content and information available today, I understand why so many people are trying to stand out and offer something different.
And yes, fitness has become overcomplicated.
This exercise, at this angle, in this position…
The same goes for nutrition. Viral recipes, superfoods, endless food rules, things you supposedly should never combine…
The truth is, the fundamentals are actually quite simple.
Strength training, mobility work, stability and balance exercises, well-planned cardio, proper nutrition, and recovery.
Progressive overload and consistency.
However, when it comes to women over 35, there is a lot more involved than just the basics. It requires a fair amount of fine-tuning.
Not only because of hormonal changes, but also because of life circumstances and responsibilities.
Today, there are countless fitness coaches.
There are excellent male coaches.
There are talented young female coaches.
Many of them are knowledgeable, dedicated, continuously learning—and they genuinely care.
But let’s agree on one thing:
❗ Working with women over 35, especially over 40, is simply different.
Because these women are often expected to be:
- devoted mothers
- successful professionals
- supportive partners
- highly organized
- the emotional backbone for everyone around them
…while somehow still finding the time and energy for training, healthy eating, and quality sleep.
Sometimes it’s not enough to say:
“Eat less, train more, stop complaining, you’ll be fine.”
Because honestly—it isn’t that simple.
Yes, some women stay in their comfort zone and look for shortcuts.
Some will always search for the quick fix, the magic pill, or the newest trend instead of doing the work.
And yes, sometimes they genuinely need someone to tell them:
“Come on, you’ve got this. Push a little harder.”
Sometimes they need accountability.
But at the same time, many women are already doing everything they can.
They’re trying.
They’re sacrificing.
They understand that motivation comes and goes.
And yet, they’re still not seeing the results they expected.
Personally, I’ve lived a disciplined lifestyle for over 25 years.
I thrive on structure, routine, and training.
But I’ve learned that:
- when my sleep suffers, everything hurts
- when my nutrition slips, my body reacts immediately
- if I spend eight or more hours sitting, my mind feels foggy and exhausted
- when stress piles up and I don’t actively manage it, my recovery and performance suffer
- when life gets chaotic and I switch into autopilot mode, my body quickly lets me know
And that’s exactly why we’re not all the same.
We shouldn’t eat the same way.
We shouldn’t train the same way.
And we certainly shouldn’t expect the same approach to work for everyone.
Our circumstances are different.
Some women thrive on five workouts per week.
Others do best with three.
Some love training in the morning.
Others only have time in the evening.
Some enjoy the gym.
Others prefer working out at home.
The goal isn’t for everyone to do the same thing.
The goal is to find what you can sustain long enough to see results.
Unfortunately, fitness often becomes overly complicated by focusing on details when the basics aren’t even in place yet.
“I’ve heard fasted training is harmful, and early morning is the only time I can work out, so I’ll just skip it.”
“I don’t have time for breakfast, but I’ve heard protein shakes are too processed, so I won’t have one.”
“Everyone says women shouldn’t train at night, and that’s the only time I can exercise, so maybe I shouldn’t train at all.”
“Women should focus more on being and less on doing. Maybe after a stressful day, I should just rest instead.”
And yes, there is some truth behind these ideas.
But context matters.
Yes, many women benefit from more recovery.
Yes, chronic stress is harmful.
Yes, more daylight, more sleep, and less pressure would be ideal.
But let’s be realistic.
Most of us cannot spend our days relaxing in perfect conditions, exercising at the ideal time, and preparing flawless meals.
Most women have a lot on their plate.
Who is going to work?
Who is going to take care of the family?
Who is going to handle all the daily responsibilities?
That’s why we don’t look for ideal conditions.
We look for realistic ones.
Because often the question isn’t what’s perfect.
It’s what’s possible.
We all know what we should do in theory.
But sometimes life simply doesn’t allow it.
And in those moments, you choose the option that gives you the greatest benefit while remaining sustainable long term.
If you’re choosing between:
- an evening workout or no workout
- fasted training or skipping training altogether
- a 30-minute workout or waiting for the perfect time that never comes
most of the time, choose the workout.
Fitness doesn’t need to be this complicated.
What matters is creating a lifestyle that works for you.
One that is realistic.
One that is sustainable.
One that improves your life rather than adding more guilt and pressure.
Because often it’s the small habits that make the biggest difference:
- stand up every 45–60 minutes if you have a desk job
- take a 10–15 minute walk outside when possible
- eat at least one meal without emails, notifications, or your phone
- go to bed 20 minutes earlier instead of searching for the next miracle supplement
- commit to 2–3 workouts per week that you can realistically maintain
- prioritize structured meals with adequate protein and vegetables before chasing the latest detox or diet
Because the goal isn’t to live according to someone else’s “perfect” rules from the internet.
The goal is to build a system that fits your life.
Women often make excuses.
But they also carry burdens that many people never see.
And that’s why women over 35 don’t need a softer approach.
They don’t need a less serious approach.
They need a smarter one.