The Muscle Crisis No One Is Talking About in Women Over Forty
- Dr. Jackson
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
Why Muscle Matters More Than the Scale
Muscle is active, living tissue that influences every part of your health. It determines how many calories you burn at rest, how well you regulate blood sugar, how stable your joints feel, how strong your bones remain, and how easily you move.
You can lose weight and still lose muscle at the same time. That combination lowers metabolism, increases fatigue, and makes it harder to maintain any progress you gain.
Muscle is not cosmetic. It is a longevity organ.
What Happens to Muscle After Forty
After forty, several changes begin to affect muscle in predictable ways.
slower recovery after exercise
decreased ability to use dietary protein efficiently
declining estrogen and testosterone
declining growth hormone
increased inflammation
less restorative sleep
How Testosterone Supports Muscle in Women
Testosterone plays a major role in muscle repair and strength in women. When levels decline, you may notice the following changes.
weaker strength
slower muscle recovery
reduced stamina
less motivation to exercise
In appropriate women, this is when I may recommend physiologic testosterone replacement. The goal is restoring the natural muscle signal rather than building muscle beyond what is normal for you.
The Role of Growth Hormone in Muscle Recovery
Growth hormone naturally declines with age, and this affects several important functions.
how quickly muscle tissues repair after exercise
how efficiently the body uses fat for energy
how resilient your metabolism feels
how firm and toned your body appears even when you exercise consistently
This decline is why many women say their workouts stopped working somewhere in their forties. The issue is rarely the workout. It is the recovery.
Why Eating Less and Doing More Cardio Backfires
Many women respond to changes in their body by tightening calorie intake or increasing cardio. Over time, this raises stress hormones and accelerates muscle loss.
Less food and more cardio may lead to a smaller body, but not a stronger one. It can reduce metabolism and increase fatigue.
Strength training, adequate protein, and recovery focused habits support muscle. Restriction rarely does.
If you are concerned about declining strength or metabolic slowdown, we take a structured muscle preservation approach here.
Muscle Loss After Weight Loss
During weight loss, the body rarely loses only fat. Muscle loss is extremely common, especially when weight loss is rapid, aggressive, or paired with low protein intake.
This is why, after a successful weight loss program, certain areas of the body may not re-tone easily or feel as firm as before.
Some muscle groups need more than exercise to wake up again.
Targeted Muscle Support for the Body
This is when I may recommend Emsculpt Neo for appropriate individuals. It helps reactivate weakened muscle groups and jumpstart rebuilding after weight loss, injury, or long periods of inactivity.
Some people use it to restore baseline strength. Others use it to support areas that lag behind despite consistent training.
Facial Muscle Loss and Lower Face Laxity
Muscle loss is not limited to the body. The muscles of the face also weaken with age. When these muscles lose tone, the structure beneath the skin softens. This contributes to jowling, jawline changes, and the gradual heaviness of the lower face.
Loss of facial muscle is one of the most overlooked contributors to facial aging.
Targeted Muscle Support for the Face
In appropriate candidates, this is when I may recommend EMFACE. EMFACE strengthens and shortens facial muscles that provide structural support to the lower face. When these muscles regain tone, the jawline appears more lifted and the lower face feels more supported. It works on structure rather than skin alone.
How to Protect Muscle After Forty
Supporting muscle after forty requires a complete approach. Key elements include the following strategies.
strength training at least two to three times per week
adequate protein intake throughout the day
restorative sleep
stress management
hormone support when appropriate
targeted therapies when certain muscle groups need additional activation
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Want the Bigger Picture?
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A New Way to Think About Muscle
Muscle is not about appearance. It is about strength, stability, metabolism, and longevity. When you support muscle, you support your entire health span. You move more easily, age more slowly, and maintain the energy and capability you want for the future.
Muscle is not a vanity metric. It is a protective system that deserves your attention.
Listen to Dr Jackson go into detail about this topic! You can hear the full episode on her podcast, Ageless and Outrageous. Be sure to like and follow so you don’t miss an episode!
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At Foundations at Maitland, in Maitland FL, we offer a full range of non-surgical treatments to help you reach your aesthetic, wellness, and sexual goals. Our providers are highly trained and experienced. We are led by our double-board certified surgeon, Dr Kristin Jackson, who has personally developed all treatment protocols and is closely involved in the day-to-day operations of our medical spa. With her extensive training in all non-surgical cosmetic treatments as well as over 20 years of surgical experience, Dr Jackson is uniquely qualified to ensure our medical spa provides you with the highest standards of quality care and safety.
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