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You’re not imagining it—losing weight after 40 is harder. Nothing is more discouraging than thinking about food all day, trying not to eat, and the number on the scale refuses to budge.
Or worse, creep up.
That exact frustration has led hundreds of women to Ann Cade.
A Fitness Nutrition Specialist with a biology and psychology background, Ann has spent over 11 years helping women lose weight and feel like themselves again. Through her signature program, Empowered Nutrition, she gives busy women a personalized, science-backed, lasting strategy that fits into their lives.
Q: Okay, —why is it so much harder to lose weight after 40?
A: Even if you’re doing the exact same thing you’ve always done, weight gain can sneak up fast in your 40s. And no one prepares you for these physiological changes.
We start losing muscle mass around age 30, which slows metabolism and drains energy. Next, estrogen drops, which throws off how the body handles blood sugar. This makes it easier to store fat, especially around your midsection.
Add higher cortisol, poor sleep, inflammation, and stress. Suddenly “eat less, move more” advice works against you.
Q: Are you saying “all the right things,” might not actually work anymore?
A: Exactly. I’ve worked with many women who eat “clean,” cut carbs, and work out more, but the scale wouldn’t budge.
Around 40, your body starts responding differently to food, exercise, and stress. Decreased estrogen affects fat storage and the gut microbiome, leading to more bloating, and bigger blood sugar spikes after meals.
We also lose muscle faster with age, which is why regular strength training is non-negotiable. Intense exercise without enough fuel can backfire. This combination can raise cortisol, resulting in more belly fat, stronger cravings, poor sleep, and burnout.
But the solution isn’t simply to do more.
Q: With so much wellness advice out there, how do I know which one to follow?
A: We are bombarded by “wellness” information in every online space. Adding more exercise, supplements, rules, restrictions, and even protein doesn’t necessarily add value. It only adds guilt. I can promise more isn’t better, different is better.
My program cuts through the diet noise and delivers solutions that work and last. In fact, weight loss is guaranteed in writing as part of the Empowered Nutrition program.
Q: You guarantee weight loss? How do you accomplish that for each woman?
A: My approach is science-backed, rooted in psychology, and customized for each client’s lifestyle, preferences, and goals.
I teach each client what healthy choices look like for her. Then, with our strategies and systems, we integrate these choices into her life and create healthy habits. We keep the process simple and build on it with consistency calendars, accountability, and individual support until the new habits become the default!
Average weight loss in the program is 14-17 pounds. However, the most rewarding part is watching my clients grow in confidence, enjoy getting dressed, jump in pictures with friends and family, and experience more energy while confidently knowing how to fuel their own bodies to maximize health.
Q: What does the program experience look like?
A: Empowered Nutrition is a 4-month coaching program built for busy women who are tired of feeling stuck in a body that no longer feels like their own.
Inside the program, you’ll get short, powerful video lessons that teach you exactly how to fuel your body—starting with mindset and ending with lifelong strategy.
You’re supported every step of the way with personalized nutrition coaching, strength training videos, weekly small-group Zoom calls, a recipe library, menu analysis, and accountability.
Q: Do you only work with ladies in the Birmingham area?
A: No, Empowered Nutrition is totally online and has served ladies in 3 countries and 16 states. But the RMR Test is only available to locals.
Q: What is the RMR?
A: My favorite toy - the RMR stands for resting metabolic rate, and I measure a client’s exact RMR through a simple 7–10 minute breath test. It’s accurate, noninvasive, and one of the most precise tools available to assess an individual’s metabolism.
We use the data to map out exactly how many calories you need to eat to lose fat, build muscle, or maintain your results—based on science, not assumptions.
Q: What’s your response to the woman that’s tried everything?
A: Diets fail in the long term. The experience is often a white knuckle approach until the weight comes off. Then something as ordinary as a dinner party, can bring back all the old, unhealthy habits. And the weight is regained.
Most people were never taught how to eat in a way that supports their body and fits into a busy life in a sustainable and even joyful way. This is especially true of women hitting a major change mid-life.
Q: How’s your approach different?
A: My program isn’t a set of rules—it’s a personalized plan that fits your real life. We look at everything: nutrition, movement, goals, preferences, and schedule. It’s grounded in science, but also rooted in psychology and behavior change. I don’t just teach women what to eat—I help them build simple systems that make healthy choices automatic, even during a chaotic week.
We aim for consistency, not perfection. My clients eat real food, go on vacation, have wine nights, and still see results—because their plan works with their life. That’s the goal: to make health effortless so they can show up fully, feeling confident and joyful.
If you would like to connect with Ann, you can find her on Instagram: @AnnCadeWellness or www.anncadewellness.com.
