Stop Chasing Your 22-Year-Old Body
If you’re 45 (or more!) trying to weigh what you did at 22… we need to reset the target.
Not because you “can’t” lose weight.
But because your life — and your body — are not the same.
And that’s not a failure.
Your Context Has Changed
In your 20s you likely had:
Fewer responsibilities
More free time
Lower stress
Better recovery
Fewer joint issues
Now you’re managing:
Career demands
Kids and family logistics
Sleep disruption
Hormonal shifts
Higher stress loads
You cannot apply a 22-year-old strategy to a 45-year-old body and expect the same result.
More cardio and less food is not the answer.
The Real Goal Isn’t Your Old Weight
When we talk with our 40+ clients at Functional Elements, they say they want their old weight back or old body back (and don’t we all!)
But what they actually want is:
Energy
Confidence
Strength
To feel athletic again
To age well
Those things don’t require your high school body.
They require muscle.
Muscle Is the New Skinny
After 40, your focus should shift to:
Strength training consistently
Prioritizing protein
Managing stress
Sleeping better
Supporting recovery
A strong 45-year-old often weighs more than they did at 22 — but looks better, moves better, and feels better.
The scale doesn’t tell the full story.
A Better Benchmark
Instead of asking,
“Why don’t I weigh what I did in 1998?”
Ask:
Am I stronger than last year?
Is my body more resilient?
Am I training for life — not punishment?
Can I do the things I want to do when I want to do them?
You’re not supposed to look 20 at 45.
You’re supposed to look like a well-trained, well-nourished, resilient adult who takes care of themselves.
That’s the win.
Let’s stop chasing the past — and start reframing your mindset…building a body that supports the life you have now.
GIVE YOUR BODY WHAT IT NEEDS, WHEN IT NEEDS IT!
Jaime Rothermich, CSSD, LD, PPSC*KB, PPSC
Functional Elements Training & Nutrition
TRAIN FOR LIFE
(c) 314.518.4875
functionalelements@gmail.com
http://www.functionalelements.net
If you’re searching for evidence-based nutrition coaching and personal training in or around St. Louis, Missouri, these same principles form the foundation of the work we do every day at Functional Elements—helping adults build strength, lose weight sustainably, and improve long-term health. Check out our 14-day 360° to get you motivated, educated and aligned with the very best Functional Elements Training & Nutrition has to offer over a period of just 14 days.
