I’ll keep this one short. My whole life I had heard that metabolism declines at 30 and that the best shape of your life is in your teens and 20’s. I have seen many women my age (early 30s) align their feelings with this belief and have seen them put on weight and look older. I always thought this was hogwash.

At 29, I got serious about eating a paleo/ketogenic diet and taking long walks and doing weight training. I didn’t do anything crazy; the walks in the park were leisurely and the weight training was 3 times per week. Once a week I treated myself to a treat like a gluten free pizza or a slice of cheesecake. I did not let thoughts of age or metabolism enter my schema. Within a year I got into fantastic shape and at 30, achieved the best body I ever had in my life, even better than my adolescence. I am now 32 and have still maintained a tight, slim, toned, shapely figure. I do not work hard to maintain it. 80% of the time I eat healthy food and 20% of the time I treat myself. I eat when I am hungry but do not eat beyond my point of fullness. Everywhere I go people are shocked to hear my age. One girl I mentor who is 21 took me on her college campus and her friends were shocked to hear my age. They all thought I was a college student!

Age is just a number and people assign artificial importance to specific numbers. As a teenager I was constantly counting calories and trying very restrictive diets with puny portions and unpalatable options and was never successful at losing more than 3 or 5 lbs. It was very discouraging. All throughout my adolescence and 20’s I always believed that I had a slow metabolism and I was just “naturally chunky”. I of course know now that this is all utter foolishness. I have a smooth, unlined face, clear skin, a toned flat stomach and slim waist, and curves in all the right places. College students hit on me. My metabolism is better now at 32 than at any point in my life. I am getting married in exactly one month and will be a beautiful bride. And unlike any other bride I know, I am not on a crash diet before my wedding.

Let me add: I have PCOS, I have insulin resistance, and there are plenty of fat people in my family. I have other excuses besides being over 30 and let me tell you, if I can achieve it, so can you!! Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s not possible to lose weight if you’re over a certain age, if you have insulin resistance, if you have PCOS, if you’ve had a child etc. I got one of my good friends on The Secret bandwagon during my weight loss journey. Before her pregnancy she was overweight and after having her child she was even more overweight. When I got her to join me on my quest for health, she too lost it all and more. Today she weighs 20 lbs less than before she was even pregnant. She also looks better now at 34 than she did in her teenage years. I am now converting other friends of mine and people around me into this positive mindset of The Secret. May you all get the body of your dreams!