#252. This Is Why Exercise Isn’t Working After 40 (And What To Do Instead) Artwork

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Fast to Faith: Healing God's Way

#252. This Is Why Exercise Isn’t Working After 40 (And What To Do Instead)

April 21, 2025 • Dr. Tabatha • Episode 252

0:00 | 15:00

When More Exercise Isn’t the Answer: Healing Hormones, Faith, and Fat Loss After 40

If you’ve been working out harder than ever but still feel stuck in your weight loss journey, this episode will shift your entire perspective. Dr. Tabatha unpacks why traditional fitness advice fails women over 40—and how healing starts by listening to your body, not punishing it.

She breaks down the hidden impact of cortisol, hormone imbalances, gut health, and even alcohol on stubborn belly fat. You'll hear how simple changes like walking more, eating differently, and resting like Jesus did can lead to lasting transformation. If you’re tired of pushing with no results, this conversation is your permission slip to slow down, reset, and trust how God designed your body to heal.

If you liked this episode, watch it on YouTube! 👉🏻

Chapters:

0:00 – Why Exercise May Be Holding You Back
1:57 – Cortisol, Gut Health & Weight Loss Resistance
4:50 – Working Out at the Wrong Time & Drinking Too Much
8:45 – How Movement Affects Your Nervous System
11:21 – The Power of Rest, Prayer, and Walking Like Jesus

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Fast to Faith is hosted by Dr. Tabatha Barber — OB/GYN, functional medicine physician, and founder of the Fast to Faith Sisterhood and Coaching Academy.

Why Exercise Isn’t Working After 40: The Hidden Hormonal Truth
(00:00)
Dr. Tabatha: How did Jesus live? He walked a lot. So I try to walk as much as I can. When I go somewhere, I park at the back of the parking lot and walk all the way to the building. I don’t look for the front spot—I leave that for someone who really needs it. Little movements like that matter.

(00:24)
Dr. Tabatha: Welcome back to the Fast to Faith podcast! If you're here, you’re probably ready to shift your health, mindset, and entire life. But maybe you're doing more than ever, and it still feels like your body’s working against you. Sound familiar?

(00:57)
Dr. Tabatha: Today, we’re diving into why exercise alone may actually be stalling your weight loss—especially after 40. Hormones, cortisol, stress, gut health… they’re all connected. And I’ll show you why what used to work isn’t working anymore.

(01:57)
Dr. Tabatha: I see this all the time with my patients. They’re strong, consistent, disciplined—but their bodies aren’t responding. Why? Because exercise is for strength and flexibility, not weight loss. It’s your food, your nervous system, your stress levels. That’s what’s keeping the weight on.

(04:50)
Dr. Tabatha: One major mistake? Working out at the wrong time of day. When you exercise in the evening, you spike cortisol when your body wants to wind down. That creates inflammation, disrupts sleep, and keeps fat stuck around your belly.

(06:37)
Dr. Tabatha: Let’s talk about alcohol. I know, no one wants to hear it. But it’s a huge factor in weight loss resistance—especially for women. It disrupts hormones, kills your gut microbiome, and increases inflammation. It’s not just about calories—it’s about chaos inside your body.

(08:45)
Dr. Tabatha: God created our bodies to move—and not just in workouts. Your nervous system is connected to every organ through movement. When we don’t move regularly, our body breaks down. That includes everything from gut issues to mystery pains.

(11:21)
Dr. Tabatha: And Jesus didn’t just move—he rested. He stepped away, prayed, reset. That’s what I do every morning now. Before I dive into the chaos, I start my day in the Word and give my worries to God. And when I take that time? Everything flows better.

(13:09)
Dr. Tabatha: Still feeling stuck in your weight loss journey? Click here to watch my video on the main reasons you're gaining belly fat after 40 and what to do about it. You don’t want to miss this one.