Ever started a new diet or workout plan feeling full of motivation – only to crash and burn a few weeks later?
Maybe you told yourself “this time it’ll be different”… but somehow, life got in the way (again).
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
The truth is, the old “all or nothing” fitness mindset isn’t just unrealistic – especially when it comes to fitness for women over 40 – it’s setting you up to fail, right from the start.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need a perfect plan to get stronger, fitter, and healthier.
You just need a smarter one – one that fits around your real life, not one that expects you to change everything overnight.
At Plan B Fitness, we help hundreds of busy women find success by ditching perfection and focusing on simple, sustainable progress.
Here’s why the ‘all or nothing' approach fails – and what actually works instead.
The Problem With “All or Nothing” Thinking
“All or nothing” sounds good in theory: go all-in, stick to the plan perfectly, and get big results, fast.
But real life rarely plays by those rules.
Busy work days, family commitments, stress, holidays – they all happen.
And when you’ve been taught that missing one workout or eating one slice of cake means you've “failed,” it’s easy to throw the towel in completely.
The problem isn’t you. It’s the mindset.
Fitness for women over 40 needs to be flexible and forgiving — not rigid and punishing. Otherwise, it’s not sustainable, no matter how strong your willpower is.
Why This Hits Harder After 40
Your 40s (and beyond) come with new challenges…
- Hormonal changes affect energy, recovery, and muscle mass.
- Stress levels from career, parenting, or caring for ageing parents are often higher.
- Sleep quality can change, making fatigue more common.
In short: you’re juggling a lot.
Pushing harder isn’t the answer – pushing smarter is.
Fitness for women over 40 needs to work with your body, not against it.
That means building habits you can maintain even on your busiest, most tired days – not just your best ones.
What Actually Works Instead: The “Always Something” Approach
Forget “all or nothing.”
At Plan B Fitness, we coach clients to use an “always something” mindset instead.
Here’s how it looks:
- A short 20-minute strength workout on a busy day? That’s a win.
- A 10-minute walk between meetings or at lunch? That’s a win.
- Choosing a high-protein lunch instead of a sandwich and crisps? That’s a win.
It’s about keeping the dial moving forward – even if only by 1%.
Progress isn’t lost because you didn’t do everything perfectly. It’s lost when you stop altogether.
Think of it like a dimmer switch instead of an on/off button.
Some days are brighter. Some days are softer. But the light never goes out.
Real-Life Proof It Works
One of our Plan B Fitness clients, Sarah, 48, used to believe she had to exercise six days a week to get results.
Between her job, her teenage children, and life admin, she kept “failing” her own high standards and quitting in frustration.
When she joined Plan B Fitness, we scaled her workouts down to three 45-minute strength sessions a week – with the option to do more if life allowed.
Within months, she was stronger, leaner, and more energised than she had been in years – without sacrificing her family time or sanity.
She didn’t change her entire life.
She changed her approach to fitness.
How to Start Today
If you’re tired of starting over, try this instead:
✅ Set a bare minimum goal each week – for example, two strength workouts and 8,000 steps a day.
✅ Allow for flexibility – Plan B is always better than no plan.
✅ Celebrate showing up, not perfection.
Most importantly, remember: fitness for women over 40 is about building strength, energy, and confidence – not chasing an impossible ideal.
Your healthiest, strongest self is closer than you think.
And you don’t have to be perfect to get there.
Ready to Break Free From “All or Nothing”?
If you're ready to ditch the extremes and finally build real, lasting results, we’d love to help.
At Plan B Fitness, we specialise in helping busy women get strong, healthy, and energised – without overhauling their entire lives.
👉 https://planbfitnes.co.uk/letschat
Let’s create a fitness plan that fits your real life – and helps you thrive.