with Darla Joy / @darlajoyfitness

Photographer Steve Albiston SteveAlbiston.com

Producer/Stylist Elisabetta Rogiani / @elisabettarogiani

Makeup & Hair Nancy J / @beautybynancyj

Location: theharlandwesthollywood.com

Custom Fitness Apparel by ROGIANI.com

Shoes by skechers.com / @skecher

Fitness After 40 Embracing a Joyful Journey with The JoyFit Academy Opening for Workout on the full page of the picture. I recommend that women over 40 aim to do strength training three times a week to maintain muscle and independence as they age. Follow my example workouts for full-body maintenance.

Fitness After 40 Embracing a Joyful Journey with TheJoyFit Academy

This year, I turned 45 with a passion for helping women over 40 who have struggled with weight loss. Through my fitness business, The JoyFit Academy, I teach sustainable, healthy strategies so women can lose weight for the last time. Clients learn about nutrition, effective workouts that fit their busy schedules, and mindset shifts to think differently about health and fitness. My mission is to show how a fit lifestyle can bring joy, not just about a number on the scale, but feeling great in our bodies each day.

Could you tell us about your journey? After having my first baby in 2009, I joined a fitness class and loved how much better I felt. I became certified, taught Mommy and me classes, and later pursued personal training. I specialized in glute training with my popular “boot camp” classes. I also did CrossFit, learning to push myself with heavy barbells. Then I moved into bodybuilding, competing in 6 NPC shows and winning several overall titles. Through it all, I discovered consistency with enjoyable movement is key to staying fit. I started the JoyFit Academy to provide the shortcut I wish I had during all those years of trial and error. Women over 40 often think their bodies are “broken,” but it’s their weight loss strategy that’s broken. What worked in their 20s doesn’t work anymore. They’re used to severely restricting calories and overdoing it with cardio, which after 40 can actually hurt their metabolism and cause muscle loss. I teach fueling with enough protein, simple strength training, and a mindset shift to create a lifestyle change.

What inspired you to pursue fitness? I want women over 40 to know it’s possible to lose fat and feel energized, sexy, and confident again. So many settle, thinking low energy and body dissatisfaction are inevitable with age. But 40 is a crossroads. They can learn about nutrition and fitness to feel their best in the second half of life, or gradually let their health decline. My goal is to help them take back control. At 40, life often settles down as kids get older, giving women more time for themselves. But when they look in the mirror, they don’t recognize themselves and don’t know where to start, so they revert to what used to work in their 20s, leaving them frustrated. They may try restrictive fad diets, and lose weight temporarily, but quickly regain it and conclude feeling good again isn’t possible. I teach flexible nutrition that lets them eat foods they love in balance, with no strict rules or labeling food as “good” or “bad.” It’s true food freedom, taking back control instead of being controlled by food. For fitness, I have them focus on walking, simple dumbbell exercises, and skipping the intense workouts that spike cortisol for this often-stressed age group. It’s about working with your body, not against it.

What is your typical workout routine? I believe in setting standards and goals each week to break free from the all-or-nothing way of thinking that keeps most women stuck. For example, my standards are lifting 3 times per week and 8,000 daily steps. But my goal is 5 strength sessions and 10,000 steps. If I hit my standards, it’s a successful week maintaining healthy habits. If I hit my goals, I’m making progress. It’s about consistently showing up and doing what you can, not staying paralyzed by the idea of doing it all perfectly. I tell clients, “Something is better than nothing.” Women tend to think if we can’t do it all, we shouldn’t bother. But I remind them even 5 minutes matters and can propel them forward. It’s progress over perfection.

What’s your perspective on accountability and support? I believe accountability is crucial for change. Our brains resist anything uncomfortable like changing habits. Having a coach provide guidance, empathy, and weekly check-ins keeps you mindful and making better choices. We push harder for others than for ourselves. I’ve always invested in accountability coaches for my fitness and business—I wouldn’t be where I am without that support. Community is also key when attempting a lifestyle change. You need to surround yourself with others on that path to uplift and remind you you’re not alone. Often, close friends and family can seem unsupportive because seeing you improve makes them confront what they’re not doing. The JoyFit community is full of motivated women cheering on each other’s progress.

How do you incorporate mindset work? Clients often listen to our mindset modules covering topics like breaking perfectionism, self-forgiveness after slip-ups, emotional eating, and self-love during their workouts or walks. The goal is for them to see this as self-care, not just another short-term challenge with an “end” date. I want them to understand all this lifestyle gives them improved energy, mood, and confidence. The end goal isn’t just weight loss, but a new identity as someone who prioritizes movement, nourishing food, and true self-love.

Any book recommendations? There are many great resources, but one tip is for women over 40 to follow others in that age range who understand this stage of life, not just young influencers. Look for those who are real and give solid, science-backed advice. The industry is filled with unqualified people, so be discerning about what you consume.

Thoughts on the future of women’s fitness? I’m excited to see even teenage girls lifting weights now, unlike my youth’s emphasis on cardio and restrictive diets. Young women starting strength training early will likely have an easier time maintaining those habits for life. That’s why my mission to educate women over 40 is so important we have to reframe how we think about weight loss after years of disordered patterns. But if we can reach enough women this age, they can model more balanced, sustainable approaches for their daughters and future generations.

Top 3 nutritious snacks? Greek yogurt with berries, turkey jerky with light cheese, and protein ice cream made in a Ninja Creami. The key for women over 40 is making sure to get enough protein throughout the day.

Common fitness myths to bust? The biggest myth is that fitness has to be punishing—sweat, chalk hands, looking like you’ll pass out from brutal workouts. That makes it seem so daunting, especially for stressed women over 40 already managing careers and families. That’s the opposite environment I create. I want to show this lifestyle can be fun, which is why my branding has a bright, nostalgic 80s vibe. Learning healthier habits should bring more joy to your life, not dread. Mindset coaching is also crucial you have to change your thoughts and beliefs first to create a true, lasting change.

How do you stay motivated? Years ago, a woman told me, “Just wait until your 40s, you won’t be able to stay fit.” That stuck with me and still motivates me to prove that theory wrong every time I want to skip a workout. I also stay motivated for my clients, to lead by example and show if I can do it as a single mom running a business, they can too. I’m their biggest cheerleader, crying happy tears when they hit goals. Many haven’t seen themselves under 200 lbs since before kids. They’re intimidated by the industry and think they lack time or energy. My job is to guide but also make sure they know I genuinely care about their success. We focus on celebrating wins, not perfectionism. Small choices add up over time. My clients’ trust is why I have to walk the talk. Fitness is a lifelong journey you have to wake up daily and recommit, deciding this lifestyle brings you the most energy, confidence, and happiness. Life is short, and I want all women to learn how to feel their very best.

Last words for readers? If you’re a busy woman over 40 not feeling at home in your body, please know positive changes are still possible. Your body isn’t broken you can regain your energy and confidence. It’s never too late to start setting your future self up for independence, strength, and freedom in your later decades. Get guidance and a plan so you’re not second-guessing efforts. Take that first step forward, working each day to get 1% better. Time will pass either way, so you might as well start doing small things that add up to great progress for your future. Do it for your future self she’ll be so thankful you did. Find me at joyfitacademy.com or @darlajoyfitness on Instagram.