While 40 may feel like the new 30, there’s one truth about reaching the fourth decade of your life that’s a bit of a buzzkill: It becomes far more challenging to maintain a flat belly.

As we age, we lose muscle mass, which causes our metabolism to slow. And as a result, it becomes harder to ward off belly fat. Not only can an expanding waistline make it tough to fit into your favourite jeans, but it can also be bad news for your health. Visceral fat, the fat that hangs out deep inside the abdomen, has been connected to an increased risk of breathing problems, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

The silver lining: There are plenty of things you can do to lose weight around your middle. Here, trainers share how they help their clients over 40 look instantly trimmer, while working towards a tight tummy they can maintain for life:

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