My guest today was a lifelong athlete — boot camps, spin, Body Pump, you name it. But one day, she looked down and thought, “Where did all this belly fat come from?”

That moment set her on a journey that might rewrite everything you thought you knew about midlife fitness.

Lynn Sederlöf-Airisto joins me from Finland to unpack the truth about what really works for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond — and why so many of us waste hours at the gym doing the wrong kind of exercise.

We talk about what true strength training actually is (hint: it’s not Body Pump), how to choose the right weights, and why this kind of training might just be the secret to rekindling your metabolism, reshaping your body, and reclaiming your confidence.

💪 In This Episode, We Discuss:

* Why women start losing muscle as early as age 30 — and how menopause accelerates it

* The big difference between “working out with weights” and strength training

* The science-backed formula for building strength (and saving time at the gym)

* How to find your ideal weight for training — without guesswork

* Why one set can be more effective than three (and how to get the most out of every workout)

* The truth about “bulking up” and why it’s nearly impossible for most women

* Simple mindset shifts that make lifting feel empowering, not intimidating

* How strength training supports bone density, metabolism, and insulin sensitivity

🌸 Key Quotes

“I thought if I had dumbbells in my hand and my muscles were burning, that meant I was strength training — but it turns out that’s not true.” — Lynn Sederlöf-Airisto

“Being strong is so cool. My clients start out wanting to lose weight, but end up falling in love with feeling powerful.” — Lynn Sederlöf-Airisto

“We lose muscle and bone as we age — but with the right training, we can absolutely get it back.” — Cheryl Gordon

🔗 Connect with Lynn

Website: Be Fit After 40 Instagram: @befitafter40

💫 Connect with Cheryl

Website: cherylgordonyt.comInstagram: Cheryl Gordon

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cherylgordonyt.substack.com