These Fit Celebrities Over 40 Will Inspire You to Hit the Gym

Staying fit after 40 isn't easy. In fact, losing weight gets harder once you hit your 40s because your metabolism slows down and lower estrogen levels can cause insulin sensitivity, which can increase your cravings for unhealthy foods. The way you lost weight in your 20s and 30s just doesn't work anymore either, but dropping those stubborn pounds isn't impossible. Allow these fit female celebrities over 40 inspire you to rethink the way you move and eat.

A roundup of the world's fittest celebs wouldn't be complete without J.Lo. The 50-year-old star has one of the fittest bodies in the business, and these days she's often seen working out with her fiancé Alex Rodriguez, who recently opened a gym in Miami.

Ripa is a fitness fiend, but a good sweat session isn't complete without the perfect playlist for the daytime talk show host. Her trainer told InStyle, "We are both obsessed with finding the best music. It really drives the workout."

As a fan of the Tracy Anderson Method, Ross doesn't pretend a fit body comes easily. She told InStyle, "At 18 I might have woken up like this. At 45 I work for it."

Aniston is the queen of defying age (just check out the photos from her 50th birthday party). In an interview with Ellen Degeneres, she revealed that she owes her rock-hard body to her boxing sessions with trainer Leyon Azubuike.

Kidman grew up running and is also a fan of spinning and yoga. When asked about her secret to success, she said she takes a practical approach. "It's walking a path that's ultimately 80 percent healthy," she told Women's Health.

This Real Housewives of Orange County star is known for her amazing bikini body. She works out at Cut Fitness and—no surprise here—recently won a fitness competition.

A regular at Heart & Hustle Gym in L.A., Union frequently shares her tough workouts on her Instagram, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Kettlebells, resistance bands, the squat rack, gliders, oh my!

Mann is one of those celebs that seem to age in reverse. And, apparently, cycling has something to do with it. She and her husband are regulars at SoulCycle in Santa Monica, according to PopSugar.

Theron has always been fit and loves ballet-style workouts. According to her trainer, she combines them with 35 minutes of cardio to target the whole body.

Despite being a busy working mom, SJP has one of the best bodies around. Her trainer, Marc Santa Maria, says she does this push-up circuit on the reg.

Newton credits her physique to two things: a vegetarian diet full of colorful fruits and veggies, and Jivamukti yoga. She once told StyleCaster, "It's key to make sure you have a lot of color on your plate. The more colorful the food, the more beneficial it is."

Ever wonder what Cameron Diaz eats for breakfast to get that body? According to an interview with Bon Appétit: protein. "I just put something in my stomach before my workout—usually scrambled eggs, toast, an avocado, an apple with almond butter, overnight oats, or a piece of chicken," she said.

When she's off-season, Mendes takes it a little easier and works out about three days a week. But in the summer or when she's preparing for a movie or event, that number goes up to five!

If being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 63 isn't confirmation of your physical prowess, we don't know what is. But Brinkley reveals she keeps it pretty simple. "I would say running is my favorite way to sweat," she told The Cut.

Famous for her love of fitness and nutrition—and those toned arms!—Obama says she uses exercise to relieve stress. According to Vogue, in a 2008 interview she said, "Exercise is really important to me—it's therapeutic."

Watts is a big fan of The Class, a yoga-cardio combination workout that's gaining popularity by the day. In an Instagram post, she wrote, "Feeling good with @courtney_deri @theclass nothing like a hundred burpees to start your day!!"

Bullock is a big fan of Body By Simone. "There's always cardio like dance, jump roping, or rebounding," she told InStyle. She also switches up her workouts. In the same interview, she said she does Pilates, kickboxing, and weight training.

The Cougar Town star works out with celeb trainer Michelle Lovitt, who also trains Julianne Moore and Julia Luis-Dreyfus. According to Lovitt, Cox's workouts include strength training with barbells and plenty of high-intensity supersets.

Davis is diligent about her workouts—and it's clearly paying off. "If I have to be at work at 5 a.m., I will get up at three and work out. I run, I do weights," she told SELF.

Paltrow credits her long-time trainer Tracy Anderson—plus a (mostly) clean diet low in grains and sugar, according to Shape—for her top-notch physique. The 45-year-old is also a fan of infrared saunas, often praising their detoxifying properties.

This star is a SoulCycle devotee, telling E! News that she prefers to start her workdays with a 6 a.m. class: "It energizes me and helps wake me up in the morning. With all of the lines that I have to memorize, it sort of activates my brain."

The model, actress, and cookbook author stays active by riding her bike, hitting the tennis ball, and playing with her son. According to a Los Angeles Times interview, she also stays away from juice and soda, opting for black coffee or water instead.

If you live in New York City, you might spot Klum running along the Westside Highway in the mornings. For her, consistency is key, as she once told Glamour, "I pretend it's bikini season all year and regularly make healthy decisions."

Peete is undeniably fit and yet she keeps it simple with workouts at home. "I can't do trainers. I have a stair stepper at home, and I do Pilates," she told AARP.

Beckinsale whips herself into shape for various movie roles, but admits that sometimes it's like pulling teeth. "I start out absolutely dreading it, do an incredibly punishing workout, b**ch about it the whole time, and end up feeling 100 percent better when I leave," she told SHAPE. We can relate! Beckinsale works out regularly with trainer Gunnar Peterson.