I'm 46 and here's my secret to a tight stomach and strong muscles

I’m my fittest at 46 and this is my secret weapon for a flat stomach and muscles that don’t ‘sag’ – and the two diet rules I swear by

• PE teacher and mum-of-two Belinda Norton shared her number one secret
• The 46-year-old swears by strength training and a diet of raw, whole grown foods
• READ MORE: The one food I eat weekly to stay in peak health (and it’s not greens or grains)

A PE teacher and mum-of-two is the ‘fittest’ she has ever been at 46 – and she has just revealed her ‘secret’ for a smooth stomach and tight muscles.

Belinda Norton, a health and fitness education professional from the Gold Coast, said that strength training has boosted her posture, muscle strength, and balance.

According to the certified trainer, all adults should incorporate at least three 45-minute weights sessions a week to sustain posture and functionality.

Belinda recommends circuit sets at home with light hand weights or gym sessions.

‘Strength training like walking lunges improves muscle ageing, banishes saggy muscles, increases stamina, and protects the bones and joints from injury,’ she wrote.

A PE teacher and mum-of-two is the ‘fittest’ she has ever been in her mid-40s – and she has just revealed her ‘secret’ for a smooth stomach and tight muscles 

‘The only answer to fix saggy muscles, bad posture, and soreness after sitting is weight training,’ she said.

‘Your body requires regular maintenance for optimal health. It’s especially important to build and maintain strong muscles, as one’s risk of bone loss and fractures increases with age.’

You can build new muscle tissue by performing resistance training and getting a sufficient amount of protein and nutrients.

Belinda Norton, a health and fitness education professional from the Gold Coast, said that strength training has boosted her posture, muscle strength, and balance

READ MORE: The FIVE rules I follow when drinking alcohol – and my nine ‘secret anti-ageing life hacks’ 

Various types of strength training include machine-based training, free weights, plyometrics and complex and functional training, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT).

‘Muscle tissue loading building is sending blood to these muscles to increase their vitality,’ Belinda wrote.

‘An important part of any fitness routine and can help enhance muscle tone, improve balance, reduce the risk of injury and improve overall health.’

The PE teacher also added that regular strength training also has a host of mental health benefits like reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.

According to the certified trainer, all adults should incorporate at least three 45-minute weights sessions a week to sustain posture and functionality 

Various types of strength training include machine-based training, free weights, plyometrics and complex and functional training, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT)

Belinda previously shared that her top diet rules are eating ‘real, whole grown foods’ and adding raw vegetables to every meal of the day – including breakfast.

‘It truly is the magic elixir to our bodies performance level. These earth-grown foods promote internal health from digestion to blood boosting components,’ she wrote.

Belinda recommends making simple tweaks like adding spinach to eggs, eating raw carrots as snacks, eating baby cucumbers, enjoying cauliflower raw with dips and adding vegetables to every dinner.

‘The fact is food is more than just calories, its information that our cells need to function, it is the information that our metabolism can use to either run efficiently or sluggish,’ the mum-of-two said.

Belinda regularly shares her health tricks and tips on social media, and recently spilled her secret ‘five step routine reboot’ to encourage Aussies to overhaul their lifestyles

She often eats meals like roasted garlic organic vegetables (left) and breakfast bagels made with a toasted seeded gluten free bagel, egg, spinach, purple cabbage and sweet chilli jam

How to make Belinda’s pumpkin and coconut soup 

Ingredients:

1/2 Kent pumpkin diced

1 potato diced 

1 sweet potato diced

Vegetable broth 

Coconut milk 

1 onion diced

2 large cloves of garlic

Salt and pepper to taste 

4 cups of water 

Greek yogurt 

Method: 

• Add 4 cups of water and vegetable broth to a pot and bring it to a simmer
• Add the diced vegetables
• Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until soft
• Use blend stick to blend until smooth
• Add salt, pepper, and Greek yoghurt to taste
• Add coconut cream
• Sprinkle coriander on top

‘When we eat sugars, fruit juice or refined carbs, it goes right to the liver, where it starts manufacturing fat, triggering insulin resistance and causing chronically elevated blood insulin levels thus driving the body to store everything meaning it holds toxicity.’

She added that ‘real’ foods like vegetables and low glycemic fruits, healthy fats (nut seeds avocado and olives), gluten free whole grains, legumes and responsibility sourced proteins and seafood) give your cells the information they need to function at their very best.

‘They improve skin, hair, brain function, mind clarity and immunity,’ she said.

‘Eating well should not only be about quantity but more imperative with quality.’

READ MORE: Super fit teacher, 45, reveals EXACTLY what she eats for breakfast to stay in peak shape – and the ONE ‘magic elixir’ that will transform your diet now

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