Whether you're closing in on the big 4-0 or have already passed this "milestone," you may have noticed your body is behaving differently. You tire more easily. Your joints ache on cold mornings. You find yourself asking people to repeat what they just said. And your stomach acts up when you eat your favorite spicy foods.

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While these changes can be annoying, they're probably no cause for alarm. Chances are, they're just part of the normal aging process.

Let's take a look at some typical changes that occur as people get older - and how to deal with them.

One of the best things a 40-year old can do is get in shape. The biggest barrier to getting in shape after your mid-30s is psychological, according to Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D., director of the Center for Physical Fitness at Tufts University.

In fact, she says, you can lose fat and build muscle in your 50s and beyond and end up stronger than you were in your 20s. And exercise, as everyone knows by now, plays a key role in preventing many health problems as you grow older.


Digestive tracts slow down as people age. A more sedentary lifestyle and many common heart and diabetes medications can also affect regularity.

The solution: Exercise - of any kind - will help speed up the gastrointestinal process. Eat more bulk food, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. And drink plenty of water - at least eight glasses per day.


Heartburn occurs when stomach acids creep up into the esophagus. While not directly linked to aging, heartburn does seem to occur more often in people over 40.

The solution: Think small. Eating more frequent, smaller meals helps reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. Drink plenty of water to wash stomach acids back down from the esophagus. Some people report that sleeping on a slope - by using a wooden slab or blocks under the headboard of their beds - helps keep stomach acids where they belong.


If you do nothing to develop muscle, your muscle mass gradually decreases - and your body fat increases. A pound of muscle burns about 35 calories a day when you're resting, so the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn. You don't have to do intense work-outs to get health benefits; work with a qualified exercise specialist to develop a program that's right for you.


Now's the time to protect your bone mass to help prevent weak bones later in life. With exercise, 1,500 milligrams of calcium, and adequate vitamin D, you can maintain your bone mass and actually build more, too.


Impaired balance is largely responsible for falls in older adults. Improve your sense of balance by standing on one foot while performing ordinary tasks like brushing your teeth or doing dishes.


Bodies tend to become stiffer after age 40, so stretching becomes more important. With less flexibility, your range of motion is limited, making everyday activities more difficult and painful. Find simple stretches that target your major muscle groups.


Aging brings with it a decreased sense of thirst, starting at about age 40. Don't wait until you feel you need a glass of water. Drink eight every day, and aim for 12 on days you exercise.


You can't stop getting older, but by paying attention to your overall health and fitness, how well you age is up to you! While some physical complaints warrant a visit to the doctor, most age-related aches are just part of the normal aging process. Make a commitment to your overall health and fitness and you'll be surprised at how young you can feel.