{"id":661971,"date":"2026-10-30T19:06:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T19:06:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/661971\/"},"modified":"2026-10-30T19:06:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T19:06:44","slug":"sally-gunnell-60-shares-her-simple-2-step-fat-loss-rule-for-midlife-focus-on-things-you-can-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/661971\/","title":{"rendered":"Sally Gunnell, 60, shares her simple 2-step fat-loss rule for midlife \u2013 focus on things you can control"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re going to take advice from anyone about goal-setting and trusting the process, let it be two-time Olympic medallist Sally Gunnell<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Alongside coaching a new generation of athletes to success, Sally regularly posts health and fitness advice online \u2013 and she recently shared a useful tip that she says has completely changed her approach to fat loss in midlife. Refreshingly, it acknowledges the fact that this can be an extremely busy and stressful period of life.<\/p>\n

\u2018So many women become completely focused on the outcome. This used to be me too,\u2019 Sally shared on Instagram<\/a>, adding that she would fixate on things like the number on the scales and fitting into her old jeans.<\/p>\n

\u2018And there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting those things,\u2019 she notes. \u2018But you can\u2019t actually control what the scales say tomorrow.\u2019<\/p>\n

The things you can (typically) control? What you do today: going for a walk or doing a workout, adding protein<\/a> to your meals, going to bed at a decent time and planning ahead when you know life is going to be busy.<\/p>\n

\u2018Those are the things that eventually create the result,\u2019 says Sally.<\/p>\n

Yes, fat loss requires a calorie deficit<\/a> \u2013 expending more calories than you consume \u2013 but the reality is a lot more nuanced than simply eating less and moving more. As Sally highlights, everyday movement, enough sleep, strength training<\/a> and sufficient protein all play a role.<\/p>\n

She advises thinking about your health like growing a plant.<\/p>\n

\u2018You don\u2019t stand there pulling on the leaves trying to make it grow faster. You water it. Give it sunlight. Look after it. And keep doing those things consistently.\u2019<\/p>\n

Sally\u2019s simple formula for staying on track<\/p>\n

Instead of constantly berating yourself over the number on the scales, Sally recommends asking yourself whether you\u2019ve done the things you set out to do in a given week.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s much more rewarding that way, she says, because \u2018we don\u2019t constantly feel like we are failing because we are focusing on the process, not just the progress\u2019.<\/p>\n

To make things easier, Sally recommends a simple formula to get (re)started. Rather than trying to do 10 things perfectly this week, she advises picking two actions you can control and putting your all into those.<\/p>\n

Her suggestions are as follows:<\/p>\n

\u2018Choose your two. Then keep showing up and ticking them off. The outcome will take care of itself as a result of what we repeatedly do.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women\u2019s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. \u00a0She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner\u2019s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. \u00a0A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She\u2019s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.<\/p>\n