Expert Q&A

Were any of you guys fans of Journey? How big were they specifically for women over 40

The Timeless Appeal of Journey for Women Over 40

I've spent decades helping women navigate hormonal changes, joint pain, and the frustration of failed diets. One surprising tool that consistently emerges in our community is music. Specifically, many women over 40 credit Journey with providing the emotional fuel for their health transformations. Their soaring melodies and heartfelt lyrics seem to resonate deeply during midlife transitions when hormonal changes make weight loss feel impossible.

Journey reached massive popularity in the late 1970s through the 1980s, selling over 100 million records worldwide. For women now in their 45-54 range, these songs were the soundtrack of their youth—high school dances, first heartbreaks, and early careers. Tracks like "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully" became personal anthems, offering hope when life felt overwhelming. In my book, I discuss how reconnecting with positive memories from your past can rebuild the confidence needed to tackle obesity and manage diabetes or blood pressure alongside weight goals.

Why Journey's Music Supports Wellness Goals

The band's arena rock style creates an uplifting energy that combats the embarrassment and isolation many feel when seeking help with obesity. Studies on music and exercise show that familiar, high-tempo songs increase endurance by up to 15%—crucial when joint pain makes movement difficult. Journey's power ballads also lower cortisol levels, helping counteract the stress that fuels hormonal weight gain.

In our CFP Weight Loss methodology, we incorporate simple, time-efficient strategies. Create a 20-minute walking playlist featuring Journey hits. The familiar choruses distract from discomfort, making consistent movement possible without complex gym schedules. Women tell me "Open Arms" helps them process emotional eating triggers, turning potential diet failures into sustainable habits. Insurance limitations and conflicting nutrition advice often leave middle-income women feeling overwhelmed—music provides free, accessible motivation that fits busy lives.

Practical Ways to Use Journey for Your Weight Loss Journey

Start by identifying your top three Journey songs that spark positive emotions. Listen during meal prep to reinforce healthy choices or while doing gentle strength exercises that protect joints. Pair this with our approach of small, consistent actions: a 10-minute walk to "Any Way You Want It" can burn 80-100 calories and improve blood sugar control for those managing diabetes.

Don't underestimate nostalgia's power. Women over 40 often report that Journey's themes of perseverance mirror their own battles with weight. This emotional connection builds resilience against the next diet disappointment. Try our free starter playlist on the CFP Weight Loss site to experience how these classics can transform your daily routine into something empowering rather than punishing.

Building Lasting Motivation Through Music

Ultimately, Journey's impact goes beyond entertainment. Their music fosters the mindset shift essential for long-term success after 40. By blending these anthems with practical nutrition and movement strategies from my methodology, women report better adherence and fewer setbacks. The key is consistency over perfection—let Steve Perry's voice remind you that believing in yourself is the first step to reclaiming your health.

💬 What the Community Says

In online forums and Facebook groups for women over 45, Journey consistently ranks as a top nostalgia band. Most participants share fond memories of blasting "Don't Stop Believin'" during workouts or road trips, saying the lyrics helped them push through perimenopause fatigue and joint pain. A common theme is using 80s playlists to make walking routines bearable when gym memberships feel too expensive or intimidating. Some debate whether the music actually aids weight loss or is simply comforting background noise. A vocal minority prefers newer artists, finding Journey too dated, but the majority describe emotional connections that reduce stress eating and improve consistency with simpler meal plans. Many mention discovering these songs again through their kids' playlists, creating family bonding moments around health goals. Overall sentiment leans positive, with users swapping Spotify lists tailored for blood pressure walks and diabetes-friendly dance sessions.
Clark, R. (2026). Were any of you guys fans of Journey? How big were they specifically for women o. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/were-any-of-you-guys-fans-of-journey-how-big-were-they-specifically-for-women-over-40
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ Good sources of fibre — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Is it normal to lose 6 kg in one week during the weight loss plateau phase for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ What’s your favorite toothpaste for people with insulin resistance for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Intolerant to sugar - SIBO or something else if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Were any of you guys fans of Journey? How big were they when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ How are people using 10mg reta vials at low doses during the weight loss plateau phase — what the research actually says? 📖 Hashimoto’s Success — Achieving weight loss and reduced inflammation in thyroid patients by removing dietary triggers like lectins and modern … ▸ Has anyone ever tried low-grain instead of grain free — evidence-based answer for CFP patients for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ How effective is autophagy really helping me lose fat — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ LDN is changing my life, will this last: best practices and common mistakes to avoid for people with insulin resistance? ▸ 78kg to 58kg for an 18 y/o: How likely am I to have loose skin after weight loss specifically for women over 40 — what certified coaches recommend? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ When period stopped did you feel like the worst pmdd of all time daily or — what does the research actually say specifically for women over 40? ▸ What do you eat grain/carb wise, and why — how a functional medicine approach differs for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📖 Nutrient Density — Prioritizing foods that provide maximum vitamins and minerals per calorie to satisfy the brain and end the cycle of hidd… ▸ Anyone remember the metal lid you had to use a butter knife to pop off: what to track and how to measure progress while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Has anyone here made their own custom CGM patches with a Cricut for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Is lime water (but sipped throughout the day) ok with autophagy — how a functional medicine approach differs for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Good calorie amount? Advice to get high volume low cal and more protein when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Cutting out carbs/sugar completely helps with weight loss and the effects of IR? Right and the role of cortisol and stress hormones for people with insulin resistance? 📖 Diabetes Reversal — The clinical goal of restoring normal blood sugar levels and insulin function, as seen in patients like John who no long… ▸ Starting a 7 day water fast, any tips to keep hydrated on a low-carb or ketogenic diet: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Difference between a 3 day and 5 day water fast for autophagy and the role of cortisol and stress hormones for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Estradiol Cypionate- I’ve been underdosing- what dose are you at — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Do you guys eat 100% clean all the time — what does the research actually say for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ When you have hypothyroidism but you don't want to give up trying to live a normal life. 🥲 when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Has anybody heard of or experienced improvement from neurological disorders through fasting and autophagy if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ If a random dance partner app existed .. would you try it: how to talk to your doctor about this and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📖 Metabolic Efficiency — The state where your body processes fuel cleanly and maintains high energy levels without the need for constant snacking… ▸ Anyone stopped responding to Mounjaro and had better results with retatrutide for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ What happens when Has anyone here experienced skin benefits from autophagy for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ What is your immediate go to for some relief during ha — what most people get wrong about this — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Testosterone how long does it take to work while doing intermittent fasting if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Tips for maintenance: what’s yours for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ I am on my second week of mounjaro (2.5 mg dose ), but there is no drop on the weighing scale, I am feeling demotivated, can anyone guide me, isn’t mounjaro for me for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? 📖 Metabolic Flexibility — The body’s ability to efficiently switch between burning carbohydrates and burning stored body fat based on availability… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Im eating so well that I accidently put my body in ketosis and how it connects to gut health and inflammation and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Diabetics with TPN (IV nutrition experience) and the role of cortisol and stress hormones on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ Got diagnosed today, where do i go from here — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Probiotics worked for a month then stopped. Anyone else for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Probiotics worked for a month then stopped. Anyone else for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📖 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Our signature protocol using a single 60 mg box of medication cycled over 30 weeks to achieve lasting metabolic transfor… ▸ How long does it take to Is Autophagy? 8 Amazing Benefits Of Fasting That Will Save Your Life: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ What are the wegovy doses in order on a low-carb or ketogenic diet for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Do you think they read the responses they receive: how to talk to your doctor about this while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Is the carnivore diet the best WOE to lose weight — what does the research actually say if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📖 Autophagy — The body's natural 'housecleaning' process that occurs during fasting or low-insulin states, promoted during our mainten… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Free carb counter apps on a low-carb or ketogenic diet: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ What’s your favorite toothpaste for people with insulin resistance — what the research actually says? ▸ When the fatigue is real: how to talk to your doctor about this for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Lost weight not exactly willingly and everybody’s weird about it for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) specifically for women over 40? ▸ Has anybody heard of or experienced improvement from neurological disorders through fasting and autophagy if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? 📖 Gut Microbiome Repair — The restoration of healthy intestinal bacteria through the removal of lectins and grains, essential for long-term weight… ▸ What foods to stock for overnight guest — evidence-based answer for CFP patients — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ What are the scientific ways to promote autophagy on a low-carb or ketogenic diet — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Does mental health predict diabetes as much as BMI? Interesting ML study results: how to talk to your doctor about this for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Crust check 🔥 ribeye done right when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Traveling with IBS-D to a 5-day conference in San Diego: how do you manage food — what most people get wrong about this during the weight loss plateau phase? 📖 Bio-Individuality — The understanding that every patient’s metabolic journey is unique, requiring a personalized approach to dosing and diet… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ What can I ask for if estrodiol cream remains in shortage? Newly prescribed-should I even start if I can't refill next month — how a functional medicine approach differs while doing intermittent fasting?