Losing weight in your 40s can help you fit back into your favorite-but-increasingly-snug-jeans. Beyond flattering your figure, however, midlife weight loss carries a host of other benefits — like adding years to your life.

A recent study found even modest weight loss in your 40s can significantly reduce your risk of developing serious health issues and increase life expectancy. Researchers tracked more than 23,000 adults in their 40s for up to 35 years, gaining insight into the effects of midlife weight loss. Participants who went from overweight to a healthy weight saw a 48% reduced risk of chronic disease and a 19% lower risk of death.

Notably, even modest weight loss was shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing serious health issues while still conveying the benefits of a longer life.

The study was conducted before many of today’s newest surgical and medicinal weight loss interventions were available. That means the study results apply to those who lost weight the old-fashioned way — via diet and exercise.

Losing weight and keeping it off can be a challenge, but researchers emphasized the benefits of putting in the work. As an added incentive, the study found that those who lost weight also typically had lower blood pressure and cholesterol compared with those who remained overweight.

But patience is key. Researchers noted that realizing the full benefit of even modest weight loss in your 40s can take decades to be realized.

So, if you’ve noticed your jeans fitting a bit tighter, know that losing weight could be more than just a cosmetic improvement. It just might be a step toward a longer, healthier life — and it’s never too late to get in shape.