Do most women post 40/45 yrs dislike their body?

Good god no, never try swim wear in a shop. Order online in all sizes and shapes.

Thanks. It was a genuine question. I know people who do it once a week and they haven't had any transformation so I guess it's the frequency that makes the difference.

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/5032620-please-share-your-dimple-busters-peri-menopausal-cellulite-woes

I went through the same woes after trying on a suit in M and S earlier this year and catching a back view of a big, white, dimply bum when I was getting changed. I'm mid fifties, size 8 and go to the gym regularly. DH had to take a photo of my bum in the end to reassure me! It's not you it's them!

I shall assume you’re not being sarcastic 😁

It’s the strength it requires and the overall work out it gives. I run a lot but Pilates added definition to my legs, my abs are now visible, my shoulders and arms defined. I use weights doing it now, but the fact it’s easy to do every day I think is the key. I do 12 mins (12 x 12 exercises) every morning and 2 classes a week, so quite a bit to be fair, but I’ve built the moves up so now it’s with weights and it’s changed my physique. It’s not overnight, 2 years in but only 1 class for the first year.

I loath the M&S mirrors. many a time I have wanted to cry.
I was hanging in there body wise till my mid 40s then fuck me, the perimenopause kicked me in the teeth. I've always been very motivated to exercise but I've lost the will to live. I've gone up another dress Size, and I was already too big. I know that diet is my issue but again, lost the will to live. A lot of the weight is my own fault, I've never been disaplined. I'm paying the price now I think.

"Pilates was the thing that changed me the most."

Please tell us more.

Also @AstonMartha - I do Caroline Girvan weights on youtube and Pilates on 'instructor live' (also youtube) its in collab with the NHS. The instructor is called Sam (female). 0I do the pilates as a warm up and then the weights. Both have really helped with tone, posture, back pain. I'm mid 50s and these are really helping me feel not too bad about my body.

I spent my entire life until about 5 years ago absolutely hating and fighting my body into submission - starving, bingeing, keeping myself at an artificiallly low weight.

Then I decided I was done with all that shit and got fat. But I love my body. I refuse to feel anything other than love for it, because it's more healthy than anyone of my age that I know. I am extremely fit still, because I love exercise and walking, and I do both almost daily.

So I would advise changing your focus from looks to function, especially as you exercise.

A also think give it a few years and the menopause 'couldn't give a fuck' hormone balance will hit, and you will effortlessly feel loads better.

Bodies are brilliant. They do all kinds of amazing things all the time - most of which we don’t know about or notice, to keep us alive and active. Who cares what they look like when they are so fabulous!

I did hate my peri menopausal body for a few years. I started working out for an hour a day and restricted my calories. It's taken 2 years to lose 3 stone and I'm delighted. I'm no longer embarrassed by my body. I still have another stone to go, I cannot wait to be a size 10 again. You can do it, it's never too late. 💪 💪 💪

No.
I'm 45, child free and I'm satisfied with my body.
Not arrogant, I have flaws, but why put myself down?
Not classified as overweight and definitely not skinny.

No. I am all about the self love. Self loathing is toxic and I left that behind in my youth. I am far from perfect but relatively fit and strong in my 50's. My body does what I need it to. My mum is heading for a wheelchair and I'm honestly just grateful I have my mobility and strength.
Oh I never ever try clothes on in shops, that will make anyone feel bad, those mirrors are hideous. I just use the mirror I like best at home with my soft lighting

Thanks @Roadaheadclear for answering.

Weirdly, I look identical at 53 to what I did at 18. I’m short with hips and cankles. I remember in sixth form being jealous of every one else with longer limbs and more regular shape.
Now, I’m the identical dress size (10ish) and scrub up ok. My body suits my age, I think.

Those who looked better than me then, I imagine, have seen more change. People with long fine limbs continue to look good but in a different way, or they out in weight in the middle.

Exactly @Ames74 - self hatred is such a waste of energy

This! ^^

You don't need to love your body or hate it. Google "body neutrality".

Society, men, constant perfect bodies in media, underwear models, porn, mens obsession with youth, famous women etc

It's awful. But when I look around me, and I work all over in cities and towns etc, most people are average, aging normally, rarely see anyone who looks like what we are shown on tv and magazines, and so many are overweight. I hate to see so many women feeling bad. We are amazing, more amazing with each passing year as our confidence, wisdom and experience grows. It's so weird that many don't see and appreciate that and just judge on how fuckable and impregnatable we are. We shouldn't be feeling bad about unimportant shit like this. We are only here for a short blip of time. We are alive!

Kids fuck your body up. I’ve had to remove mirrors from my house because otherwise I start crying. I just keep thinking how beautiful I used to be only a couple of years ago.

I think a huge number of women dislike their bodies, it's ingrained in us from a young age that we need to look a particular way that is unattainable for the vast majority due to genetics.

I was out running with 2 friends recently, both slim and fit, and we got onto the topic of our bodies. They both loathe theirs, despite being in better shape than 95% of the population. I also loathe mine (anorexia as a teen, self-loathing never really went away). It's awful, why are we like this?

I'm naturally inclined to be happy with my body. I had DS on the cusp of 30, huge bump, EMCS, rather unpleasant birth and in the early months hated the flabby, wrinkled overhang and scar that kept reminding me about the way the birth spiraled. I decided to get a high waisted bikini because fuck it, I was not going to hide my body away out of shame for some random body standard for the next 50+ years.

He's now a teenager. I'm at peace with the flabby overhang. Currently losing a few surplus lbs because they're not doing my body any good, and chuffing nora the chaffing when running! I want to keep my body well nourished, strong and moving and maximise its healthy, active years. Health and exercise are self-care to me, not punitive.

There's a lot more aging to go- hopefully, because there's fates worse than aging at this stage of life. DH is in his 50s and refocusing on health, nudged partly by the ailing health and premature deaths of too many colleagues, and he's one of the few in his middle-aged, male-heavy workplace without a substantial pot-belly.

Resect what your body does for you. Make it feel good.
accept that trendy floral midi-length sacks do nothing to enhance my strong, sturdy legs

I have a set routine I do which combines weights and Pilates, but not found a good one on YouTube yet. I’m going to start the search this summer as our classes stop term time. Sorry no great insight

I’m 55. Carrying a bit of extra weight, I have generous thighs, a little round tummy, but a small waist. I love my body and so do the men I sleep with.

I love this. I work out a reasonable amount but I’m waiting for it to catch up with me.

Any recommendations for at home Pilates? I do one class a week but there’s no more here!

You sound perfect as you are. Sometimes our mind plays tricks on us. I bet you’re beautiful. I’m 40. Just had my 3rd child and my body looks crazy compared to what it was. Hopefully I’ll be back to normal soon. But until then I try not to let the negative thoughts creep in.