What exercise gave you the most noticeable difference?

Cardio (running/cycling) but keeping heart rate low (135-145 ish) to lose the weight, weights and swimming for muscle tone/definition.

I've tried doing one or the other in the past - pure running made me slim but flabby and pure weights did not a lot.

Running won't deliver strength.

You need a mix of cardio and strength building. You need to start slowly and build up over time.

I'd recommend the Joe Wicks 90 day plan or app. I'm the same age as you. I'm also struggling.with fatigue etc due to peri menopause but I completed the plan three years ago and felt amazing.

You can do it at home, it's not scary and it's impactful. I lost inches off my thighs and loads off my waist. I felt strong and lean.

For me, it's Body Pump for strength and Zumba for cardio that never feels like exercise, yet definitely is.

I must have done C25K more than ten times. It always turns me into someone who can run for about 25 mins but never, ever wants to. So I never keep it up. I wish the app came with hypnosis.

Kettlebells . Sadly the classes at the gym have not returned after Covid. I have my own regime but I am going to look at the on line recommendations mentioned earler.
I started at 58 .....it definately made a difference.

For me running. I love it. I run 6 days a week. The other day I go to a PT for weight training which has also really helped.

I need to start doing weights twice a week ideally, but if I've only got time for one thing - running will always win.

Definitely weight training. I was obsessed with running for years and counting calories, but was only ever really skinny fat.
Weight lifting has improved my metabolism and I can maintain a toned figure far happier than I did with all the cardio

Cycling works best for me - cycling just for cardio but also MTB (mountain bike riding) I started over 5 years ago and my body completely changed I lost weight and gained muscles in places I never though possible and its a nice adrenaline rush depending where you cycle. It's also outside and in nature and there are endless beautiful places to ride a bike.
I would also say yoga and insanity workouts are brilliant too. (Insanity workouts really are insane though not for the faint hearted!)
Cycling is definitely number 1 for me though.

Try to find an independent gym focused on weight training. Powerlifting is great, fantastic community, very diverse with a wide range of age and weight classes

Can I just jump on here to ask - how on earth do you runners stay motivated to get out regularly? I've tried to get into running so many times, I love the idea of it but can't seem to commit to doing it consistently

@traytablestowed honestly?! Because as much as I really really don’t want to go running some days, I don’t want to be overweight even more.

Also ParkRun, clubs, arranging to run with someone else holds you accountable

Weight training. Didn't end up looking like a man (as many people fear), just a really good femine toned shape

I'm 63 in a couple of weeks, I run a bit ( although not if raining! ) ,watch what I eat, go to the gym. I also do pilates , recently bought a new dvd which I love. It's made quite a difference to my body. I feel more toned and my tummy is shrinking. The dvd is 30 days to total body tone by Caroline Sandry. I've lost 8lbs since January. Just reached target weight. I would recommend the dvd , I had a beginner dvd beforehand but it wasn't very taxing. I've been doing this dvd for about 4 weeks. I do it most evenings, you can do ten minutes if you like. I usually do 20 to 30 minutes, it has 10 minute segments concentrated on different parts of the body.

I tried to loose weight for years, however running was what worked for me! My weight started to drop off!

I've started to do weight training now also and am slowly starting to see progress.

Bit older than you but at about 50 started circuit training. I love it. And recently l started pilates as well which l find helps with posture and core strength. Definitely do something where you have a coach to get started so you know you are doing it right. I feel stronger, more toned and generally have more energy and its fun.

Also find a supplement from Boots called The Complete Woman very good as it has everything you would need.
And agree with getting the proper clothes for a feel good feeling.

I have just turned 50 and really want to start lifting weight but every time I start, even light weights I hurt for weeks after, does anyone know if that’s a perimenopause thing?

I've just started running and this is just what I wanted to hear.

Squats and deadlifts.

Proper compound lifts, with progressively heavier weights. I started lifting properly at age 58, and now 5 years later, I deadlift 100 kilos, and can do a barbell squat of 67.5 kilos. I have very tight abs and really strong legs, with great definition.

I'm 57, was a runner for 10 years, marathons, trails, running 50 miles a week and most days: I didn't realise until I started doing free weights following Caroline Girvan you tube videos that I had no strength or muscle definition at all: The transformation even just in 3 months is amazing, so definitely weight training makes the most and fastest difference: I still run but much less, strength training is far more important at my age and moving around and life in general is sooo much easier!

Caroline Girvan also comes recommended for weight/resistance training - free on YouTube

Reformer pilates and swimming!

Try Barre!! I'm amazed what a difference it's made.

Hi OP. I go along to Body pump, legs,bums and tums, circuits and a boxing class. I use weights in most of my classes and really see a difference. I am 50, lost 4 Stone a while ago and kept the weight off. I also watch my diet especially cutting down on bread, pasta.
If I can do it anyone can. I dog walk every day which has also made such a difference. 4 years ago I was on Holiday and had a awful photo taken of me which made me change my life style. It was either buy a whole new wardrobe with bigger clothes or get myself fit/healthy eating. I joined a gym and haven't looked back.
In lock down i was working out with Davina workout DVD's. Bought on e-bay/Amazon. It helped me to stay focus. Good luck and I hope you find something that works for you.

@Noicant do you download the beginner shred? If so where from? And what size weights did you use? X

It's all v personal, but I find vinyasa yoga brilliant. It makes me feel bendier and stronger really quickly. I did weight training with a PT and although it was good, I didn't enjoy it as much as yoga so it fell by the wayside a bit

Sorry should have said it’s circuits, combo of strength and cardio, beginner shred introduces cardio slower and I just pushed up the weight I was using as soon as I felt comfortable.

Weight and/or resistance training by a country mile.