Shallow I know but depressed by my body

[losenotloose]

I don't know how to feel better about it. I had my dc young (21) and ever since I've hated my body. I've got stretch marks, even on the back of my calves, and horrible wrinkly skin on my stomach. I gained three stone in pregnancy and I've been left with different skin. My thighs are horrible no matter how much exercise I do and I can tell it's loose skin not muscle.

I've taken up intense exercise since beginning of January but I end up thinking what's the point when nothing changes.

I know people have real problems etc but this really gets me down.

Not expecting anything from this really, just getting it off my chest.

Bump

Hard as it is, stick with it. I’m 50 and fat - I weigh 13 st and 2lbs. Like you I started exercising and watching what I eat at the beginning of January when I was 13st 10. I’ve been stuck at 13st 2 for weeks now. My stomach is saggy with stretch marks, my hips are huge so I can’t wear the lovely skirt my dd saved up to get me for the big 5-0 and my thighs run together. And to cap it all I have a holiday of a lifetime coming up and all I can think about is the pain I will have from chub rub.
Your skin will calm down, you are young enough for those stretch marks to fade and you will have the energy to play with your children.
Don’t give up and leave it as late as I have

Thanks for the kind words, Foslady. I'm going to keep at it because I'm sure it'll be good for my health if nothing else! I'm 34 so the stretch marks won't fade anymore unfortunately (youngest dc is 10). I've also got a holiday coming up in August. I haven't worn a bikini since having dc and I'm determined to wear one this time, but I'd love to wear it confidently. I'm not actually overweight (5ft7 and 10 stone) but it's 10 stone of sagginess.

If you can afford it join a circuit training gym, I've found that they have such a greater faster effect on my over all appearance. You work your whole body, combine cardio and resistance and the work out is all set out for you so you don't have to think about it.

Your body is amazing op. It has produced human life. Believe me, I know how it feels to be self conscious and disappointed at what you see in the mirror but, as I get older, I am starting to accept and appreciate my body for what it is.
Keep at the healthy eating and exercise and look after your body (it’s the only one you’ve got!) but please try not to let the imperfections you see in the mirror get you down.
I once got chatting to a lady on the beach in Greece. I hadn’t noticed her until we started talking. She was overweight (like me) and had saggy skin and stretch marks (again, like me!) and she was wearing a bikini (whereas I was attempting to hide my lumps and bumps in a frumpy swimsuit and cover up). She was so bubbly and funny and nice to talk to. She seemed so comfortable in her own skin and she just inspired me to not give a shit about what others might think or to obsess about my wobbly bits.

Mandala I've been doing body pump and body conditioning as well as some strength dvds at home. I can see some difference but less than I expected given how hard I've been working!

Poptart I know you're completely right but it seems so much of my self worth is tied to how I look and has done since childhood. It's not going to change easily it would seem!