No, not now. I did for the first maybe two years or so.
Around 7 years ago I lost six stones, in my early fifties. My goal was to complete the moonwalk, hence the cheer for walking
.
Believe me, until then, I loathed “exercise”. The goal turned out to be absolutely key though. I signed up with a friend and that kept me going for nearly a year of training, through sun, rain, wind and hailstones (in the NW where the wind speed rarely drops below 20 😁)
Until then, I’d have said my willpower was negligible but signing up with someone else and seeking sponsorship made a massive difference mentally. I owed something to these people for their faith in me. At the same time, I made an effort to cut down in complex carbs and up my fruit and veg massively.
The arm thing came about because my husband was having a big birthday. We hosted a (as it turned out, epic) dinner for a dozen friends, a couple of whom I hadn’t seen for 20 years. I’m really not a vain person, generally but have to say that personal pride kicked in and I thought I’m dammed if they’re going to think “she’s let herself go” 🤣
I had a lovely dress which fitted my body nicely three months before the event but I was unhappy with my upper arms. Until then, I had just been walking. So after googling, I started walking with my arms, too. Felt really stoopid at first but gradually realised no-one else cared and after a month or so I actually felt uncomfortable walking without using my arms. At the same time, I started lifting with small dumbbells, each evening before my bath. There are lots of You Tube tutorials, mine consisted of just 5 exercises and it took just 10 minutes.
Three months before his dinner, I had lace sleeves added to my dress. Two weeks before, I took them off 😃
At the same time, I used Nivea Q10 firming cream every day, after bathing. No idea if it helped.
Move forward, two years. Post lockdown and like everyone else I’ve gained just about a stone (CEV husband, couldn’t walk for a year and well, hell, life’s been a bit shite and I’ve eaten and drunk too much like everyone)
On 2nd Jan I weighed just about over a stone more than fighting fit weight two years ago (wine, mostly, I fear
.)
But, and a big but, my tight as a drum tummy is still there, underneath the inch of fat, it’s rock hard. My arms need a little work but after my previous experience, I know they’ll be there in a couple of months.
I got back on track on Monday (another challenge, this time with my daughter) and I’ll be there within a couple of months (that’s key, don’t expect miracles).