If you went from being unfit to fit/toned...

[Sundaysundaebananasplit]

What did you do?

40 year old, 'skinny-fat', eg I fit into small sized clothes and look slim when I dress for my shape but I'm actually extremely flabby.

I hate exercise, which I think comes from a combination of going through puberty very early and being very uncoordinated. This made PE feel like a humiliating experience, especially as our PE teacher was a bully. Exercise brings up awful feelings of Shame as I was an overweight teenager and just so painfully self conscious. In my 20s I realised I could keep my weight down with diet alone, to my delight!

However, now I'm starting to see the holistic picture. I need to exercise for my health but I would like to tone up too. I also want to be a good example for my kids.

I'm so scared of the emotional response I get when I exercise. Classes are a no-no, for this reason. I justvfeel so stupid and weepy in these situations.

I have young kids and work full time, so it needs to be short. My youngest is an awful sleeper so I can't get up extra early and squeeze a workout in before everyone gets up: I need every minute of sleep I can get before the alarm goes off.

I don't want to do swimming or yoga, but am pretty much open to everything else, so long as its not overwhelming.

Basically, I want something effective and not scary. Can I get some advice please? Even if its a mental revelation you had, or how you talked yourself up?

The thing is it doesn't notice much until suddenly it does. It takes a while so just stick at it! You've done really well to get started and the fact you're feeling wobbly is a really good sign that you're making progress!

I just had someone say wow you've lost a lot of weight. I haven't lost a pound (literally) but I must have toned up a lot if it's noticeable. For me my bottom and legs toned up first but my arms and belly are still a bit wobbly though a lot better than when I started. I've also started to want to exercise but that's taken time too.

Keep at it, you'll be so pleased you have.

Just to add I'm a lot older than you - more than fifteen years, so it's bound to take me longer and you'll more than likely see quicker results.

Not read the whole thread but I hate running and when my children were very little and couldn’t get out much I found the 30 day shred so helpful. It’s fairly old school now I guess but I might dig out the DVD!

Agree with others about finding what you enjoy - it may mean trying lots of different things but it is time well spent. I used to run a lot until my hips and knees but in my 40s it started to cause me hip and knee problems. Over Covid did nothing bar a bit of walking as was so busy with work so now I need to get fit, healthy and lose the weight gained. Can’t do running anymore. Have now been rowing for 8 weeks - about 30 minutes every other day. It is great! Feel like I have finally found something I can stick with. Am using the Asensei app and it is simple to use and just gives me a bit of structure. Will start to add some weights in soon as feel like I am ready to move up a gear. Good luck!

Thanks for so much encouragement and great tips and recommendations! You have all really spurred me on!
Since Sunday, I've been getting my 10,000 steps each day and doing 15/20 minute pilates video in the evening. I am feeling it! I am really enjoying it!

6 months ago I was on maternity leave, practically sedentary, some days barely getting 1000 steps in.

I pay for Jillian Michael’s app and I do her workouts 6 days a week. Mixed with some yoga and Caroline Girvan on the weekend. I’ve been doing this for over 2 years.

I have 2kg, 4kg, 6kg and 7.5kg dumbbells and 12k kettlebell and a set of resistance bands and resistance cables (I built all of these up over a period of two years). And I walk everywhere (as much as is practical and if it’s not pouring rain!). I’m 43 and pretty toned as a result.

@Sundaysundaebananasplit how are you doing? I took my first photo since starting weights around 4 weeks ago and I’m really proud of the difference in my arms! So I wanted to pop on here and say progress shots can be helpful to see the changes, even if it’s minor! I’ll take another photo in another 4 weeks and I’ll be upping my weights again soon hopefully! I hope your journey is still going well!

Out of interest how long did it take to make a difference? I've been doing more exercise for a while and there have been improvements but not to my real bugbears, my underarms and my pot belly. I am older than you though which makes it more challenging.

I lost a ton of weight and reversed my type II diabetes. Like you my experience of school sport was absolutely shite.

As the gym instructor who have me an induction at our leisure centre told me when I said similar stuff about hating PE, being self conscious etc, I needed to just do it even if I didn't particularly enjoy it. Because it's the way to get where I needed to go. He said sometimes things feel a bit shit but just do it, get it done, and soon it will feel less difficult. Which to be fair, happened.

He said if I can't stomach the gym, get a home exercise bike for my front room, or an internet exercise subscription. Or fast long walks. Or whatever. Just no excuses. It burned a bit but I did it and it paid off.

Honestly, it took around a year to see any difference and around 2 years for real, noticeable results. Maybe that’s very slow? I’m not sure, but these changes definitely don’t happen instantly!

Peloton. Buy a bike second hand. They do a training programme where you basically improve your own personal fitness and it's all in the comfort of your own home. It's the only thing I've stuck to.

That's a good instructor!