Can you please inspire me with your fat to very fit stories?

[OhioOhioOhio]

I desperately need to sort out of life. Please.

I was overweight and couldn't walk up the stairs without being out of breath. Then I did couch to 100k in 16 months. It was amazing. Now I run 6 miles 4 times a week and feel great.

This is a lovely inspirational thread, I feel like you OP and sometimes feel so down about it 😢 it's lovely to read everyone's stories.

Can I ask, my major fear of losing weight is saggy skin. What have people's experiences been? Any tips to keep skin as tight as possible?

#Whatalump
How inspiring...I am at the start of my journey, being told I am borderline for diabetes 2 and being very overweight. I lo e to hear stories like yours as they really inspire me.
One question, has all your blood sugar gone back to normal now?

Love this thread!
I joined a gym near my work last week and at the moment I'm trying various classes to find which ones I enjoy. I'm planning on 2 classes a week and 2/3 gym sessions...I have at least 6 stone to lose, I'm the heaviest I've ever been

Omg. This is amazing. Please keep the stories coming. I guess I feel what so many of you have said, that my confidence is really affected. I'm going to have to start really believing in myself again. I suppose I have to find the time for me again too.

What have people's experiences been? Any tips to keep skin as tight as possible?

Loose skin depends on how big you were/are and how long you've been big for.

I lost 40kg and had been obese for years and years (I'm short, too) so I do now have loose skin (it's wrinkly) on my tummy, I was apple shaped so that was my biggest area.

My arms and legs are perfectly fine with no loose skin. I went from 44E to a 32D so my boobs look a bit....deflated! But they're not too bad.

I'd advise loosing excess weight slowly, keep moisturised, and exercising too.

I can't lie, I wish I had a lovely flat tummy to show off but you really cannot tell the skin is baggy when I have clothes on - and there's no way I'd swap it for being big again!

Excuse typos!

I’ve lost almost two stone now since June by following the 16:8 way of eating, combined with low carb. I’ve tried everything to lose weight previously and this has been so easy. In terms of exercise I just do a lot of walking at the moment, I am for around 12,000 steps per day. I’d recommend reading The Obesity Code by Dr Jason Fung, it’s a real eye opener and has changed my relationship to food completely. Good luck!

@Zaphodsotherhead well bloody done 👍

@LifeofRye thanks for the insight!

9 years ago I was a seriously unfit and overweight size 18/20, I know that's not extreme but I got breathless walking upstairs and couldn't bend over/sit down comfortably due to my stomach.

I lost 4 stone and I'm now a size 12 - I lift weights, run, swim and cycle.

I've ran 2 marathons, 4 half marathons and done a half iron man triathlon.

DS and I are currently working our way through the 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District.

No fad diets, I just cut out unhealthy foods and un-necessary snacks and (gradually) increased my exercise.

It's my stress relief and I can't ever imagine going back to my sedentary lifestyle!

Good luck OP you can do it!!!

@Colourfulest I could have written this. I'm in the same boat completely. I feel big but I'm so shocked that wearing size 16 clothes. I'm trying so hard to lose weight, I'm 6 months post partum. Doing as much exercise as I can but still have pelvic pain... Doing dynamic yoga three times a week and trying to be controlled with what I eat. I'm not about fads... I need a sustainable diet

We will get there!

Ok this is a bit outing but...

Last summer I weighed over 18st. Have lost over 6.5st doing SW, plus going to the gym 3x a week. I do parkrun on a Sat too. I never used to do any exercise. Now I enjoy it.

I've gone from a sz 22 to a sz 12. I'm hoping to lose another stone.

My experiences with loose skin is mostly on my tummy, I still have a little overhang, but I've also had 3 babies, so I wouldn't expect to have a perfect flat belly. I look fine with my clothes on, I just wear support underwear if I want to wear a figure hugging dress. Working out with weights helps to build up a bit of muscle to support the skin and gives a firmer look.

Another one here. Was size 20-22, 15.5 stone (5'7") and was so poorly toned I was forever falling over and couldn't walk up the steps to my house without getting out of breath. The photos of my 50th were horrendous.

I'm now almost 52, 10.5 stone (though I did get down to 9.5 at one point - am working on going back there...) and like other posters, have discovered running. Size 12 at the moment, will soon be back to 10-12.

I did a 10k two weeks ago, and signed up a week ago for a half marathon! I'm not the fastest Parkrunner (a PP said she can do 20 mins - eeek!) and given my age I don't think I ever will be, but I am happy and addicted to running and wish I'd discovered all this years ago!

Not much I can do about having bits of me that sag more than I'd like (and actually make me bigger than I was when I was younger and this weight) but being fit more than makes up for that.

Velvet

Wow. Your pictures are amazing. Has your summer been easier? More fun?

I’ve lost 2.5 stone since the beginning of the year. Still got 6 to go but it’s the right direction. Can now do the second week of couch to 5k without too much hassle and no longer wet myself when I jog

It feels great. A long way to go but it’s the right direction.

You can do it.

All the photos are so inspiring, it really shows what can be achieved

Yes. In the photos I think the fit and thin versions have a different way of standing. It is so impressive.

I did a 10k two weeks ago, and signed up a week ago for a half marathon! I'm not the fastest Parkrunner (a PP said she can do 20 mins - eeek!)

That was me - but a 45 min parkrun is just as far as a 20-min one! Thing is with parkrun - and with running in general- it's all about taking part, having fun and bettering your own times. Yes, I like the rare occasions I'm 1st lady, but it also meant so much to dip under 30 mins for the first time, to dip under 25 mins for the first time...etc etc. It's the inclusivity that makes it so great.

Thank you!

Yes and no - I have a whole new wardrobe of clothes, went on holiday and wore a bikini (and didnt feel self conscious), have loads of energy and generally feel a lot better in myself. So all massive positives. One fairly major (and unforeseen) negative is that unfortunately my relationship has recently kind of imploded, partly for weight loss related reasons. But aside from that it's all been great.

Oh and Parkrun...my best time is 36 mins. I can run 5k in about 31 mins on the treadmill if I really push it but our Parkrun is on fairly uneven terrain so I don't manage to go as fast!

Yes I agree! Love the whole ethos of parkruns. I usually come in about 32 mins but PB is 29min 55 and I was soooo pleased! I love how many different people do parkrun. I always exit the barcode readers and go and shout encouragement at those just finishing - even if they're walking. Doesn't matter. They're there. Now I'm training for the half, I am supposed to have a rest day on Saturday and long run on Sunday. I think I will be volunteering instead!

Good luck to all of you especially if you're just starting. You won't recognise yourself in a few months, and I can recommend starting exercise first then diet; build that into your life first, even if it's just walking... then the diet part isn't as hard. Speaking as someone who never exercised on previous (failed) diets.

For all of you who have introduced an exercise regime, when are you doing it? I had a fairly typical today of:
6.30am - get up
7.30am - leave for work
6.00pm - get home from work (having worked through lunch as usual)
6.00 - 7.30 - play with DC, sort out bits of admin, unload supermarket delivery
7.30 - 8.00 - bath & bed for DC2
8.00 - 8.30 - helping DC1 sort out stuff for a trip, DH gets home, chatting to DH and DC1
8.30 - 9.00 - ironing whilst DH cooks
9.00 - 10.00 - eating dinner, clearing up dinner, making packed lunches for tomorrow, laundry
10.00 - sat down and really can't face exercise. Now faffing on MN and watching the news and about to go to bed.
I have great intentions every week but am just exhausted if I get up at 5.45/6.00M which is what I have to do if I am to do even a brief bit of exercise.

Raindrops - can you incorporate exercise into your commute? I fit it in by cycling or running to work, and running/gym on my lunch breaks. When I worked further away, I got the bus halfway and ran the rest.

Then Parkrun Saturday and long run Sunday.