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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is 40 too late to make a significant change to weight/shape?

115 replies

Fistycuffs · 09/01/2021 21:43

I’ve always been totally on/off with commitment to fitness and health and am now 40, more uncomfortable with myself than ever but feel increasingly like I’ve left it too late.
I’m disappointed with myself as I’ve never let myself be properly happy in my own skin and while I’m totally preoccupied with it i just don’t make the changes needed.
Would love to hear from anyone else who has actually made a significant life style change post 40 😃

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
ThinkAboutItTomorrow · 09/01/2021 22:23

I lost 2 stone last year at 44. Today I ran 10k.

Big difference and really worth doing.

Good luck. Just do it.

Timeandtune · 09/01/2021 22:25

It’s never too late. I decided to get fitter when I turned 40 in 2018. Took up running and started to take more notice of my food intake. I gradually lose 20 lbs and have kept it off.

Timeandtune · 09/01/2021 22:26

Typing error. I turned 60 not 40.

wellthatsunusual · 09/01/2021 22:29

I've made significant lifestyle changes in my mid 40s. I was slim as a teenager and in my early 20s, then my weight went up and down throughout my 30s and early 40s. I tried many times to shift the weight but without success. In the end a personal trainer was what made the difference. If you want to change, you can.

Mumski45 · 09/01/2021 22:30

Absolutely not too late. I started to get fit in 2012 when I was well past 40. I lost 2.5 stone and have kept it off. Never felt so good and I'm now over 50. I would say find something which motivates you and go for it.

EssexLioness · 09/01/2021 22:31

Not too late, I’m in my 40s and lost two stone this year, still 2 stone to go. But I’ve changed my eating habits completely and have even learned to love exercise (complete couch potato before that). Besides walking my dog, I go on the treadmill for an hour a day (power walk as knees not up to running) and love it. I also do some yoga/ Pilates/ cardio workouts. I absolutely love it and have so much energy now

Todaywillbegood · 09/01/2021 22:32

Lots of inspirational stories, thank you. Interesting that most of you seem to have made healthier choices and upped your exercise rather than followed diet plans. I keep hovering near the sign up button for WW but know I just need willpower really!

Msfoxy17 · 09/01/2021 22:39

Totally agree with others that 40 defo not.too late. But I think you have to very committed and self-discipline to make long-lasting changes. My mum was a little overweight in her 50s and 60s..shes now mid 70s and has lost a good amount of weight (particularly in lockdown!)and is in really good shape. She is pretty strict about portion control and not eating too many carbs and does a fair amount of exercise but not a huge amount. I need to try and do some of what does now.im approaching 40 and weight has been creeping up slowly last few years...

Original poster
Fistycuffs · 09/01/2021 22:43

Thank you ladies. Appreciate you taking the time to reply. I don’t have a significant amount of weight to lose so could easily just trundle on. But feels stupid that I feel uncomfortable ALL the time but just can’t seem to find the push to change 😟

OP posts:
Windmyonlyfriend · 09/01/2021 22:53

Lots of inspirational stories, thank you. Interesting that most of you seem to have made healthier choices and upped your exercise rather than followed diet plans. I keep hovering near the sign up button for WW but know I just need willpower really!

That’s absolutely it! You really don’t need diet plans. The diet industry is disgusting, it only exists by making people (mostly women) feel shit about themselves and then selling them a quick fix that won’t last, because if it did they’d be out of business.

Weight loss mustn’t be the driving motivation in making a lifestyle change. Focus on your fitness and well being and making changes because they will change your quality of life, not because they’ll change your dress size. Flowers

MiddlesexGirl · 09/01/2021 23:00

Mid 50s.
Have gone from 12st7 and size 12/14 to 9st3 and size 8 in three years. (Two 6/9 month efforts and stable between).
Feel very empowered and confident.

Mostly more exercise (I already did a reasonable amount) and a no-snacking, lowish carb, 16:8 diet.

IShouldBeSoLurky · 09/01/2021 23:26

I’ve never been really overweight but in the past 8 years (roughly since turning 40) I’ve lost the best part of a stone and more recently started weight training. I’m in the best shape of my life and I think I’m in the best possible place heading into menopause. My BMI is under 20 and so is my body fat percentage. And I am strong and fit. It’s not been a massive change weight wise but I just realised that at my age I needed to work a bit differently and protect my body as I get older.

SophieDahling · 09/01/2021 23:30

No, absolutely not too late. Download My Fitness Pal, enter your weight, height and desired weekly loss, record everything you eat and don’t eat back exercise calories.

You will lose weight.

ReallySpicyCurry · 09/01/2021 23:34

No way. Actually, in RL most of the women I know who have lost a significant amount of weight and kept it off, have done so between around 40-50. Go for it!

thenightsky · 09/01/2021 23:38

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/grandma-unhappy-weight-loses-8-11005369

I used to work with the woman in the article above when she was her 'before' picture. Her story is very inspiring.

MatildaTheCat · 09/01/2021 23:39

I did. Lost two stone aged 41. That was well over a decade ago and it’s largely stayed off. I’m currently addressing the lockdown gain of about 5-6 pounds.

You have to somehow get into the zone. I think everyone has their own story on this one.

I also started swimming far more frequently and faster and also took up Pilates quite seriously. Since then despite a nasty injury I still do some form of exercise every day.

Feeling strong and slim is a great feeling. (And in a few weeks I’ll be there again.)

Tenementfunster · 09/01/2021 23:54

Very inspiring!

TreadLightly3 · 09/01/2021 23:55

Wow ladies, so I inspiring!

Original poster
Fistycuffs · 10/01/2021 00:16

Yes! This is what I needed to hear!
Getting in the zone is it. I’ve been there before. And I have felt great.
Agree it’s about finding something you’re passionate about and sticking with it.
Thank you. Massive well done to those success stories and thank you for sharing and good luck to those in the same boat as me x

OP posts:
Original poster
Fistycuffs · 10/01/2021 00:18

Amazing! I needed to hear this. Just suddenly feel so very old! 🙁

OP posts:
FannyFifer · 10/01/2021 00:27

Def not to late, I lost 7 1/2 stone at 40.

PrtScn · 10/01/2021 00:28

I’m struggling at the moment. Early 40s and still breastfeeding with a toddler that doesn’t sleep. So I think lack of sleep and the breastfeeding isn’t helping matters. I’ve started running again, not very fast but I can run marathon distances. Only lost 7 pounds in 5 months. Over Christmas I’ve eaten more rubbish but generally I don’t bother.

hayleysmiles · 10/01/2021 00:39

It's definitely not!!

Go for it

scotsllb · 10/01/2021 00:43

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal

God no! Since turning forty I've lost three stone, gone from a size 14 to a size 8, dealt with separated stomach muscles giving me a massive mum tum, and generally toned everything up.

I started eating low-carb, saw a physio (for the mum tum, which turned out to be diastasis recti) and took up swimming and Pilates (swimming tonight to keep up right now, admittedly).

This is me now:

You look amazing well done!
YouKnowItsTrue · 10/01/2021 09:25

Love this thread. So many inspiring stories.