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

[Fistycuffs]

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 😃

Thanks to everyone posting their success stories. I'm in my 40s and put on around 3 stone in the last two years.I've e felt so bad about my health and fitness. I've started walking to work which is about 2 miles each way and also the couch to 5 K. Im trying to reduce portion size aswell as that's what got me to this weight. I eat healthy mostly but have a problem with portion distortion. Anyway I feel so inspired by your posts. Thankyou!

JaceLancs

“Not too late at all
I lost 6 stone and totally changed my body and fitness levels at 50+
It is just harder the older you are“

Snap! It’s perfectly possible if you’re committed and accept it will be a long (lifelong) process.

40 is the perfect time.
(So is 50,60 and 70)
The big thing for me is having decided to get really comfortable in my skin no matter what.
What I've noticed about when I exercise is how much my inner voice changes to become kinder than in every day life. I think it's that I'm focusing on my goal and not having many extra thoughts creeping in to steal my attention away. I'll hear myself thinking, you've done three thousand steps, that's really good. Let's see if you can keep going to the next lamppost etc....

No of course not. And 40 is hardly old OP

Yes! At 40 I adopted a whole food plant based diet which has been effective for weight loss and reducing familial high cholesterol. I fell off the wagon last year due to the challenges lockdown brought to work and family life but I'm not beating myself up about it and I'm now aiming to get back on track. I feel much better on a plant based diet.

Op, I’m the same as you. I need to do something! Reading replies on here is so inspiring!

@Fistycuffs

Agree with every one never too late
But you must be strong the first two weeks as that’s the hardest. Once you are past that you will start to feel the benefits and that re enforces what you are doing.

Think where you could be by the end of jan and then Feb?

But I would say act sooner rather than later.

At 40 I had a new baby. Went back to work 10 months later weighing 9 stone 10 having lost the baby weight breastfeeding and walking miles.

But back at work and with a few personal stresses on top I went up to 11 stone in 3 years. It just piled on and my efforts to stop were half hearted.

I'd never properly got back into exercise after my first baby, but we bought a cross trainer and it was so eye wateringly expensive I was determined to use it. It was also much easier to use at home with kids.

Anyway I'm wittering to say Having 2 stone to lose from a standing start of low fitness this year has made me very pissed off I'd let it get so out of hand.

And as an addendum to my smug post yesterday I'm kind of wishing I hadn't run 10k yesterday because I can barely walk!

I found having a deadline helped. It probably also helped that the deadline kept being moved as Covid cancelled my holiday!

Absolutely not too late! In fact it was turning 40 that gave me the kick I needed. I’ve gone from size 22 to a 12, (with more to lose). Exercise was the biggest game changer for me. I could diet and lose weight but it always went back on the minute I stopped dieting. I started exercising regularly which led to better eating habits and I have maintained a four stone weight loss for two years now - lockdown has helped me regain one stone but it’s on its way off as I type... I want to lose another two stone which I know I can do now, it’s slow and steady, not a race!

In September 2018 I was told my blood pressure was dangerously high & when tests ruled out all other reasons, i was told my weight alone was the cause. I was 232lbs & a size 20. I was frightened into losing weight basically. Since then ive lost 33lbs and am down to a size 16 (sometimes 14 at a push lol). I’m 45. I lost the weight very slowly & hope to lose another 20 to 30 lbs in the next year. I didn’t deprive myself too much but I took up walking & now walk at least an hour sometimes more every day. Diet wise, I’m up & down. I have bad days especially at the time of the month, but the best tip the nurse gave me was to have apples everywhere I go. Have some at home, in the car, where ever I work etc. They are very filling & are sweet so can satisfy a sweet tooth. I’ve never eaten so many apples in my life hahaha

I have made an enormous life change... I was grossly obese. At 43 I put myself on what I called the ELF diet (Eat Less Food) and lost about 10kg, but it came back after surgery left me in pain and unable to move around. (Depressed too.) Later, I was developed rapid-cycling migraines and my neurologist put me on meds that helped manage them but made me a zombie and I found it difficult to talk. (Forgot words, etc...) I couldn’t live like that, so he suggested I try a medical Keto diet, which if it worked for me at all, would enable me to decrease (but not cease) my meds. Luckily it did. It’s different to the all-you-eat-bacon version on Pinterest, and please don’t think it’s not boring. I lost weight very quickly though! I’m 60kgs down - literally half of myself! I will say that as the weight came off, the diet switched from being a tortuous “regimen” in my mind to something special I was doing for myself, and I still consider it treating myself. I’m going to be 49 this year, and I think it shows in my skin, and my age group is when all the nasty things start happening amongst your friendship group. It’s worth treating yourself to a healthy life.

Btw, I don’t think I mentioned, but I started the Keto diet when I was 46.

Thank you, @scotsllb. I am proud of myself, and also proud for sticking at it in spite of the past awful year.

I completely changed my eating habits & started being more active at 46. Still 5 stone lighter at 51 because the lifestyle changes stuck. Small changes make new habits & they don't feel like a chore once you're used to them.

No way are you too old , I didn't have this realisation unil I turned 50 ! I spent 18 months getting healthy and losing over 5 stone in weight , which I've now managed to keep off for 3 years . I'm not going to lie it was tough going but I'm so glad I did it as I feel better now than I have done my whole life . It seemed an unachievable task when I started , but I made small changes and little by little my confidence grew as I saw that I was reaching my goals . You can do it , just believe in yourself !!!

Not too late. It is never too late to commit to a healthier lifestyle.

I’m 45 and lost 5 stone in 8 months on SlimmingWorld and have maintained since. 18/20 to a 10/12. Obese to healthy bmi. I’d been overweight for years. Diet was key for me I walk and swim too (when pool open) but no gym. SlimmingWorld gets criticism on here but it’s basic healthy eating - you don’t have to eat mugshots and muller lights. 1/3 plate every meal is veg. I had a full English for brunch yesterday and a pinch of nom recipe for dinner (turkey fajita orzotto) very family friendly and sustainable was of eating.

I was 45 when I took myself in hand. I went from 15 stones (size 20) to just under 9 stones (size 8).

I've taken up bodybuilding and will be competing in my first show later (or maybe next year, depending on circumstances). I'll be 54 when I take to the stage for the first time

It's NEVER too late. For anything. And don't let anyone persuade you otherwise.

Go for it. Good luck and let us know how you're going

later this year

No, I don't think you are, not at all, the weight dropped off me in my forties!! Now early fifties and it's certainly slower and harder to shift the pounds, so go for it, the sooner the better, and good luck!

Absolutely not too late. I have spent my whole life battling my weight. At few years ago at 45 I had stern words with myself. Started eating healthily (but not stupidly...made sure I was eating enough but tried to make good choices) and taking the stairs a lot more. I don't really like exercise or going outside much so did the odd Youtube yoga video, put on the occasional cheesy song and danced, bit of extra cleaning or sweeping and walked to the shops sometimes.

I also moisturised religiously (again cheap and cheerful stuff but got into the habit of slathering myself in it after a shower or bath), sometimes body brushed and took care of the grey in my hair with a 'non-ammonia lasts 28 washes' colour.

I also regularly take Wellwoman over 50's vitamin and minerals when I can afford them and it has made a big difference to my energy.

I look at Heidi Klum (47) for inspiration. Obviously she is a German Supermodel but I feel that is achievable!

I should add, as a result, I now look really quite decent

I’m 46 next week, I’ve lost weight and getting fitter, I do Joe wicks or similar a couple of times a week and I’ve just started yoga, just on YouTube but I’m happily aching today from yesterday’s session.

My waist is thicker than before so for smart wear it’s dresses, no waist band with comfortable heels, at weekend it’s jeggings, smart jacket and nice boots, either long leather ones or nice (I think Clark’s) walking style ones

I’m using L’Oréal excellence box hair dye until I can get to a salon.

I was drinking too much, just boozy lunches before covid or booze after a stressful day at work, so have massively cut down,

You can do it!!! Start today, drink loads of water and eat chopped up green apples to kick start

It's definitely not too late! I started at 39 and i'm 41 this year, I still have loads of treats, usually eat around 2000 cals a day and more on weekends. Weight training has been the key for me, building muscle is so important as you get older, plus I enjoy it much more than hours of endless cardio.