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 😃

My brother has always been a large man. At 43 and over 18st he decided enough was enough. He lost 4.5 stone over a year and has kept it off. Walking and diet we're the changes he made.

I'm 40 this year. I am 6st 4lb lighter than when I got pregnant with DC1, and I have discovered I love HIIT and strength training. It is never too late!

Absolutely not! I'm 41 and I lost 7st in 2020.

@mutinyonthebunty

You look fucking fab

I'd love to be able to eat 4000 calories but the menopause has taken its toll and 1800 sees me maintain the shape. I may have to cut that as we get nearer to show date. I still have belly fat to lose: the sparky bikinis are very unforgiving

@mutinyonthebunty

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.

You are the same as me when you stared with a similar shape. Can I ask how long it took to get the shape you have now? You look amazing!

No! I'm 58. I will readily admit I piled weight on during the first lockdown. When I got to the beginning of September, with even my bigger size jeans starting to feel tight, I took myself in hand, joined my local Slimming World group and started doing Zumba and ballet. Ballet class stopped at the beginning of second lockdown but Zumba has continued online. Other than a minor blip over Christmas I'm a couple of pounds off losing 1.5 stone so far and feel much better for it.

My husband had also been cutting down and is losing a bit as well which I'm pleased about as he has high blood pressure. He's 67.

Checkout Joan McDonald

She only got fit and strong around age 70

She’s 74 now

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace so do you! What an incredible transformation!

@scotsllb thanks! I got the weight off (2 stone) in 6 months, with a fairly small calorie deficit. Really started to see big changes with the weight training, it's completely changed my body shape and I really enjoy it.

There's some good people to follow on Instagram for no BS approach and who don't advocate low calories and loads of cardio - mark Carroll (@coachmarkcarroll) Bret Contreras (the glute guy) and Chloe Madeley. Great podcasts are The Bodcast, the EC method and Lean Life Radio, great to listen to on a walk and very motivating.

Mutanyonthebunty - I’m keen to do some weights, we have some kettle bells are there any online workouts that I can use? Or can you recommend stuff?

@HouseofBrieandBanter

Checkout Joan McDonald

She only got fit and strong around age 70

She’s 74 now

I was going to post a link to her Instagram. She's an inspiration - turned her life around with weight training and good nutrition.

I'm late 40s and lost two stone last year. I'm in better shape now than I ever was. I've had periods of years where I have weighed less, but I fit in the same clothes now as I have lower body fat and have built muscle.

You don't have to spend hours exercising to get in shape - targeted weight training and walking has made a huge difference to me. My mindset has changed and I actively want to train.

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

I'm using clippers on number zero until the salon reopens

@Keratinsmooth kettlebells are a great start and if you are a beginner you can build some muscle with bodyweight and some resistance bands/dumbells. Have a look at Chloe Madeley's books and she has a free workout series on Amazon prime video. If you want a programme then Mark Carroll's transformation series are great. I have them as a PDF if you want a copy!

Joan is amazing, her daughter is a pro over 50's fitness competitor - @yourhealthyhedonista on Instagram, she's incredible!

People have beaten me to it, but another recommendation for Joan - @trainwithjoan - on Instagram. She's amazing.

I'm 45 and tackling the lard that's crept on over the past 10 years. I'm getting there slowly.

@mutinyonthebunty

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.

You look absolutely amazing! I’m 40 and I’ve always been very slim but last two years I gained weight and look like your before pic. I’ve started my health kick 4 weeks ago and your after pic is my goal. Thanks for sharing it’s encouraging me to keep going

@mutinyonthebunty how often do you exercise? Which type please?

@JeansOnTheRadiator I strength train 4/5 times a week, 2 upper body sessions and 2 or 3 lower body with a focus on glutes. My only cardio is walking. It's not always easy to fit in (especially now with homeschooling!) and I don't always feel like doing it but I always feel better. I always try and remember that imperfect action is better than thinking you have to do everything right, and that small actions really add up over time!

I recommend (all on Instagram)
Chloe Madeley
Mark Carroll
Jordan Syatt
Bret Contreras

Lots of home strength training programmes on YouTube but I have some as PDF's if you would like a copy.

I never realised what my back looked like until my husband took my before pics!

Thanks to this thread and another about Courtney black I took some before pics yesterday, got out for a walk and started CB’s 28 day thing. We can do this @Fistycuffs!
I’m hoping to emerge from this year as a butterfly. A pretty svelte one, not a hairy ugly one.

I lost a lot of weight (4 stone approx) in my early 30s because of medical reasons and stress and kept that off until my late thirties when I regained the whole 4 stone and probably more. Now in my early 40s I have found I have very high blood pressure (which was fine a few years ago) which is mostly genetic but my lack of exercise and shit diet probably didn't help so whilst I am still trying to get this under complete control with trying different medications, it has improved considerably and I have also changed my lifestyle significantly. I am to walk 10km a day of which at least 5km is fast, pounding the streets, increased heart rate walking, have cut out all added salt and tried to minimise salt laden foods and have added lots more fresh fruit and vegetables into my diet. In just two months my trousers feel loose and I feel better than I have in years. I am at the very beginning of my new way of life but I am inspired by what I have achieved so far and also by all your stories. Well done to you all!

I haven't weighed myself and don't plan to, I will just go by how loose my clothes get.

@mutinyonthebunty can I ask how long you train for each session?

I assume you do weights? Do you have to get a big massive set of them?

@mutiny and @mutinyonthebunty

Did you not get wrinkly/crepey skin with the weight loss? How did you manage to get rid of that?

• @nicelegs

I lost 2 stone last year age 42 though calorie counting and exercise. Mostly walking, and exercise DVDs but also tennis when we were allowed. Good luck!

Too late? No. Too hard? Maybe, that all depends on your determination. It really sucks that as we get older it is so much harder to lose weight! The key to success where one has failed before seems to be finding a diet you can live with happily ever after, rather than going “on a diet”, and finding a form of exercise you enjoy.

I have a friend who took up running at 43 and now does half marathons and tough mudders, she swears that the “thismumruns” website and Facebook group got her hooked on running.

Hopefully these stories will inspire you, OP, loads of luck with it

My sister was obese and constantly dieting until she was well past 40. But then she found a change of eating patterns that suited her, combined with an exercise regime and has been slim for the last 35 years.

It's never too late. As long as your alive and breathing you can do anything.

Age has nothing to do with it.

Periodt