If you're over 30 do you regret not getting into shape in your 20s?

[babybabybabybabymother]

just that really. I'm getting there but I am not working out. I wonder if I'll regret it

It is my single biggest regret. Getting to the size I am now has done massive damage to my physical and mental health and I just don't know where to start in fixing it.

I’m in my 40s and have always been into exercise, first as a runner in school, and then trying out everything from pilates to CrossFit through the years.

I’m now 44 and religiously work out five times a week, lifting weights and doing functional exercises, a once-weekly bootcamp class and Pilates reformer classes. Sometimes I just walk for miles.

Giving up exercise for me would be like losing a limb.

What shape? And for why?

Fit has more than one meaning, but my personal favourite is "to be suited to a purpose". What is your purpose?

I also bought a really interesbook recently called MOVE by Caroline Williams. We probably all should move more than we do, but we should consider why. Movement for its own sake in a gym has its place, but directed movement outdoors is probably better overall.

My personal opinion is that the pursuit of fitness should be a combo of being outside and moving frequently, and practicing things like pulling yourself up over a ledge in case you fall.

Interesbook is an obvious typo, but I'm keeping it. Appropriate.

I went from fit to morbidly obese in my 20's. Then I got back to a healthy BMI. Then I gained it all again. 32 now and losing weight yet again. I do feel like I'll forever be stuck in this cycle though.

I was in great shape in my 20s. I had a physical job, and hit the gym daily. Still thought I was a fat horrid mess though. Now, I am in my 40s, and am an actual fat and horrid mess, thanks to poor mental health and certain medications.

I am trying to turn it around using virtual reality fitness apps and intermittent fasting. I don't think it matters what you did in your 20s. What matters is now, and it is never too late to try and make a positive change.

Nah, I was fit in my 20s when all I had to worry about was myself. It all went downhill from mid-30s onwards after I had the kids, a more senior job and family problems.

@GnomeOrMistAndIceGuy

It is my single biggest regret. Getting to the size I am now has done massive damage to my physical and mental health and I just don't know where to start in fixing it.

That's exactly where I was 2 years ago. A combination of depression, binge eating and side effects of medication had piled the weight on. It caused some horrendous health problems.

It's not too late to start making changes though. Do a bit of research and find a diet that appeals to you, there's so much information out there now. I am unfortunately type 2 diabetic as a consequence of my previously massively unhealthy lifestyle so I eat v v low carb.

I've gone from just over 25st to just under 14 with about 3 stone left to lose.

My best advice would be to not look at the overall amount you need to lose because that can be really scary. Break it down into mini goals. Just half a stone off each month and it soon adds up!

Not really, I’ve always gone up and down, consistency and maintaining is my problem! If I’d been in great shape in my 20s I’d still have got lazy and fat again. I do wish I’d been thinner for my wedding photos though.

Yes I do regret it. I’m mid 30’s now and trying to get fit and healthy and into shape. Do you think its too late to get a good body in your 30s? Can you become lean and toned even if you massively let you body go in your 20s?

Yep. I've had two periods in my adult life where I was healthy and fit. It lasted about 6 months each time.

Really regret not taking better care of myself. I'm turning 40 this summer and am filled with regret about how I've treated my body and how I look as a consequence.

Even if I had have ‘got in shape’ in my 20’s, having my children in my thirties would have made it totally pointless anyway

Well I was very fit in my 20s. Now I’m 35 and am a massive marshmallow.

Keeping in shape is a lifestyle thing. You can’t bank it up for later, you have to keep doing it!

I started gym
And classes in my teens. Took up running in my twenties, learnt to swim in my thirties and start doing triathlons. Moved up to ultra
Marathons in my forties and hoping to do the Marathon des Sables for my 50th. Exercise is the only thing that has kept me sane for thirty years and I'm so glad I focussed my mental strength to train even when I didn't want to. In fact I never want to exercise but I'm really good at visualisation techniques which always helps me achieve my goals. Don't get me wrong I've failed many times but still go back. On the negative side I have a very unhealthy attitude towards food and binging and obsessed with weight. I don't think I would have these issues had I been kinder to myself and allowed a little give and take.

The only regret I have is not realising how good I looked in my 20s.

I wasn't perfect, but I certainly looked better than I do now, and I let my insecurities blind me to that.

Youth is wasted on the young!