Anyone transformed themselves?

[Theheatison]

43, three stone overweight, 3 year old toddler.
I’ve become frumpy, I don’t recognise myself..I was a gym girl, travelled the world, wore make up and perfume everyday, had time to myself etc etc.
I feel pretty gross, hate the way I look, don’t have nice, trendy clothes anymore (nothing fits/looks good. I barely take care of myself.
I’ve concentrated on being a mum, and I’ve enjoyed it..but I’m ready to come back to myself now.
Dd starts nursery in September, I’ll have time alone for the first time, I want to change myself, have a great figure, feel attractive again..I’m ready to set out a big plan 🤣
Has anyone else done this? We’re you able to get back to yourself or even better? Need motivation! Want to feel good about myself again

Thanks for this thread OP and to the inspirational posters. I’m almost 40, got peri- menopausal bloat, drinking to much due to bereavement and ivf failure, hair a mess. My first steps are to cut out the wine, increase water intake and to go for walks in the evenings

Of course! But my “baby” was 5 and in full time school. I also didn’t take to it like a duck to water, I was surprised it took a few weeks to really start spending time on me as at first as it was hard to break a five year habit of everyone else plus house first. Got there in the end and I just feel like a whole new life is opening up.

My weight always yo-yo-ed but after having children the weight never came fully off and I averaged between 12 and 13 stone. (I'm 5'4"). Im 49 this year and have honestly never felt better! I'm down to 9 stone 9, run most mornings, walk the dog and workout a couple of days a week.
I put on a stone over the first lockdown and when I caught sight of myself, I didn't like what I saw.
With the correlation between covid and obesity, the thought of risking becoming seriously ill due to being fat was enough to kickstart things. I have a child with SN who needs me around for as long as possible.
I can't really say why this time succeeded but rather than giving up, I just carried on. I think the fact that I was enjoying what I was doing helped. Now I absolutely love running, I know this sounds hard to believe but I look forward to getting up between 5.30-6am and exercising. It sets me up for the day both physically and mentally. I've gone back to my natural curly hair rather than straightening it within an inch of its life every day and I honestly feel like a different person.
I didn't do any specific diet, just moved more and ate less. I did and still do meal plan so I don't go off track. I have a treat day maybe once a week now that I'm happy at the weight I am. A couple of health issues I had have either disappeared or greatly reduced.
Start small, don't look at the end result yet but just the next rung of the ladder. Good luck.

I was exactly your age when I lost 3 stone through running and calorie counting over 5-6 months. At the time I had 2 boys of 6 and 4. I ended up a much slimmer and fitter version of my old self with far more self confidence. I am now over 50 and have kept the momentum going by keeping fit and keeping the weight off. It is definitely possible so go for it.

I started in Jan 2012 and ran a half marathon in the Autumn of that year having never run more than 2 mins before that year. The following year I did the Great North Run. Set yourself a target and then take it in small steps.

Yes you can definitely do it! If you were a gym girl you can get active again and as soon as you start to feel a little bit healthier it’ll just start to feel great. Go for it!

Ps small steps, doesn’t have to be goals and plans and marathons...just put on an exercise video to start with!

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jul/23/a-new-start-after-60-i-was-sick-tired-and-had-lost-myself-until-i-took-up-bodybuilding-at-71

@Theheatison ok I’ll try and attach them 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ The first was taken in the winter (maybe beginning of February) and the second was taken on Saturday - I do still have some work to do!

Do you have someone else/ the dad to look after DC so you can exercise everyday? This will make you feel and look do much better

My DD is about to turn three and starts nursery in September too.

I wouldn't say I've transformed myself but have started taking steps towards becoming something resembling my old self again over the past year. I joined Deanne Berry Bodies (an online dance and strength exercise programme) it's very afford able and has been great as I can work out at home and don't have to factor in travelling to a gym.

I've ben buying myself new clothes here and there although I still mostly wear leggings every day as even when at work I'm not customer facing. Started wearing make up again to work too which has helped my confidence and dyeing my hair more regularly now I'm no longer wfh.

Started a skin care regime too with retinol and Body Shop vitamin C range which has made me feel a a lot better.

@Iamclearlyamug Omg you literally look like a different person/ I had to re-read your post to make sure both pics were definitely you :o

@Iamclearlyamug Omg!! You look amazing, really like a different person 💜see, I want to be able to wear a lovely summer dress again and look svelte like that. So..how did you do it again? That was only Feb until now?! So I could start September and be similar by Jan

I need to after lockdown I've started neglecting extra personal care eyebrows, nails, I need a good body brush and a bath of moisturiser for a week.

@Iamclearlyamug Wow you look 15 years younger.

Me, I was about your age too, I took up low carb and got a home gym (appreciate most people can’t so joining a gym would be the equivalent). I was a size 16 and they were getting tight, so prob an 18 in denial.

I’m fifty two now. I’ve slipped two or three times over the years, but generally I maintain, gym five to six times a week and healthy low carb eating as a life style choice. I’m not thin, I don’t weigh myself, but I’m usually between a 10 and 12, five eight and toned Ie you can tell I work out, without sounding weird.

Slipped during lock down March on this year, , gained some weight. Defo not looking toned, more lumpy. Prob a 14 but wearing stretchy clothes so who knows. And have been back at it for the last month. It feels good to be shrinking back and having more energy, eating well and exercising. I reckon I’m a good 12 now, going by my clothes, so more to do, another ten pounds maybe,

The truth of the matter is you’ve just got to crack on and do it. The first three weeks are the hardest. Then you get into a routine. Another five or six weeks and I should be back to normal, all being well.🙏🏻

@Iamclearlyamug. Wow you look fantastic, what a difference!

Op, why wait until September? You can make eating changes now.

@Bluntness100 Yes, I’m definitely cutting back now, but will have that set amount of time for exercise in September (aside from walking the dog etc, which doesn’t seem to do anything for me) the only way I was ever size 10 in the past was the bike, treadmill and weights at least 3 x per week

Exercise with your dc. Walk with her and the buggy/walk. Get a child seat for a bike and cycle. Dance, zumba or something. The activties will be fun for your child and will be good for you and endorphin raising. Ince tyou get the feel good, you will stat to look good. Have fun