To think I can transform my body in 18 months?

[juicyfruitz]

I am flabby at 48 and a half years of age.
I'm 5'7"and 13.5 stone.
I will be fifty in 18 months and I'd really love to transform my body to a fitter, healthier, stronger and leaner version of myself.
I'm
Relatively proportioned but my belly is big esp after starting her six months ago.
Metabolism has slowed right down and I have put myself at the bottom of my
Priority list.
Is it possible, within that time frame to transform my body?
Has anyone done that and how did you even begin please ?

6 months ago I was 48 and 5'8" and 13 stone 10. I am now 49 same height of course but 12 stone 8. Been using Nutracheck calorie counting app. One stone to go and I'm about to start couch to 5k again

You can do this!

Of course.

Very achievable time frame

Very achievable in half that time but realistically it will involve a significant change in your lifestyle in terms of food, alcohol and activity. Are you definitely up for that?

I'd start with:
Walking more
Paying attention to sleep and stressors
Reducing alcohol to special occasions only

I would also recommend weight training if your budget allows, it's good for your metabolism.

Totally do-able but you will need commitment to diet and also strength train lifting heavy . I lost 5 stone in a year ,now running at 17% body fat and lifting things I only dreamed of a year ago ( also really enjoy it )
Getting started is the hard part once it becomes an ingrained habit and your seeing results it's much easier
Recommend a good trainer / coach if you can afford it to set you up a programme and teach you to lift safely

Ps am also hurtling towards 50 seemingly at super speed these days , lifting isn't just a young persons game and really important as we age for our bones too .

Wow thanks so much to you for your quick responses and encouragement.
My down fall is time. I am
Time poor and am rearing my three children in my own so at present, I come
Last, which is ok.
However, I am getting slower, heavier and flabbier.
Alcohol I can cut to special occasions, meal planning while time consuming works for me as does intermittent fasting and I can do low carb as a rule.
I need to start slow. Like walking I suppose.
I find that if I go too fast into a lot of changes, I will get overwhelmed and fail so maybe a daily walk, meal planning and then build
Up to specific training eg gym work or classes?
Meno has done a real
Number on my body And my mind but o feel that I am coming out of the fog now so it's my time to start prioritising myself.

I have given myself the gift of " a year of health " .
I joined a gym , started looking after my skin/ hair/ nails properly, paid attention to nutrition.

3 months in I have lost a dress size and gained so much energy. I'm older than you ( 52 ).
Go for it 🙂

Yes you definitely can - but I'd enlist the help of a personal trainer. You don't need to see them every week if you can't afford it. Mine did me a programme that I did on my own three times a week (as well as walking in between) then I'd see her every two weeks to change/update the programme and get measured.

Lost over 8st in that timeframe.
Very rarely drink now. I’m thinner now than ever, a size 6-8. I love it, tbh.
I’m 53.

Sorry OP I missed your last update. How old are the dc? Are they old enough to be left if you get up early for a gym session? Or could you do something online before they get up/when they're in bed? Friend of mine uses Caroline Girvan and finds her workouts excellent.

Check out The Body Coach 90 Day Plan - nutrition and exercise all in one place, it's tough but transformative!

I think the trick is to find exercise you enjoy. That way it doesn’t feel like such a chore. There are loads of ideas from yoga, walking, gym, exercise bike, etc. Even having some dumbbells at home and doing a short workout every morning or evening is good.

In terms of diet, more vegetables, less sugar, fewer processed foods, plenty of water. Even small changes will make a big difference and help you feel and look healthier.

Definitely! Small steps. Start with more water, better eating and walk where you can. Maybe couch to 5K.

Once you’ve incorporated that get yourself some hand weights/a kettlebell and do some online weights classes. A PT would be better but I see you’re on your own with 3 kids. Weights are the key to really toning up. Too much cardio makes you hungry so it’s a balance. A run is a great mood lifter though.

Basically , small steps, incorporate then add something else. Don’t let set backs pull you back. 2 steps forward, one back is fine.

Nice too to add in some pamper stuff - body lotion, a bath. It makes you feel better which in turn makes you treat your body better.

Good luck!

Ps make sure you have lots of protein in your diet. Protein yoghurt plus some fruit for breakfast, or porridge. Chicken, fish, pulses, beans, veg. Go easy on the carbs, sugar and portion size. Protein really helps you feel full. Hairy Dieters cookbook is fab. My kids love the recipes too.

It’s doable absolutely and you have a realistic time frame. My DH at 38 decided enough was enough and he went from fairly overweight to the leanest and fittest he’s ever been in the 20+ years we’ve been together.

He stopped drinking (which I think was a huge impact) and did functional fitness. Did lots of heavy gardening (we have a small holding) and went walking a lot. We have both done the 16:8 fasting thing which when I stick to it works wonders.

You can do it!

Look at exercise as mood lifting and fitness rather than changing body shape alone - you can’t out run a bad diet. Focus on sleep, stress and food to lose weight. Exercise is really important for your MH and physical health at this age but it’s about 90/10 food/exercise.

Go for it.

Absolutely. I'm 45, 5'8 and last summer hit a high of 13st4lbs. I wasn't enormous (size 14) but definitely overweight. By Christmas I was down to 11st and a small size 12 and it has stayed off.

I do exercise a moderate amount (3 x gym classes a week) but that's not what did it - it was simply getting into a habit of eating about 500 cals a day less than my maintenance amount.

You definitely can. I lost 1 stone without dieting at all (ie still over eating daily) just by doing bootcamps.

If you do a sensible healthy eating plan about 1500 cals a day and start weight training/ body weight, HIIT, bootcamps etc 3-5 times a week, or take up running, and walk 10k steps a day, you will look fantastic in 18 months without doing a severely restrictive diet.

Absolutely you can. I lost 3 stones last year in about 6 months.

Ate less, no alcohol. Lots of walking.

Have done every diet known in the past but this time I just ate what we all know we need to to lose weight. Lean meat, salad, veg, very small treats.

Good luck OP

It's a very realistic time frame. Look at nutrition first and foremost - you don't need to cut out any food groups and if anything up your protein. Calorie control is important but you can find ways of doing it without calorie counting if that doesn't work for you.

Strength training will get you the most transformative results. You might find it easiest to start out with a no-equipment bodyweight programme, which you can do at home around your children. The nike and Adidas apps offers free programmes, and the Sweat app has a great one too (but needs a subscription).

I'm about to turn 50. I'm normally 9st (5 feet 4) but went up to 11 stone during lockdown. Since last summer I've lost a stone, and am now 10st. I'd like to lose at least another half a stone.

Like you I'm time poor. I'm a lone parent to toddler twins, and have a "big" job. I've no time for exercise, so cut out crisps/chocolate and bread (I have a small filled pita for lunch). Actually I didn't cut out crips completely, I still have a couple of bags at the weekend. I still drink wine and get a takeaway at the weekend, so if I cut these out, weightless would have been faster.

I've been exactly the same stats as you @juicyfruitz Let's do this!!

I agree about strength training. I think it’s the fastest and healthiest way for middle aged women to transform their bodies. And it doesn’t need to cost you anything.

There are tonnes of free videos on Instagram and all you need is your own body weight. Start with some Pilates-style ones as they’re really gentle and safe. I don’t use any actual weights, just my body and I’m fitter and leaner than ever. Running doesn’t actually make your body look very nice for many people (gives you a horrible flat bum!)

I combine my strength training with fasted walking (as in, on an empty stomach) and it takes very little effort to maintain. I don’t even get to do the walking that much because I’m also on my own with 3 kids.

I’m in my forties and on HRT.

I'm 49 and have lost about a stone in the last 7 months

I walk 10k twice a week, once with dh and once with a friend (could you do treadmill at home if you can't leave the kids?) or will the kids do more shorter walks with you? Junior park run?

Biggest change was from fasting - I now eat between 12-8 usually but have not really cut out any foods

Also cut down a bit on alcohol but still probably drink 3 x week

You can absolutely do it