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 ?

Aug 2020 aged 48.5yr I started with a personal trainer. Mix of lifting weights and cardio. I’m now 50yrs old and very toned and strong. I can see my arm muscles tense when I lift shopping bags and I look toned and lithe in leggings.
I feel so confident.
It’s hard work but so worth it

I also eat loads more fruit and water

I lost 3.5 stone in a year, I think an important thing is finding an exercise you love. Whether that's zumba, Yoga, swimming, Pilates, body pump, cycling - find something you can sustain and that you can enjoy. If you're a social person find a class where you feel welcomed and part of a community. Then getting fit and strong will feel far more enjoyable.

I also agree with the focus on health rather than weight loss. Eat good food, look after your skin, try to take time for your wellbeing. 🙏

In a year my husband lost 6st, did the C25K, and now runs (for fun) 13 miles every morning. Yes, it's do-able

Yes at 48 I lost 50lbs over 50 weeks, I had the help of a personal trainer who I saw once a week.
30 stayed off 15 years down the line, the skills I learned have stayed and been very helpful.

You just have to work out what works for you and stick at it (the latter is the hard part). The trick.is to pick changes which will be practical and uncomplicated and therefore more doable. You'll still need willpower, but a little less of it.

I lost a couple of stone just over a decade ago by cutting down food-wise and doing lots of running. I'm beginning to feel a bit fatter and less fit again (I'm 50 now) but can't run more than once a week these days as my joints don't like it.

My plan is to cut down on sugar, carbs and fat. I was in good habits with brisk walking, yoga and weights for a while, so need to get back in routine. I'd really recommend weights - lots of fitter menopausal women absolutely swear by them.

How about trying Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home videos (on YouTube) as a starting point to get you moving? Then build from there.

@RowanAlong, love love love the walk at home app on my smart TV!!

It sounds doable, but it might be helpful to think about what 'transform' means for you. Break it down to small goals along the way. For exercise I found 'grow with Jo' on YouTube was great - and apart from an intro she doesn't talk so you can have your own music on. It's lots of walking workouts.

I’m 36 and lost my baby weight by going into a calorie deficit (I’m on 1650 per day now) and, to a lesser extent, working out (dumbbells and HIIT) 3 times per week. I haven’t cut out any of my favourite foods and I still drink wine regularly (!), I just make sure I stick to the calories! Upping protein helps as well. I’ve lost 10lb in 4 months. I think you can get calorie calculators online which help you to work out the right amount for your body. It’s honestly the only thing I’ve ever been able to stick to - I just can’t do super restrictive diets.

Of course you can.

I lost 5.5st and changed my body shape in 18 months a few years back. Calorie deficit with WW plan and I took up weightlifting. I ditched WW and will not go back to that but the weightlifting is a big part of my life and will be until my body can no longer do it. I do intermittent fasting now and have about 3st to lose again after a couple of pregnancies (only 1 live birth) and it's coming off slowly again, not at pre-pregnancy strength in the gym yet but that is getting there.

What age are your children? Old enough to be left for half an hour here and there to do some exercise? Although it sounds horrific, I get upat 6am to run 4 x a week - which means I get home by 6.45am - in time for the morning -nag- get up routine for DC. Mine are old enough to be left though.
If not then get up and do a video/work out in the garden in the mornings.

I cannot say I ever love getting up 45 minutes earlier than "necessary" but I miss the exercise when I don't do it (had Covid last weeks so just about well enough to be back at it). And the benefits of having done it, and doing it regularly, outweigh the early start.

Weights are going to be truly transformative, not cardio or Pilates or yoga.

I would do three 50 min sessions of weights training per week, with each session involving compound exercises (ones which exercise a few muscle groups at once) so you work the full body. Only separate into arms / legs / back days if you train four or more times a week. For the other ten mins of the hour, I’d do HIIT training.

On the other days off, I’d do Pilates, walk or rest depending on how you are feeling.

@SeedyBloomer can you recommend any specific people to follow?
(Apologies for hijacking,OP!)

Sorry, meant to quote your post about Instagram there!

Hi OP, I am 50 but a few years ago I was fed-up with my weight and how I generally looked. I am also 5ft 7, and was 13 and a half stone. It took me 18 months to lose 4 Stone and I have kept the weight off.
I joined Slimming World and go along to excerise classes using weights. I also walk with my dog everyday. I feel so much better and a size 10. I don't panic when I put a few pounds on in the Holidays as I know I can shift it once home.
I also have 1 day off from my diet which is normally a Saturday. I will have a couple of G&T's, nice crisps or chocolate and if I can afford it, 1 take-away. It helps me the rest of the time to stay forcus.
In lockdown I was really worried with putting back the weight but I bought Davina Mccall DVD's on Amazon/E-bay, bought weights for home and continue with my excerise. I feel much better for it. Goodluck

Meant to say, I take part in Hiit training, Bodypump, Legs,Tums and Bums.

Takes much less than that but you actually have to work at it. Can be about 3 to 4 months of weight training, balanced diet without loads of shit and snacks and 'treats' and wine, and actually putting the work in.

@SeedyBloomer Do you need a personal trainer to start weights or is it possible following online videos?

I love that idea @Sundancerintherain! Am going to do that too.

OP, I’m a decade behind you but in a similar place. Would getting something like a peloton which has strength classes you can do at home be possible?

I used to be really lean doing CrossFit, but appreciate it’s difficult with three young kids.

Low carb, intermittent fasting and all the rest make no real difference. Unless you have one of a few conditions it's a calories in vs calories out game.

Find out what caloric needs are and then you have a base from where to start.

I’m exactly same… 50 next October. If you want a buddy let me know xx

I’d say that actually giving yourself 18 months is likely to be better than trying to achieve lots in a short period - means you’re more likely to be make a gradual, achievable and most importantly stick-to-able change.

Yep. Slimfast for a year.

5 ft 7 and a half.

August 2020 - 18 stone 5 pounds
October 2021 - 8 stone 10 pounds

I really really wanted it though. And it was easier in lockdown, as no eating out, or social pressure temptations (I’m having a cake with my coffee, you can’t leave me to eat cake alone blah blah blah).

I only started exercising once I’d lost the weight. So far have kept it all off. Takes a bit of awareness of how many calories I eat though.

@Lemons1571 that's amazing.. well done