To expect to be just a little bit thin ?!

[shouldntbeonhereagain]

I have been doing the following each week since November:
5x 1hr yoga/Pilates sessions
2-3 runs of between 5-8k
Dog walk everyday plus 10k once a week
HIT sessions of 45mins x2

I am 41 and have 4 kids between 9 and 2.

so fed up !

I've been dancing between overweight and obese for a long time and I do a lot physically it doesn't matter if your eating more calories as you burn you'll gain, and if you eat the same amount as you gain you stay the same. Exercise doesn't work on its own for weight loss

Your weight is down to 80% food and 20% exercise. Diet for weight loss and exercise to maintain.

You would be surprised at how little calories you burn doing exercise...I am every time I use my exercise bike.

What's your diet like?

That's a massive amount of exercise. Too much possibly.

What do you actually weigh?

While PP are correct re calorie intake, to offset that amount of exercise you'd want to be eating huge amounts!

I do similar to you and o ly a bit younger and it doesn’t shift it. What worked for me was changing to intermittent fasting. I can’t do the 5:2 as I get too miserable on the fasting days. So I do 16:8 every day which is eating in an 8 hour window. I choose to skip breakfast and after the first few days it was fine! Obviously can’t just gorge on pizza in the 8 hours but eating sensibly and having a bit of wine etc on the weekends I lost a stone.

Have you gotten your bloods checked recently? Just I know your thyroid can cause issues with trying to lose weight. It does sound like a lot to be doing though I agree you can’t out exercise a bad diet!

I disagree. I exercise daily. I'm slim & fit so I don't burn huge calories, but evidence shows you continue to burn calories at a higher rate post-exercise. Absolutely, it won't offset unhealthy eating / excessive calorie intake but people get the wrong idea regarding exercise & how much it does matter in terms of weight loss

Should clarify that the weight loss was slow and steady but I’ve had no trouble maintaining.

I don’t know how much I weigh. Probably about 11 stone. I’m 5.7. I just feel rubbish when I see skinny people ! Looking at the threads on here, it seems a lot of mums do a lot more exercise.

Are the scales not moving or the measurements?
cos your probably toning and building muscle?

i had a baby last year. I weighed 18 pounds more than now, but was toned and muscled.
im in same jean size , but wobbly and weigh a lot less...
ive done no execise( just baby carrying and walking).
i imagine once i start working out- ill see the scales maintain, but ill be in better shape ?

I also have underactive thyroid so maybe why for me the intermittent fasting was needed rather than just exercise and healthy eating.

But do you feel fitter and stronger? Is putting on your socks easier? Picking up the kids? Is balance better? Do you look healthier? How does the exercise make you feel?

For me exercise is a lot more than weight loss.

Probably about 11 stone. I’m 5.7.

If you are toned then I can't see how you don't look slim.

Looking at the threads on here, it seems a lot of mums do a lot more exercise.

Take that with a pinch of salt, the average mum doesn't do 5000 steps before breakfast, earn 6 figs & then do a gym class every evening.

You've not mentioned food intake... as another person has commented its 80% diet 20% exercise.
I recommend logging everything you eat for 7 days, literally everything! Even when you grab a quick biccy or pick whilst cooking... even drinks.
I think you'll find your answer there.

No amount of exercise can out do a bad diet - weight loss is 80% what you eat, 20% exercise. However, it might just be you’re gaining muscle and losing body fat, so your scales might not change but you will drop a dress size or two.

All that said, you’re in your early 40s. If your hormones are already going awry or there’s an issue with your thyroid which is common at this age, all the diet and exercise in the world won’t make you lose weight.

As one PP mentioned it's far more about food than exercise. I exercised every day previously and didn't lose weight. Now I follow the Joe Wicks app and exercise only 5 days a week for 30 minutes. Follow the recipes and have lost 1.5 stone and am now maintaining a weight I want to be. I'm actually exercising less and eating more but the right stuff for my body and it works.

I 100% do feel all these things, of course you are right. I think I’m probably just living in a dream world where hard work turns
me into a super model !
Thanks for your post.

I'm 5'7 and my goal weight is 11 stone so I bet you look amazing.

Love it ! Some of the posts do seem a bit unlikely .

Intermittent fasting. Life changing.

How many calories are you eating a day? Are you recording what you eat?

Are you doing any weights/ strength training?

I am 45, and was a size 14-16. I have lost a stone since January. It's pretty simple - it's 80% about calories deficit & 20% exercise. But cardio on its own just isn't enough. I eat no more than 1350 calories a day and good protein and veg based diet. I strength train 2-3 times a week abs run 1x10k. Weight has dropped off me, but the combination needs to be right.

I’m 42 the only way I have lost weight is intermittent fasting and one meal a day!..sucks to be honest

you can’t outrun your fork

Loads of people will tell you you’ve put on kgs of muscle, but the reality is, you’re taking in too many calories. Your age will start to slow your metabolism. You need to focus on high quality protein (not too much) and low carb veg. No alcohol, no sugar.

That’s a supportive and kind thing to post. its weird how everyone has their own idea of slim. I know it doesn’t help that my 3 sisters have eating disorders and are literally tiny. Rationally, I know that isn’t enviable.Sometimes I wish I could look like them though.