To think I can’t improve my body at 40?

[Fatatforty]

I am 5 foot 2, at 25 I was a size 8 and 8 stone. 2 kids later and 40 years old I am 10 and a half stone and a size 14. I am also wobbly, and covered in cellulite with an overhanging stomach. I tried a bikini on for my holiday today and cried. My body just looks so pasty and un toned.

I Am disappointed as for the last 12 weeks I have been going to the gym twice a week and I cannot notice any difference. Do I just need to give it longer? The trainer gave me a routine of leg press, leg abductor, chess press, shoulder press, and i also do 10 minutes on the cross trainer as a warm up and cool down.

Diet wise I have tried slimming world but don’t enjoy all the cooking, and calorie counting but I get hungry and go over every day. I’m starting to feel like this is it for me, am I being unreasonable for thinking it’s just too difficult to get the body I want.

Argh, I clicked on YABU by mistake! I think I’m the 7% - ignore it! You totally can change your body post 40 - I’m late 40s and I think I’m in better shape now than I was in my 30s. Real food, and really really prioritise protein - that leads to satiety and satiety is the secret to not eating too much and snacking. Exercise (particularly strength training) is important but cannot undo what you do with your fork. Good luck!!

I mean I clicked on YANBU. I think it’s time I went to bed

Join bodyslims online - see thread here. Works on mind and body

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/4432182-Has-anyone-tried-Body-Slims

Im 39 & same problem. Been dieting & working out for months. I just cant drop it like i used to. My weight yoyoed because i knew i could get it off again. Now i actually have to take this whole "its not a diet its a lifestyle change" seriously 🤣 personally i love chocolate & a glass of wine and takeaways then a few months later hitting it hard with protien shakes & spinning class but apparently getting old is not down with that lol

I'm 40... And recently decided to sort myself out.

So currently I do spin three times a week, body pump and kettlebells (all 30 to 40 min long)

Water is 2 litres a day more if gym

Aim for 8 solid yours sleep

Diet is key. I eat less carbs, more veg, salad and protein

No alcohol unless we are out for an occasion

It's helping.... Slower then I would like but I feel better even just doing this

I've said this in other fitness posts and it's absolutely true...

You gain ten pounds of muscle by losing a pound of fat.

OK, it's not scientifically true of course, but you can put on tons of muscle and see nothing... or you can lose a pound of fat and expose that muscle, making it look more significant.

I don't train in a gym. I hate gyms too. I train outside mostly, running obviously but I use park benches and do triceps dips, step ups etc. I have a few kettlebell and dumbells at home and I use those then for goblet squats, lunges, lifts etc along with couple of resistance bands.
You can probably pick up a few basic things to start with quite cheaply, second hand or just use wine bottles or other household items in a HIT style training session.
For the heavier kettlebells, I price watch and buy when the price drops.

My body was probably at its best when I was 38- toned and lean. I'm the same size now as I was at 26, with an extra inch around the waist and boobs with no bounce. I'm mid 40s, run twice a week and do a weights class. I like a drink. I'm aware that sugar is my downfall, so I try not to snack.

My legs are amazing. Better than my 20s. Stomach, not so much, because skin+ gravity + lack of collagen. And when I do planks and look down at it, it resembles arse face from Preacher. But I'm fit and feel strong.

However, a broken ankle has just put me out of action, so I'm going to have to really watch what I eat, as exercise is now limited to pilates and chair weights.

If you don’t enjoy the gym find something you do enjoy otherwise you won’t stick to it. I don’t know anyone that’s been on a diet that hasn’t put all the weight back on as they get bored of it. I pretty much eat what I want if I want a kfc I’ll have one but it’s all in reason obviously not everyday but I don’t see the point in depriving yourself as you only live once. I run three times a week you can burn a lot of calories running and it’s really good for your mental health. I do need to start doing some weights though I think as I still have wobbly arms. Overall I’m 38 and size 12 and think that’s perfectly respectable considering I eat what I want and don’t deprive myself of life. If I feel the scales tipping I just run extra miles.

The key here is will power to cut down on any junk food in your diet to start with including smoking and alcohol (if you consume any).
Stop eating when you feel full.
Consume a portion or two of fruit instead of sweets to keep control of your cravings and to feel full on between meals.
Keep going to the gym, increase your cardio/ join a group fitness class if that’s something you like to do.
Keep your targets small. It will take time but I promise you will get there.

And in the gym, I do classes. I need the competition to motivate me.

Even if no one else there is aware I'm competing with them.

Is easy to tell myself I've worked hard, if it's just me. Bit harder when the woman next to me, and 10 years older, is still going and I'm dying.

Here's my Slimming World diet day.

Breakfast - Heaps of fruit served with 0% fat Greek yoghurt, two weetabix with semiskimmed milk.

Lunch - tuna, salad galore, olives. Can of vegetable soup. Fruit. 2 finger Kit Kat.

Dinner - Salmon or chicken wrapped in foil, cooked in the oven for 20 mins. Jacket potato (microwaved) and another massive salad. Fruit in yoghurt. A couple of winegums.

Barely any cooking.
I've lost 4 stone in 12 months. I swim almost every day and walk my dog.
I'm 60.

Yes, you can OP

I know it may seem impossible right now. For the holiday can you get a swimsuit instead of the bikini? I’m not saying you shouldn’t wear a bikini, just you could feel more comfortable this time in a swimsuit.

Once you are back look at your food intake. I cut right down on carbs recently, not completely, and that has helped me. I’ve been going to the gym for 18 months and a session with a PT every week. The main thing I’ve learned is it doesn’t matter how much I exercise if I have a pastry or bread every day.

Forgot to mention my age, I’m 55.

as I keep hearing weight training is the most important thing to do. But I don’t enjoy it at all*
*
Good news is that this is where you need to change - the most important thing to do is... the one you enjoy the most and will therefore do regularly eg every day.

Force the weight lifting twice a week if you can but then find something else you enjoy - walking, Zumba, trampolining, skipping, roller skating, biking...

When I turned 50 ( just over a year ago) I panicked and thought I’d better do some proper exercise while I still could. I wasn’t overweight but very sedentary and lucky to be slim, definitely not fit.
A friend put a link on fb to a 6 week challenge at a local HIIT bootcamp so I bit the bullet and signed up.
11 months on I absolutely love it - the family can’t believe it! I go 3/4 times a week - it’s weights and cardio and best of all, just 30min intense classes so I have no excuse. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, leaner and in better shape. I don’t particularly watch what I eat but do eat a lot more protein.
As I say I didn’t go to lose weight but the weight loss results for others in the class is jaw dropping.
Honestly if you can find either a PT or class with weights and cardio in combination it’s a game changer.

Yoga or Pilates will strengthen your body but it won't make you slimmer or build any muscle. And a walk? You jean a fast walk that makes you a bit sweaty for 45-60 min minimum or a wander for 30 mins? And no one said you could eat whatever you want as long as it it healthy. Fruit is healthy, nuts are healthy, avocado, potatoes, rice, chicken, olive oil...all healthy. If you eat as much as you want I can assure you, you will not only nit lose weight, you'll get fatter.
You seem to have the wrong mindset.

I’m early 40s, same height as you and was size 8 I’m my 20s.

This year I decided to make some changes to feel healthier and stronger. Better diet, only drink when out (which has meant less snacking) and move more. I walk a lot, run a few times a week and swim once a week. I’ve lost well over a stone and actually felt pretty good in my daisy dukes and bikinis on holiday this year. I feel frickin great in general.

You absolutely can improve your body in your 40s.

Loads of protein, minimal carbs, keep your body active all the time. Eg standing desk

Slimming World, Weight Watchers and all the other crap are just a means to part you from your money. There's a reason the diet industry is worth billions. You're only 40. It's all doable. Really look at what you eat in a day. Be brutally honest. You're eating more than your body needs. Increase your activity. The gym's a start but try and include some cardio. Walk everywhere (where possible). But, and this is really important - you need willpower. How much do you want it? Good luck!

Has your trainer told you to keep up slimming world ?
They should be telling you to diet to match your training.
Id be going to the gym at least three times a week . Also use the treadmill cardio is the best thing to get the weight off it’s an all over workout I feel.
Loosing weight and gaining muscle at same time is hard but do able . nothing will change unless you take your diet seriously though.
weight training is good too it keeps your metabolism burning faster for longer than cardio.
if your cutting out sugar then you will dip on the afternoon try brown bread toast a little peanut butter and banana this will help you push through. Remember water water water . You need water.

You can. Stick to a diet, go to the gym every day and you could then get some cosmetic surgery.

All of that is probably possible if you had the right mindset.

If you can find that mindset please share the secret with me as I am desperately in need of it myself!!

I find I need to be doing a mix of exercise (swimming, weights, running, classes), et least 4-5 times a week to get a body of happy with. 2 times a week would have little effect on my body type. You need to up your work outs, diversity is key because you won’t get bored.

I'm 38 and have been on a health kick for 6 months. I basically cut out all UPF, no more ultra processed foods for me. Once I got over UPF, I literally don't eat crisps or chocolate anymore which was my downfall before! I don't eat after 8pm and have really cut out alcohol. I don't do any form of calorie counting because I really can't be bothered but I generally eat lots of vegetables, nuts and fruits.

I run a couple of times a week and go to vinyasa yoga (pretty strong yoga) about 4-5 times a week. I don't do any weights at all as I hate the gym.

I've lost about half a stone but I am so much more toned than before - I can actually see my abs and obliques! I feel so much stronger than before and I have very toned arms from all the planks & chaturangas in yoga!

I follow a few Instagram accounts of ladies who transformed their bodies after 40, it's very inspiring! instagram.com/fiftyfitnessjourney?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

You can definitely do it op!

Twice a week at the gym won’t make a difference. I would try and go 3/4 times a week for weight training - make sure you work really hard when you’re there to
make it worthwhile. Do some cardio a couple or three of times a week- couch to 5k, swimming etc. and walk 10k steps a day, 15k if you can manage it. Eat healthily with the odd treat so you don’t slip. Be careful with high calorie things like oil where it doesn’t take much of it to add tons of calories in. You can definitely do it op. You won’t look like you’re in your 20s again but you can improve your body at any age. Oh and the key for me is good music to motivate me!