To not care about my changing body shape

[Purpleplanes]

I was slim and have been referred to as ‘athletic’ looking in the past. My body was toned and I exercised around 4 times per week and tried to watch what I ate. Fast forward to now and I have a 1 and 4 year old and since having covid beginning of the year I have done very little exercise. I am aware I’m putting weight on based on how my clothes fit and I was in the bath earlier and I noticed that my stomach for the first time had multiple rolls which is new for me. I had an odd feeling looking at it of curiosity of ‘ohh look at that maybe i should do something about that’ but at the same time I also had a feeling of being free. When I think of how I felt in the past my body shape was on my mind a lot and lots of my behaviour choices was based on how it would impact how I looked. Now I really don’t care that much, I eat what I want when I want and have no motivation or desire to exercise the way I did. Is this a slippery slope? Will I just continue to not care now and eat lots and not exercise much? Anyone else feel similar. I guess my priorities have changed and maybe my perceived worth is not based as much on how I look now?

It can be a slippery slope. Speaking as someone who used to be slim but is now overweight.

It's not about looks, it's about health.

I care. I hate bulges and I find it uncomfortable as well. I agree that it’s not healthy so it’s probably best to try to care.

Honestly it’s a slippery slope!
I mean you don’t want to necessarily suddenly be completely fixated on the way your body looks, but it’s about finding a middle ground.
I had this exact feeling during the end of the pandemic and have absolutely chucked the weight on, and have the worst eating habits now. I didn’t care at the time, felt “free” but now really feel very overweight, unhealthy and unattractive

Is this a slippery slope? Will I just continue to not care now and eat lots and not exercise much?

We can't possibly answer this.

You might end up as one of the many very overweight MNetters who regret not intervening sooner or you might not.

Your youngest is only 1 year old, so plenty of time to think about it I guess.

For context I was told I was pre diabetic recently due to my diet and weight gain. I am 4 stone heavier than I was 5 years ago. There are many negative consequences to eating what you want that have nothing to do with looks. I had no idea I'd reached the weight I had and it was a shock.

I don't think it's realistic to think your body is going to stay the same over time especially with age and after 2 young children.

Absolutely, but it doesn't mean it's a good idea to just give up and eat what you want and let the weight pile on.

Athletes can run to fat. Not about vanity, It's about looking after your health which isn't just for you, it's to keep you healthy for your family, too.

It's a slippery slope. You won't feel free when you realise you aren't fit anymore and have an uphill battle to lose the weight. You deserve to be healthy. Don't get me wrong, it's hard keeping fit but you won't regret it in 5 - 10 years.

I think it’s great you’re comfortable with your changing body and happy with your curves, but I think there is a balance to be had. I find that when I’m not mindful about what I eat, the pounds will pile on quickly, and that it gets harder and harder to shift them as time goes by. You don’t need to be toned but I would stay within the BMI healthy range.

Fast forward to 43. You weigh nearly 18 stone. It has taken nearly 6 weeks to lose 10 pounds and you look terrible in all your clothes, you feel deeply unattractive. You know the menopause is not so far away and losing weight will be even harder. This is your last chance. You've even considered WLS.
Don't let it get to this point, what might seem like a couple of cute rolls now, can soon become 2, 3, 4 dress sizes bigger and it is definitely a slippery slope that is hard as fuck to sort out, even harder to maintain.

This was me once. Exactly. I now regret taking that laid back approach and it’s a long slog trying to get back to looking and feeling good.

You aren’t the first and you won’t be the last to think this way so don’t beat yourself up. Infact enjoy getting chubby I know I certainly did 🤣🤣

Every time someone on MN starts a thread along the lines of: "fast forward 10 years, what would you tell your younger self?"... the answers are ALWAYS "don't pile on the weight. Sort it out now".

You deserve to be healthy.

It is a slippery slope. I was slim for 35 years, then something happened that made me put on four stone. I have never been able to lose it again, but have been trying to for 15 years, and have loads of health problems as a result.
It is SO much easier to maintain a healthy weight than it is to lose weight. Be vigilant now, your future self will be so much happier and healthier.

Slippery slope.
Your body will change shape as you age - that is natural. And menopause has a lot to answer for. But rolls of fat due to poor eating and being sedentary is unhealthy and not that attractive. You don't have to be thin, or like a supermodel, but healthy and strong yes.

I think it's great if you genuinely are comfortable with a bit of extra weight, I've put on a stone & it's really affecting my self confidence, my clothes are way tighter & it's actually stopping me from socialising, I know I'm never going to look like I did 10 years ago but I don't want this to be the start of the "slippery slope" into menopause, I just need a kick up the arse & to put the cheese down