Help me become the real me

[Whichcreamdoeswhat]

And lose weight 😩

This isn’t me, I hate having extra weight on me, lots of people look good with weight on…I’m not one of them, so much goes to my face, neck and stomach
Ive never been naturally slim and even when young had to work hard to keep my figure ( which was incredible back then) I can’t just eat what I want and not work out to be slim, which is why this seems so daunting.
So sick of being the least attractive one in my set of friends (which I am due to my weight) so sick of not wearing all the clothes I want to (used to love clothes, fashion and shopping ) so sick of having no energy. I’m very healthy aside from my weight, don’t smoke, barely drink since I had my Dd, eat very healthily etc.
I want to be around for a .
long time for my Dd as I had her a little later in life at 40.
Currently under the Dr having blood tests etc for possible thyroid issues and kidney stones, which would explain a lot
There are no negatives to losing weight, I want to feel good and well and look good too.
It feels like a mammoth task though, it’s a few stone to lose, where to start?
In the past I lost weight with the Dukan diet/v low carb and I *Have to work out. I currently walk my dog a lot but it does nothing weight wise. In the past I did an exercise bike and small weights
Please help me, what do I need to do, can I be slim by summer or am I asking too much?

Go to a good gym and start lifting weights seriously three days a week. Literally life changing. Increase protein in your diet. Do your 10k plus a day steps but weight lifting will make a massive massive difference. I've lost 21 pounds since August and can eat so much more. Fat percentage has decreased and muscle mass has increased. Clothes look great and I get so many compliments no matter what I wear.

I’ve lost about 2 stone over the course of this year and I’m now trying to maintain that loss. What worked for me was reducing portion sizes and cutting out snacking. I didn’t restrict the food I ate or do any specific diet, I don’t find that works for me and “diets” aren’t really sustainable. I just ate a third less at meals and didn’t eat loads of biscuits.

I also go to the gym 2-4 times a week and also do a dance class and a team sport once a week.

i feel so much better for it, though have been a bit lazy over Christmas and fully intend to get my butt back to the gym next week. Good luck.

I feel a bit embarrassed to go to the gym at present, would doing my bike and weights at home, plus YouTube exercise vids plus walking more make any difference? (With diet too obviously)

Did anyone feel almost too far gone? I know I’m not but I can’t imagine being back how I was

In a way yes as I’d been closer to my old weight for about 10 years and couldn’t imagine myself being a size 10 again. But here I am and I seem to have managed to maintain whilst not being so careful for a few months now. You can do it!

Will swimming help at all?

Yeah, swimmings good. Any physical activity that tires you out will help. The key is finding things you can stick to and at least half enjoy.

Don’t wait until you loose weight to start feeling good. Maybe you do weigh more than you want to, but you can look good now.

I found getting a style and colour analysis helped me. I started dressing in clothes that suited my (overweight) figure, in colours that suited my complexion. Immediately people commented that I had lost weight (I hadn’t) or looked well.

Little changes can make you feel a lot better.

I second the suggestion to start doing weights ie strength training. I've been doing a weekly PT session for over 2 years now of HIIT type training with only a 3 month break after my c section. My PT has said to me several times about people making the mistake of doing cardio exercise to try and lose weight - you burn calories after you've trained when you've done weights and it then increases your metabolism which helps shift the weight. I also agree with making adjustments to your diet rather than doing anything drastic as it has to be a lifestyle change that you can continue. Reducing the number of treats you have, portion sizes, more veg in your meals, less processed food will all help.
You might feel that you have a long way to go but once you notice changes such as jeans feeling more comfortable which should happen after a few pounds off, that will encourage you to keep going and that it's all worth it.
The other bonus which is relevant to me is that strength training will be helpful when peri hits to reduce risk of osteoporosis and avoid/reduce weight gain. At 40 this could start for me any time so it's encouragement to keep up the routine.
Other exercise is all beneficial and will help with health and wellbeing but if you had to pick 1 thing to start it should be strength training.

Your post makes me think you are trying to think of too many things and will get lost.

Swimming, home gym, YouTube.

What do you love? What do you enjoy? Try swimming think "do I love this?" Try your YouTube "do I love this" try running, spin etc.

You need to ultimately find what you enjoy and then how you look won't be important to you because you are doing something you love, that will shine.

Weights and lifting is always mentioned for very good reasons, and if you have the money get a PT to show you the ropes and lifts and moves and accountability, that would always be where I would point anyone is to work with someone else a friend, family or PT that way you'll be inspired.

I've trained for over 9 years weights and had surgery and I'm just starting back and I'm excited to be the new me, I'm currently 10kg over my ideal weight so I know I have work to put in but because I found something I love I know it's still there for me when I'm ready.

Once you find that "thing" you can ride out life with the peaks and troughs of fitness, because even the super fit have to take breaks, have life Theo shit at them and get to places where they aren't happy.

The only difference is they have faith and knowledge in what they enjoy.

Throw.. no clue who Theo is 🤦‍♀️