Suddenly feel huge (weight). Anyone else experienced this on the cusp of 40?

[Thighgap]

I’ve always been slim. Often people would (rudely!) comment that I needed to eat more etc. I didn’t, I always had a decent appetite but never seemed to put on weight. I actually went through a phase in my twenties where I forced myself to eat bigger portions as I just wanted to be a size ten not a size 6-8.

Anyway... I had a baby at 34. Bounced back physically very quickly after c section. I retained a tiny bit of a tummy which I had never had before but it was barely visible. I didn’t actually care either, I’ve never been bothered about weight as I’ve never had to be! I quite liked having a little bit of a tummy and it made no difference to my size of clothes.

My child is now 4 and i am almost 40. In the last few months i have massively put on weight. I don’t know how much as I don’t even have scales to weigh myself. We are not talking stone. But it’s just so obvious to me. I don’t have a thigh gap for the first time ever. My stomach is much bigger, it’s actually flabby. I went shopping recently for some holiday clothes and I’m comfortably in a size 12 for jeans and size 10 for dresses, sometimes 12 depending on the brand. Pants I wear size 16 for comfort. Years ago it was 8.

My eating habits haven’t changed. I don’t exercise regularly but im not inactive either. Again this hasn’t changed ive always been this way.

I should be clear that I don’t feel a size 12 is overweight necessarily or that it looks bad!! It’s just a shock for me to have suddenly become
much bigger in a short space of time. I even wondered if it could mean I am unhealthy in some respect. I do worry that I will continue to put on weight and at the rate it’s going that’s certainly not going to be good! Any ideas? Is this normal ageing?

Welcome to the 40s! You look at a cake you put on weight!

It’s so bad… no idea why… I’m sure someone soon will have a good explanation.

@Eumaybe i can’t understand it! It’s happened so quickly and today I put on jeans and thought hang on, my thighs are rubbing! First time ever 😬

I disagree with @Eumaybe

If you’ve always been slim, it’s surprising and not usual to put on weight so suddenly, in a way that’s not normal to you.

I’d start by checking bloods - there could be contributory factors like under active thyroid.

If all seems clear, yes, it could be linked to hormonal changes - but a dramatic change still is unusual.

I also wouldn’t agree that it’s as @Eumaybe depicts. Absolutely our fat distribution is affected by hormone changes (hence the trend towards weight around the middle) and our metabolism works differently too so eating & exercise needs to change.

Regardless of weight, taking up strength training, a reasonable amount of cardio and managing your diet are really important as you start your 40s

Could it be a sign of peri??? I hope not!

Reading this, to put on weight so quickly really doesn’t sound usual. I’d definitely start with a GP visit.

The other possibility is that perhaps you haven’t really put on that much weight but it doesn’t feel normal to you, so you see it as much more than it really is?

I don’t have a solution for you, but I am in the same boat! Now 45 and a size 14.

@EarringsandLipstick yes a colleague did say they hadn’t noticed anything but it’s very very evident to me. Perhaps I should weigh myself so I at least know more specifically.

ps you helped me years ago with a relationship problem and I’ve never forgotten your kindness ❤️

this is odd. buy some scales, eat a bit less, see if you lose a kg or 2.

I put on weight, like you not loads. But I was suddenly a size 12 having never been.

I’ve started HRT, as it also has long term benefits. I try and eat better but what’s really made the difference is going to the gym and doing yoga. I use the weight machines and do cardio and now I’m a 8-10.

I’ve always been a size 10-12 but now I’m a bigger size 12 and I feel huge . I feel huge since becoming a mum in general my boobs are way bigger and I feel matronly . I do slimming world on and off and then get bored . I don’t know what the solution is, maybe having a bit more motivation than me at the very least , but YANBU for feeling the way you feel. It’s just harder to keep slim you are that bit older.

No I’ve yo yoed wildly since my teens, been a size 10 & 20 & everywhere in between. Yo yoed a bit in my 40s but managed to stay within a size 10-16 range, mainly 12-14, so not slim but not as big as I have been. I haven’t really noticed it’s any harder in my 40s than my teens but my shape has definitely changed- lost my hourglass figure & carry more weight around my middle. Boobs aren’t what they were after breastfeeding two kids but again that’s shape rather than size.

A size 12 isn't huge. However I think it's normal for metabolism to start to slow down as you approach 40s. I've noticed it myself recently and have seen lots of women on here comment on jt. I'm trying to eat a little less from time to time, reducing down from my normal intake which has maintained my weight for years e.g. fewer cakes/desserts, skipping dinner or having a small lunch if I'm not that hungry. Not every day but a few times a week. Edited to add I have noticed that I'm back within the higher end of the normal range for my weight now. I'm aiming towards the middle of that and will then rein the low calorie in a little but also know I can't eat like I used to if I want to stay in that range.

I’ve always been slim… until my 40s! Now have to exercise, calorie count and be careful. It’s just your body changing. Xx