AIBU to ask if you have ever managed to transform your figure?

[Quitelikeit]

Hello

Looking for advice

Im in my 40s and about a stone overweight - my arms have a dreadful cellulite/pucker type of appearance just down from my arm pits

The top of my inner thighs have extra fat and my tummy also pops out (plus my jaw line has vanished)

I have decided to start daily walks but where to start with weights? I’m overwhelmed with the options

Should I do yoga or Pilates? And how many times a week?

What made the biggest difference to your body?

My hair is thinning too 😫

All tips and advice appreciated

Following for advice too.

I suspect maybe will say diet is really key.

I'm convinced stress plays a big role in me not losing weight. I'd say I have a ok diet no snacking not many upfs I do intermittent fasting nut struggle with feeling cold.
Do my 10000 steps every day.
Not sure how to decrease my stress (children with additional needs ebsa)

My app won't let me edit so do excuse all the typos

I’m nearly 40 And started last year - I rent calorie deficit and joined a woman’s only weight lifting gym - I lift weights 3 days a week and do yoga once a week and I cycle literally everywhere

my arms are only starting to tone up now - it’s taken a year at least to see much difference

but I did lose weight quickly with counting calories

I did by having a baby at 40. My boobs went saggy and I lost my waist and my thighs and calves thickened. Sorry not what you wanna hear!

Weights are where it is at for you. Good regular (3x a week) lifting will transform your posture, help you burn fat more efficiently and look better even if overweight.

Also, pilates over yoga.

@Fupoffyagrasshole

a year to see a difference 😫

@MightyGoldBear im comfortable with my dieting approach- lots of protein and veg, fruit and as natural as possible!

I agree it takes a year of consistent work to adjust body shape. But consistent activity is what you need for the health benefits anyway. So approach it from that perspective and the body changes come as a positive extra. For me in my early 50s, Ive consistently done quite intensive HIIT class x2 a week plus or or two weights sessions (at home). This has minimised cellulite and kept me slimmer than Id otherwise be. However impending menopause has changed my body shape also (wider middle, bigger chest) but at least the rest of me is more toned, more muscle and more slender than it would have been if I did nothing. For weight training to be effective and change body shape you need to lift heavy - get a PT to show you good form and work up to as heavy as you can over time.

Do you like swimming? I started swimming breast stroke 2 1/2 years ago and it has transformed my arms and upper body generally. I swim twice a week, but really go for it, working on my speed.
I did pilates classes religiously for 7 years - great for my flexibilty and cured my back pain, but I wouldn't say it changed my shape. Just started again.
Walking keeps my weight down.
I did heavy weights in my 20's with good results shapewise, but I was building up rather than trying to lose weight. I can't rustle up the enthusiasm now in my 50's. I like variety and like to dip in and out of different classes.

I have but I have worked out on and off my whole life so there could be a lot of muscle memory stuff going on there too.

If I were you, I would focus on how you can make yourself feel with cardio and weights and see the change in shape as a nice bonus. I do calisthenics and some of the poses are hard so when you master them, it gives you a huge boost. Ditto with realising you can run faster and for longer. I also do a lot of yoga and noticing my body getting more flexible spurs me on!

As a starting point I'd really recommend Olivia Lawson's walk and tone workouts on YouTube.

It's cardio/walking type exercise while using a pair of 1kg dumbells.

I really enjoyed them (first time I'd ever really enjoyed exercise) and I loved feeling my upper body strength increase. It spurred me on to do some proper strength training.

My body shape hasn't changed dramatically (I've always been slim) but my husband says I now look 'structurally sound' 🤣 I have definition in my arms, back, shoulders and abs. I feel in good shape for 49!

Do you mind sharing your height/weight and where your body typically stores fat? (Stomach, butt/thighs, etc.) That will help with suggestions. Also does your stomach feel entirely soft/squishy, or hard and bloated, or a bit of both?

I started eating more protein and more fibre. A bit less carbs, reduced my overall cal intake
I do intermittent fasting- eat from 10am to 6pm
walk a few times a week.

I Lost 2 stone doing this. I started in June.

I have! Yoga and Pilates won’t help - although I do reformer several times a week as great for balance / stretching. Ultimately need to build muscle and need to think of it as a 5 year project. I get comments about my amazing physique every time I go to the gym. I lift very heavy. Like 90kg squats 60kg bench etc. To built the muscle you need protein and enough calories. To lose the fat you need a calorie deficit.

Yes, I have gone from.a size 6 in my twenties to a size 12 in my 50s.😀 Total transformation.

Boring consistency is the only way to do it. My shape has drastically changed but only because I’ve lifted weights twice a week for the last 4 years. Building muscle is a slow process but very rewarding if you stick at it.

Running 3 times a week. Tones up my stomach and legs. But honestly you have to find something you enjoy and stick to it - you won't last more than a fortnight if you pick, say, yoga and hate it.

And I’ve gone the other way, size 20 to a size 6. (8 stone loss).

very little loose skin thanks to walking a lot and doing Pilates and weights.

Doing this but my god, it's so slow.

Pilates has transformed me. I have lost a lot of weight, but doing Reformer twice a week and mat class once or twice a week has definitely had a big effect. My muscles are more toned, I have a waist that goes in and shape to my legs.

@Quitelikeit weights! Have a look at Caroline Girvan on youtube, her Iron series on there is amazing.

If you are overweight you will need to lose some. This will mainly be diet, probably a calorie deficit.

if you want tone it’s exercise. Mainly weights. Yoga/ Pilates and cardio will be good supplementary, but resistance training is really what will “show” .

and I think you’ve got to be patient. I am 42 and have taken 6 months to lose 6kg (although to put in context that’s just under 10% of my body weight) and have another 2 to go. It’s been painfully slow, but it’s working and the consistency is paying off and I can really see and feel a difference now. Everyone is different think the long game is more sustainable.

In my 50s, I can only lose weight by diet. I still exercise for other reasons. By diet, I mean a healthy diet, not crash diets.

Working with a PT.

Great thread for inspiration!
I lost almost 4st last year on jabs, gained 1st quite quick but managing to keep the rest off but I really want to lose that stone, and then one extra.

Join your local gym and get an induction on all the equipment.

Regular weights work makes a big difference.

Are you on HRT? As that will improve your hair plus many other things and it has long term benefits such as prevention of dementia, heart conditions and osteoarthritis.

I go to the gym and do yoga. I’ve dropped two dress sizes and now have defined muscles. I watch a lot of instagram videos on gym equipment and how to use it and the best exercises to do. Also my gym offer an introduction with a PT on joining. I love it. Plus it makes you feel good.

Strength training is really beneficial in your 40s. I don’t want to be a falls risk when I’m old or have broken bones.

Yoga helps my balance and flexibility plus is good for my mind. The gym is what has a real difference to my body shape.

Thanks everyone!

I am not on HRT but I do have it - I took it and the progesterone caused a serious bloat to an already bloated tummy so I stopped and decided to try to get in shape then was going to restart in a few months

I have been doing Caroline Girvan but I have been wondering if it is something I can realistically maintain as I’m doing the iron series and it’s a thought doing it 5 days a week plus getting my steps in

Thats why I was wondering what others do and if they lift 5 days a week

My weights 11.7 and height 5.5

its more the shape of myself I’m concerned with as I know the weight will slowly come off but it’s the fact that I want to make sure the efforts I am making are going to be useful

It’s interesting how someone said Pilates helps with shape change and someone said it won’t - as I was looking at doing some classes in the community