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Original poster

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

58 replies

Quitelikeit · 13/10/2026 16:15

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

OP posts:
BoxOfCats · 14/10/2026 07:56

Oh and just to add - I have found with Pilates, the more I lift weights the better I get at Pilates, but also vice versa. Lifting heavy weights often requires core strength even when it’s not a “core” exercise. I think many men in particular don’t prioritise their core strength enough at the gym.

AuutumLeaves1983 · 14/10/2026 07:58

BoxOfCats · 14/10/2026 07:45

Thanks! I feel better than ever have in my life.

I track how many calories I burn per day via my smartwatch, which is about 1700 per day. I’m currently aiming to maintain my weight, so eat at a slight calorie deficit during the week then might go for a meal out at the weekend.

Things that have worked well for me:

Relentless consistency when it comes to food. Plan ahead, figure out a daily blueprint that works for you and stick to it. I usually go for high volume, so I’ll prioritise protein and then bulk it out with a lot of non-starchy low cal veg which keeps me full. Once I started tracking what I was eating I realised I was having way too many carbs! I still have carbs, just not nearly as much. I bring breakfast, lunch and snacks to work with me, even if we have catered meetings I bring and eat my own food.

I schedule my workouts in my diary a week ahead, so that I never miss them.

Lifting progressively heavier over time. I actually started out doing BodyPump classes which are high rep, low weight but saw a step change in results once I learned how to lift heavier weights with fewer reps.

Show quote history

Thank you so much for replying. It seems like I already do a lot of things very similar to you. I probably just need to be patient! I’m not ‘overweight’ but a few pounds heavier than I would like to be and every extra pound is on my tummy!

BoxOfCats · 14/10/2026 08:01

@AuutumLeaves1983 Yep, it just takes time - just keep going with the relentless consistency and you will get there! 🙂

harriethoyle · 14/10/2026 08:03

I know she’s been outed as a crazy Trump supporter but I always go back to Jillian Michaels. You can’t out train a bad diet.

I do 5:2 or 4:3 after a particularly indulgent period. 10000 steps every day, HIIT class and spin class once a week and cross trainer sessions in between. A perfect week sees 4 gym sessions of some sort.

Also cut down on your wine. It bloats me terribly. I’m aiming for special occasions only and cutting out the casual home drinking.

itsadlibitum · 14/10/2026 08:21

I second body pump.

however the most transformational exercise I’ve ever done is power yoga. Not the rubbish version taught by a PT in a leisure centre with a yoga qualification add on, but the real deal with a proper yoga instructor who will correct you and guide you properly. It’s so incredibly hard and physical and it transformed by body entirely. I’ve just never been able to find a class of that quality again.

fando · 14/10/2026 08:27

I was going to say dynamic yoga, I’m tall with long limbs anyway but it toned me up without any bulk.

Original poster
Quitelikeit · 14/10/2026 19:35

Thanks all

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 14/10/2026 19:38

Decent weight lifting.
Protein - most women arnt getting near enough
I like collagen to help improve protein intake.
Iv just added creatine and noticed my muscles are more defined.
Drinking lots and lots water.

Im still a chunky monkey but im def looking better and had compliments on skin.

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