Has anyone lost weight and really toned up successfully?

[MindBodyChocolate]

Hi all. I’m in the process of losing weight. I’m aiming for a 7-8 stone loss which will take me to 11-12 stone. So far I’ve lost 4.5 stone and have seen a big difference in my body.

Now the gyms have reopened I want to get a proper weights routine going for 2 reasons: general health from weight bearing exercise (I’m 42) and to tone up ie look better!

Can anyone recommend any particular exercises or tell me some positive stories of toning up from a pretty low base?! I’m going to get a PT when finances allow but want to get a head start!

I've lost 2st from 18:6 fasting and calorie deficit, and found myself not as toned as I would want, so I've been going to the gym for a little while now. I cannot abide running, so I use the 'steps' machine - you perpetually climb stairs - and the exercise bikes, and despite my pessimism I'm seeing results. I really thought I had some sort of weird inability to become shapely, but the secret is to fuck off counting sets and reps and things and just go as hard as you can as long as you can, and don't stop until your legs give out. Then take a little break and go again. Try to do some weightlifting too, as that is far more effective than running.

The one thing I am pleased about is that I have taken it one day at a time and if I fell off the wagon I forgave myself and got back on it. I've not looked down the road and thought of the 2 stone I've needed to lose. I just thought about today. 5 months in I am 1.5 stone lighter and although that doesn't sound that much over 5 months, it has pushed back against me as I've built muscle. My clothes have dropped 2-3 sizes but I have bulked up a bit especially in my legs. I went to try on some skinny jeans yesterday and thought bloody hell, I look like I've been training for the Olympic cycling team. That's OK though, I'm still happy.

It's a journey, and I am enjoying it. The destination is actually irrelevant in a way. Along with your weight loss and fitness journey, you should also add in other stuff to make you feel good. As my weight has decreased and confidence returned I've started wearing nicer clothes, wearing jewelry and being more thoughtful with makeup, and wearing a bit more.

Make it a holistic experience for yourself. You deserve it. Your loved ones will love that you are taking care of yourself and be really proud of you.

@WebCookiesAreIntrusive that is a great post. Exercise/toning up is all part and parcel of living a better life and taking this holistic approach is really helpful in terms of enjoying the journey, as you say.

I am definitely feeling huge benefits of looking after myself more: I weigh the same as I used to before my 2nd child 7 years ago but I feel 10 times better and am really enjoying my clothes, how I look etc.

I know my partner is proud of me but I’m bloody proud of myself too. And that’s invaluable.

@WebCookiesAreIntrusive

The one thing I am pleased about is that I have taken it one day at a time and if I fell off the wagon I forgave myself and got back on it. I've not looked down the road and thought of the 2 stone I've needed to lose. I just thought about today. 5 months in I am 1.5 stone lighter and although that doesn't sound that much over 5 months, it has pushed back against me as I've built muscle. My clothes have dropped 2-3 sizes but I have bulked up a bit especially in my legs. I went to try on some skinny jeans yesterday and thought bloody hell, I look like I've been training for the Olympic cycling team. That's OK though, I'm still happy.

It's a journey, and I am enjoying it. The destination is actually irrelevant in a way. Along with your weight loss and fitness journey, you should also add in other stuff to make you feel good. As my weight has decreased and confidence returned I've started wearing nicer clothes, wearing jewelry and being more thoughtful with makeup, and wearing a bit more.

Make it a holistic experience for yourself. You deserve it. Your loved ones will love that you are taking care of yourself and be really proud of you.

I love this post - it's perfect!

It's the beauty about dieting with exercise. It's SO much easier than dieting alone for so many reasons, but the main one is that after a couple of weeks of an exercise regime, the exercise becomes something you look forward to - it's no longer a chore. The endorphin release is so addictive and it makes you feel so good about yourself. The weight loss then becomes a total bonus on top - NOT the be all and end all.

What a lovely post @WebCookiesAreIntrusive; I am re-reading your wise words today after a tough day with DS1. He is 5, borderline ASD and incredibly hard work some days, and today was one of them. He's always up early and bouncing off the walls by 8am, I simply don't have the energy to keep up sometimes he was on the verge of going into meltdown this morning when I managed to bash him on the head by accident and of course felt horrifically guilty! Then I cried over my breakfast at the thought of never being able to fulfil my plans of getting slim and fit, doing more exercise etc whilst he is this tough to deal with day in, day out. I just have no idea how to cope apart from eating lots of chocolate

@bookworm1632 what a nightmare to have to stay at the gym for hours!! You must have been exhausted!

@ClaraTheImpossibleGirl - I’m sorry you have had a rough day. It sounds like you’re doing a great job looking after DS1 and I’m not surprised that exercise for yourself is sometimes impossible.

I know it’s now a massive cliché but try to be kind to yourself. If you have days when you can’t exercise what can you do that’s nice for you that isn’t eating chocolate? ( not that there’s anything necessarily wrong with eating chocolate but it sounds like you don’t want to).

And I know it’s really easy to catastrophise but you have a lot on your plate at the minute and it doesn’t mean that you will never be able to get fitter. Do what you can when you can but don’t beat yourself up if it’s not perfect. Nobody is!!

Thank you @MindBodyChocolate ; you're entirely right, there's nothing wrong with eating chocolate, but I would rather not at the moment! Or I would, but then there's no way I'll make my weight loss targets...

DS1 had another meltdown this evening - we talked it through later and had lots of hugs but I worry about him so much. There doesn't seem to be any way of predicting them or heading him off when he starts and my nerves are completely shredded

I managed a short workout and a run today which I'm pleased about. Food was a bit rubbish though. Will plan better tomorrow!

A workout and a run is amazing - well done @ClaraTheImpossibleGirl. Do you have much support in looking after DS1?

Walking daily plus heavy weights sessions have made more of a diff to my shape and general fitness than anything else. I’ve done all kinds over the years. Pilates also good.

Well, I have DP if you can call him support @MindBodyChocolate the issue is that he just doesn't listen to DS1 or have any idea how to deal with his meltdowns, and has very little patience with the DC in general. To be fair he does also work full time but has always had plenty of child free time - I have had very little of it and no nights away, unlike him! - and I just think, if he wanted to train for a marathon/ join a sports group/ take up a regular hobby he'd just do it and not care what I thought. Luckily(?!) for me he's too lazy to even go to the gym...

I planned a run for tomorrow but have been given the chance to try another HIIT class for free. Really hoping all this work pays off on the scales soon!

I hope the HIIT class is good @ClaraTheImpossibleGirl. Even if it’s not immediately paying off on the scales you’re doing your overall health loads of good 😌

The HIIT class was very painful good thanks, @MindBodyChocolate! I did a short weights workout first thing this morning and then W4R1 of C25K on my way home from the school drop off. I arrived home looking like a tomato

I am feeling a bit thinner, but reckon I have at least half a stone to lose before I can fit comfortably into most of my clothes, sigh. Till then I just rotate the same half dozen tops or so and stare longingly at the others

I'm going to meal and exercise plan later to account for half term. There may even be a reward chart involved - if it works for the DC...!

I've read this thread last night and have just done the Caroline Girvan day one Epic beginners on Youtube. Wow, I am hugely unfit!
I'm going to try and do one Youtube workout a day as well as eating better. Anything is better than nothing right?

I've lost 10 stone and workout regularly. I definitely have definition and muscles - sadly it can't be seen as saggy skin covers it up. However I am stronger and fitter and that's actually what matters.

@Alabamahammer that sounds like a great plan.

@Tuckedinbelly - 10 stone loss is amazing. Well done! I’m doing ok on the loose skin so far after 5 stone loss but the tops of my arms will probably suffer from it. Health is my main objective though so like you it’s about doing the best we can for overall health.

Placemarking