Invited on fab ski-ing holiday but afraid to go!!

[rushrushrush]

I used to ski about 14/15 years ago (I'm 48 now). We had two children since then and I've put on a massive amount of weight and have rarely exercised - at least 3 stone plus over what I should be. I'm on a diet now - and I'm doing well - and in a moment of madness agreed in principle to a skiing holiday over Christmas 2011 with a whole host of friends with kids. My children and dh are SO excited but I'm absolutely dreading the idea. I LOVED skiing a few years ago but was never any good at it even when I was fit and even though I have a year to get half way fit, and lose a lot of weight, I just think I'm never going to be able to get to the point where I can enjoy it again. My friends are all good skiers who go every year - they do know that dh and myself are effectively beginners/ intermediate at best and that was a long time ago! Am I mad to even consider this holiday? I do feel sad as I'd love my kids to ski and learn to enjoy it but I can imagine that I will be left behind most days as the fat unhealthy one in the chalet looking after the kids! Is this really a pointless exercise?? Any thoughts please. Thanks.

No not pointless at all. Sounds like a lovely goal to motivate getting fitter and healthier throughout the year

Understand though why it all seems so daunting at the minute so can you break it down into manageable and achievable steps? For example, if you get a personal trainer, you could design a fitness programme that will get you where you need to be safely. The indoor ski slopes do great courses that could help you regain your confidence, and run either over weeks or crash courses in one day. Join weighwatchers or other slimming club so you have a plan and some peer support.

But don't be too hard on yourself. Great company, nice resort, your family around you, chances are you'd have a good time regardless of size or fitness levels. But undoubtedly if you are feeling happier and more confident then you will enjoy it more. See the holiday as a reward for bigger lifestyle changes though, rather than focusing on it as a big scary target.

Thank you wingandprayer - I'm agree that it would be a huge motivation to have this as a goal. I did used to love my skiing hols. I've joined slimming world and feel I can do the weightloss thing - it's the fitness bit that scares me most to be honest. I always feel horrible when I do any exercise as I'm just so unfit. I hate it!!
I'm even worried about getting ski gear to fit me!!

I am overweight too and have several years on you. I hadn't skied since the year before DS1 was born (he's now 23) and had only been for three weeks in the 1980s. I go to the gym a couple of times per week or take a Pilates or Yoga class but am not tremendously fit.
We went skiing as a family this Christmas. We all had lessons in separate groups each morning and I really enjoyed myself. I decided only to ski in the mornings, though by the end of the week, I felt able to ski afternoons as well. I didn't suffer terrible aches and pains and felt really invigorated after the holiday.
I went to a dry slope for a couple of lessons before my holiday just to ensure I still had the nerve to ski. The instructor was pleased that I still knew the basics and told me I'd have no problems on the slopes. I deliberately chose to join a beginners plus group at the resort - starting off with basic snow ploughs - rather than a more advanced group and this boosted my confidence. You can always move up a class after a day or two.
The worst part was getting to the slopes each day - getting the boots on, clumping over to the lift etc. After that, it got better and better.
I presume your DC are old enough for morning ski school. Use that time for ski school for yourself, and the afternoons for skiing as a family or relaxing back at the chalet.
Oh ... and a ski holiday at Christmas, away from all the ghastliness of a UK Christmas is wonderful. Go for it!

Oh thank you Lilymaid! That's made me a feel a lot better. I appreciate your thoughts and like the idea of joining ski school again. I can't envisage having the energy to ski more than a couple of hours or so a day but I suppose that's good enough. Thanks again.

I am a lot older than you are and also had not skied for 16 years. I went in January last year for a weeks skiing and were with a group who were 10 -15 years younger than me. I did everything the others did but did take alternative routes when I felt it was too much. They did applologise for taking me on certain slopes but did not realise how old I was. I was fit before I went and quite slim but we are going again a week on Saturday and am not so fit this year as I had a knee problem a few weeks ago so have cut down on exercise. You will be fine, if there are a few of you you will all want to do different things and some will ski more and some will ski less.

As the book says, "Feel the fear, and do it anyway". . .
and in my opinion you should go as going on a ski/snow holiday if fabulous and life is too dam short not too. You have the whole year to get fit and try to eat sensibly. At least you have a goal to set your sights on, and as another post said, dont be too hard on your self.

Wishing you luck and dutch courageaous, and i hope you manage to lose some weight, get fit and enjoy the holiday .