Critique my figure...pics included.

[PoosyCat]

Be honest...but not brutal, please! I've name changed for this and I'm a bit scared!

I'm 41, 5'11" and have always been a size 10/12. Just recently, over about the last year or so, I know I've put on weight. We don't have scales and I very rarely weigh myself, but I can tell just by looking at myself that I've put quite a bit on.

We're not long back from holiday, and when we got home, looking at photos of myself in bikinis, shorts and clingy dresses really upset me. I know I'm not huge, but in my head I thought I was a lot slimmer than the 'me' in the photos.

I've never done any proper exercise and I'm a bit lost about where to start. Going to a gym terrifies me. What sort of exercise would help with my 'love handles'? What else do you think I should be working on?

Also, what the hell should I be wearing day to day? I've always flung on skinny jeans or leggings as I thought I had good legs...but it seems like that was the old me. My good legs are hidden under the extra weight!

If Trinny and Susannah were still around, I'd be asking for their help! But please, lovely mumsnetters, help me to feel like the old me!

You've got great legs.
Nice toned arms too.

You have put weight on exactly where I put it. But don't worry, there's not too much and clothes will hide it until you lose it. Skinny jeans will still be fine. I lose it by cutting carbs and running (slowly) for 30 mins twice or three times a week. And reducing alcohol. What works for you?

If you think you are overweight then I suggest that you have some forms of body dysmorphia. Unless of course this is a stealth boast thread?

Also, as basically you are still slim (as I am) consider getting scales? If I need to lose I weigh myself every morning. The wrong number of pounds motivates me to eat less that day and really helps my willpower.

gin that's a really unkind post

OP your arms and legs look great - you look like you're carrying a bit of extra weight in you hips/lower waist but nothing that a bit of exercise and 6 weeks clean eating wouldn't solve

No, it is a post from someone who cares about that slim figure and wants to maintain it through middle age. Give her a break.

Great arms! Definitely wear stuff that shows them off. No need for shrugs etc!

Legs are great, skinny jeans will be fine, just wear a too that skims. Also under skinny jeans i often wear control pants!! Not sexy but gives a sleek line.

I think RL friends and family would have more of an idea wouldn't they? We don't know and haven't seen the old you so I don't know what you expect us to say.
I suspect stealth boast.

Calm down gin, what a horrible comment.
Poosy your body is the same as mine. I have thickened round the waist considerably in the last couple of years... think it's a combo of age(43), wine and total disregard of exercise ( am speaking for myself obviously).
Pilates and yoga are great for the core area and when I did them my waist was notably more pinched in. You've reminded me to start again.

I'm tallish and carry my weight in the same place, it's the easiest shape to disguise imo. Skinny jeans with a bit of a turn up to show off slender legs and ankles, half tucked in shirts and loose tops to skim over the muffin.

Shorter skirts are your friend, especially with that gorgeous tan!

Thanks for the helpful posts.

No, not a stealth boast or body dysmorphia...I don't think I'm fat or overweight, but I have put on weight and I don't like it. I'm not comparing myself to other people, I'm comparing this version of myself to the old me. And I don't like it.

george , I hardly drink alcohol but I do love carbs and sugar. I could definitely do with cutting back on these but I'll have to replace them with something because I love to eat!

project , yes, it's the stomach and hips which are bothering me most of all, along with my thighs. I know I really do need to do some exercise, just need to find something I enjoy!

Oh and take the dreaded 'stealth boast' comments as a compliment, nothing more

Protein fills you up more than carbs. But you need to think when you do your food shopping, not just buy the same old stuff. Have you thought about couch to 5k? It really works!

To those who have mentioned good arms...thanks! Yes, I'm happy with arms and shoulders which have remained unchanged!

damedoom yes, I have thought about yoga and Pilates. Think that's more me than gym or running. I've never been into a gym and I get stressed just thinking about it!

mrsruffalo Of course I've asked people in real life. DH wouldn't notice if I put on 20 stone and friends are all far too polite to admit I'm looking a bit beefier and suggest how I could change/ hide it.

God I'd kill for your figure and muscle tone. I reckon if you're really motivated about losing the bit you feel you've collected on your middle, a few weeks/couple of months tops of low carbing and cardio sessions would sort you right out.

I'd say it's mainly top of thighs/ hips, so I'd say something like cycling or running, from the pics I'm guessing though it's more a layer of fat over muscle so I think if you just lost the weight through any exercise and slight reduction in food it would do it rather than thinking you need to target particular areas to tone up. However you certainly look great and don't have anything to be ashamed of, but if you aren't happy that's good enough reason. Likewise I'm sure you look great in skinny jeans and shorts, and have no need to cover up, but if you're feeling self conscious just wear longer slightly looser tops.

gin/Claudia yes op does look good, and I'm sure many people would love her figure. But that doesn't mean she isn't allowed to prefer herself leaner or have self esteem issues without it being a stealth boast. Nor does op come across as having body dysmorphia, she's hardly calling herself huge. Just saying she's bigger than she was and prefers being smaller.

I pile the inches on around the middle if I overdo sugar (I eat way too many bars if chocolate each day). To compensate I either cut back and/or increase protein intake and see a difference within a couple of wrks which spurs me on

unfortunately when I've lost it I think I can go back on the chocolate and we go round in a circle!!

you look to be a normal female specimen of homo sapiens, hopefully with all limbs and body parts working. You look to be in the healthy weight range. And it is a RANGE. But that is good - it is looking after your body. Some of the sights I've seen today give me the RAGE at the abuse of good health.

if you want to lose weight, eat fewer calories than you use. Use more by moving around more. All movement is exercise.

You look bloody good for 41, I must say - I thought you were a much younger woman who'd put on a bit around her middle till I read the post. You don't look flabby or saggy at all, just like there's slightly more of you round the waist and hips than you'd like.

I'm 43 and started to put weight on in exactly same places - waist, love handles. I wear tunic tops with jeans, or vest tops with a shirt over, or a loose top with a belt around the hips, or a top that has some shape at the bottom, eg is gathered or draped, or has some other distraction around the middle / tummy area.

I find it really hard to lose weight as i am sedentary atm, but if you're able. running or weight training would increase muscle mass and boost your metabolism. Low carbing works for me but the important thing is that, going into your 40s, it probably needs to be something you can maintain rather than a quick fix. Otherwise it's fairly likely to go straight back on when you resume eating 'normally' or stop going to the gym. So pick exercise / ways of eating that you would actually enjoy.

I think you look great but that means bugger all as it what you feel like that matters.

Bet shift dresses would look really great on you.

You have a fine figure. Nothing to change about it. You are most definetly not overweight :)

You look fabulous