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 do look great for your age. Lovely skin too! You have gained around your middle and you need tons of water, clean eating and some high intensity core work to get it nipped in more. It will work pretty quickly as you are already quite toned.

Yes to shift dresses!
Layering with slightly loose vest tops with your skinnies/leggings to show off your toned arms jealous
Looks like a little fat due to too much sugar over your muscle; try walking, cycling to burn calories but I think just cutting back and toning up would help loads
Have you seen the Bring Sally up challenge - do it with squats and sit ups/crunches (or to different music for motivation) to tone up

You look fantastic!

All long-limbed and lithe and defined and the complete opposite of me .

Ignore the bitter betties.

You what

stealth boast

I'm not going to say you've got a lovely figure because I think you must know quite well you have. Look at your picture imagine you are looking at someone else. I bet you would say. You have a brilliant figure. Sorry but I do tend to see where gin is coming from. Is this with the greatest respect a stealth boast, because whether you could see my face or not. There is no way I could put a picture of myself on line.

I love your body

Nice and slim!

You look good and I really like your skirting board.

verity I definitely have put weight on around my middle. Don't think anything I would do would make me look 'nipped in' though, unfortunately I've always been straight up and down. I've never had a waist!

And iliveinalighthouse I can assure you this isn't a stealth boast. I am the heaviest I've ever been in my life, apart from being pregnant, and I want a bit of motivation to do something about it. I'm not saying I look huge or hideous, I'm saying I'm bigger than I've ever been, and unhappy being like this.

You're my shape, but taller, so you look better. Skinny jeans are easy in the winter with boots to balance you out but in the summer look better shorter. At your height you can afford to go for a cropped length to show off your great calves and ankles.

I'd advise the 30 Day Shred but then I always do advise that because I have a terrible crush on Jillian Michaels. Any of her DVDs will tone up your waist and arse like magic (very painful and difficult magic)

You look good and certainly not big. In any case a bit of extra weight (not unhealthy I mean- but a bigger body can be just as healthy) is fine and attractive just as slimness is, fat is nor a dirty word.

The only thing I see is either a need for confidence and body love (maybe some affirmation or a hypnotherapy CD), or a stealth boast.

chishandfips thanks for the tips. I will look at 'bring up Sally'.

'Cat milkman' my skirting board says thank you very much!

You have shapely, slim, toned arms.
Plus you have a waist (so many women don't seem to have waists any more).
I think you look perfectly proportioned!

What's your problem? (meaning that nicely)

It's difficult to see your legs because of the black. But seriously, a lot of women would be envious of your figure.

you look absolutely fine. The best way we can tell though is if you put up a pic of yourself in your bra and pants because all that black hides quite a lot :)

You're very tall and although there is a hint of a pot belly it's nothing that losing 2-3kgs won't shift.

You have great arms. I'd say your tummy looks like the only place that needs toning and I really recommend Pilates for that, it works wonders!

I'd say you just need better posture, you'd be amazed at the difference it can make. Toning up your abs, specially your lower abs can help get it, but you also need to make a conscious effort to keep good form.

You need glute exercises for your flat backside.

You mean lunges? (Eyes flat backside)

liara do you really think I've got poor posture? That really surprises me actually. I know tall people are prone to poor posture, but I always thought I was ok in that regard. It's something I'll try to be more aware of.

mabel I do have 'long' flat bum! Always thought that was just hereditary as my mum has the same! Never thought about exercises to improve it, will have a Google.

I'm no expert, but I think my pilates instructor would say that your sticking out tummy is just the result of collapsed lower abs, and that if you made a habit of bracing them you wouldn't have a tummy at all.

Take a look online at good bracing technique - eg. what ballet dancers do. It's fairly specific, but not very complicated. Do it in front of a mirror and you will see the difference!

I think you look slim. However, if you feel heavier that you want I suggest you exercise to tone up, which will make you feel better and more toned.
Jillian Michaels works for me.

You wouldn't want my lack of fashion advice.

You look great and your posture is lovely.

I think you've got a lovely figure-honestly.

I think your hip/bum area would benefit from squats but honestly everything else looks fine! Squats are more effective when you use weights whilst doing them