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Original poster

Critique my figure...pics included.

195 replies

PoosyCat · 16/08/2015 18:14

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!

Critique my figure...pics included.
Critique my figure...pics included.
OP posts:
LumpySpacedPrincess · 17/08/2015 09:45

I'm doing workout at the mo, not really pilates but it works your whole body and you see results really quickly.

DinosaursRoar · 17/08/2015 10:15

Lumpy - that looks a good one! I'vebeen trying to work out how I can fit more exercise in my day as DC2 is out of the buggy more so my power walking with the buggy might be coming to an end shortly. That's a good free one to start with!

pinkfrocks · 17/08/2015 10:34

Just a word of warning but many of those exercises on the video are lethal for women who have had children/ weak pelvic floor- and will make it all worse.
eg star jumps, double leg lifts.

LumpySpacedPrincess · 17/08/2015 11:20

It's quite low impact pinkfrocks, apart from at the beginning. Replace those with just marching or some non impact cardio to get the heart rate up and the body warm.

Fitness blender is an amazing site, something for everyone and you can filter your workout so that it suits your needs.

I like really, really, really tough and not too long! Grin

SuperFlyHigh · 17/08/2015 12:12

Not read whole thread but you need to find something you enjoy and stick to it.

I hate gyms so don't go there. I do however like aqua aerobics, aqua spinning (in water but too expensive in this country), walking, yoga and cardio classes. also salsa classes.

itsaldramarama · 17/08/2015 12:20

OP I understand where you are coming from ! I'm 5.10 and a similar size to you , atm I feel
*uncomfortable with my body , fluctuate between 10 and half stone and a comfortable size 12 to 12 stone ( now ) and a 12-14 . Friends can't tell much difference but I do ! It's how you feel about your body not what others think ! I Used to hit the gym quite hard a few years ago but not now and I feel the difference ! I can lose a good stone doing keto but it goes back on quickly ! Currently trying to walk more and eat healthily , cutting out bread and upping vegetable and fruit intake with nutri bullet drinks , I have lost the bloat and lost 3lb this week
Hope to be a steady 11 stone and then I will feel more like the old me :)
Little changed to your diet and a bit more exercise and will feel better in your self
Ignore the negative comments , some people don't understand how you feel :) ( I'm 49 next month and want to be heading into my 50s feeling the best I can !

LumpySpacedPrincess · 17/08/2015 13:31

Even if you are struggling to find time to exercise try to do as much of this each day, I do it even when I'm on my heavier side and it raelly helps.

WaggleBee · 17/08/2015 13:41

I was quite happy with my size and shape until reading this thread. Now I think I have a flat arse and podgy stomach when I don't.

LumpySpacedPrincess · 17/08/2015 13:45

WaggleBee don't let strangers on tinternet dent your confidence.

I'm sure your bootafull Smile

pudding25 · 18/08/2015 08:36

I think you look pretty amazing but I understand what you are saying. I think it is more impoctant as you get older to get fit, healthy and eat better. For health reasons more than anything. I would revamp your food choices a bit by eating more protein and less crap carbs and do some weights.

fearandloathinginambridge · 18/08/2015 09:04

Haven't RTFT so don't know if anybody else has made the point about how depressing it is to see a clearly slim, healthy, attractive looking woman asking for a "critique" of her body.

I understand you feel unhappy OP because you feel it isn't what it used to be. I do understand. But as one gets older, particularly 40's onward, body shape changes. Fat distribution alters with menopause. At this point it's obviously not right to let yourself go, one needs to stay fit for health reasons but chasing the figure of your 30's or 20's is a one way ticket to misery.

suzannefollowmyvan · 18/08/2015 09:29

I'm 50, post menopause I have a flat stomach and and athletic physique, I don't find it any more difficult to maintain now than I did in my 20's and 30's.

Easier if anything I have more energy. ?

suzannefollowmyvan · 18/08/2015 09:31

a one way ticket to misery
I am not remotely miserable, very happy with life

jenenberry · 18/08/2015 09:34

I know lots of women who are 50+ who have maintained their figures -
flat(ish) stomachs, small waists and toned physiques.
Some people use menopause as an excuse to let everything 'go'.

But there's no need to let that happen and you don't have to lead a miserable life to achieve it. It's about balance.

Well done suzannefollowmyvan!

jenenberry · 18/08/2015 09:37

I meant to add.
Yes, you shouldn't expect to have exactly the same looks you had in your 20's and 30's, but you can still maintain a really nice figure if you put your mind to it and have the right attitude when it comes to staying healthy and looking good - whatever age you're at.

fourtothedozen · 18/08/2015 09:46

I am a 53 old- toned, strong, supple, size 10 and a flat stomach.

Lurkedforever1 · 18/08/2015 13:01

fear you'd have a point if op was complaining about being huge, or losing skin elasticity etc. Whether you think she's slim isn't the point, op is clearly used to being slimmer. And unless she was posting pics of a body with a level of fat where it would be unhealthy to lose more, she has every right to do so. Not buying into the 40's theory either, I'm not there yet but I doubt in a decade I'll be writing off my health or aspects of my appearance I quite like because I'll feel past it!

fourtothedozen · 18/08/2015 13:10

but chasing the figure of your 30's or 20's is a one way ticket to misery.

Rubbish.

VerityWaves · 18/08/2015 13:12

No one said you have to write it off you just have to work harder at it than in your 20s

Original poster
PoosyCat · 18/08/2015 13:16

fear by asking for a critique, I wasn't necessarily asking for criticism, more honest opinions.

I'm no expert when it comes to exercise and was hoping that those who are would be able to suggest how to tackle my 'problem areas' and/or disguise them!

I understand and completely accept that I'm never going to have the body which I had in my 20s, pre children. But, I do want to tackle the things such as the fat on my tummy and thighs which are new and not welcome! No, I'm not going to have the flat tummy and lovely legs I had years ago, but I do want to make a bit of an effort to improve on what I've got at the minute!

OP posts:
fourtothedozen · 18/08/2015 13:23

poosy- if this was my body I would be looking at getting rid of some weight.
Like me, you gather excess around the middle.
No amount of crunches will tone the fat. Sorry not being cruel here- but if you want some realism.

You have a lovely figure, but for some it would be a bit to thick around the middle.
I would be aiming to lose a stone, combined with a good exercise regime which targets the core.

One of the things about accumulating fat around the middle is that it also tends to be the place you lose it from first, reduce by a stone and you will see a more hourglass appearance to your waist and stomach.

Original poster
PoosyCat · 18/08/2015 13:30

fourtothedozen no, that's not cruel at all. That's what I feel, I've got this tummy that Ive never had before and I know I need to lose weight. I actually think I'm going to gets some scales! I've never weighed more than 10 and a half stone and I'll bet I'm at least a stone heavier than that now. Maybe if I did weigh myself regularly and could see the pounds coming off a bit, that might spur me on?

OP posts:
fourtothedozen · 18/08/2015 13:41

poosy- scales may help, but I use my jeans to let me know when I need to reign things in on the food front!

I am a little shorter than you- 5'6" and I don't go over 9 st.

It's the food not the lack of exercise that causes love handles.
You do burn up calories in the gym, but far more effective to cut back on what you are eating.
By all means exercise now, but toning up a slim body is relatively easy- two months of weight training or body pump can have a dramatic difference.

Original poster
PoosyCat · 18/08/2015 13:43

Yep, it's the food that's the problem! I love my grub! Got to cut back.

OP posts:
fearandloathinginambridge · 18/08/2015 15:21

Well mazeltov to everybody who is in middle age and thinks they still have the body of a 20 or 30 year old.

I wasn't saying that it's not possible or desirable to be toned in middle age or to keep in shape, of course it is, I am saying that with age come certain changes. My boobs, no matter how much I work out, are heading south. Not much I can do except love them the way they are.