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Original poster

Has anyone really let themselves go and come back from it?

111 replies

myfavouriterain · 20/12/2019 17:36

Just that really.
6 years ago even after child birth I looked OK. Size 8, younger than my years by around 5 years.
Depression, single parenthood, poor diet and sedentary lifestyle later and I'm size 16, lol older than I am.

Has anyone come back from being this run down, what did you do and in what order, how long did it take, results?

OP posts:
Liskee · 21/12/2019 07:15

Still a work in progress but me I think! After having 2 children I had put on a stack of weight, was bloated, ate bad food, slept horrendously, no exercise, big baggy clothes, wearing my hair shoved back in a pony tail all the time.

One day, 18 months ago or so I joined Slimming World and haven't looked back. I've lost over 5.5 stone so far, joined a gym and do online home workouts, get my hair and eyebrows sorted regularly, have been able to fit into clothes I didn't have on in years and gained the confidence to get a new job and go back to work full time.

I'm busier now than ever, but infinitely happier with my life and 'in myself' than I've been in a long long time. It's possible, but it won't happen over night.

Bluntness100 · 21/12/2019 07:23

Yes absolutely, went up to a sixteen/eighteen, now a ten, have been for a good many years, occassionally go up to a twelve and back down.

But I'm well groomed and take an interest in my appearance, I exercise, eat low carb, wear make up, have my hair done regularly etc, and generally feel good about my appearance. But I do make an effort with it, because I feel better and more confident when my appearance is not getting me down.

Not many people look effortlessly great.

Tinselette1940 · 21/12/2019 07:25

(I should add I lost thirteen stone in one go by ditching ex H.)

Brilliant overtheseagull Xmas Grin

missfliss · 21/12/2019 07:31

Not completely let myself go but have put on 2 stone this year and really need to deal with it !

Recovering from a huge amount of stress in previous year means I've just stopped caring what I put in my mouth. I'm basically greedy.

I have a plan for the new year to lose weight so will definitely get myself back to a healthy weight and will feel better from there

ladyvimes · 21/12/2019 07:33

I’ve suffered depression for the last 8 years. Put on two stone. Felt like crap for ages. Now I’ve realised life is too short to worry about being a little bit overweight! I’ve bought new clothes to suit my shape and feel so much better in myself. I’ve always gone to the gym twice a week and eat fairly healthily but I’m not so stressed about how I look anymore.

shitwithsugaron · 21/12/2019 09:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhioOhioOhio · 21/12/2019 09:58

This is a wonderful thread.

noworklifebalance · 21/12/2019 09:59

@shitwithsugaron - it's the Gillian Michaels 30 day shred. There are YouTube vids out there but I haven't used them, so can't recommend one.
You need some hand weights, I started with 0.5kg and 1Kg and a yoga mat depending on your flooring. There are three levels and each takes only 20min.

teacuptale · 21/12/2019 10:17

I’m loving this thread. I’ve let myself go after having a baby and looking after myself has plummeted down my list of priorities. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration.

bohemia14 · 21/12/2019 10:55

I'm loving this thread. I've really let myself go and this has made me realise it is possible to turn it around. Thank you.

Flapjackninja · 21/12/2019 11:10

This thread has come at the right time thank you OP. Just looking at my works Christmas photos from last night and god I'm a mess!

I'm about 4 stone overweight and short so very noticeable like a little barrel Xmas Sad. Very much feeling like it's too much and where do I start. Not had a hair cut for years, don't do any kind of make up brows etc... No skincare routine....

Going to invest in myself with my Christmas money from DP thinking skincare to start and exercising at home for now until I get some confidence for the gym...

Thanks for the ideas seems exercise is the key. Going to watch the thread so I can refer back to it.

TheHoundsofLove · 21/12/2019 12:23

You can do it OP !
Last Christmas I felt truly awful about myself - fat (a flabby 14/16 at a small-framed 5'3"), unfit and my skin looked awful. I started making small changes in January and have now lost 2.5 stones and am a pretty toned 10-12. I feel so, so much better about myself this Christmas and now run up to 15km 3-4 times a week and lift weights 3 times a week Halo . The increased exercise, better diet and a lot less alcohol has also massively improved my skin - I would say it's pretty glowing now. I don't dye my hair and am embracing the white (I am a natural blonde, so admit this is less obvious than if I were dark) and honestly love how natural and flattering it is. I would like to lose a bit more weight before I'm 40 next year, but that is purely for vanity really - the most important thing is that I now like what I see in the mirror and take so much more pride in my appearance.

Inliverpool1 · 21/12/2019 15:30

You can’t go wrong with Davina

MsAnnThropic · 21/12/2019 21:07

@TheHoundsofLove could you give some tips for getting started? It sounds like I'm pretty much where you were last Christmas. I love the idea that I could turn it around, but feel totally overwhelmed (and a little frightened) of getting started.

Original poster
myfavouriterain · 21/12/2019 23:17

Thank you everyone just catching up on this thread.
RheHounds sounds like me and the youth of a year ago could be twins.
Happy it's inspiring others x

OP posts:
Original poster
myfavouriterain · 21/12/2019 23:17

TheHounds Xmas Smile

OP posts:
TheHoundsofLove · 22/12/2019 06:55

MsAnnThropic Do you mean in general or with running?
I've taken the approach of trying to make one smallish change at a time. I started with dry January and Couch25K. Like others have said, I think that exercise has been the key for me too. In the longer term, there is something about feeling fit and more toned that makes me want to take better care of myself. It also means that I can get away with eating a bit more, which is not to be underestimated. Grin . If you do fancy starting running, I couldn't recommend C25K enough - it's absolutely brilliant! I used the Zenlabs app as could then listen to my own music/podcast. With regards to diet, I've tried a few... Grin but have naturally settled with the 16:8 approach - I find that suits me really well and is easy to fit with family life.

TheNavigator · 22/12/2019 09:12

I recommend the BBC Couch to 5k app (start with small, achievable goals!) Even if you never go beyond running 5k three times a week, it still makes a surprisingly big difference. I like it because I have so little time and it is literally 40 mins from trainers on to shower, including warm up and cool down, so I can always squeeze that in somewhere.

One small first step and you will find other changes follow - once you are exercising regularly it just seems much easier to get on top of your diet.

Runningonempty84 · 22/12/2019 13:56

Yep. Running changed my life. I was fat, depressed, and dressed for my shape - cue clothes I thought "flattered" my flab, rather than clothes I wanted to wear. I ate badly and drank too much. When I started running I was so unfit I physically threw up more than once Blush

Now, a few years and two kids later, I'm a size 8/10 and run marathons for fun. I did 13 miles up in the hills this morning (not racing, just training) and felt brilliant afterwards. I can wear whatever I like and know I can carry it off, without fretting I look chubby in it. Perhaps most importantly, my mental health is indescribably better, as the head-clearing bliss of a long run helps keep me sane. I'm happy, confident and in a much better place all round. I just wish I'd started running earlier...

shitwithsugaron · 22/12/2019 14:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
myfavouriterain · 26/12/2019 19:49

Right, Christmas food nearly gone I reckon I'm about ready to make a start, getting intro the headspace at least. Anyone else interested in keeping this thread going? Let me know, else I'll be off doing it on my own anyway Smile

OP posts:
SnipSnipMrBurgess · 26/12/2019 20:00

I'm in with you. I read a motivational quote today that stuck in my head, this normally doesn't happen.

"Gift yourself the life that you deserve. "

I deserve to be healthy
I deserve to feel good about myself.

How I do that is up to me so I need to research. I am no maintenance but need to get my skin care together and dont know know where to start.

But I have a gym membership so I'll start tomorrow and pop in after work.

If anyone knows the best advice for an absolute novice at skin care, let me know!

Polkadotdelight · 26/12/2019 20:06

I'm interested in keeping this thread going. Haven't posted before on it (if I did I can't remember) but had lost 2 and a bit stone and regained it all. The house is full of festive food but come New Year I want to get back onto making better choices, eating more healthily with some YouTube exercise. I could lose a fair amount by the summer.

Inliverpool1 · 26/12/2019 20:40

Literally when you’ve had enough of the food bin it. It is a waste yes but it must go out of the house.

I’m forcing myself to walk for an hour a day, rain or shine to decide if I actually want to buy a puppy or not.

Skin care, my ex was a pharmacist he reckons nothing can penetrate the dermis that’s the whole point of skin. So buy something tyat smells nice and feels nice but that’s it. Any miracles are injected in or diet based

Dasbouncemachine · 26/12/2019 21:01

I'd like to join this thread please! I had a baby 6 months ago and still 1stone off pre preg weight, and 4/ 5 stone off a healthy BMI (I'm 5 ft 1!). I was induced for pregnancy hypertension and suffered with gestational diabetes in pregnancy - neither of which I want again if I have a 2nd baby down the line. I think exercise will be key as my blood pressure has always been a bit high Blush but I'm on mat leave so can't afford gym membership atm. Really want to lose a few stone so when I go back to work people won't think oh god she's let herself go!