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

[myfavouriterain]

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?

This is all very inspiring.
My problem is I work 6 days - I'm always tired.

I've gone from low carb size 10 to eat anything and everything size 16.

😦

I started running last week and managed 3 runs in a week using couch to 5k

Inspiring thread. I am hoping to reemerge after this pregnancy is over. I am never doing this to myself again and I want to reclaim my body. I was always a fluctuating 12 but now a 14-16 and I dislike most of my clothes.

Money will be v tight on mat leave, so no posh cut and colours for me for a few months, but running and youtube videos are cheap and convenient so I shall focus on de-beefing and feeling stronger and healthier. The polish can come later.

Good luck to my fellow Temporary Frumps!We can do it!

I did I let myself go because of anxiety and depression about 4 years ago. Would just chuck my hair in a bun and wore very basic full jumpers and trousers. Had a muffin top (still do!) and just couldn’t be bothered. I then had enough about a year ago and started going for walks, keeping up with my roots and eyebrow maintenance. Either go on sunbed a few times a month or use a gradual Tanner. Wear makeup daily even if it’s just mascara and Vaseline. Little things can make you look and feel better. Also start taking some vitamins and having regular trims/ conditioning treatments at the hair dressers or even just have a pamper at home once a week or when you have chance, face mask and hair mask.

I forgot how motivating this thread is.

I've done it before. Gone from a size 16 to a 10-12. I did it by couch to 5k and cutting out alcohol. I'm back up to a size 14 now and am going to be starting running again and am doing an alcohol detox this month to kick start healthier habits. I'm confident I can do it again

This is very motivating! I used to be a size 8/10 and fairly fit but never really had to worry too much about what I ate. I've had two children in the last 2 years (second is 7 weeks and first is 21 months) and it's fair to say it's taken a toll on my body! I'm a 12 now so not huge but I don't carry it well on my frame, haven't really bought new clothes since before my first pregnancy! Because I never got back to pre pregnancy size in between and knew I wanted another baby straight away. So I have nothing that makes me look/feel good. I don't have as much time for doing my hair etc. I just feel really down in myself and don't know how to dress my new shape. But this thread is showing me it's possible to turn myself around, I think I need to stop using tiredness/two small children as an excuse! I know I'll feel so much better if I'm more active and can get back to my old size again

I know I'm resurrecting a zombie thread, but I feel as though it's one for the ages.

I am 45, 5'10 and a bloody mess. I'm probably 5 stone overweight. I live overseas but we are visiting the UK next summer and my goal is by the time we travel to look more like "myself" than this fat interloper who is currently inhabiting my body. I've got a year to transform myself.

I'd love to read any more inspirational tales of transformation.

Kind of by accident over lockdown... kids getting keen on cooking and lack of usual routine meant I massively stepped back from providing meals every day. Found myself eating far less, and have gone from 75 to 58 kg in last year or so... almost back to what I weighed in my 20s, though now in my 50s. Have never dyed my hair or worn makeup, and enjoying ebracing this phase of life... but also feeling more youthful than I have for a long time.

It's so weird reading the start of this thread and watching people make grand plans for 2020...little did they know...!

I'm 40 next year and slightly overweight. (put on a stone in a year) so need to pull my socks up. My skin is good tho!

Love this thread it’s so inspiring

I could do with a bit of inspiration too. Interesting that it happened naturally for you @Timeforanothername when your kids got a bit older. My DS is starting at Secondary this year and I'm feeling quite adrift that I'm not as needed by him. Now would be a good time to crack on with sorting myself out.

I'm 46, 5'7 and (blimey, I just did the calculation from Kilos and got a shock) 16.7 stone!! I've never been super slim but hovered between size 12 and 16 for most of my adult life. I'm now a 20 and I look properly fat. I have trouble bending over to get my shoes on without gasping for breath. I snore. I have terrible digestive issues and suffer from migraines. Losing weight and gaining health would definitely help all of this. I'd love to hear more stories of women who've turned themselves around.