Adding shape after weightloss

[BigBoysDontCry]

I'm 57, a jeans and top type of person but due to illness I've gone from a size 12/14 to finding size 10 a little loose. I'm 5'10.

I basically have very little fat left on my body, no bottom or chest and my skin is like I'm wearing a costume that's a bit big.

I'm fine health wise now but despite trying to gain a bit of weight back, I've managed a pound and a half in 3 months.

I've needed to buy a few bits but just feel such a lack of shape and I need to cover up since my skin doesn't look great either.

Anyone got any recommendations for jeans/bottoms that add a bit of shape and same for tops that don't just hang but also don't show how skinny I am?

In terms of lifestyle, I mainly work from home, office is pretty casual and socially I'd tend to maybe go for pub type meals so usually smarter jeans and a nicer top.

I don't want to spend loads or get lots of clothes as I'm still hoping to put some weight on.

no help re clothes, but using complan/optifast in addition to your meals helps with weight gain.

good luck

Not sure about bottoms, perhaps a skirt rather than trousers. Corduroy or needle cord which seems to be in fashion so quite a bit around this year.
For tops, I expect you’re feeling the cold having lost so much weight & convalescing? So what about jumpers instead of blouses. Something with shape rather than baggy or straight up & down & with texture to add a bit of bulk & interest to divert the eye from your thinness? Something like these…

Thank you both. I never wear skirts or dresses but maybe you are right, it would give shape and yes, I'm cold all the time, been layering up but think I maybe need some smarter jumpers I could wear to work on top of long sleeved tops and shirts (the ones I have are too big but could probably get away with underneath something. Maybe some comfy long boots I could wear tights and socks with would be good.

My difficulty with gaining weight is that I'm also currently being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It's been a long time trying to diagnose as I don't present typically. This means I'm not eating sugar and I'm on low carbs and it is hard to gain weight.

I'm eating lots of full fat yoghurt, milk, low sugar protein shakes, butter and nuts/nut butter. Definitely starting to get an appetite back also which is good.

I recommend that you invest in some thermals OP. M&S do some good ones that will serve you well under jumpers. The initial outlay could be a little spendy depending on how many you buy but they will be last.

I would also suggest maybe watching some body shape videos if your shape has changed as they will hopefully give you some ideas of how to create some shape.

Great ideas. No idea why I didn't think of thermals! They are also stretchy so even if I do manage to add some pounds they will probably still fit.

I haven't been this weight since I was a long lanky teenager and I didn't have the same issue with a complete lack of arse. Was also happy enough to flaunt being skinny.

On a brighter note, it's taken 20 odd years but I have finally list the baby weight... 😂

I think this is a really good suggestion 😊

It is a good idea, unfortunately complan and optifast are too high carb or sugar for diabetics. I've been using PhD diet whey which has a better nutritional profile for me. If I make it with whole milk it has a decent amount of calories.

NHS dietician was saying to add nesquick but the diet whey is definitely a better option.

Given most of the Internet is people trying to lose weight, I never realised how hard it is to gain while trying to eat a healthy diet!

There were lots of foods I completely went off such as cheese, eggs etc but I'm gradually managing to reintroduce them.

That’s tough. And unusual being type2 but underweight isn’t it? Hard as all the usual advice , like Mosely, involves losing weight.
Low carb means no sugar, white bread etc but fat is ok isn’t it? If you can learn to love cheese, so many varieties, it’s easily added to things. Can you tolerate cream in your coffee instead of just milk?
I’m in the opposite boat at the moment, not diabetic but was warned after my last thyroid blood test that my sugar had gone up & was borderline. I need to lose some weight to get it under control but not easy as along with the low thyroid I have a knackered spine now which makes walking let alone any exercise very painful.

Yes, it is unusual hence the long journey to diagnosis. They've ruled out type 1 and the in between type and Thyroid issues and any issues with my pancreas. I had a random high reading when my bmi was under 24, so very normal weight, cut out sugar and carbs and although initially very high fat diet, the weight I did have dropped quickly and wouldn't stop even though by then I was underweight.

So had to up my carbs a bit to stop weightloss as I was finding eating anything difficult. I've now got a reasonable balance in terms of carbs v blood sugar v not losing weight but I need to gain at least half a stone but they'd be happy with anything up to a stone and a half to 2 stone. I'm still having full fat when I'm eating and chucking butter into everything I can but my appetite hasn't been great. I'm definitely on the right track and I am having some cheese regularly.

I hope you manage to find a good balance for your issues, it gets to be stressful which also doesn't help!