My ongoing journey

[haveyouopenedyourbowelstoday]

I’ve lost 5.5 stone over the last few years, have probably gained one of those back. I’m 56, post menopausal but alive (as are those around me) thanks to HRT. I’ve been going to the gym the last couple of years but increased the intensity last October and am now going 5/6 times a week, some cardio but concentrating on strength and weights.
I’m realising it’s a journey, not a goal. I’m constantly surprised how my body is changing and I struggle with how I look. I have no idea what I will look like as I continue this. I know I’m ’thicker’ if that makes sense. My shoulders are broad and my curves have gone! I’m really enjoying it but does anyone else feel the same? Like they don’t actually know what they look like anymore or how they want to look? I see it very much as future proofing!

I think I can empathise - I lost just over 40kg and really got into doing a lot of martial arts but then had a neuro diagnosis that meant I had to stop. I've kept the majority of the weight off but switching to weight training has meant I'm heavier in some places, some of the lean strength has been replaced with more obvious muscle, and I'm still trying to figure out what diet and exercise balance enable me to keep working out and keep the weight off without being ravenous or getting headaches a lot!

I like the muscle and tone but I keep having to work quite hard to remind myself I'm not fitting into some of my summer clothes because I've been doing lat pulldowns and seated rows, it's not fat!

I’ve recently changed my routine as I don’t want more width on my back so I’m just maintaining that and doing more upper back work with the aim of getting more muscle depth on my rhomboids, rear delts etc.
I’ve had to send a ton on tailored jackets to charity as they look ridiculous as my shoulders so much bigger too.
I have had to buy new denim shorts as my bottom has got bigger with the muscles. This is not fat - I’m still the same weight and my stomach is still flat - it’s just that the back of the unstretchy denim
is pushed out more at the back so the crotch is too tight 😳

I may lose some weight to lean out a bit as I like looking muscly but I’m half hearted about it because I don’t want to lose facial fat and look more wrinkly at my age. I also just really enjoy weight training.

Thank you both for completing getting it!!