Mourning Loss of Luscious Body

[PringlesDippedInHoney]

I am 56, 5 foot 1 inch tall and weigh 14 stones. I have had a belly since having my c-section many years ago, but even that hangs in an aesthetically pleasing way. I like the way I look. My body is in proportion (hourglass) so I carry my excess weight well, but it is not about looks. I have reached an age whereby weight loss would be the best option for me in view of age related health conditions which I am more likely to develop due to my weight. I am however starting to mourn the loss of a luscious body, in advance of this happening. My excess weight has gone mostly to the "right " places and very nicely, so I know I am fortunate in this. I have always loved the way my body looks and I love seeing my body. I dress modestly, so this isn't about getting approval from other people. I won't let these feelings stop me from losing weight. I am just wondering if any other women can understand how I feel.

I tend to spend a fair amount of my time in this board giving advice and never once ever, have I disparaged another persons looks and none of my posts did that either, but many who took offence to posts about being fat not being good for your health retaliated with anti thin comments. Neither of these are ok, both sides who think it’s ok to do this are wrong. OP is not deluded she looks nice I am sure she really does, as no one who is fat is ugly, I’ve been fat and I wasn’t ugly or unattractive but I was not healthy so it is not helpful for people to encourage obesity because of looks. Who wants to look good but not live as long to see your family grow up? You can have both things. 2 wrongs do not make a right, how is it helpful to the OP to agree she might look worse, yet it will be better for her health if she continues? Yet even if she does wrinkle - as we all do with age, there are loads of things you can do as you age like others suggested, you can get Botox, do your hair, exercise, collagen, face creams, stay out of the sun etc. your life isn’t over when you get some wrinkles but it could be when you get heart disease so which one would you really choose?

OP might be able to lose the weight but can you lose that attitude?

I'm never going to have a great toned figure, cos I wont put the work in for it tbh. I could go to the gym and tone up some but Im too lazy and too busy so my body is what it is

@suki1964 - you've done great with the weight loss, but your bones and your future self will thank you if you invest just a little effort in improving your fitness. Weight training with dumbbells can be done at home and is so rewarding and empowering.

Check out Caroline Girvan on YouTube - life changing! Start with 3-4 kg dumbbells, 10-15 minutes a day. I work out with Caroline most days and you'd not believe that I'm 70, even if I say so myself!

Seriously thankyou. Im a waitress, I carry seriously heavy weights so my arms arent bad

I also have arthritis of the neck, add a bad arm injury where I find any flexing really difficult and I dont have the money to pay for 1 -2 -1 , hence my reluctence to just go to a Gym. I need my limbs :)

So my bag is walking, I can walk, cant run or jog, but walk I and do and put in 16000 + steps 6 days a week. Theres usually a day where Im stuck indoors catching up with the HW :)

So Ive a few crinkles, Im bloody well 60 in a week, surely not being body perfect ( when comparing to someone half my age, which is the norm for women ) Is allowed?

Im watching the synchronised swimming atm, - totally fit stunning women, but if I want to be critical, - theres cellulite on more then one

Abut time we accept ourselves being the best we can be. Im over the moon with my loss so far, should I go further, sure yes, but right now Im looking good ( for age ) and im fitter then Ive ever been. Im happy enough with the lumps and bumps - of which there are still plenty

@suki1964 - this must be really tough! Can't your GP refer you to a physiotherapist for advice regarding your arthritis and the arm injury? You shouldn't be left in pain and with restricted movement.

I'd also look at Dr Jo on YouTube. She is doctor of physiotherapy with lots of advice and exercises for all kinds of ailments and injuries.

Where do people see all those emaciated lizards? My neighbours are a couple in their 100s (yes!) and the woman is slim and tall, she doesn’t have a youthful face anymore because she’s a 100 fgs, but her face is not even gaunt. My own mother is over 80, she’s slim and very active, constantly on the move. She does have a resting bitch face (runs in the family unfortunately) but she doesn’t look emaciated or extremely wrinkly. The majority of elderly people I see around who are lean don’t look more wrinkly or saggy than the overweight/obese people in the same age group, quite the opposite - they often look better because they are usually staying lean by keeping active, and at some point in life good mobility, flexibility and posture affect greatly how old/young someone looks.

I have the kind of face that’s more on the rounded /chubbier side 😂so I’d have to be underweight for my face to look skinny. I think most of the women in my family are like that. So thankfully it’s not something I worry about when losing weight 😅

I have a friend who lost 4 stone and her face was slim both before and after. Never was chubby or emaciated. She is one of those people whose face is quite unaffected by her weight.

It’s interesting how it works so differently for everyone.

I kind of get it. I've been a similar weight and was a size 12/14 and still looked ok and was in proportion because I've got massive boobs and small waist.

14 stone and size 12/14?

Not impossible, I was a size 14 at 14 stone as well (and that was nearly 10 years ago so with vanity sizing going the way it is that’s probably closer to a 12 now!)

Are you taller than the OP then (5 foot 1). I am the same height. 11.5 stone and size 20 on top, at least 16 on bottom.

No, I’m 5’8. But the person you quoted asking wasn’t the OP

OK fair enough, but not really relevant to the OPs situation. 14 stone at 5 foot 1 is extremely obese and I’m not fat shaming as I am obese at 11.5 stone.

I’m 5ft 2 and 11 stone give or take a few pounds. I’m a size 10-12 on top and bottom.

My size 14 jeans from when I was a bit bigger are now hanging off me and I only wear them in the house while cleaning like this morning!

I follow a 5ft 3 girl on IG who lifts weights, tiny waist and slim thighs with large chest, and arms and butt, she’s 13 stone and UK size 8.

When I was 13 stone I was size 14-16.

Body composition is so different for everyone which is why they tell people on weight loss journeys not to hyper fixate on scale weight.

Despite being a stone overweight, my overall body fat percentage is only slightly above the normal range and for visceral fat (fat surrounding the organs) thankfully it’s within the normal range .

When I lose another stone I’m sure that will come down firmly within the recommended range. Conversely there are people who weigh less that may have higher body fats and less of an hour glass shape.

Some people do carry weight better than others.

Just shows we are all so different. I’ve never worn a size 20 in my life! And I was 11 stone 6 pounds earlier this year. As per my previous post I’m 5ft 2.

Yeah I'm saggier but feel tons better health wise and look much better in clothes at a healthy weight and that's what matters the most surely? Bra takes away the sag!

@SunOnTheRiver it's not all about height and weight but how we carry it. I'm not that tall at 5ft 7 but had many symptoms of anorexia at a size 10. We are all different

Are you saying that the OP could be healthy and look good at her height and weight?

She could well look good. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally I think someone's face is the most important aspect of a persons beauty. Not everyone subscribes to the same beauty standards

As for her health I have no idea. I have been a similar weight to the op and had no health issues. No high blood pressure or cholesterol. No diabetes or pre diabetes. No aching joints. Perfectly able to be active.

Yes, that’s true. I’m glad the OP has positive self image. I have long standing eating disorders and feel awful whether I am 6 stone or 12 stone (been both)

I was replying to the point regarding someone being questioned about being size 14 at 14 stone. And highlighting how weight is distributed so differently across different bodies, but yes completely agree with both of @Comedycook posts.

Right so you've got 2 celebrities here, similar ages - both at opposite ends of the 'weight' spectrum. You could argue that both being 'too' skinny or 'too' fat are unhealthy and you'd probably be right. What certain women on this thread, cannot do, is say that a woman carrying extra weight and whose BMI is clearly above what's recommended cannot look good. Because Ashley Graham is fucking gorgeous and her body looks good with it.

Well I know which body I prefer …