Anyone else looking to get in better shape for the summer?

[Chocolatecoffeecup]

I'm in my 40s and have a big family wedding in July I'd like to get in better shape for. I'm trying to cut down on the sugary snacks and exercise more. Anyone else interested in a support and motivation thread.

Yes me! I have two weddings, one late June and then my daughter’s in August. Slightly dreading the photos 🫣

I’ve bought an outfit for the second and definitely need to lose a bit and tone up to look my best in it - risky strategy!

I’m trying to focus on looking good in general as well as losing weight so I’m trying some new skincare and growing my hair.

Now off for a walk before work 👊

Hi @LeopardPrintFleece I think having the events to work towards does help with the motivation. Do you have a plan to get there? I'm training for a run in June too so I'm trying to run once a week, do one other cardio session and I'm working on my abs as I have diastasis recti even now my youngest DC is 4. I think my diet is alright apart from the chocolate I eat daily. I've started to cut down this week but I need to cut down more. I've just eaten some rolos after lunch.

If you're working on a more general glow up there is this thread too: www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5516385-anyone-interested-in-a-glow-up-support-thread-for-tips-and-accountability?page=7&reply=151892591

No plan! I'm not good with too many rules, they always make me want to do the opposite 😳 I'm trying to introduce some healthy habits - less UPFs, more steps and using Nutracheck to track what I'm eating. It's worked in the past but I'm mid-50s so a bit older than you and sometimes what's worked before suddenly starts not to be so successful <sigh>

I know what you mean, I'm not good with very strict plans as it feels unachievable and puts me off. I am finding it gets harder the older we get 😬 but I also think I'm more determined than I was ten or twenty years ago.

Yes me. I also have a couple of big family weddings this summer where I’m going to see people I’ve not seen for a while. I am trying not to have anything but water after dinner and I have cut right down on eating pasta and bread as I noticed it was making me quite bloated. I am trying to do between 1200-1500 calories a day and it is very, very slowly coming off.

Hi @ApricotRow looks like we're all working towards summer weddings!

Sounds like you're doing well.

Wanting something sweet after meals is my weak spot. I just had a chocolate mousse after dinner but have the last bit to my son (as he'd wanted to try it) so I didn't eat the whole thing.

When I'm doing really well I can satisfy myself with a piece of dark chocolate but I'm not there yet!

Hi @Chocolatecoffeecup, I recognise you from another thread! I am definitely up for a motivation for summer thread!

in 4 weeks tomorrow i go away for Whitsun with dh’s family and i really really want to have lost a bit of weight by then, 7lbs would be amazing.

I have a half marathon next weekend and another on 21st June which I am running for charity in a costume, I am an experienced runner at this distance and I’m ok about both but I am also training for my first marathon and I really don’t want a stone of extra fat lugging around with me.

this week is the first in a very long time where I am coming in at an overall deficit, my nutracheck is green. Things that have been helping me: lots of water, all my supplements (I also really like the mushroom gummies), picking up my exercise levels just a bit , and prepping my breakfast and lunch every day in advance.

Hi @thenewaveragebear1983 👋 not sure why your second post has been deleted! Do you find the running is helping with the weight loss? I'm just getting back into running as I just signed up for a 10K. I've done a half before but it was years ago and I haven't really run for a year or two so I'm hoping it will help me get back into shape along with the other exercise I'm doing!

I plan to go for a run this morning but I'm still in bed...

Ooooh I don’t know, I wonder what I wrote! In fairness I had drunk a little wine last night!

no, I don’t really find running helps with weight loss these days. If I am training a lot I get really hungry and it’s very easy to eat more than you burn. When I first started out though it definitely helped. And it’s great in other ways, it’s great for my mental health and sleep etc.

Yes it's interesting that apparently exercise isn't that good to lose weight but helps maintain. I get that it makes you hungrier as well.

Like you say it has other benefits!

I'm going to actually get up now and go for my run!

Can I join. I've got a stone to loose. No events just sick of not feeling good in my body. Very aware the older I get the harder it will be too 😬 it's already feels much harder than when I was younger ! Oh the glorious days of being able to eat whatever I wanted 🙈

I've been doing fasting with great success I'm hoping it will be easier with the warmer weather as the only downside is fasting makes me very cold.

I've added in exercise too more for other benefits than weight loss. Helps me maintain but doesn't really budge the scales.

What I find really tricky is school holidays. It throws my whole routine out. My youngest is three so full on absolutely won't let me exercise properly and by bedtime I'm done in. Those are the days I want to eat everything in sight and i exercise the least as my toddler will want lots of cuddling. Surprisingly the games we do are absolutely knackering but are no where near a workout. I'm convinced my children must some how suck my energy just by proximity!

Hi @MightyGoldBear

Good for you to even be able to fast in the summer. I don't think I could do it but it is the good that makes a difference for weight loss isn't it.

My youngest is a similar age and I will let him have the iPad for 30 mins to an hour if he'll let me put a Les Mills workout on the tv.

I went for a run this morning. Just two miles but it's my second in over a year (first was last week) and I already see progress from last week.

@MightyGoldBear Not sure if that came across in the way I meant. I was just sharing what worked for me in case it's something you haven't tried. Not saying you should do the same!

I’m literally on monjauro but have proper stalled for months and months. I need to get a grip on my cravings now and stop sweets and any junk. It sounds crazy you can still have this problem on highest dose of MJ but here we are. It shows how awful I was off it (binge eating disorder) 😭

That's interesting @sociallydistained Did it work to start with? Do you think your body has sort of got used to it?

I have been on it 15 months and almost lost 5 stone so it definitely worked. I had binge eating disorder that it complained stopped. But my body is definitely used to it. I never had super strong suppression like some do and I’ve always been able to eat but it makes everything easier. I really need to use some willpower now as things like sweets call to me and I don’t make the best choices.

Well done for losing 5 stone! Is there any advice as to what to do, like maybe taking a break from it and then going back on to feel the effects again? I don't know much about it but I'm intrigued.

I want to lose weight but I keep sabatoging myself 😒

Me too which is why I’ll be starting Mounjaro once I get back from holiday. I’ve tried every weight loss programme going but just can’t sustain it. I’m not afraid to admit I need more help and am seeing MJ as a tool to help me not only lose weight but improve my health and reduce my risks of diabetes and other conditions.
I have a BMI of 29 so I’m not massively overweight but it’s only going one way so my decision has been made. It’s an investment in my future health.

@MightyGoldBear when mine were little I would just set my alarm and go out super early, it’s so much better than waiting all day and then having to muster up some energy from somewhere for a work out

@Chocolatecoffeecup i need to make the switch to strength training as my primary workout I think and keep running as my fun, but I just love running so much and nothing gives me the same endorphins as a good long slog. 🤣

@thenewaveragebear1983 I don't gravitate towards running but I already feel great now I've started doing it again. There is something about cardio but at our age (think you're the same age as me) strength training is apparently very important.

I found my exercise step in the garage today so might give that a go as well. I'm trying to do a mix of a run and at least one other cardio a week plus I'm trying to work on my ab separation nearly every day.

Can I join? I’m not starting until Tuesday as I have meals out the next couple of days. I have 3 stone to lose but if I could lose a stone by summer that would be a great start. I have lots of family get togethers planned in July and August and I’m always the largest woman 😞 plan yo cut calories and move more but find in my 50s it’s really hard to lose anything.

Welcome @Midlifeshenanigans