Anonymous wrote:I could not believe how fat and dumpy I looked.

Took my kid to a birthday party at a dance studio and all those mirrors, ugh! I went in feeling pretty good about myself - had a cute top on, actually dried my hair this morning, etc. and I was shocked at how overweight I looked in the mirror.

I turned 40 almost a year ago and gained about 3 pounds but I didn't realize it had made such a big difference in how I look.

What's the first step? My eating habits are generally good but of course could be better and exercise has not been a priority lately.

3 pounds? You just need to take a dump. That's all.

Lose some weight tubby

Anonymous wrote:Remember that book "Fit or Fat"? It was about exactly this phenomenon, where you don't really gain weight but turn to mush. Time to build muscle OP.

Yes, this. I've turned 40 and feel so dumpy even though the number on the scale isn't so different. When I did an honest assessment, I'm working out way less than I used to and I assume as I age I actually need it more.

So, I've started the Kayla Itsines program through her SWEAT app that was all over my facebook page. I really like it cause it lays out exactly what to do every day and uses minimal equipment, but it's strengthening (uses lots of body weight exercises). I already had a set of dumbbells and a step/bench and purchased a medicine ball and seems like I'm all set.

I'm excited about it!

OP, be kinder to yourself. I’m sure you look great! I used to dance professionally, and trust me, even when I was tiny I still felt self conscious in a studio full of mirrors.

Anonymous wrote:OKay NP here. when people tell me to do barre or pilates to lose weight, that automatically makes me discredit anything they say. Because if you are or ever really fat you will never show your face in either of those. There are no fat or weak people in those classes!!!! This makes me think you never were fat so your advice is unsympathetic.

That said, how do you get in shape so that you CAN show your face in those classes and at least make it through the class without passing out or leaving in tears?!!

Not true. Have you been to either? I started exercising with yoga and then when I felt stronger I moved to barre/pilates and then weight lifting with Les Mills type classes. Both my barre and pilates classes have more overweight and older ladies than young and fit since I go to daytime classes. There is a pack of ladies in their 60s/70s that hit all the daytime classes at my gym. No one is going to bat an eye at someone trying to improve themselves! And if they do, that is on them.

-70 lbs down and counting

I go to Barre and I'm fat. So's at least 1/3 of the class