Anyone fancy a bit of an overhaul before Christmas thread?

[Helgathehairy]

Please don’t throw me in the stocks for mentioning Christmas!!

During Covid everything has gone to pot a bit - I’ve put on weight, none of my clothes fit right, hair (and eyebrows) desperately need doing and I’m still a bit hesitant to go somewhere to do something so non-essential. Kids have been home constantly and Self-care & housework has become sporadic (at best!). I have elderly family members who are high risk that I’m helping and I’m wondering about exposure and contact and sometimes my mental health takes a bit of a battering due to demands from them. DH is working and we cut back spending well at the start (mostly due to me not going to the shops)but I’ve stated doing a bit more impulse shopping as shops opened and DHs job is connected to the travel industry and isn’t secure so I really need to stop. Next week my kids are back in school and I really want to get things more organised. I like a deadline to keep me on track.

Here’s my thinking - on Sunday it’s 100 days to 1st December. I really want to arrive at the start of December feeling more organised and less sluggish, calmer and just feeling more ME.

Previously Princessing threads have run on the Style & Beauty board but as this is more of a comprehensive overhaul I thought chat might be a better fit??

This is a previous PrIncessing thread for an idea, there have been lots more, including a pandemic one, but this one was started by me. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2458842-Countdown-to-Christmas-princessing

So anyone interested?

(I’m on my phone, which isn’t great for long threads so apologies if it’s a bit disjointed, I just wanted to just get it down.)

[OverTheRainbow88]

What’s step one? I need to follow smart targets 😂

[Helgathehairy]

overtherainbow88 I would suggest step 1 be decide what areas you want to focus on. Then decide on a plan for each area.

[orangejuicer]

Me please!

I've just started focusing on changing habits so I've got one for every week for next 12 weeks. The idea being I change a habit each week, but keep the others going.

So far

1. swap white bread for brown/wholemeal
   
2. more water
   
3. swap blue milk to green, drink more green tea
   
4. yoga every work day for 30 mins
   
5. take vitamin every day (I forget!)
   And so on.
   
   I'm hoping little changes will stick!

[Takeittotheboss]

Can I join please? Feel like I'm a lot older than most, but issues are still the same as pp.

[gassylady]

What a great idea. Have also put weight on with COVID and have been missing my twice weekly exercise sessions. Used my new magnifying mirror to check my eyebrows today - scary Am doing reasonably well on the house front thanks to decluttering one thing a day threads. Great idea to up the reading and I’d like to restart my language learning with Duolingo. Kids are not back here until second week September but positive changes begin today

[PrimalLass]

Yes please.

I've squandered lockdown. Had mild covid for months and just haven't achieved anything apart from gaining half a stone.

I am doing a step challenge, which is helping a little.

[Catawaul]

I'm in! I'm just surviving at the moment, I'm in a state and so is the house.

[mynameiscalypso]

Oh yes please! DS has just turned one and starts nursery next week although I'm not going back to work until Jan. A good few months of getting myself back together is definitely in order before I start work again.

[Sawyersfishbiscuits]

Yes please!

I could really do with a good talking to as I'm panicking that I'm going to be in a tight state when the kids go back to school!

I'm at least 3 stone overweight.

I've managed some nice adjustments to the house and organised everything for the kids to go back to school, but I'm stressed and need a bit of decluttering mentally as well as in the housework.

Great idea OP. I do like a countdown too!

[Deelish75]

I’m in too!

I’ve really let myself go during lockdown. Don’t think I’ve opened my make up bag. But I have started to do something about it.

Weight and exercise.
I’ve cut down on sugar and carbs and increased my fruit, veg and salad intake and I‘ve cut back on tea and coffee and I have a glass of water when I first wake up and drink more during the day. I’ve lost about 9lbs since early July. Once the kids go back to school I’ll start swimming again, aiming to do 64 lengths a week, but will start off slowly and build up.

Grooming.
I’ve got a cut and colour booked for early September. My hair is thick and curly, gotten very long and it’s spent the last four months in a messy bun (but I tend to wear it like that in the summer - hate it on my neck)
I’ve got a foot spa so I will dedicate one morning every two weeks to do my nails both hands and feet. I will also make more effort to keep on top of my eyebrows.
I’m also going to start getting my bikini and legs waxed every few weeks too - I used to get them done regularly before DC.

General organisation.
I always see September as New Year, so my calendars run September to September and the school holidays are already filled in. Also going to get a 12 leaves organiser to put tickets and receipts in so they’re easier to find when needed.

[IpanemaSunshine]

Funny enough I mentioned how I was looking forward to Christmas during dinner tonight. I need a fresh start.

I had covid in March and have lost a lot of weight due to constant nausea and I just look tired and ill. The good news is that I’m finally starting to feel better. So I’d like to get my strength back by slowly starting to exercise again. I was very fit before. I did some yoga last night for the first time in months. Good for breathing.

I eat loads of veg and drink lots of water but still look awful so if anyone has any ideas how to improve health after a virus I’m all ears.

Definitely need to get my highlights done, look distinctly mousey at the moment.

[aibutohavethisusername]

What is YNAB?

I’d like to join if I may.

[Lemming20]

I’d like to achieve the following:

1. Paint nails once a week (fingers and toes)
   
2. Drink hot water and lemon first thing in the morning
   
3. Do a facial once a week
   
4. Cleanse and moisturise properly each morning and evening (I have a baby and rarely bother)
   
5. Get dressed and apply foundation before 9am each day
   
6. Eat at least 5 fruit and veg per day
   
7. No drinking during the week
   
8. Max 4 caffeinated drinks per day
   
9. Half hour of house cleaning per day (makes me feel good if the house looks nice!)
   

10. 30 mins exercise 3x a week

Does anyone have similar goals to me?

[ranoutofquinoaandprosecco]

Me too, I've put on weight. For the first time in my life I've bought scales and from Monday (we're on hols this week!) healthy eating.

I've also got a spin bike so will use that most mornings.

I'm booked into the hairdressers for the day the kids go back to school.

The house isn't too bad but could do with a decent deep clean. The garden is another matter.

I also want to feel good about work, they've not asked me to come back into the office, but there's been quite a few new starters since lockdown and I don't want to be out of sight out of mind! I want to lose the pounds so my clothes fit better and I feel good about myself.

[Theseptemberissues]

I’m in 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’ve gone to shit since March, I’ve got almost a stone to lose from lockdown baking which desperately needs to go - I’m back at work next week and nothing fits 🙈 though this thread has inspired me to book in for gel nails and a cut and colour before I go back. I’m also going to commit to body brushing/moisturising each day, daily vitamins and iron sachets and taking care of my hands and feet. I’ve bookmarked those home decluttering sheets (To print when back at work😏) and plan on being fully Xmas ready in mind, body, spirit, presents, home etc etc by the time the kids break up so I can relax and put that stone back on

[Helgathehairy]

I'm lumping my grooming/self-care/princessing in together

1. Drink water
2. Moisturise legs and feet (arms as well but my legs actually dry out and look like snake skin if they aren't moisturised!)
3. Use my Lumea. I love this machine.
4. Wear earrings
5. Do nails regularly (I wear press ons, my own are ok and grow quite well but I like colour and it doesn't last a day when i just use polish)
6. Wear perfume
7. No alcohol during the week (and ideally i'd like to give it up for at least a month, one of the books I have to read is The Alcohol Solution that I've seen recommended on mumsnet previously.
8. One early night a week - DD2 is finally sleeping through the night (she's 3.5) but she still can wake at 6.30am
9. Use face masks - I have some by The Ordinary to use up.

10. Book a hair and brow appointment for September

[Helgathehairy]

Important question - if we start on Sunday - is that Day 1 or Day 100.

I'm thinking Day 100 and then countdown but what would people prefer?

[OverTheRainbow88]

Oh I would vote for a countdown!

[Teenangels]

I want to jump on board if I can.

I have been to the hairdressers twice since the restrictions lifted, and I am trying to sort out the mess the hairdresser made of my hair.

1. loss 2 stone one from during lockdown, one that crept on slowly over the last 2 years.
   
2. No alcohol during the week.
   
3. drink 2 litres of water a day.
   
4. Start back at the gym.
   
5. Body brush
   
6. Face masks twice a week.
   
7. Moisturise by legs they look like snake skin.
   
8. Start using fake tan again
   
9. Make up on by 8.30am
   
10. Be kinder to myself.
    
11. Mediate everyday.

[LittleDoritt]

Yes please! I'm a right state at the moment. I look like Sad Sack from the Raggy Dolls.

There was a great thread a few weeks back about daily routines which I've completely lost now, but I started a few small, good habits on the back of it:

1. Daily vitamin
2. Go to bed before midnight (lockdown has played havoc with my insomnia)
3. Cleanse, tone, moisturize before bed

I need to sort out weight, career, finances, general appearance, decluttering - all sorts really, and 100 days would make a big difference.

[hellolittlebaby]

I'd like to join in!

I'm going to have a serious think about what I'd like to achieve tho.

You name it, I'd like to overhaul it 😆

[partofyoupoursoutofme]

I'm in. This is what I need! I've got a 7 month old and a lot of weight to lose. My career has been badly affected by covid and I want to feel in control of something in my life.

1. Get writing. Every day write something, anything.
2. Cut carbs down and eat healthily. Drink water.
3. Yoga every day (my c section scar has only just healed due to a skin condition I have, so I have been unable to exercise)
4. Ask for and take time for myself.
5. Paint nails once a week.
6. Get in touch with 2 friends a week.

[didireallysaythat]

I'm in. I started thinking about my diet, trying to drink two litres of water and working towards 10000 steps a day. I'm WFH and once the kids are back at school I'm planning to sort out my wardrobe and eBay a gazillion things - the plan is to sell stuff and have to walk to the post office everyday to post things off. So I'll put things up for sale over a month or so.

I could do with some real exercise, and a better facial routine but I don't want to buy more stuff.

[Glenthebattleostrich]

I started getting sorted today!

My goals-

Weight and exercise - get to a size 12. A combo of low carb, 16:8 and running 3 times per week.

House -
I am a childminder so I am going to reclaim family space, keeping minded things to the playroom when's I'm not working.
Paint front door and garage.
Repair paint work through house
Thorough clean

Other things -

Do nails weekly with gel
Lash lift and tint
Book waxing
Read the 3 books ive started

Today I cleared my kitchen and tidied the garden. Tomorrow is tackling DD room.

[Helgathehairy]

@aibutohavethisusername YNAB is You Need A Budget. It’s online budgeting software. I’ve used it and really liked it. I think there’s a free trial to see how you get on with it.