How much of a change can I make in 5 weeks?!

[mumof1littlebun]

I have been on maternity leave for over a year and am due back to work soon. Due to lockdown and pnd I just feel an absolute mess. I’ve put on weight and due to a very clingy baby don’t look after myself enough. I really want to go back to work at least looking and feeling better than I do now!

Book yourself a haircut, maybe a beauty treatment (I think they should be reopen before you go back to work), think about your diet, go for a walk every day, try getting up and ready in time for whenever you'll need to be leaving for work, batch cook some meals for the freezer so you've got quick healthy stuff that's easy to reheat quickly when you come in from work......you have got this!!

What Emma said! Great post.

How much money are you willing and able to throw at this problem?

There’s plenty you can do from home for free or cheap (manicure, pedicure, fake tan, deep conditioning etc.), but a good haircut and colour, Botox, teeth cleaning and whitening etc. would probably all make the biggest impact.

Thank you for the replies. I think my main issue is weight so I could do with sorting that out and having a pamper bath when baby allows. Haven’t got a lot of money to spend after taking an extended maternity leave.

In that case, try the 16.8 fast from now on, drink lots of water, and get whatever rest you can. But tbf, everyone is feeling much the same; a bit anxious and pudgy.

All this is good advice but please don’t worry if it doesn’t work. Vast majority of people I have come across haven’t done well in lockdown and look a bit of a mess 😔

Depending on a lot of things, you might reasonably be able to lose a stone in 5 weeks - with serious dieting and a bit of exercise.

Weight loss aside, you can do a lot at home that will make you feel more groomed and polished. Maybe make a list and then spend 15 minutes a day on it? Pluck your eyebrows, wax your moustache, exfoliate and moisturise, paint your nails etc. Spending a bit of time on self care every day will boost your motivation and get you in better habits before you start work.