How can I feel neutral about my body and not hate it so much?

[mumof1littlebun]

After a couple of hard years I need to sort myself out. I've put a lot of weight on and through lack of sleep/looking after myself I don't look my best. My skin isn't brilliant and neither is my hair. Overall I feel a mess and it is something I think about constantly.

I start a new job next week which should be an exciting new opportunity but all I can think of is will the uniform fit? Will it look ok and will people think I just look a big, fat mess?!

My confidence is rock bottom but I need the change to make a better life for my family so my question is how to I just be neutral about all the things I hate while working on making things better?!

Haircut?

Drink 2l water?

At home manicure?

Be thankful for the body that you have that is not banking you to go to work and provide for your family 😊. You've got this 💪

I use retinol when my skin looks like shit and it takes effect quite quickly. Could be worth looking at.

*enabling (not sure where not banking came from 🙈

I've got a haircut booked in and have cut down the fizzy drinks and having more water and yes I should be thankful my body works 😊

How do I find out which retinol will suit my skin?

Decent underwear to round everything up and point it all in the right direction will work wonders.

Otherwise known as sheepdog undies!

The best advice I had was dress for shape you are not the one you want to be. I agree , nice hair , neat nails , decent moisturiser & a light foundation will make you look "put together" and smart.

love this!

Well done for finding a better job. You were hired because your interviewers believe in your potential.

I'm old school - so chin up, shoulders back, stand tall. If you are issued with a uniform that doesn't fit, ask for one that does. Even if you don't like your body much right now, it's the one you've got - and it needs to be appropriately clad for work. Say you need to represent your new employer properly.

I don't know your job, but if you are polite and speak clearly, if your hair is clean and tidy, your shoes are comfortable and your hands and face are clean, the only other thing you need is a smile for people you meet. I don't think they will see anything to criticise.

If you have time and can afford it, have a facial/hair cut/manicure to tell yourself that you are proud of your achievements so far. You've earned it.

Try to get some early nights, and come back and tell us about your exciting new opportunity. 💐
Best wishes.

A new bra also makes me feel that I look better.

Be thankful for what your body can do rather than what it looks like.
You have your health, a new job which you are able to perform thanks to your body. You don’t have cancer or other life limiting illness. You are blessed

Concentrate on the job and the exciting opportunity.

Fix yourself from the inside out. I ended my marriage and started putting myself first. Suddenly, instantly feel so much better about how I look even though I look exactly the same as I always did. When you care about yourself, all the stuff like sleep, exercise, healthy eating and taking care of yourself becomes miles easier.

Exercise is the absolute answer. Start small and the key is to keep it up.

Something that's helped me a lot is some self-talk along the lines of this:

What does it matter if people look at you and visually register that you're in a bigger body? We see bigger people all the time and don't automatically think they are a worse person for it.

Looks only matter very slightly, mature adult people want a good reliable colleague, and don't give a monkeys how pretty they are.

All that said, I'm sure you look completely fine and are your own worst critic.

@mumof1littlebun I've been thinking about you today, hoping everything went well for you. Would love to have an update when you've settled in.