To want to totally reinvent myself at 26?

[suchawimp]

But have no idea how to go about it!

I am beyond shy, fat, unhealthy, minimal social life, zero fashion sense, spotty, unskilled, and miserable!

I basically want to throw away everything about me that I don't like and start over.

I think it might be a bit late after 26 years of getting to this stage but I really want to change.

I want to be healthy, happy, to look presentable, and to have a life and fun!!

26 definitely not too old!! I am 5 years older, and am so much happier and more confident than I was at 26. I spent a while pushing myself out of my comfort zone - volunteering, joining classes/groups, accepting invites I wouldn't normally, and just chatting more to people I run into in everyday life. Recently, I've realised that I don't have to fake the confidence anywhere near as much as I used to, and I find myself slinking out of places far less often! I still have a way to go, but don't feel like all is lost at 26 :)

This TED talk is worth watching, IMO:

www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html

You can and, if you're unhappy, then you certainly should, I did it at 32. You are very young and you have many more years in front of you than you have behind you. You have identified what you feel is making you unhappy and by even considering changing it, you are making progress. Continue with it until you are content but bear in mind that no-one's life is as perfect as they would like it to be.

26yrs is no age at all- I would start by going to a Rosemary Conley slimming class- great for exercise, motivation and meeting people. There must be one near you.
Get a local college prospectus for September and see what is on offer.
Google volunteering in your local area- great way to meet people and gives skills.
Go running- doesn't cost anything (bar trainers) and you can start with small distances.

It's a great age- you've got a clearer idea of who you are and what direction you want to go in than at the start of your 20s.

It was around then that my friendship with my yoga teacher got going. I joined her Brownie pack which has made me more friends. She got together with one of my friends through our friendship and has married him.

There's so much potential out there. I'd say you're getting a head start- a lot of peopl don't get there until their 30s and 40s.

Of course you can change but its mot going to happen overnight. You need to work out a plan for changing all the things you need to change. I would say start with what you eat as that will affect weight and maybe also spots. Enlist a friend to help. Work put what training etc you want and how to get it. Maybe join a gym if you can afford it otherwise exercise DVD at home...

Oh my goodness, 26 is no age at all! When I was 26 I went to university - it was brilliant.

I wouldn't say I reinvent myself, but I try to constantly reflect on myself and how i'm living my life. I don't want to be someone who has sleepwalked through life.

I agree with the running - C25k is free to download.
Menu plan for food, shop according to this and stick to it!
If you're not happy with your dress sense, what do you want to look like? What styles do you look at on other women?

I created an 'About Me' file on the laptop - I compiled a list of who I am; who I want to be and what I want to leave behind. It really helped me to focus on the positives, reject the negatives and embrace positive change. I included books I want to read; films I want to see; places I want to go; personal challenges I want to achieve; my standards/values/ethics; the sort of person I want to be; the sort of people I want to surround myself with.

I did it as a way of trying to improve my self confidence and so that I could reflect on my positives rather than just the negatives.

It was really helpful.