To think I can make myself over in one month?

[yousignup]

Well, not exactly, but basically I want to get to 31 May and feel and look a lot better. This year so far has been terrible in terms of workload and stress, some awful, worrying things in my caseload. May should be a MUCH easier month, so I want to do some challenges. Not just weight wise, everything. I want to get back into warm lemon water and my daily swim, for example. Just ordered some hopefully flattering clothes online.
Any challenges I can do for a month?
Anyone want to join me?

Heavily pregnant, so won't be joining you, apart from that I should get some new clothes really, but I think this sounds like an excellent idea. Lemon water you can do even if the month doesn't work out the way you would like?

Challenge yourself to get enough sleep every night.

Get your hair cut really well.

These two things will make a huge difference.

I will join you! I'm not much good at thinking up challenges, so hopefully someone more helpful will be along. I could do with doing something similar though!

Watching with interest because I'm a mess.

I think there is some sort of 'princessing' thread (awful title) that is looking to achieve similar and they've got lots of ideas - worth searching for?

I'll do it with you, I'm on a big weight loss journey at the min, 1 stone gone, 5 to go, and this month I really want to get a haircut, make sure I do my hair everyday, and maybe start to wear a bit of makeup again.
It's little things but I've got a 3 month old and just feel like I haven't done anything like that for ages and want to do it for me

Relaxation techniques - yoga breathing exercises are good. Be punctilious about moisturising day and night. Plenty of water, fresh vegetables and sleep. No sudden bouts of vigorous exercise but swimming and walking (especially if in the countryside) both good. Hope life takes an upturn, soon.

I've really let the lemons slide these last 2 months, but I do believe it's good for me. The sleep thing is important too: I've been waking at 4h or 5h and not getting back to sleep. I think I need to sleep with my phone across the room.
Had a haircut last week but it's not really a good one. Maybe in June? I do need to stop tying it back so severely though. It's unflattering and ageing and doesn't help my chins.

Skincare? There's a great skincare thread in Style & Beauty, it mentions snails in the title (in-joke!)

Resolve to replace any unhealthy drinks (sugary / artificially sweetened etc) with water, herbal tea. And drink at least 2 litres per day.

A few more veg & a few less refined carbs. Even if you're totally happy with your weight this is a good one as it helps with your blood sugar & will assist bowel function.

Go to bed 30 minutes earlier, if possible.

I've been doing this on an ongoing basis since January.

Suggestions I have are:
Haircut and maybe colour? (I'm not sure how old you are, so maybe the colour isn't necessary)

Teeth whitening - did this via my dentist. Not cheap, but makes big difference

Makeup every day. I use the Garnier BB + Blur cream. It's tinted and slightly blurry!! Makes huge difference. Slick of mascara and some Clinique chubby stick as lip colour. It's half price in Superdrug at the moment.

I've upped my excercise and do a bit more.

Also wearing more clothes that show my figure, rather than baggy tops. I'm struggling to find much, as I do have a bit of a waist, which most clothes retailers seem to ignore. (And no, I don't want to look like a 50s starlet!)

The quest to lose weight weight continues, but I give it less headspace.

It's always good to add in some pelvic floor exercises, easy to do anywhere as well. The NHS squeezy app is free to download and works really well.

I'll join if I may.

I am swapping alcohol and any calorie-laden drinks for pure water (with lemon!). I am walking 1 hour a day and I am taking care of my appearance with makeup and clothes and general grooming. I have 2 stone to lose, and I want it to be gone by June.

I'll join you! I have a beach holiday booked at the end of May so I could do with a spruce up before then - my list includes weight loss, waxing, hair, clothes... Actually, the list is endless

I mean I want the weight gone by the end of June- more first week of July!

I think it'll take me longer than a month to look even half decent but I am on a mission of self care at the moment and trying to spend some time sorting myself out!im doing weight watchers and am slowly shedding the weight, I've spent some money on some face products to try and sort out my skin and I've started wearing a little make up.

I need to change a few things.

In the last 18 months I've managed to out on a good 20lbs. I also don't get enough sleep and it's because I'm addicted to looking at my phone while in bed. I've increased my hours at work so busier. None of my nice clothes fit me and the ones that do feel right so make me feel like a right fat cow all the time. I run but have had five weeks off with injury. I'm ready to start again but am struggling to fit it in as I'm out of the habit.

You should definitely turn your phone completely off before bedtime and maybe leave it in another room if you can't resist fiddling with it during the night.
It really affects your sleep having it on next to you.

.

Ihate I did really well with this at the beginning of the year but it's crept back up

I'm in! Need to ditch the wine and get more sleep. Will be eating more veg, cutting down on processed stuff and drinking more water.

Another one watching with interest as I've let good habits slide since the new year. Feeling a bit shit about myself. Want to feel healthier, slimmer, fitter and generally a bit more groomed.

Used to always do warm lemon water but swapped it for coffee due to early rising toddler. That's something I can change immediately.

Thank you for starting this thread. I have 6 weeks before i get married. I'm desperate to lose a stone and clear my skin up too, i don't drink enough water, and i want to look radiant not a knackered Mum of 3 which is what i am!

I'm in. Was coming on to think about posting something similar. Even just moisturising my very dry face and hands would be a positive start.

I seem to have entirely given up on any self care since I had children (DC1 is 3?and a half and it shows). I am off to work today in a massively ripped coat and bobbled t shirt. I feel terrible about myself. Nothing except about 5 t shirts fit any more and they are all worn.

I gained loads of weight and to make matters worse I have a family wedding come up where they all make a huge deal of my weight which makes me feel even worse. Let's do this!

I'm in. I need to drink more water, less diet coke.
I will make an effort with my hair and makeup every day - makes me feel much better about myself.
I need to loose half a stone by mid June so I don't have to fork out on a new dress for a big party. I have started increasing my veg but need to swap my snacks for fruit (boring!) and anything else you lovely people can suggest (don't like dried fruit or nuts). The million Easter eggs hovering around the house are not helping!

It's nice to hear that many suggestions on here don't cost a fortune! I'm on maternity leave and have very little in the way of money (dh just as broke as me). We've both started a sugar free kick and aren't going to replace any crisps, etc once they are used up.