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?

I'd love to join, I'm the biggest I have ever been, when I was working got down to a size 12, since having 4 children and 2 c-sections really didn't help and now I am a 22, and the only clothes that fit are either really plain, really expensive, or floral! (God I HATE floral!) lol

Its my own fault, I usually don't eat all day, then pig out on rubbish, not massively, but its always the wrong things.

My skin can be terrible, its never been anything I've paid much heed to, but the lack of eating properly has left me drier than the bottom of a bird cage!

I really want to do this, so pls count me in! I need the support! My best mate died two years back and she was always the one who pushed me...my kids try, but I need honesty sometimes, and my lot are too nice lol. If I try to exercise, my eldest who is now 18 tells me to rest!!! lol, sweet, but it won;t help my sofa sized butt!!!!! ;-D x

Loving this thread!

I am of course perfect so have nothing to contribute myself but will continue watching with interest....

Yes to joining in this!
Started back on the LCHF diet on Monday, it works well for me. 1 and a half stone to go. Would like half of that off by end of June.
Also concentrating on hands and feet. They have been looking dreadful, and want to be able to wear sandals for summer. Lots of hand cream and have painted my (very short) nails.
Another one wanting to get back to swimming three times a week. Haven't been for months and feeling a bit down about how hard it will be to get back to the level I was at before.

I'm in. 48 hrs fag free, snubbed wine for fizzy water last night, gave up meat 3 weeks ago and noticed clothes are looser already and desperately trying to get more sleep!! I want to look less frazzled so the split ends are being chopped on Saturday. Oh and i start couch to 10k tonight!! Already ran a 5 miler last year but didn't train properly so want to do this right!!
Good luck everyone!

Agree with 50Shades - the LCHF diet is the way to go. Quick, easy weight loss, never hungry, skin feels great and you sleep like a baby.

I've recently found coconut oil (again). Anyone else old enough to remember when it used to be used as a sunscreen? Anyway, it works brilliantly (out of the sun) to moisturise skin and as an overnight hair conditioner. It's cheap too - Superdrug or most supermarkets do it for cooking with, its absolutely fine to use for both.

Exercise is brilliant because it can show really quickly, plus it can relax you and help your quality of sleep. I've just started Pilates/yoga, so twice a week for the last couple of months and although I haven't lost any weight, my body looks so much more toned, stomach flatter, smaller batwings etc.

But need to eat less crap/fewer snacks. Love the hot water with lemon idea. I used to do it and it certainly did me more good than my customary builders tea.

Carriecage, sorry for your loss. I'm not surprised you've got into unhealthy eating after losing your friend. Great that your wanting to channel her spirit now.

Lots of the problem for me and many of my friends, is about prioritising ourselves. We always seem to put others' needs first!

Slice your lemons up when you buy them and put them in the freezer. That way your lemon water is as quick to make as a cup of coffee or tea.

Pollyglot yes to all of those - I found exactly the same plus less brain fog and loads of energy! Husband won't join in though, he insists low fat is the way to go - which makes meals impossible challenging!

I'm kind if doing this already. My dd gets married this summer sontrying to make myself look was like I don't put in any effort which I usually don't

So I am

• Cutting out all cakes, sweets, biscuits, crisps etc just do not let them into the house! so if you are feeling week willed you can't eat them!
• I only ever drink water and black coffee, so would recommend that. I do have a glass of wine maybe once a week.
• Eating smaller portions of anything else I fancy. So I'm not giving up bread but I've switched to small loaves. I'll have 2 slices of that in a sandwich but they are about half the amount if a "normal loaf", so you're also using half the amount if butter too.
• I'm using exercise DVDs. Do half an hour every other day at home (so much easier than joining a gym)
• Paying attention to hands and feet
• Will start to use a gradual, light fake tan soon but not sure which one to use.

Good luck everyone!

I'm in. Dd has exams may/June so I've decided to join her pain and sorrow by giving up booze til after she's finished 😳
My diet has been more off than on so far this year so I'm getting back into that and hoping 5 weeks booze free will massively help.

I'll join you!

Also had a pretty tough few months at work after a big promotion. I think my huge learning curve has settled and I have a clear strategy now so it's time to focus on me for a bit.

Already cutting refined carbs but also aiming for more exercise and more water.

Oh and I want to sort out my dreadful feet. I'mean trying to use heel balm twice a day and will paint my toenails at the weekend...although we had snow yesterday so not sure they will see the light of day any time soon!

Off to get healthy food out of the freezer for dinner!

I've just started recently too.
I've reduced carbs and am eating between 12 and 7 only. It stops kicking my appetite off first thing and the evening snacking.
I've started running 3 times a week and just generally being more active with my kids.
Using oil cleansing method for my skin
Drinking lemon water first thing and trying to drink lots of water throughout the day. Love the frozen lemon slices suggestion!
Combing a good conditioner through my hair after every wash.
Taking a book to bed instead of my phone and putting my phone away more.
This week, I'm starting the plank challenge!

I've had enough of my frumpiness and am so eager to look and feel better.

Yes to joining this. Off on holiday in June and definitely in a mess! Tried on the new swimming costume I ordered yesterday and I cried. Nothing wrong with it (plain black with shorts) just the way I look in it .

Good luck everyone - my only tip would be hair - I actually blow dried it for the first time in months yesterday and am feeling better for it! Will be booking a haircut and a pedi to kickstart the process.

be more selfish too. Nothing wrong with putting yourself first now and then. Eg have a pedicure... It's far better to spend £ on that than on crap at supermarket and your family will just have to go without sugary treats & crisps that they don't need this week

Think I will get back on the excercise bike too. No excuses during nap time!

I've started to cleanse my face and moisturise religiously for the month or so and despite putting a stone on since Christmas people are paying me compliments. It's motivating me to eat healthier and walk more.

I'll join you!

I need to make more of an effort with my appearance on a daily basis. Over the last couple of years I've developed an "I don't care" attitude and really let myself go. Now I rarely wear make-up (I.e. Once every six months or so on a "special occasion"), am lazy with my hair and the clothes I'm wearing are shapeless and unflattering. I feel frumpy and I'm in my 20s!! It's really affecting my confidence

I had a hair cut last night, nothing fancy but just tidying it up a bit. I've put a little bit of make up on this morning! Not at all happy with what I'm wearing, but still made some progress!

Good luck to you all!

I'm in. Having a group of people to keep me going on this will really help me!

What does the lemon water do?

I've had my hair cut and dyed. Now need to move on to nails and feet I think.

I've just downloaded MyFitnessPal and it's great! Tracks your calories and give you analysis of how much of your food comes from different nutrient groups.
I've also ordered a fruit filter water bottle that I plan on using through the day at work.
I hadn't actually considered sleep - I'm always tired yet can't drag myself up to bed until 11pm. I think I'll try going at 1030 for a week and see if that makes me spring out of bed in the mornings.
I'm terrible at moisturising - I feel all greasy afterwards and it seems to make my pores sweat?

I'm in the process of doing this. Almost 14 weeks pp and breastfeeding has made weightless difficult. I have 10lb to lose to get back to my previous weight but if I can lose a stone I'll be able to wear my most favourite pair of denim shorts on holiday. One thing that I find helps me with food is to plan in a daily treat. Once a day I eat something I really fancy. Last night it was two biscuits with cup of tea when my kids were finally in bed. Tonight I'm having some ice cream.

I think I should join in on this - I need to lose 5kgs, drink more water less alcohol and stop eating snacks

Those of you embarking on the hot lemon water just be aware that it erodes tooth enamel. My dentist recommended either limiting to once a day or if wanting to drink throughout the day using hot water on it's own.

Something to be said for a good skincare routine, even if you don't wear make up every day.

Cleanse (after removing make up, use a cleanser for your skin type), tone (non-alcohol toner), moisturise for your basics. Use SPF each morning, a cleansing brush once a day, and at nighttime add a serum and night cream instead of a lighter moisturiser. Spoil yourself with a face mask and exfoliate once a week each (save time with an exfoliating mask). For the rest of your body use a body brush, and don't forget to moisturise. Use hand cream regularly too. And even if you have to buy everything, most things should be available in bargain shops so doesn't need to cost a fortune.

Teamed with healthy eating you should be glowing in no time (once you get past the horrible spotty stage that I always seem to get if I lapse on the skincare and have to start from scratch).

Marking my place, I could do with helping myself at the moment. But we're living with my parents which makes it so much harder, there is no space to really exercise and we're completely in a rut food wise as neither of us enjoy cooking at the moment in my parents kitchen which is really impacting our diet. Living off of pizza, chilli and risotto and takeout at the moment. we did a month sugar free in February and both lost a bit of weight so DH is doing that again whilst I'm going sugar free in the week.
DD is 5.5months now and I need to start getting active and feeling better about myself again! I have a decent new wardrobe which I've just bought and am still picking things up for, I'd like to work out make up, sleep I've given up on though 😉

I'm going to treat myself to a decent haircut for my birthday and maybe get it dyed if we can afford it. I'd also like to do some yoga and get back to swimming if I can find somebody to have DD for a couple of hours one morning a week as she's usually a wreck in the evenings so I can't go when DH is home as it's not fair to leave him with the screaming clingy breastfed monster she turns into if I leave the room!