Should I just give up trying?

[Radley]

I spend about 20.00 a month on my nails to keep them perfect (acrylics) my hair costs 30.00 every 7 weeks for a cut and finish ( I have just discovered this hairdresser and he is amazing) and I cleanse tone moisturise every day to make myself look and feel better, but, everytime I look in the mirror I feel like a fat bloater who looks like mutton dressed as lamb, i know I am overweight, but sometimes think I shouldn't bother and just wear tracksuits everyday and let my hair and nails go to pot, what I see in the mirror repulses me yet alot of my friends always say I look gorgeous.
Supposed to having my hair coloured again in 4 weeks (only time he can get me in as he is so busy) which is going to be 70.00 but don't know whether to bother or not.

Listen to your friends Raddley.
And it is worth making the effort.
You would probably feel even worse if you didn't.

Definitely bother! Am sure that you do look gorgeous - what we see in the mirror is always different to what others see. If you enjoy having your hair and nails done then keep it up! I have a friend who is overweight but she always looks fab and I am very of her - perfect hair, nails and make-up - plus she has excellent style sense.

I don't know why i'm feeling like this, I don't go out hardly any more (except to friends houses for girlie nights) I have cut down drinking drastically (from 2 bottles a night to 2 a week) and feel that this is my bit of a treat.

Well done on cutting back on th ebooze?
Are you getting any help from your Gp?
Maybe some low dose AD's might help as you sound really low?

you see a horrible person in the mirrow because you feel horrible that's all. It's no reflection of what you actuallyn look like.

I bet you look lovely. listen to your friends -

I did stop taking my ad's without the doctors permission and without them knowing, maybe I need to go back on them, I even get to the stage where I don't fancy a drink and don't miss it. I do have a good relationship with my doctor and I'm sure they would help. I KNOW I need to lose weight, but I find it so very very hard.

Tackle one thing at a time.
Maybe if you go back onto the AD's you might feel more postive about dieting.
Do you exercise?
I find walking is a great way to clear my head, put things into perspective and gets the body moving.
Chuck little ones in the pushchair and get out there!

Radley, please go back to your GP and tell him how you are feeling. It's worth trying a different AD. You stopped taking the other ones - was it because you felt they weren't helping you? I'm certain you look great and once you start feeling a bit better you will be able to look at yourself and know you look great.

Believe me when I say that not making the effort makes it worse.I speak from experience.It is hard to lose weight but don't for goodness sake feel that you have to diet just eat sensibly and you start feeling better anyway.Sounds like you are doing all the right things.Don't know if you do exercise but have you tried yoga,really does help.
Also I have a book called 60 ways to feel amazing and its brill have it with me at all times and if I feel really low I pick one idea and carry it through.Well worth looking for a book like this(there is a few diff ones in the shop)
I'd also see doc about weight and get an MOT done by them.

i bet you look great - am very envious . i haven't had my hair done properly for ages and, yes, it makes a big difference

I am sure you are gorgeous Radley. But you do sound a bit obsessed with your nails and hair.

Perfect nails = not necessary
Expensive hair colour - is that necessary?
You should spend the money on exercising - will help you lose weight AND feel so much better about yourself?

Thank you all for your replies.

TBH, I wouldn't say that I'm obsessed with my hair and nails though, I just like them to look nice and neat etc, and beleive me, my hair is anything but perfect I don't wear full makeup when I go out but always make sure i have mascara and lipgloss on, just makes me look more awake. As for the expensive hair colour, to me it is necessary as he is a fantastic stylist and colourist, it's very hard to get an appointment with him, I still can't stop looking in the mirror at my new hair style, it's so completely different to anything i've had before.

There are 2 gyms near me, one of which is seriously going downhill and the layout is horrible, and the other is fitness first which is quite a way from me and would mean 2 buses there and two back and a ten minute walk, which would mean walking down secluded areas on my own.

I have however started work recently and walk there and back and sometimes walk into town

singingmum i'll have a look for that book