Give me your top tip to make you feel better about yourself.

[fruitstick]

There's no denying it, I've let myself go.

2 DS (4.5 and 20 months) run me ragged and I was caught by surprise when I saw myself in the mirror yesterday and saw how haggard I looked.

I am about 2 stone overweight, live on tea and biscuits and don't really make much effort with my appearance.

I always feel tired and worn out. I ache all over - my shoulders and upper back is fucked from carrying a toddler around.

However, I've decided to get a grip and sort myself out. Call in New-vember (do you see what I've done there ).

I'm not that bothered about the weightloss at the moment, just want to feel more energised and look like I've made a bit more of an effort.

So, starting tomorrow, I am going to:-

• eat porridge for breakfast (instead of skipping breakfast and eating kids' malted milk biscuits all morning)

• get a haircut and colour (never coloured my hair before but the grey is definitely getting worse!)

• find a pilates class.

What do you do everyday to make yourself feel better?

I cut down on carbs and my energy went through the roof. I especially noticed it about an hour and a half after lunch.

I tried Pilates but kept falling asleep in the classes. Very relaxing!

I'd recommend cycling as well, especially on a gorgeous sunny Autumn day.

Perfume

Water is my health and beauty miracle. Aim for 2 litres a day. Boring as hell but my skin looks 10 years younger, I'm more energised and far less likely to eat rubbish. Sometimes if i've let it drop and then start drinking 2litres again I start getting thirsty after a few days if I'm not doing 2 glasses every few hours - like my body has got used to good hydration. Also the eyebrow threading - brilliantly simple. They do it for £4 near where I live.

Morning sex puts a spring in your step !

First of all sort your back ache out: either regular massages, or pilates or yoga (the best for aches).

Then a good hair cut

Oh Zumba's already been mentioned! Seriously, I hate aerobic classes but have been really enjoying this - enough to sign up to multiple classes a week

Also enjoy Just Dance 2 on the Wii, but it's not as motivating. Viva Las Vegas is fun, though.

Would never admit any of this to anyone I know in RL and suspect anyone who knows me would have a fit of the giggles at the unlikelihood of me prancing about for fun.

Go to Zumba classes or buy a hula hoop (a proper grown up weighted one) plus an instructional DVD and you're away.

OK, this is how I got myself back on track after having 2 DC 17 months apart.

Start the day with green tea / hot water and lemon.
ALWAYS have breakfast - porridge, high fibre cereal or toast etc...
Shower and clean your teeth - instantly feel better
Get a low maintenance hair cut
Low maintenance clothes - if you are a SAHM, well fitting jeans and Ts and a nice necklace or scarf will be fine.
Apply lip gloss
Aim to drink 6 glasses of water through the day.
Make lunch soup and fruit
Exercise is good - consider a gym pass - some have free creches or go to swimming classes with DC.
Have an afternoon treat - I have a small flapjack and fruit juice or rice cakes and peanut butter (Stops me picking at the kids left overs and I don't over eat in the evening)
Have a sensible evening meal - protein with salad and veg
Go to bed early and get some good rest

Another vote for threading yuor eyebrows rather than plucking/waxing.

I have thick dark hair and after a few months I have noticed the difference in the regrowth of my eyebrow hair which is now much finer.

Join a dance class. It doesn't matter what type but it will make you feel good and is much more fun than the gym.
Google is yuor friend when it comes to finding a class. If you live in Suffolk yuo can come to my salsa class

Aim to eat healthily during the week and treat yourself at the weekend. Don't ban anything, everything is good in moderation.

If you want a great pampering product, try this It is not cheap but it is AMAZING and it lasts a long time as yuo only use a small amount at any one time.
It was recommended to me by someone on here who works with science boffs that test skin care products and it came out as one of the best products.

Laugh as often as you can, not only will it make you feel better but it will destress you. If you can, buy some comedy CDs and play them in your car or load them onto your iPod.

I am pregnant with no 2 but sort of doing the same project as I lost a lot of confidence after having ds 1 and want to avoid a double dip after the next one! Am watching with interest!

So far I have had a haircut and have booked in for a make-up lesson. I also discovered a college that trains beauticians so have booked a facial in a couple of weeks time. Want to get my eyebrows threaded but am really put off by them all being in public places. I teach and the thought of pupils seeing me do that does not appeal. Would like it done before Sunday lesson though so I might have to brave it.

Good luck anyway!

I obviously can't type "you" or "your" tonight.

[forehead slap emotcion]

Oh, and put some music on. I somehow often forget, but there's a reason why it's been popular for a v.v.v.v. long time.

do you live anywhere near a hot yoga studio? also called bikram yoga. it gives me a real glow and i have ace shoulders and posture now.

and threaded eyebrows, natch.

Avoid bread, and go easy on the carbs in the evening. You wake up every morning feeling a tiny bit less bulky and sluggish.

This is all marvelous - and has even made discussion of the day

I am a bit of a carb addict so maybe need to cut down on those a little.

Am off to google Zumba and bikram yoga

So many great ideas on here.

Coming out of a black fog of PND last year a friend gave me this:

www.hypnosisdirect.com/improve-your-mood.htm

I thought it was a load of tosh to be honest but it did help me get into a better head space and it motivated me do things that were nicer to myself. I think I'm really easy to hynotise though!

It also gives me an excuse for 30mins of peace and DP knws not to disturb me!

For your back, I recommend a Hippychick Hipseat - you can pick them up on gumtree or ebay, as good as new - really really great although admittedly my DD will be a lot lighter than your DS ATM! You need to strap it round your waist REALLY tightly and it takes a lot of the strain, stops you sticking your hip out and protects your back. Really worthwhile.

Keep your bikini line just this side of hanging out of your pants. Helps me feel relatively presentable...

Keep a food diary for a few weeks to force yourself to really take stock of your diet, or to keep track of calories if you're really keen.

Personally I don't rate Zumba as it's neither dance nor challenging exercise. I prefer one or t'other and would second the couch to 5k plan.

On personal grooming, does anyone have their ... er ... bikini area done? I know no-one can see it but I feel very 'unkempt' and hence unsexy because I'm au naturel! I'd be mortified at whipping my knickers off in a salon, but is it the norm now? (sorry for thread hijack!)

x-post!

fresh air
exercise
good food
five minutes peace
enough sleep
most of all, "laughter and the love of friends"

I agree with the water. Being well hydrated gives you more energy, is great for your skin, and makes you feel healthy so you are discouraged from naughty snacking. Seems to work even better if you carry around a little plastic bottle everywhere you go, you cant help feel sporty

I would also add taking Omega 3 vitamin everyday, its great for getting rid of bags under your eyes.

Tarty, I don't go to a salon, I just use cream one a fortnight or so (or more accurately each time I've looked down while at the swimming pool and seen the pant-spiders waving... )

Oh but the cream doesn't agree with me - would rather wave back at those pesky spiders than suffer an eruption of bikini-line acne