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?

my beauty therapy teacher told me the secret to looking young is to exfoliate regularly drink lots of water and wear sunscreen it really works i have been doing it for years

the coffee and smoking dont help though

Loving this thread! I always think each new month is going to be "my" month - and im going to make sure November is, as I've already started making changes! Ive applied for and beginning a new course on wednesday,that will progress on to a new career path for me in the future - the next big thing I need to do is start sleeping early so I manage to get out of bed fresh and full of energy in the morning! (havnt quite managed that yet, its 1:50am)

Actually , its 12:50am.

Maybe I need to add "learn how to tell the time" to my list of changes

Always sort out your hair. It is the one thing that really helps, washing your hair and feeling like it is controlled and suits you. And a bit of blusher if you are very pale.

Throw out old stuff. Recycle, donate, ebay, consignment store - whatever it takes to de-clutter. Always blow-dry your hair and wear basic make-up. Vitamins! Face creams! Slendertone if you have to. Whiten teeth. Gosh, I'm exhausted.

I find wearing a mini skirt, opaque tights and knee high boots somehow makes he look feminine and strong, and that`s how I like to feel so I wear that lots.

Doing outdoors activity like walking, cycling or horse riding somehow GIVE me energy.

Also eating well helps, not diet fod, just nice proper food.

And mascara!

Hmmm. Can tell I've a long way to go.

Am wearing matching socks today and yesterday's make up. Thought I'd made a good start.

I'm 44 and look younger (so I'm told). My beauty tips are - leave your bloody face alone. I only clean my face once a week,or if I need to add another layer of make-up and my skin's gone a bit flaky. Then I oil cleanse and exfoliate. I love getting a good build up of mascara and foundation so it'll last for several days without having to be renewed. Just lick my finger in the morning and run it under my eyes.

And eat lots of fruit and veg.

And smile.

I'm lucky in that I have body dysmorphia - I think I'm much better looking than I am. I find any activity that involves looking in the mirror for too long unhelpful.

Wear a necklace every day and put it out the night before (different ones I mean) It doesn't matter how dull your clothes are then
Throw away all manky underwear, and buy nice new stuff (even if it's M & S, as long as it's white and not grey)
Buy a beautiful coloured/patterned bath towel and matching handtowel that no-one but you can use
Serve yourself tea from a teapot
Buy some extremely comfortable shoes so that at least your feet never hurt

I'm 15 weeks pregnant and have just emerged from that sick-knackered feeling (well, I hope I have!)

But this month, I'm going to try to do some of those jobs that I keep meaning to do - and hate myself for not doing - but aren't that difficult - like sorting the CDs out and getting rid of the old bills and bits of paperwork on my desk. If I can do that, I'll get to Christmas feeling a zen-like calm...well, calmer...

I have 2 DC's under 3 and have no family to help and am a SAHM so time and energy is utalized!
I:
Wear stud earings which I leave in,
Red Toe Nails (makes me feel oh so glam)
Shower everyday
eyebrows
straighten hair with GHD (can do in 5 mins)
ALWAYS condition my hair
ALWAYS slather on body loation after shower
Wear smartish/simple outfits
when can be bothered wear concelaer and mascara

Try to eat healthy and get sleep.

I am currently working on getting a social life for myself as belive I will feel a million times better for it.

I also do alot to myself when DC's are in the bath playing.

swanriver, i like your thinking ! ...

get out of the house every day for a walk, fresh air and exercise is essential for your sanity with young children. even better, means less time for them to trash your house.

keep in touch with friends, preferably face to face. yes texts and facebook are fine, but nothing beats a good natter over a coffee while kids in softplay. or at friends house (less time for them to trash YOUR house part 2).

try to eat well and drink water, but let yourself have a little treat now and again eg at weekends.

treat yourself to a lovely grown up posh lady handbag, when i graduated to this from nappybag/rucksack i couldn't believe how much better it made me feel! (still carry a ppacket of babywipes in it tho, i think i;ll have babywipes around me forever).

Nice showergel, or body lotion or perfume (or all 3 if you can). Smell has an amazing effect on our moods.

I love this thread. What good advice.

Do you drink alcohol in the evening? I've been trying to wean myself off the wine, and have just had my first 3 consecutive alcohol-free evenings in a v long time. Woke up this morning looking and feeling much better than usual, I'm sure it's made a difference.

Shower every morning, bath on an evening when stressed. Moisturise daily and drink water. All sounds very simple but these are easy things that make me feel better about myself.

My mate says she doesn't have time for bath on evening but watches every soap going...I think you just have to do what works for you.

Loads of great tips on here :D

The OP seems to have channeled my inner crap self too so I've found all this very helpful.

So far, I've found a huge declutter very cathartic, seconding (or maybe twelthing) the water thing.

It's really helped, as has the food diary tip. myfittnesspal has been great for that.

A new smart, colourful jacket also made me think more about what I was wearing and I brought a few cheap things to jazz it up with. Kicked my plain black anorak habit right out the window! I've had a fair few compliments too!

Good luck

This makes good reading.

Get your eyebrows shaped - I'm a big fan of threading, but waxing or plucking is fine too. If you can afford it get a proper blow dry once week - worth its weight in gold. If not, then at least every time you are going out. Get a regular pedicure, or at least keep your own toenails nicely painted yourself. It lasts weeks if you do it properly.

Drink water - great for your skin.

I second the bikram yoga. It's tough at first but it makes you feel incredible afterwards : )

Do a mindmap of all the things you would love to do if given the chance....then make a plan for achieving at least one of them

fruitstick,

Just wanted to thank you so much for starting this thread! I could have written your OP, and as a result of reading all the posts, I have started the couch to 5k plan, booked a cut & colour and am getting my eyebrows done tomorrow!

I bet you've inspired loads of us to go for a NEWvember!!!

Thank You so much! xx

I'm so pleased, I think this is the first time I've ever been an inspiration .

I feel better already.

Yesterday I had my eyebrows shaped and a pedicure, haircut is tomorrow. I haven't had a biscuit since Sunday and have drank a lot of chamomile tea!

Yesterday I cleared out the wardrobe and drawers so I can see exactly what clothes I have. Needs a bit of auditing but I thought I'd give it a few weeks of cold to see what I actually wear from last year.

Haven't got round to the exercise bit (too busy decluttering and waxing) but pilates is tomorrow!

Thank you all!

A large glass of shiraz always makes me feel better.

This is a great thread, so how come this shite is DoD but this thread isn't!!!

It was yesterday

fruitstick, make sure you let us know how the haircut goes!.. Maybe we should start a "Fruitstick's NEWvember" thread to keep us all motivated!!?

xx