If you had six weeks to try and make yourself look and feel better, what would you do?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I need an overhaul. Most particularly, I'd like to lose half a stone and I'd like my skin to look better and my hair to look glossier. Ideally, I'd also like my nails to be stronger/longer.

What could/should I be doing? This is what I've thought of so far -

1. drink more water
2. eat less crap
3. Sally Hansen stuff on nails
4. handcream on hands and body lotion on legs (which get v dry and itchy) at least twice a day

Things I have already got which might help -
Aveeno and Clarins body lotions
Sally Hansen Miracle Strength thing
Aveda and L'occitaine hand creams
L'Occitaine serum thing
Neals Yard Rose moisturiser
Aveeno face wash
Olay Regenerist three point treatment cream

Please help this wobbly 42 year old look and feel a bit better! :)

I only listed the lotions and potions to show that I've got the basics (mostly) covered cream-wise, I think and to show that I'm hopefully not starting entirely from hideous-monster level. I do wash etc! :)

Seventh - your breakfast sounds great and I could deffo take that to work.

Have never had a facial either - it would come under the not liking people looking at/poking around with me category! Is there anything else I could be doing at home? Exfoliating face wash / splash of cold water / serum / mositurise = morning routine and fash face / splash of cold water / Three point threatment thing = my current night time routine.

Re the drinking water thing - is it okay if some of it is fizzy water? I can drink loads of that, as I like it much more.

Somebody mentioned fake tan earlier. I hate the look of fake tan generally and my face is so pale that even a real tan doesn't look quite right. Are any of those mixed into body lotion ones any good nowadays? Maybe just for my arms and legs before I go on holiday?

I love this thread - and am going to do a 6 week "improve myself" plan based on these ideas.. Take us to mid June when I have a big business trip that I would like to look great for ..

My plan is to ..

1. Lose 8lb
2. C25K and Shred
3. Up the water
4. Daily skin care routine rather than a "whenever can be arsed" one

Just taken some photos of self for Day 1 and will be intereted to see what day 42 looks like! Thanks for the ideas!!

ZZ great idea to do a 'before' pic so you can see any difference.

Remus I recently used the fair St Tropez tanning moisturiser and was really impressed. No streaking, nice light colour that built a bit with repeated application, lasted pretty well.

Yy to exercise. C25kis really gradual, you start off mostly walking and then running for about 45 secs. Then it does up to 60 secs. There are several support threads on mumsnet

And you will feel really REALLY virtuous.You get to bore the pants off all your freinds and cooleagues.

You run three times a week, Shred 3 times and have a day off. You will feel like a new woman in 6 weeks

And you can reward youself with manicures, lotions and potions

Well, I'm three days into my 'do a proper skincare routine' thing and my face feels much softer and does seem to look a bit more 'glowy' though I don't know if it's the exfoliation in the wash or the flash new serum that's helping most, as I started them at the same time. Have also upped the body lotion and hand cream - hands still look vile but legs feel a bit less itchy.

Hair - tried a sample of an Aveda conditioner last night and it was lovely.
Nails - filed and painted with the Sally Hansen stuff.

Water - I did really well yesterday (at home) and terribly today (at work) - must try harder at work, clearly.

Carbs - too many but have done a super-healthy Sainsbo's order now!

Fake tan - will have a look at the St Tropez - is it hidoeusly expensive?

Exercise - erm. MUST TRY HARDER!

Well done on skincare stuff remus

As you have pale skin, dont even think about st tropez. Yiu need one of the gradual tan lotions in " light". Garnier sumer skin in less smelly IMHO

And get exercising girl

Hmm, what is this ' shred' of which you speak? -hoping it's magic potion you rub into the apron of lard to melt it away in seconds-

Shred is an exercise DVD maisiebabe which inspires lemming like devotion - but it's a totally joyless experience (imo). I prefer running and Davina DVDs ( much more fun)

Do a detox for a few days(really helps your skin btw!)
I'd go for oil massages, get new face creams, tinted gradual tan moisturiser for a lovely glow, hand cream and nail cream, change diet(cut out caffeine, sugar, alcohol, smoking, sun)