Operation Renovation - aka The Christmas Countdown

[HelgatheHairy]

It's 115 days to Christmas Eve!

You can use this thread exactly like you were using the previous thread to keep track of what you're doing, have lists, ask advice etc. As its about renovation rather than strictly beauty, nothing is off limits so beauty, clothes, exercise, healthy eating.

So here we go!

Only just found this thread and it's great! Started yesterday with the main aim of losing a stone by Christmas and generally improving my health (thus having knock-on effects on skin, hair, nails etc). I'm not too bad with grooming generally but have booked myself a lovely facial as a treat this Saturday :)

My exercise is The Shred DVD which i have read an awful lot about on here - I am assuming you have to do it every day for the 30 days. Has anyone on here done this (or close to) and what results did you get?

Karbea, with the clothes you need to be ruthless. Try everything on in front of a full length mirror. Try and arrange another mirror so you can see the back. Be honest with yourself. What fits? What looks nice and fits? Have you worn it in the last 12 months? If not, why not? Is there any reason to keep it?

Organise into piles:

1. Keep.
2. Ebay/sell/swap/swish
3. Charity shop

Only keep if it (a) fits + (b) looks good + (c) you like it.

Don't keep something purely because it fits. If you don't like it and it doesn't suit you then you will not feel good in it.

If it's a decent label or good high street item consider ebaying it. Alternatively you could swap it for sonething else by using a swishing site. You could car boot/table top sale but people generally won't spend more than a couple of quid regardless of label - seems to be a mind set thing.

Anything you can't sell or swap give to charity. They will recycle clothes they can't sell by selling the rags for industrial use.

Next - the hard part and the bit I haven't mastered yet. Try and work out your colours (I'm on my phone so linking is a pita but I'll try and cone back with some when I've finished this post). Once you've worked those out you are better equipped to look at what you've kept and decide what you need.

On the defrumping thread we decided if we were trying to lose weight that a kind of basics uniform was necessary - so jeans that suit (skinnies seem to work for most people - try uniglo for different fits), goid quality vests or t-shirts again in a style that suits your body shape and a cardigan or blazer. I'm in the cardi camp as I have large norks and look boxy in a blazer. A good comfy pair of flats and you're good for every day. Can dress up with statement necklaces, scarves heels etc.

Some very kind person recommended Dressipi to me which involves answering a questionnaire about your body type and then makes recommendations for you. It is brilliant and I only regret that I do bot have a very big budget and can't buy them all!

Right off to find links for you. It's a painful process on the iphone.

Hi Knowler I am half way through the 30 day shred, it hard work but I don't think you can beat it in terms of losing inches. It's also great for those who are short of time as its a 20 minute workout.

I feel much stronger since I started, I am aiming to do her Six Week Six Pack DVD soon as my stomach is my main problem area.

Ok here is a colours site

And here is Swishing.co.uk which is one where you can obtain credits to use instead of just swapping.

And finally here is the Dressipi site

Cleaning finished! I feel so much happier when my house is tidy and cleanish. I'm going to try and do an hour maybe two a day, to try and keep it under.

numtumdetum omg! That's amazing advise! I am trying to lose weight so not buying anything apart from a dress I need to get for a wedding
Going to go and have a shower and then attack the wardrobe!

Still haven't eaten anything bad yet but going to TgIs for my brothers birthday later, so may end in tears :(

Right shower!

Looks like I'm a soft autumn.

I'm mean summer.

Actually I'm really confused haha!
I know bright colours look better on me, I'm naturally dirty blond, pretty yellowy skin, blue eyes.

OOh can I join? I found this thread this morning and have been totally inspired. I have just nipped to boots with DD2 in tow and picked up most of the bits I need. I desperately need to lose a stone at least. It will also be nice to look a bit smarter and more put together!

Could I join please? I've got a mahoooosive list, all leading up to doing IVF in January. I need to drop my last 10lb (already lost 3 stone on WW but have no motivation to continue with that plan right now) - started 5:2 today (first fasting day today, not coping well!). I'll probably lurk more than I post as work is really busy at the moment.

My list is:

Health
8 glasses of filtered water a day
At least 2 fruit & veg every day
Healthy breakfast daily
No alcohol for 5 days each week, no boozing it up on ?allowed? days
Take vitamins every day
Start taking fish oil capsules again
One early night once a week (10pm)
Give up one naughty favourite item: crisps (boy this is going to be hard)
No more fizzy drinks (unless mixed with alcohol on ?allowed? nights)
Warm water with lemon first thing in the morning

Fitness/Weight
The Shred
5:2 diet
C25K (veeeeery tentatively added in here)

Face, Body & Hair
Use exfoliating body scrub in shower ? every time!
Use teeth whitener (need to buy some)
Weekly use of full range of Anew face and eye products
Use hair oil (need to buy some)
Body brushing (need to find out what this is!)
Regular hair removal ? every shower!
Body moisturising after at least two showers a week
Use hair dryer/straighteners/heated brush at least twice a week

De-frumping
Dress for the job I want, not the job I have ? every day
Use clear nail varnish each day (need to buy some)
Try out different hairstyles, not just alternate between ponytail/down
Try at least one new ?thing? a week

I have just ordered new winter boots

Arr controlgeek I think I'm doing ivf again in October.

Oh good luck karbea, will that be your second? I did my first two months ago but am delaying my next round to better juggle work stuff (that, and I've got to down reg for 2 months this time )

Just ordered more rosehip oil and a new French cleanser online. Managed to paint my nails in the midst of baby and toddler chaos here today :) and have eaten lots of veg. Just realising how terrible I am at drinking water though!

knowler I have done Shred over 6 weeks while low carbing and doing IF and lost 16 pounds and six inches off waist so recommend it.
paintyourbox I have just started 6 week 6 pack - do you want to join when you've finished Shred? I've a thread in exercise forum....
lucysmam I'd watch level 2 and 3 before starting as lots of planks which you can adapt to elbow planks and work in leg raises and alternate arm raises whilst in elbow plank position if normal plank and sit up too hard? You can nick some level 3 moves and do during level 2?

Morning here. About to do 6 week 6pk and exfoliate with salt scrub then run errands and laundry while Ds at playgroup. Today will be a semi- fast day meaning skip breakfast and just small salad for lunch, low carb dinner in evening.

At my Mum's today and she told me how well I am looking. Must be because I actually bothered putting make up on for a change.
Unfortunately her scales say that I've put on 2 pounds since last week which isn't good. Will need to work a bit harder at boot camp tomorrow.
Need to try and devote a bit more time to this but also looking for new job which takes a bit of time.

Some great progress today it is really motivating.
I have got my own version of the list because I am limited in what I can manage. DH works away from home 5 days a week and I work full time and have the 4 DC's on my own so no gym time for me. I have also had 2 lots of surgery in the last 12 months so am still building up strength and very jealous of those of you who can shread. It would shred my new pelvic floor if I attempted it
Daily
8 glasses fo water a day - have new water bottle to keep filled at work
Exfoliate and moisturise face and body - I use derma flannel on face
2 extra fruit and veg
Hair oil
No alcohol or coffee during the week (eek to the no coffee)
Vitamins and iron
Body brushing
Epilate under arms - best thing that I discovered on previous thread!
No crisps and chocolate
Moisturise hands and feet
20 minutes on cross trainer
at least 20 minutes Hula Hooping
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Weekly
Manicure nails, just tidy and buff and polish
Hair mask, deep conditioner or coconut oil
Face mask
Epilate legs
Steam face
Serving of salmon
Early night
Camomile tea bag eye mask (this is amazing if you have not tried it)
Note weight and measurements
As required
Colour hair
Teeth whitening
Pore Strips

Phew that is some list and it makes me realise that I really need to make time for me again. Have been good today and also prepared lunches/meals for the next week so that I don't get tempted to just make do.

I will be back to update shortly....just an apology in advance....we are possibly moving Weds so I might not be around for a few days after tomorrow! But I will keep up being as glam as I can possibly be to move house

I'm overwhelmed by some of your lists! I'm hoping they'll inspire me, it's baby steps for me and so far today I haven't done much.

Showered
Brushed teeth
Flossed (again! - have dentist appointment later in the week and trying to compensate for weeks of neglect)
Drank 2 pints of water (an improvement)
Drank only one cup of tea (an improvement)
Perfectil, plus additional vitamins B and D (an improvement, often forget)
Healthy brunch - toast with butter, two boiled eggs, and an orange

But far from dressing for work, the sun came out so I'm in shorts and a vest. And my brother dropped round and brought an ice cream for me which I promptly devoured .

But I am going to yoga tonight for the first time in months.

PS. FAB boots jemima

Don't think I achieved much of my list today, and I didn't wash the dog either which was also on the list. And Im currently eating quavers but sharing with the dog... Anyway!

I have been very busy with mine and dhs wardrobes, I have found lots of my clothes that were hidden in his wardrobe (his shirts are now colour coded, he'll think I've flipped!), I haven't actually thrown anything away but I've organised everything and I'm going to attempt to wear everything in my wardrobe, if I try it on and don't like it/doesn't fit I'll get rid. I have quite a few clothes in under bed storage and I need to sort out my dresses, so will attempt to do those tomorrow. After that shoes!

controlgeek no this'll be my third attempt!

small ta da

Have been after a Joe Browns dress/tunic for ages (can't afford the real prices), remembered at 3.15 pm one was ending, logged on with 21 seconds to spare and won it for £11 including postage Very happy :-)
Am trying to modernise my wardrobe to be a bit more trendy!