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Original poster

What one thing has made the biggest difference to how you feel about yourself?

140 replies

Coveredinweetabix · 22/04/2014 14:35

I am feeling particularly haggard today as too much cake and chocolate over the Easter weekend has left me spotted and bloated and DS has been up umpteen times in the past few nights with his teeth so I look really tired. I also haven't managed to fit in any exercise for the past month and feel a lot less toned.
I've been making lots of promises to myself today about exercising every day, taking make up off properly every night (which would involve bothering to put make up on every day), drinking more water, eating better etc but, realistically, they are not all going to happen. I've even considered that oil pulling thing.
So, what one thing has made the biggest difference do you think to how you look or feel about yourself. I day dream about daily personal training sessions but they're out on both cost and time grounds.

OP posts:
QueenCadbury · 22/04/2014 15:46

Also to say that I did have a few PT sessions last year which was great. He taught me properly how to use those resistance bands and how to use my garden as an outdoor gym. Now all I need is the motivation to get out there and do it Grin

MarshaBrady · 22/04/2014 15:47

Cutting out sugar and eating lots of vegetables in its place.

Aveda for hair cuts and colour (if I do that again).

Lots of fresh air - exercise, any kind, even if just mucking around kicking a ball with the dc.

HerBigChance · 22/04/2014 15:47

Cutting sugar right down and losing weight.

Drinking loads more water.

OneLittleLady · 22/04/2014 15:52

Cutting out sugar
Losing two and a half stone (so far)
Accepting that my walking stick is going to be permanent and not worrying about what other people think of it

lurkingaround · 22/04/2014 15:54

Thanks SirCh. Good ole eBay. Must have a look. Usual eyelash curlers do nowt for me too.
Wand, you say? Sounds rather magical Grin

Stokey · 22/04/2014 15:55

A cheap feelgood fix is eyebrows. The Indian shops at the end of my road do threading for £3 and just getting that done spruces up your whole face.
Second/third the good hair cut/colour. I just found a great new hairdresser in January after experimenting for about 9 months after I changed jibs away form my old one. She uses organic colour and makes my hair super shiny.

And think everyone feels a bit bloated post Easter? Can you get a night off from DS? A good night's sleep makes a world of difference to how you cope.

SirChenjin · 22/04/2014 15:57

Lurking - they are rather magical Grin

CMOTDibbler · 22/04/2014 16:02

Losing 3 stone and then getting fit. I don't have a trainer, I just run, bike or swim (I have had some swim coaching sessions to improve my technique). It just gets fitted in somewhere in my life!

balenciaga · 22/04/2014 16:09

Having semi permanent eyebrows done. Not for everyone I know but I have never had eyebrows in my life, just a few sparse blonde ones (Dunno why as I have dark thick hair)

But I had them done about a year ago. They were very expensive and took ages, but the artist was fantastic, she took precise measurements of my face to work out what shape would be most flattering, plus worked out from my colouring what exact shade would work best. that alone took at least an hour. And I left there with a set of perfect shaped, yet natural looking hair stroke "eyebrows". Best thing I've ever done beauty wise.

Coumarin · 22/04/2014 16:09

Cutting out sugar and drinking heaps of water.

Wearing colour, whether that's clothing, accessorises or make up. Not all at once but a pop of bright pink or something really brightens everything up.

SteadyEddie · 22/04/2014 16:12

SirChenjin, What heated eyelash curlers would you recommend?

Fairylea · 22/04/2014 16:41

Good comfortable knickers that fit properly :)

JemimaMuddledUp · 22/04/2014 16:47

Losing weight. I went from a size 20 to a size 10, although have crept back up to a 12 (and am taking action to get back down to a 10!)

Exercise helps me lose weight, but also helps my mental health. I feel so much better for it.

Little things like regular haircuts and a wardrobe of clothes that go together also help - the thing about losing weight was I had to completely overhaul my wardrobe and that was a great chance to think about what suits me.

But losing weight was the big one.

HappyGirlNow · 22/04/2014 17:02

Sorry I've got 3:

When I'm at my slimmest (never fat though)
Fillers
Veneers

Coumarin · 22/04/2014 17:47

I've thought of another too.

Moisturiser. Not only on the face but also a good, rich body moisturiser, hand cream and cuticle butter. Having soft, lovely smelling skin really makes a difference to how you feel.

SirChenjin · 22/04/2014 17:49

I don't really have a recommendation steady other than the wand style as opposed to the ones that look like big plastic 'normal' eyelash curlers. I've used the Blinc ones in the past and they were great, but at £16/£20 a go I felt they were a bit pricey - I'm now using a pair I got for a fiver on ebay and they are just as good imo Smile

Mumelie · 22/04/2014 18:04

Eating low carb, regular exercise and Aveda shampoo/conditioner!

Drywhiteplease · 22/04/2014 18:17

Loosing weight and toning up, it's never too late.
Used to have a bum complex, we be made friends now but now all I can see are my frown lines....I'm saving up for Botox.

TheCraicDealer · 22/04/2014 18:23

YY Balenciaga- got mine done last year and it's the best thing I've ever done. No more trying to shape them into something resembling an arch (really hard when they're so fair and you can see bugger all), no more looking in the mirror at 3pm wondering how they've managed to slide off your face....pricey, but worth every penny.

Lovewhereilive · 22/04/2014 18:31

Eating low carb, drinking lots of water, losing weight, exercising more - all made me feel fab.

Just a few days of eating more carbs, drinking less water and little exercise has made me feel rubbish! Need to get back on the wagon....

MyRealNamesBernard · 22/04/2014 18:57

Another vote for cutting out sugar. It makes you look better, feel better and, once you've got used to it (which might take a few weeks) it's becomes surprisingly easy. I have not only lost weight by cutting it out but have also seen huge improvement in energy levels and skin.

(still have the occasional chocolate treat at weekends and special occasions).

(and I am also still on the booze. I would probably ser an even greater transformation if I knocked my beer, wine and gin habit on the head, but I need my sanity)

BuggerOffBieber · 22/04/2014 19:10

Had a breast enlargement possibly a little extreme

lavenderhoney · 22/04/2014 19:37

Going out running in the countryside
Low carbing with the lc bootcamp on here ( BIWI mumsnetter extraordinaire:)
Getting my hair coloured and cut properly and investing in seriously good straightners
Only wearing clothes that look nice so not so many but super nice
Always groomed - not made up as such
Leaving my dh:)

googietheegg · 22/04/2014 19:44

Using plenty of moisturiser has made a big difference to my skin. Just cheapie Ponds or Nivea, but using loads and really taking time to rub it into clean skin morning and night.

holmessweetholmes · 22/04/2014 19:46

What lovewhereIlive said - low carb, lots of water and plenty of exercise. I fell off the waggon recently and have been feeling a bit rubbish. Running makes a massive difference to my state of mind too.