Get set for summer aka Operation Renovation

[Helgathehairy]

Hello, welcome, take a seat and get comfy!

A few years ago I started a countdown to Christmas thread. This year it inspired a few follow on threads so now we're on our "Get set for Summer"

The basis of these threads is adopting 20 habits which make a difference but don't take too much time or effort. The habits come from previous threads but can be adapted to your own needs.

Relevant links:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1559450-Anyone-interested-in-a-100-day-Princessing-challenge
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1834373-A-new-princessing-defrumping-groomed-challenge
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1771443-Fuck-I-look-like-a-middle-aged-frump
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1406737-How-to-be-groomed

Please forgive spelling errors I'm on my iphone with a baby asleep on me'

What's the basics of the 5:2? Two days minimal cals & normal eating the rest of the time?

Yup lucysmam that's it. 2 days at 500 calories and then the rest of the time eating to your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). Although what some people do is try to eat a bit below the TDEE on weekday non-fast days so they can be a bit more relaxed at the weekend.

As well as giving you a natural calories deficit for the week, it's meant to retrain your appetite a bit so you often don't want to eat so much on non-fast days. I haven't had that side effect yet, mind you

Morning, I'm up showered moisturised and made up. Have a nice frock on for work and will find out today whether I've got the really interesting job I interviewed for last week.

Plus I've found out that my nephew has moved from him mum's in with his dad and my sis. Hopefully this is the start of him realising that the behaviour he experiences at his mum's isn't normal and we can start to rebuild his confidence.

Let's hope the job will be today's second piece of good news and a lottery win tonight could be number three!!

Oh and I can't seem to find the FB group so will just stick with this.

Thanks vvv. 500 cals doesn't seem a lot...what sort of meals do you eat?

I've just sorted my hair cut again, she's going to pop round either after school one night next week or on Friday at some point (that'll be fun with the kids off for half term ).

Remembered accessories too! Must start getting out on an evening like clothes for the next day. & need to start remembering lippy too, I do try but tend to forget all about it.

I'd like to join in too. Just turned 50 and feel the need to practise 'extreme self-care' for a while

I'm sick of making do with things that aren't quite right so I've spent a few months clearing out the crap so I can focus on what works.

My list includes the following:

Drink more water
Cleanse and moisturise twice a day with what my skin needs for that day
Wear make-up daily - Bare Minerals is so easy it's a shame not to
Floss/interdental brushes and mouthwash more often
Exfoliate on a Wednesday
Mini mani/pedi on a Sunday
Think about what to wear instead of throwing on same old style of plain tee and jeans everyday
Stop saving clothes for best
Exercise regularly - currently learning Pilates
Cut down on the wine - just need to keep plugging away at this, I find it really hard

Overall I want to make an effort to look nice - I'll be a day older every morning so embrace today now!

seasalty - what kind of coverage does the bare minerals give? Any tips? I've always liked the sound of mineral foundation but never got around to trying it.

lucysmam - yesterday I had a full pot of Sainsburys carrot soup (180kcal) and satsuma (40 kcal) for lunch and baked cajun salmon with spinach (200 kcal) for dinner. The remaining 80 kcal was milk in coffee and a couple of mini breadsticks. This seemed to work well, I had a few hunger pangs but they went. I drank lots of water, coffee and decaf tea. The guys at work recommended saving all the calories for the evening but I was a bit scared I wouldn't last that long, plus we never seem to get kids in bed & meal on the table until nearly 9pm. I'm planning on fasting tomorrow but haven't planned my menu yet.

spangle the BM coverage can be built up or just a light buffing. There are loads of youtube vids that offer great tips - the main one being use sparingly and buff, buff, buff!

I have to say that I hate the original powder because it makes my face look oddly waxy. The matte version suits my skin beautifully. I buy mine from amazon as it's cheaper but if you're new to it I'd recommend QVC as you can return it if you don't get on with it within 30 days (you just lose p&p and any return postage)

Wow you've all been rather chatty while I've been busy side tracked by work! I should be up to date on the fb group requests now, there's nobody waiting as I type, anyway!

I can't praise the 5:2 highly enough. The one thing I would say is be serious about the two 500 calorie days. Don't just guess, or try to have less on other days so you can have more on fasting days. It doesn't work but I'm back on it myself again now, and it's lovely not having to think about what to make for lunch. DP and I skip breakfast and lunch now and just use our calories for a lunchtime latte and evening meal.

My nails are in a shocking state - so brittle in a way they never were before I started using nail varnish regularly. I've left them bare for a few weeks now, but no improvement. I've put two coats of hard as diamonds on them now, but not sure what else to do really.

Sorry not to properly namecheck - just in from work and desperately need coffee and food!

Maybe try the MN Vaseline trick on your nails control

control - thanks for adding me to the fb group!

about your nails. are you using a conditioning base coat and a conditioning remover? I started wearing polish pretty much all the time about 6 months ago. I started off not bothering with base coat and my nails quickly started to chip and flake. I now use chanel base coat, and have had no problems. I know chanel polishes are pretty shit, but the base coat is fab!

remover can make a huge difference too. I was abroad for 2 weeks at the end of april and could only find pure acetone. ruined my nails and I'm still growing out the flaky bits!

started sorting out summer clothes yesterday. I generally don't 'do' summer that well - I want to be effortlessly willowy or hip and edgy, and I just look hot and ploddy with my clothes rucking up. It all looks frumpy and ill-fitting. .

Went to bed with Vaseline on toes and elemis frangipani oil in my hair. Glad dh is away! Have removed old nail varnish too.

Showered, hair washed, teeth flossed, light make up applied and dressed in linen trousers and Breton. Feeling good :)

Must finish off the housework and paint my toenails later, can't wait until Sunday as they look ick without polish!

I think I might have just found the FB group. My initials are sp and I'm in my running gear in the cover pic. ..

Yep, you found us Addicted, have accepted you

Back later with a proper post, just at Dr's again with impetigo in my hair

Oh no lucysmam you poor thing!

(By the way, 500 cals is surprisingly easy if you focus on veg and keep carbs low. If you have a quick look at the 5:2 threads there are some great ideas - some lovely veg curries)

Gosh I've missed a lot here over the last few days! What's this about a Facebook group?

lucyman there does appear to be some improvement with my nails and hands if I use petroleum jelly! but I'm not that good at using it regularly enough. Sticky hands and reading my kindle in bed don't go together that well.

I'm sticking to using fitness pal and still plodding away with the golf, although until I get on the golf course I should be doing more walking than I currently do. I manage to walk plenty when I'm not at work and at this time of year I don't really have an excuse for not having a walk on an evening.

Keep plodding in with your goals everyone.

seasalty sounds like you're looking glam!

cardamom me too, I'm no good at summer. It doesn't help that I suit dark colours and that I'm too chubby to bear upper arms/legs. I did have some success with white linen trousers last year, and I have just bought a boat neck tshirt from Boden with elbow length sleeves to keep those bingo wings hidden.

vvviola I like the sound of veg curries. I must batch cook some for work FDs. I did my second FD today and it was ok. I tried a slightly later and smaller lunch with slightly earlier (7rather than 9pm) dinner and that worked well. I am only slightly craving a slice of the chocolate banana bread I've just made to take to toddlers tomorrow.

Better get to bed - already pushing my 7 hour rule.

*bare not bear!

I'm on strike until app is sorted, mobile site too small for my liking & dinosaur laptop is dead (probably not really, can't keep away )

Ahoy hoy!

so had the money FINALLY for new bras today. What a revelation those bra intervention threads are! I also took a tip from a nother thread regarding what type of bra and the norks are so hoiked I will be able to eat my dinner of em!

I still don't have an outfit for communion tomorrow a d will be going late night shopping. . If I survive ill show off outfit!

Showered, made-up and wearing a dress!

Hello everyone.

How are we all?
I've been making a 'bit' of an effort. Although I'm still really tired :( I worked today and I don't usually so that hasn't helped with the tiredness.

I've been good all week and actually done my hair rather the just bunging it in a scruffy pony. I've french plated it, which I'm not crazy about but my hair has to be off my face and able to wear a hat for work, any one any other ideas for hair?
Painted my nails in essie ballet shoes/mademoiselle, and it looks neat and tidy, we aren't really supposed to wear varnish for work but I don't think anyone noticed it.
I've booked a bikini wax for next week, as it was all getting very overgrown down there (tmi!!).
And! I've done a bit of shopping. Dh has bought me a lot of lovely undies, I accidentally sent him a link to a website that stocked nice undies in my size and he ordered some, so I good for undies for a while :) although none of it is greyish brown t-shirt ones which I seem to favour. ;)
I got myself some new jeans, which I need to get taken up tomorrow and I've ordered a couple of bit from dorothy Perkins, will link in a sec!

When I worked in an office and was single I only wore high heels, now I only wear ballet pumps or uggs and I'm fed up with them, so I've ordered these low heel wedges! I'm thinking a little heel will mean I can still walk to our high street but will look more stylish.

And I ordered this top.

I've a night out this coming week and I'm thinking that top, maybe the wedges and my new jeans if I get them taken up in time

On another note, has anyone got a hair towel wrap? I usually use a towel, but I'm thinking maybe one of these might be better, I think they do them in microfibre???