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'

Hello all, just checking in. All ok, first day of paleo so bit headachey but otherwise fine.

Last night did my nails, colour isn't great (bit Joan Collins circa 1985). Makeup done today.

Still no exercise though!

God I need to do something like this. The weight is piling on and I have no motivation.

Used to do it every year in my teens and twenties but it gets harder the older you get.

No energy to do all that needs to be done and cant stop eating.

Help!

I'm good at forgetting my feet too Lucy.

I go on holiday in 7 weeks and desperately need to join in as I'm a total mess!

Feel like I can only de-ming rather than princess

Big things I need to do:
I need new glasses and as I now need them all the time I am going to get contacts.
Get myself to the dentist and get my teeth sorted
Get my hair done and learn how to style it.
Tint my lashes and brows.
Learn how to do my make up again now I am a loooooong way off being a fresh faced youngster who could get away with concealer, blusher and a slick of mascara.

Get my first Hollywood to obliterate the greys down there.

I will:
Nick Lucy's pamper night idea.
Brush, mouthwash and FLOSS twice a day.
Follow the Sainted Hirons skincare routine twice a day with a mix of Alpha H and Argan Oil as my final night step.
Use body lotion after each shower.
Cut out diet coke
Drink 1.5 litres of water and lots of herbal tea every day.
Take my vitamins daily.
Get back into paleo eating.
Do the shred again.
Quit smoking and use my e cig instead
Get dressed nicely and put on makeup every day even if I am the only person I will see.
I work for myself and it is easy to not leave the house all day. I will get out every day for a good brisk 30minute walk.

That is enough to get me going but I hope to add in more when things become habit. My last step will be easy this week as I am dog sitting a boisterous terrier who needs longs walks and lots of play. He is always thrilled to see me too as he thinks I'm great .

Bugger, can I add need to learn how to make posts shorter than essay length before I bore you all to death.

good list trevor!

ladyfoxglove would it help to tackle just a couple of things at a time? Once you establish the habits, add in more. If the eating is a struggle, what works for me is ignoring it but doing other things like exercise, eventually that pulls the eating in the right direction.

Ok. So, things that have stuck since the last few goes at this (some of them helped by finally working again!)

• am wearing proper outfits every day. Including jewellery.
• am organising my clothes the night before so that I know I'll have an outfit sorted
• legs being defuzzed regularly (helps that all my outfits are skirts/dresses, so can't get away with hiding legs under trousers
• make-up on every work day and any time we're doing something at the weekend that isn't coffee/playground/kids sport classes
• night time routine involving taking off make up, cleanser, toner and night cream.

What needs work:

• weight no change there. Back doing 5:2 from tomorrow. 10kg to lose by the end of July, 15kg by September. If I could lose 18 in total I'd be very very happy.
• water. I'm still really bad at this. Need to put a bottle on my desk during the day I think.
• nails. Disastrous. Shall start with filed/shaped/clear varnish and see how I get on
• moisturising. Legs in particular are very dry. Shall do it every other day at least.
• psoraisis. I need to be more consistent with my treatments
• hair. I need some hair styles other than a bun. But at least the crazy frizziness seems to have calmed down a little.

So. Here goes . More a countdown to mid-winter for me, but never mind

I'm dreadful with the water to vvviola. I'm having a big glass when I wake up, one mid morning and one in the afternoon, I've set an alarm on my phone for it! Fingers crossed it works as I know I look a million times better. If I remember right though once you get into the habit of drinking plenty you get more thirsty when you skimp? That makes it easier to keep the habit up.

Good start, did my morning beauty routine, walked the dog and have low carb Toulouse sausages and cherry tomatoes grilling for breakfast. Will make a mug of green tea too.

Ok first couple of days. I have managed to exercise two days, no booze for two days, did skincare routine. I also started on my feet. I foot filed and then used that remover stuff that turns dead skin to sludge to scrape off. Utterly gross but satisfying.

Epic fail on the water drinking though.

Glad it's not just me Polly! I am trying though, want them to look nice in strappy shoes or sandals for our night out at the end of the month.

Hair is managing to hold onto the dye I put on on Sunday which is good, I did think it'd wash out like last time. Maybe it's because it's a brown dye rather than red. Am going to put another on on Saturday...poor dp is going to town so will have to pick it up for me (hope he doesn't end up getting any looks with him being bald ).

Karbea would a tick list work for you maybe? One for morning, one for evening with a few bits on each?

I think I need to start wearing liner on my top lid again, my eyes look a bit wishy washy with just mascara and shadow now my hair's darker

Right, off to catch up on latest posts, seem to be a lot since I last caught up. Have a good Tuesday all

NotAgainTrevor I had to chuckle at your post about your epic post, that's usually me waffling away for pages ....or lots of mini posts because I can never remember who posted what & get myself in a pickle

vvv nice to see you back How's the new job going?

Hello,

I've had blueberries, yogurt and muesli for breakfast. And I've taken my chipped red nail varnish off and painted them in a pale translucent pink.

I also plucked my eyebrows last night...

Baby steps!

Lucysmam, yes I think so. I think if I had a list and had to check in with you all, I might keep to it.

I think my biggest issue is diet I eat sooooo much rubbish, I just feel lethargic and grumpy, so can't be bothered :/

Mind you, if I felt good about my self maybe I'd be encouraged to eat better...

Chicken or egg!

Realised I had let things slip ages ago but finally made the effort on 1st May:

• Cut down the booze - am planning to be "dry" through May then just a couple of times a week (rather than most evenings ). OK so far but have a business "do" next week so there may be the odd slip!
• Drinking more water
• Muesli for breakfast rather than a pastry from Costa. Fruit rather than biscuits when I fancy a snack
• Back to the gym - need to lose just over a stone to look passable in a bikini, although I'll still wear it regardless!
• Have booked hair appointment for next week - fancy a new style - just need to decide what!
• Repainted toenails last night, although probably won't last long due to running around without shoes a lot of the time

Am really motivated so far but not sure how long it will last!

I think my other issue is sleep. I have to wake up at 5:20 twice a week for work, so I end up feeling like I've jet lag most of the time :/

Ok am back! I tried on clothes for a v special event on Sat and by god those mirrors in the changing rooms are not forgiving! I never try on clothes any more and I was able to see my self from three angles.

I have really let my self go. I cried all fucking weekend about it and then I thought feck it. No more!!
So here is the list.

Daily showers- No two ways about it, I smell. I need to take care of that

Water- I am on it already

Vitamin- Started today

Skin care routine-

I love La Hirons but I cant afford it so am going to modify it with what I can pick up in Boots. I know she rates the Botanical cleanser and thats about three quid.

Buy new bras. -

Am going to measure tonight and go in tomorrow. I can only afford one so will make it a good one so if anyone has any suggestions for one for every day use including exercise fro the large of chest I would appreciate it!

Exercise- Have found the shred online- 3 x week

Walking- Just to get the fresh air and get out of the house.

Haircut - I have a voucher so that is happening this friday!

Thats what I am starting with. the teeth, the weight, I will deal with seperately but its a start

TakeMeUp there is a very good reason I haven't bought any new clothes in ages, and haven't spent money my parents have me to get new clothes for my new job.... I'd have reacted the same way as you to a changing room mirror. Horrendous things.

Baby steps. You'll get there. When I started this process I was in full frump mode, and I never thought I'd get out of it, but having the list up here to be accountable to, and the thread to chat and get advice on has really helped. I actually got out of bed last night to do might night routine because even though I was shattered, it didn't feel right not to have done it. It's all about forming the habits. It will get easier :)

Had a bit of a pamper evening last night as DH was out and did my feet with one of those evil ebay chinese exfoliating socks.

Managed to drink two litres of water so getting there with the water and no alcohol for three nights now.

DH just bought a full length mirror for our bedroom and I tried on my bikini. Oh dear! Six weeks until our holiday too.

Already exercising like mad (Ripped in 30 after completing Shred), but if anyone knows anything that works on wobbly, 2 c-sections in my 40s stomachs, please let me know).

Quick update...

I am doing yoga (more important than ever as work stress is making me feel quite desperate and sick)

Setting out my clothes the night before (working well, I'm trying out new things instead of rotating the same old four outfits all the time)

Skincare going OK. Had a bad reaction to a moisturiser with SPF so that is out but the serum and night cream are both good. Got a muslin and have tried the hot cloth cleansing, happy with results so far.

Flossing is up to date!

Two pounds down on this week's weigh in. No sugary crap eaten.

Takemeup my favourite sports bra is the Panache underwired one:

www.lessbounce.com/sports-bras-underwired/panache/panache-sports-bra_ct485bd209pd59.htm

I'm 34H, it fits really well, excellent support and still gives a nice shape, not just squashing everything flat. Expensive but you could possibly find one cheaper on Amazon or ebay.

Ok if I join you?
Started SW today (doing it by myself as have all the books).
Booked in to get my nails done after work.
Went for a walk before work this morning.

Hey, sorry for lack of posts, I have been trying to keep up with the thread but not succeeding very well (blardy work!).

I'm managing to do a fair bit despite sore gums, but shredding will have to wait until AF has left the building (due Monday). Weightloss is coming along well, I am down from 10st 1/8th lb last Tuesday morning to 9st 9 5/8th lb this morning.

I went for my bikini wax yesterday and my lovely, wonderful waxing lady said 'have you lost weight again?'! I had to admit I'd put it on since I last saw her though. She also commented on me having completely changed my style over the last few months - hair, clothes, the works. I so wanted to spill the beans on these threads!

My efforts to dress for the job I want, not the job I have has had an undesired effect. I am now being given the work of someone one if not two grades more than me, but with out any pay or other kind of recognition. Humph. Might have to start dressing like a drudge again

Oo hello. Can I join again. I'll read the thread to get inspired.