8 week beautifying plan to be gorgeous for holiday in May - but how?

[NeighbourhoodClock]

I'm 50 ish and want to feel wonderful when I go off to the sun in 9 weeks time, rather than wishing I'd done something beforehand to help myself look and feel better as is usually the case.

I'd like to lose about 5lbs, get my skin looking as good as it can, tone up, plus the usual hair nails, feet and feel more energetic.

Problem is i don't really know how to organise the next 8 weeks so I don't tire of the beautifying routine or peak too early.

Can anyone help me with a plan?

Oh god I could do with doing this.

Drink plenty of water, little or no alcohol
Make sure you get plenty of sleep
Eat properly (obv)
Maybe do something like the couch to 5K running plan to tone up?

Now if only I could practise what I preach...

Things to start NOW:

5 lbs in eight weeks is definitely an achievable weight loss. Do you exercise? Could you join a gym or start doing an exercise DVD 3-4 times a week?

Diet - cut back on refined carbs and sugar and salt (too much makes me puffy faced). And booze and caffeine (what fun ) and start drinking more water.

Start using a body scrub or body brush in the shower and moisturising all over every day now. Just a few weeks of taking care of my skin like this makes me feel much better when I have to start baring bits of my body that dont usually see the light of day.

Start looking for swimwear or a few bits of clothing you feel good in.

2-3 weeks beforehand:

I'd get your hair done (cut, coloured etc), so the colour has time to settle before sun exposure and you get used to your style (if youre going for a new style).

A few days beforehand:

I book in for a manciure, gel pedicure (doesnt start chipping in pool or sea water) + waxing and a spray tan a few days before a holiday, but do whatever hair removal works for you and use a gradual tanning moisturizer if you find spray tans scary or too fake.

Excellent advice from balls above ^^

Great advice ^.

Will you be on a beach? If so, take to keep the sun off your hair with a hat, or a leave in sunscreen/conditioner. It will bake on and then, in the evening when you wash it out in the shower to get ready, you hair will emerge soft and lovely, rather than straw like.

Id encourage you, if you don't already have regular manicures and pedicures, to schedule at least two before you go, say four weeks apart. You might be so please with the results that you keep it up all year round. My nails are OK and i never paint them ( unless going to a beach). Even nude, with the nails trimmer evenly and the cuticles tidied they look soooo much better.

Enjoy.

Have fun.

Oh I'll join you!

Start today, I'm going to attempt a run.
Well run walk run walk.

Come home have a shower, body scrub and lash on the moisturiser.
Up the water intake and cut down carbs.

Oh, I've also started taking fish oils again.
I always notice my skin looks better when I remember to take them

This sounds fun, might join you!

I agree re fish oils. I have a heart problem and my cardiologist recommends them . Bonus is my skin is really improved . That and a few drops of Trilogy Rosehip oil every night . I am in my fifties and these steps work for me!

I'm away in 8 weeks too and I'm desperate to start losing a bit of weight and sorting my skin/hair out. I've ordered a cheap footner from Amazon and will moisturise day and night due to very dry skin.
I've done a clean eating plan, and only alcohol one night a week.
I've started today with a (clean) eggs Benedict.

5lbs in 9 weeks! I'm going away at the same time, and I've got 20lbs to lose and I think that's do-able . . . isn't it? Paul McKenna gastric band thingy to start with, then 30 Day Shred when I've lost a bit and can keep it going without thinking I'm going to die.

For me, the weight loss is pretty much the key to everything - are you going on an active holiday, or lying in the sun?

Thanks for all the great responses. My holiday will be mostly lazing around and socialising in the evenings. Might have a few trips to the beach, but mainly around the pool I'd guess.

I'm already a member of a gym - just have to go there

Good luck everyone.

I'm away in under two weeks. Luckily I've not had weight to lose, but I did want my tummy to look flatter, and reduced appearance of cellulite.

I see a PT weekly anyway, and I try to do a session of weights in between, and possible something else (tennis or a run or a cycle say). When I keep this up and work HARD, I love how my body responds (eg: Friday I did a circuit of 10 lunges on each leg, 10 squats and press, 10 press ups, 10 tricep dips, followed by 20 reverse crunches, 20 double crunches, 20 plank shoulder taps and 20 cycle crunches. After 1 circuit, the weight reps went up to 12, then 14, then back down to 12 and 10. Takes about 40 mins, and I use 5k weights for the squats and lunges too. I'm trying to do the following every day this week (different challenge each week): 5 burpees, 10 squats, 15 press ups. As many of these sets as possible in 10 mins).

I'm also exfoliating weekly and moisturising more often (maybe averaging every other day), and using Flexitol on my heels daily.

I've just booked to have my fingers and toes Shellaced the day before we fly.

Wheeze I've got 20lb to lose as well!

I'd like to join you too! My holiday is in June. But it's more that I need to look after myself better, and that's a good reason to get started. It's also a really nice way to make the most of the holiday IME, by looking forward to it .

Might even do my MuTu exercises this evening at last?

TurnOver - I think we can do it .

Paul McKenna is the way forward -I started a few days ago and my appetite has just been switched off. I don't eat loads, I just eat rubbish usually - need to get down to 150lbs as I feel so much better at that weight.

I've worked out its 2.1lb per week I've got lots of stuff coming up though so will have to try super hard. I want to get to 135lb if I can

Cane and Austen Miracle Pads have made an huge improvement to my skin in under a month. They are expensive: 60 in a pot and they suggest 2 a day but I use one once a day-in the evening- and the result is noticeable.

A month ago I bought a BOSU ball, and Ive never felt more toned. It is Fab! (Bought the cheaper Medicarne one off Amazon as its pretty much the same). Tummy is visibly improved, and it hurts, in a good way!

I've seen those at the gym, no idea what they are for!

Please stop with all this drink lots of water

Eat less if you think you should, exercise more, don't smoke, don't drink too much, wear sunscreen. Don't believe there's any miracle product out there. I'll lose weight because I know that will help when I'm in the heat and walking round for hours and hours every day, but, it's not because of anything other than that. Really . . . just enjoy your holiday .

And Ronald is right - if you need more water, you'll be thirsty. So, drink. There isn't a miracle cure coming from the tap either; your body's got that one sorted out naturally.

I mean drink water instead of alcohol!
I like having a drink in the evening. I plan on sparkling water and ice and a slice instead of G&T.

Same here GiniCooper. Days can go by without me drinking anything other than diet coke, coffee and wine. I'm by no means advocating drinking 5 litres a day, just replacing bad liquids with good ones. It would always be water for me as I can't stand squash or milk.

Same here GiniCooper. Days can go by without me drinking anything other than diet coke, coffee and wine. I'm by no means advocating drinking 5 litres a day, just replacing bad liquids with good ones. It would always be water for me as I can't stand squash or milk.