I'm going to transform myself - would anyone like to join me?

[BeautifulMaudOHara]

I need to get a grip and I think posting here might help me!

I need to lose some weight, concentrate on personal grooming and give myself a makeover, generally. I want to look and feel better and up my look at work.

Is anyone else interested in joining me?

My aims and ideas are (yours may be different):

Get my teeth bleached
Find out whether to (or how to) deal with my fairly new moustache FOR EVER
Ditto chin hairs
Sort out my fungal toenail
Get a new work wardrobe at some point
Get my nails gelled and keep them maintained
Give up sugar and carbs
Sleep enough, drink slightly less
Be happy!

I am generally, but I do need to look less like a hag, I have let myself go a bit and it's got to stop. Anyone else in?

Well, I lost a pound at fatfighters slimming world, which I didn't really deserve but this week I'm determined to be good. I'm not a big drinker, never in the week, but its the chocolate/sweet food for me which gets me so I'm just going to say NO this week. My footner treatment is finally all peeled and oh my god my feet look gorgeous. Very pleased. Tomorrow I have a few hours without the children, rare luxury, so instead of cleaning all day I'm going into town to: get measured properly for a bra. My own conservative measurements are miles off what i used to be before my last pregnancy and bf so I really don't know what size I am; get a max white toothbrush pen from asda; spend my Christmas next voucher; and also get a 5 day free trial of clinique foundation from debenhams.

On the subject of Superdrug skincare, last night I started with the Simply Pure Hydrating Serum (£2.69). It's been very well reviewed by Sali Hughes and others. It felt nice and more expensive than it is, but it's too soon to say what it'll do for my skin. If it's any good, I'll report back in a few weeks.

I am really keen to put together a sustainable beauty regime, comprised of cheap but effective products. Too often I have started with an expensive wonder product, and then when the bottle runs low, realised I do not have the means to keep my routine going! So keep the budget recommendations coming...

LazyCake, yes to splurging on fancy expensive skincare Caroline Hirons made me buy it and then realizing that it's going to cost you a fortune if you want to keep using it. I got the Zelens acid pads in the Cult Beauty box, bloody brilliant but at £65 for less than 2 months worth, that's not really going to fly. So I too need more budget friendly wonder products.

I love a cheap beauty deal too, so glad you liked my link! It's good stuff.
I use soap&glory ultimelt as a hot cloth cleanser, but it's not all that - and for £10 it needs to be for my budget! Going to try the Superdrug one next - has anyone here tried it?

I have decided I need a poncho for Spring style

Yes, I have read the Caroline Hirons cheat sheets and tried to extrapolate the basic principles. I use the Clearasil Superfruits salicylic pads that she recommends for impoverished teenagers, but every else just sounds so outrageously expensive. (I'm currently a student so have the budget of a teenager, but sadly the skin of a knackered 30-something ).

But I do think many of the £££ products are only marginally better than the cheapies. I think that the most important thing is a consistent regime, regardless of what products you are using.

Ooh, yes - I am currently trialling the Superdrug Naturally Radiant hot cloth cleanser. Haven't tried the Vitamin E one, but may do so soon. However, I am not convinced that Naturally Radiant gives me better results than plain old almond oil or coconut oil.

Continuing the theme of shoestring beauty... for my hot cloth cleanse I have been using Tesco's value dish cloths, 75p for a pack of 5. I have dozens and dozens, so can just sling each one in the wash after one use. The texture is rough and gives me good exfoliation, but might be too harsh for some. Obviously, I am careful to keep them apart from my actual dishcloths!

I have also been trying out the cheapie moisturisers that get touted as Creme de la Mer dupes. My conclusions: Nivea a bit heavy and doesn't absorb well, Astral = very nice, and Atrixo = heaven!! The other night, I slathered my face in Atrixo and massaged it rather firmly with my Body Shop facial roller (£8) while I was watching telly. The next day I was all plump and glowy!!

Love this thread it has really motivated me this week. As I like to break convention I started 'the new me' on Sunday but since then I've stuck to no alcohol, no sweet stuff and quite by chance no bread. I feel so much better and I'm no where near a bloated so everything fits better.

I've manicured and pedicured and made more effort in my clothes, in fact I was asked at work if I was going for an interview.

Just got to keep it up now but I'm actually enjoying the challenge. Next step is to have a wardrobe sort out.

Thanks for the the Superdrug serum recs.

Today I did my 10,000 steps again, carrying heavy bags! I'm exhausted.

Foodwise not too bad, avoided unhealthy snacks even though I was tempted as I was out and hungry on the way home. Did have pudding at teatime.

Beautywise, I'm keeping up with my basic make-up and skincare routine, but nothing more. I read about dehydrated skin, this may sound like a stupid question, but how do I know if my skin is dehydrated?

Lazycake, I always wear a bit of cologne in bed:) and if you can, get some glamourous nightwear - it makes such a difference somehow.

I had my eyebrows waxed once or threaded I think and it was so painful! And I have been waxed everywhere. I pluck mine, I'm too scared of the pain.

I've got to clean all my shoes and boots today and I'm thinking about going through my wardrobe at some point before the weather changes. Oh, and I finally did the footner so waiting with bated breath for the peel:)

info from La Hirons on dehydrated skin

My HG moisturiser is Olay 7 effects, it's brilliant and usually on half price somewhere. Nivea always makes me spotty, which, when combined with my wrinkles fine lines, is not a good look.

Right. Will start afresh today!

pavonia I read somewhere that you can tell if your skin is dehydrated by looking at your lips. Also be pressing it. If skin bounced right back = not dehydrated. With the lips, if they're starting to get chapped and flaky then it's likely you need to hydrate. Mine have started to crack right in the corners. Must drink more water.

Walk to work today - I wear a Fitbit style wristband not a Fitbit and need to get my 10000 steps. I also started this challenge with mapmywalk to walk 1000km this year. Falling behind as so far have only done 220km. And it's almost April!!!

Going to start the day with a omelette and a cup of hot water and lemon.
I need to buy a body scrub or start body brushing. Does anyone already body brush? Any tips ?
I'm hitting my 10k steps a day put failing on the water intake

Love the idea of some glamorous nightwear, lavender, but don't want to raise DH's expectations unfairly!!

I bodybrush, Donge, but no where near as diligently as I should. I bought one off Amazon that was well-reviewed and then watched a YouTube tutorial by a 20 year-old with an intimidatingly smooth and taunt bikini bod. It's common sense really, you brush up legs and arms, always going towards the heart. The pressure should be firm and invigorating but not painful. Obviously, be gentle with more delicate bits of skin. I am yet to transform into the girl in the video, but if done regularly it definitely helps skin to look fresher, brighter and smoother. Also, you use the brush dry and it lasts forever, so you don't have to keep buying product.

Thanks to those who have posted info about de-hydrated skin. Very interesting.

Morning - I have been reading daily since this thread started and am loving the tips - with regards to the acid pads. Following la Hirons, I bought the Malin & Goetz from Space NK which are glycolic and £38 for 50, after firing through the first tub, in 50 days, went back to Space NK, to grudgingly purchase another tub, was moaning about the price and the super nice sales guy, told be that three times a week and cut each pad in half will give you the same result and they will last much longer - he was right they do. Another tip he gave me was as expensive as you can for serums and eye cream and you can use a much cheaper moisturiser. Also and this I loved, was if you have a skin care system that works for your face, body and wallet then do not buy stuff that is expensive unless you can a) get a sample first, or b) be prepared to chuck your money away coz if you do't like the product that is essentially what you do!!!!

For salicylic pads, Nip and Fab Dragons blood done three times a week (again I cut them in half) are great usually on 3 for 2 in boots. Also only use an acid one a day - they can with prolonged use thin the skin.

However I have now purchased a Body shop roller and like PP have started 30 mins rolling when watching TV in the evening - definite improvement!!

Excellent, positive thread!
I'm planning on:
-Chucking (or eBay-ing) all the tat from my wardrobe, only buying quality, timeless items when I do shop now, rather than cheap, child-labour produced rubbish.
-Regular eyebrow maintenance
-Regular pedicures/home manicures
-More sleep

May I suggest for those on a budget/dentist phobic two things that have changed my life -

1. A good electric toothbrush...I no longer need a hygienist appointment when I see my dentist and he always comments on how clean my teeth are, and
2. A good quality women's multivitamin tablet, and probiotics (capsule, good quality ones from health shops, not those sugar laden horrid drinks).

Small things that improve your overall health and sense of wellbeing. Not to mention better skin and hair if your diet is a bit lacking.

This thread is costing me a fortune!
Had hair cut today, and have joined up to bootcamp fitness programme! Have just been shopping and bought new foundation, superdrug resurfacing serum, clearisil pads, body lotion and box hair dye (can't stretch to salon this month).

Have stayed on track with diet and water and no wine since Tuesday. Planning steak and wine tomorrow, but no chips, just lots of veg.

Have been taking far more care over clothes and make up. Poorly toddler though, so could do with a bit more sleep!

Feeling much happier in myself already, and even DH has commented on it! Need to find some earrings to wear day to day, and still waiting for creststrips to arrive.

Am using time stuck under sleeping DS to watch blow drying videos on YouTube now and have footer on

I've put a body brush in my Amazon basket but I don't know if I'd actually do it, I should though shouldn't I.

I've felt really sad the past few days, don't want to be a Debbie Downer on the thread but I just feel so ugly. I've been eating crap which doesn't help this feeling so I really need to reset and follow my own advice rather than just wallowing.

Do it Hairspray!

That's exactly how I felt a couple of weeks ago, and it's only taken a couple of changes to make me feel so much better. I'm the world's biggest grump a lot of the time, and I get stuck in a cycle of feeling crap, feeling sorry for myself, and feeling like it's not worth making the effort.

For me it is definitely diet based, but it's so hard to flip the switch isn't it? Even though you know eating crap will make you feel worse, you still do it. I don't have any advice really, because I know that nothing that anyone else says will make me snap out of it when I'm down.

Be kind to yourself though, don't beat yourself up for being sad. Can you have a bubble bath/massage/cup of tea, anything that is a treat that isn't food based? Something that will lift your mood and make you feel worth looking after. Chin up

You're not the only one who has been eating crap, Hairspray. Have just finished my second packet of crisps today. .

I think I'm just going to do bits of grooming when it pleases me to, and make 'good' food choices when I feel I can. When I am too strict my inner rebel kicks off and before long I am back where I started, only feeling twice as demoralised!

Perfect is that enemy of good, and all that shite....

Hello everyone. Terrible on the food front but I ordered some new work clothes today so that's a start.

I've had a good day, but didn't manage to get into town because our kitchen tap disintegrated and I had to wait in for a plumber! So the house is immaculate, but me, not so much. The plumber who came had freakishly exceptionally white teeth, they must have been treated (or dentures!) But i didn't dare ask him unless he thought i was chatting him up. I did do a follow up 'kondo clear out' in my wardrobe and put some bits onto eBay, plus have eaten really well. I've been reading the michael mosely blood sugar diet, has anyone else read it? I found it interesting as I have had gd in my last 2 pregnancies and iblame being on insulin for my 4 stones of baby weight this time! So I've gleaned a bit from his plan and had zero sugar today, plus made lentil soup. Can feel the weekend brewing though, a trip to IKEA and a family party don't bode well.....

Hi - can I join?

I've been slowly improving my appearance after losing quite a lot of weight.

So far I've managed to keep up the following:

Nails polished with Gellish

Make up done every day

Cleanse & moisturise daily, using a night cream as well

Hair maintained - cut & coloured every three months, washed & blow dried every day

Eyebrows & top lip threaded every two weeks ( I'm very dark)

Getting fitted for bras that fit properly

I still need to work on:

Keeping up the Philips Lumea - very time consuming

Losing a further 14lbs - I just can't find the motivation to shift the last stone

Exercising - I don't enjoy it at all

Finding clothes that suit/flatter me and are comfortable

Hope I can use this thread as motivation to get on top of all these things

Just managed 8000 steps on a walk, no wine since Sunday, still being good diet wise. Although I haven't lost pounds, I have lost the "bloat". That's what makes me feel really sluggish, heavy and generally fat and frumpy more so than the number on the scale. But those first few days of staying away from the bread, crisps and sugar I think really do give you a little lift. My task tonight is to think ahead to the weekend. I will want to have a few glasses of wine which is fine because I'm not eliminating all together but don't want to have a weekend of pigging out on crap so I might do some meal planning tonight and shop tomorrow for the weekend. Let's hear everyone's weekend plans to stay in the zone.

Hi everyone

Lots of motivation here.

Usually I walk daily and exercise 2-3 times a week, but the last few weeks have seen lots of illnesses (me and the children) which has meant driving them to school instead of walking, and I can really feel the difference - flabby AND moody (me). I feel very restless and grumpy when not out and active and busy!

I've set myself two challenges to try and get back on track: daily plank challenge and one day a week fast day.

Anyone who has had teeth whitened professionally, what methods did they do and how effective was it? How expensive and was there any sensitivity? Have any of you had this "laser whitening"? I'm interested in it because it's a one-session thing, doesn't involve trays and doing it at home. But I haven't actually asked my dentist yet if I'm a suitable candidate.

Checking back in. Toddler was home from nursery with fever yesterday after being ill all last weekend. I don't get anything done when she's around, so I'm feeling pretty set back . No exercise, terrible junk food bingeing, drinking almost no water, wearing no makeup, etc.

Moving on, I have castor oil on my eyelashes right now and an appointment for a manicure on Monday at a local beauty college. Cheapy cheapy. And I've ordered some Asian skincare product samples online to get a bit of excitement in my life.

And tomorrow I will run and drink water.