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?

I had a shiatsu massage yesterday which was luffly. The rogue 2lbs have dropped off again (phew) and am moisturising.

If I get time over Easter I will start going through my clothes and ditching all the stuff I will neverfit into wear again.

I might do some fake tan over Easter too, not that there's any chance of me showing any naked limbs until it's at least 20 degrees!

Be strong, Jemima - just think of all the beautiful clothes you could buy with your prize money!!

Oh, and to all those who are fake-tanning... How do you do it? I am a total tanning novice, but have been experimenting with Garnier Summer Body gradual tanner. I was quite pleased with the results the first day I applied it, but by the second day it was looking really dark and patchy - horrible! What am I doing wrong? Should I be exfoliating first, and if so, how? And should I be applying it with a mitt? Your top tips gratefully received...

Omg - I've realised that I think I look fine UNTIL I use the lethal combination of a magnifying mirror AND wearing my reading glasses AND a good light.

Good lord, it's not good!

Lazy I exfoliate with those stretchy scrubby gloves in the shower because I find body scrubs a bit messy and a faff. Then I moisturise any dry bits (feet, elbows, knees and hands mostly). I apply the tan using disposable gloves or just my hands. Use very sparingly over afore mentioned dry bits. Et voila! If this sounds like I'm an expert, I'm not, hence the need to practice now before the weather warms up.I usually use fake tan for a few weeks then get fed up of putting it on.

Well done Leftie and Jemima on the weight loss, and Jemima, resist the birthday cake!

I really need to do something about my appearance. Reading this trying to motivate myself! Turned into a fat mousey frump over last few years. Started off as a healthy "don't need to be totally dolled up for work, where no one sees me" to "at least I'm clean, that'll do". Stopped dying my hair and wearing contacts, put on 4 stone. Had various reasons, but running out of excuses now...

Omg - I've realised that I think I look fine UNTIL I use the lethal combination of a magnifying mirror AND wearing my reading glasses AND a good light.

Good lord, it's not good!

I also want to sort myself out but I keep thinking now I'm in my 50s is their any point. That's stupid, isn't it? It's never too late to start improving yourself?

I need to lose weight, drink less, get a good hair cut, teeth whitened, ears re-pierced, wear a bit of make up but not sure what, dress more smartly, wear jewellery. I suppose I'm worried people will think it really weird if I suddently start looking much better!

Maud magnifying mirrors are the devils work, smash it immediately! I'd be willing the risk the bad luck.
Truffle go for it! You'll get a few "ooh, you look nice, are you off out somewhere?" And then people will stop mentioning it. My MIL did a total style overhaul after her divorce in her late 40s, it did her the world of good and now she is always glam, puts me to shame!

I'm inspired by all of you! Truffle yes it's worth it, you'll be amazed at how soon the little changes we do manage to make begin to have an effect - both visually and mentally! I have let myself go in some ways over the past couple of years but I intend to sort myself out bit by bit. I'm choosing to concentrate on a couple of changes at a time though as I easily get overwhelmed. I genuinely do believe that results start to show very quickly but I have real trouble with comfort eating at the moment and, despite spouting all this positive stuff to others, I need to snap out of this lethargy, boredom, pure laziness or whatever it is. Why do we sabotage all our good efforts when we know it's so worth making that effort??? Good luck with whatever changes you're all working on...

Meant to add that I have already made a couple of changes. I have a regular skincare routine, a great hair cut and wear makeup and jewellery every day despite not working at the moment. I want to feel good forme! This week's aims are to body brush and use body lotion every day. Oh and to get my nails in good condition again.

Can I join you? I have 22lbs to lose to regain my pre-preg weight and I keep telling myself that I will only buy new clothes once I've lost the weight. The result is that I look lump and frumpy! Don't want to throw good money away though buying clothes that won't fit once I get my arse in gear and actually do something about the weight...

Can I join please? My hair has just had a cut but I have a really dry scalp which I need to sort out, I need to do something with my nails, lose weight and buy some clothes that are less frumpy . I also would like to start wearing jewellery again. I'm on a very tight budget .

Hello hello transformers!

I hit 40 recently started getting my soft and flabby Backside in gear...

So far I have...

• got back to healthy weight
• started wearing braces (so happy to have finally made this decision rather than wishing it)
• started using serum and doing moisturising twice a day
• stopped washing my hair everyday (love smell of clean hair but frizz is so much better)
• went to makeup counter and got foundation matched and lessons in makeup

Ongoing...

• excercise minimum 3 times a week as I'm still untoned
• drink more water
• cook and eat more salady stuff chocolate is not a salad food
• get really strict on clothes shopping. Only if something is sensational will I buy it I.e not have to suck my tummy in and pose for it to look nice

Fasting again! Easter weekend will be terrible, though. Never mind!

Truffle that is exactly why you should be doing it! I'm the wrong side of 45 and worried about diabetes, everything hurts, it all takes a lot longer to recover but if not now when? Let's not slip into decline, after all 50s really are the new 40s!

Thanks toomanyillustrations for the crest strips tip, mine are on order but going to look into invisalign as my teeth are no longer straight
Walked a mile today so thats a start and going back to the gym this weekend when this period is done as cant exercise when im this heavy flowing, too scared of leaks
Sorry if thats tmi
This thread is great, really making me think, tonight im going to sort my cuticles, trying to drink more water but only managing half a litre, any tips, drink more at gym but need to get there first

Started the week well.

Did yoga (loved it! I just need to make the effort to go) and swam 1k on Tuesday but today I am coming down with a cold and my period has started (get such cramps) and I just want to eat chocolate and sleep

My tips for water drinking are: always leave your glass full not empty ( ie drink then refill, I'm far more likely to drink when I see my full pint glass than think 'oh I'll get a drink in a minute....' And then never do. Also, I always drink after going for a wee (sorry tmi!) Just a habit I've got into. So it goes :- wee, drink, refill. I manage 6-8 pints a day.

maud My magnifying glass mirror lights up too. It is not a pretty sight!!!

Thanks newaveragebear keeping my glass topped up with water is a great idea, i know it already works with wine : )

Finally losing a bit of weight and a lovely top I bought but did not fit me now fits! Yippee. Started back at the gym and exfolitating. My hair colour is better but needs a good cut so thats next on the list.

Half way through the week and all is well, still no alcohol, bread, cakes, sweets etc. I was eyeing up the garlic bread but fortunately the DCs hoovered it up.

Quick4 every morning and night since Sunday, it may be psychological but I'm sure my clothes are less tight round the middle. In any case it's spurring me on to reject the chocolate and cake.

Tomorrows task are defuzz and manicure.

Well, I had breakfast meeting today and the client clearly thought I was at least 10 years younger than I am. I've been really taking care of myself and it shows.

I must keep going:)