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 done Jemima on winning!!
I am struggling today, DD has been a clingy tantruming nightmare so look and feel knackered. To add to that my clothes selection ended up being Jeggings and a oversize jumper (again) because comfort (and the ability to pick up a screaming toddler) wear needed. As a result of crappy day I am craving wine and chocolate and pizza and am not looking forward to low cal chicken and sweet potato for tea

*were needed

Eyebrows ✔
Gel nails ✔

New hairstyle today!

Happy Good Friday everyone .

Jemima well done! That is fantastic!

Harleen 3.5lbs of fat is 7 packs of butter/lard shifted from your arse/thighs/tummy. If you think of it that way it is an amazing achievement and depending on your starting weight, it is possible it's noticeable.

Hairspray I am "Angel" and proud of it!! People often ask me what lovely perfume I am wearing. I know MN frowns upon it but I luffs it!

Well, I had a dreadful day yesterday. Had so much work to do to give myself even a slim chance of having a proper Easter holiday, I ended up working until late at night. Ate chips, chocolate, drank wine. Big Sigh. Back to the drawing board today eh?

My footner is here but I think I will wait a bit longer before doing it as there's no chance of me ditching the socks and boots for a while yet.

Happy Easter everyone!

Well done everyone, its very inspiring, ive got so much to lose but reading all your posts is great motivation.

Oh I need to do this too...

Problem is I'm breastfeeding. Obviously I can't diet too much or my supply will tank. I've got 4 stone to shift (waaaaahhhhh) and it's not baby weight. I was a tiny size 8 until my mid thirties then I've just gotten fat.

Tips pleeeease!! I can sort the grooming out but I need to shift some lard. I'm doing as much as I can excercise wise but I'm restricted as my spd was horrific and still not in any condition to run or do anything high impact. No gyms or pools accessible and even if they were, Velcro baby ds can't be left.

Help me!

Had my eyebrows hd'd this week and they're looking great. I've made more of an effort in wearing jewellery too and had lots of people noticing and complimenting me on that. Just looking as though I'm making more of an effort I suppose!

Haworthiia how old is your baby?

When I bf the weight just dropped off me. I sat there scoffing chocolate bars and cream cakes and was a size 10 (smaller than when I conceived) by the time DD and DS were about 5 months.

I have been through most of my clothes today and have two bin liners full. Still have two double wardrobes jam packed with clothes though ( and lord knows how much in the loft!) I should really go through my jeans mountain too. I have about forty sixty pairs and maybe three pairs that fit me right now

I would love to join you all in the transformations.

After having DD I was back into my old trousers and at my normal weight about 6 months after. I was briefly put on medication that made me blow up like a balloon and, despite coming off it after 2 weeks, am still 1st 3lbs over. I am having a real crisis of confidence in myself at the moment so need to do something.

Things I have done this week:

Gutted my wardrobe out, ruthlessly
Painted my Nails
Bought a nice top, new skirt and (because the rest had holes) socks .
Started using My Fitness Pal
Cut out chocolate, crisps, random snacks and replaced with fruit
Dye'd my hair
Stopped abusing my hair by straightening and blow drying it! It looks quite nice with my natural curl and can only withstand so much after dying!

Things I intend to buy:

Bras (I have 3 that fit after my clear out)
Dress (or two) for summer
New jeans (because the ones I own ripped at the seams because of my new buldge )
Accessories like belts, scarves, pretty hair clips. I have lots of OK outfits which would look lovely with the right belt or scarf or necklace.

Lifestyle changes:

Exercise - 15 mins once a day (I am the same as a PP said - all or nothing)
Drink at least 2 glasses of water a day (one in the morning and one in the eve)
No caffeine after 6
Less sugar in my tea
Wean off Pepsi - At the moment I am down to one a day, which is HUGE as I was drinking a bottle a day
Exfoliate and moisturise after showering

I think that's enough to be going with for now. I have a lot of work to do

3.5lbs of fat is 7 packs of butter/lard shifted from your arse/thighs/tummy

that is shocking isnt it. I have about 20 lbs of butter to shift...when you put it like that..

Aramynta - love your lifestyle changes. Mind if I pinch them?

They seem really achievable!

littleleftie

He's almost six months. I had terrible hyperemesis for nine solid months and once I'd given birth I was so, so hungry... Everyone says they lost weight bfing but I seem to be putting it on!

I look awful - very Apple shaped and hideous. It's depressing as hell. He doesn't sleep more than an hour at a time so I'm utterly shattered - I live off tea and toast :(

I also changed shape completely after having DC. I was really pear shaped before and I now I am barrel apple shaped.

He will start to sleep eventually - is he eating food yet? That should help I think - sorry it has been quite a while as mine are big scary teens now.

You are using your body to feed another little person so be really gentle on yourself. Maybe think about the other stuff like nails, skin etc and tackle the weight later?

He's been on solids for two months...sigh, makes no difference to his sleeping :(

Honestly, skin hair and nails are fine (my skin is ok, my hair is really thick and my nails are going to carry on being nibbled daily because long nails make me squirm..)

It's just the fat, the horrible horrible fat. It needs to be gone. There's no amount of grooming or accessories that are going to make me look ok. I need to lose weight.

I've just found this thread, it's brilliant! I've been working on this for about 2 years now. I had a rough couple of years and really let my appearance go, which really impacted my self confidence. These things have made me feel a lot better. In the past 2 years I have:

Had my legs, bikini and underarms lasered so no more shaving.
Had a small plastic surgery job on my ears that made a huge difference.
Started having eyebrows and top lip threaded every two weeks.
Had a breast reduction and lift.
Bought professional hair dye and learnt to do my own roots every two weeks.
Started having regular Botox.
Had a Brazilian keratin blow outs to take the frizz out of my hair.
Had my tear troughs filled so my eyes no longer look hollow.
Started taking vitamins.
Lost about 10 pounds.
Got that babyliss big hair thing- brilliant.
Dramatically reduced my drinking.
Started going to bed much earlier whenever I can.
Switched to all decaf coffee and tea.
Started exfoliating every other day.

I feel an awful lot better. And very overdrawn, but it feels worth it.

V recently I started eating a square of jelly every day when I realised it strengthens my crappy, papery nails.

The things I'd like to do still are:
Get a regular water drinking habit.
Do the 30 day shred, yoga or run everyday (I am v wobbly, esp bum and thighs and arms)
Whiten my teeth (I did it years ago but it really hurt and it's put me off)
Floss everyday
Find out how to get rid of the dry spotty skin on my arms.
Clear out my wardrobe until I like everything in it.
Work out how to look more tanned without getting skin cancer.
Take make up off and moisturise every night, no matter how tired I am.

Any tips on the above?

Oh and get into always having my nails done instead of just doing them before I go on holiday. But I never seem to have the time to let them dry. When do other people do their nails?

Caramelslice - I do mine twice a week around 10pm usually whilst I'm watching rubbish tv. Give them a full manicure on a Sunday evening, and then a wipe and paint on a Thursday evening.

That's about enough for me.

I need to catch up properly - make up and clothes are OK, hair is so-so, it's diet and exercise that need lots of work!

Haworthia, low carb might help
Will post more at some point

Morning! Love this thread, even if some of the suggestions are a little more extreme than I'm ready for (fillers, botox, plastic surgery...) I'm way too scared for that!

Good day yesterday. Had my hair cut and bought some new navy pumps in Clarks with 20% off. Wore a yellow sweater from the Next sale and got compliments on how well I looked, yellow seems to suit me. Felt very spring-like wearing yellow and walking around town with an armful of daffodils wrapped in brown paper from the florist

Unfortunately I have woken up with really bad period pains. Am drinking herbal tea and waiting for the Nurofen to kick in. Today's outfit will be designed to hide the PMT bloat - skinny jeans, denim shirt, navy cable sweater, navy pumps. Am helping out with as children's workshop in church later so I hope the Nurofen works quickly!!!

Motherb thanks -! Your nails are really lovely. Regular and late sounds a good approach. I'm going to aim for Friday nights for now and see how I get on.
Also, I see someone above is aiming for two glasses of water a day. So sensible, I've been aiming for 10 and ending up with none. Going to start with two in the morning and see how I get on.
Jemima (cute name), I know what you mean about plastic etc. But I was an J cup and i was so embarrassed. I'm 9 stone so it looked odd on me. Having them reduced and lifted has made me feel so great. The Botox - if you have very small amounts very regularly, you just look like yourself but fresher - like you slept well. Not for everyone I know, but again, it makes me feel good. I was looking in the mirror and thinking 'oh no', but now I feel like I look like myself again.

jemima that look sounds like something from a film! I bared my ankles for the first time and felt very cold spring-like. Agree that motherb has awesome nails - and I'm copying the manicure plan.
Today I will do two things to transform myself!!!

Morning everyone! I'm feeling rubbish today, so reading all your positive stories has cheered me up and spurred me on as I woke up thinking very negatively about the big chocoholiday ahead! I had a terrible night last night with teething ds and once he slept I couldn't get back to sleep so lay there thinking about all the rubbish food I've eaten because that will help won't it? and feeling frustrated with myself. I was all set to give up and eat my body weight in chocolate but now I'm not. So, the next few days: 1) going to my parents for a few days tomorrow with the children. This in itself isn't a problem as they are sugar free dieters (but they buy goodies for the kids so its a test of willpower.)/ but it gives me some daytime company and some childcare so I might be able to get out with my older two to the park or for a walk. 2) going to re-read Michael Mosley ready to start sugar free eating on Monday. There's a new blood sugar diet thread on mn and it seems like the people finishing the 8 weeks have lost a lot of weight! 3)might go for a mooch round the shops with dh this morning and still have a next voucher to spend; 4) my bank holiday task was to continue kondo-ing my wardrobe but I'm in danger of having no clothes left as I don't like an of them!
Has Anyone got any tips for how to combat pmt? My cycle is so messed up with pcos and post pregnancy so I'm virtually constantly either due on or on (tmi!) and I'm sure this affects my mood and my willpower with junkfood! Things like evening primrose oils etc- would they help?

You mentioned not having time to let your nails dry caramelslice seche vite top coat is amazing, it dries your nails rock hard in a few minutes, so no more dents or smudges. And your polish will last much longer before chipping.There is a knack to putting it on (thickly over WET nail varnish). It's my holy grail nail product!

Fabulous thread - just what I need. I am 3 stone overweight and turn 40 next year and I look at myself and think "what the hell happened?" I have made a few changes - I gave up sugar for Lent but haven't lost an ounce because my wine consumption skyrocketed to compensate. (I kidded myself that white wine "doesn't count.") I also joined a weight loss boot camp which meets 3x a week. The biggest issue is time - I work f/t and feel as though I should spend every non-work minute with my 3 children. I now realize that my boot camp time will benefit them too - if I'm knackered and grouchy all the time it impacts our family time.

Also my stomach muscles are shot - severe recti diastasis - and I am scheduled for a tummy tuck in September. But the surgeon told me I need to lose weight first or the results will be "compromised".

I will be checking in regularly!