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?

Hi all,
Just about sticking to drinking more water by drinking a glass as soon as i can stand in the morning and then topping up my glass all day till 5 or else will go toilet ten times in the night,
Also sticking to my asian beauty multi step skincare routine as its quite relaxing and think my skin looks better (i hope so anyway)
But I havent yet fit in defuzzing my supreme hairiness or sorted my nails, still feel so unkept, i used to love doing my nails
I know it takes 3 weeks to form a habit but will i ever even begin?
Going back to gym tonight and will continue to monitor what im eating.
Love reading all the updates as it reminds me what im aiming for, a better me.

Can I ask a question that is more suited to a novice teenager than a 32 year old? How can I stop my legs looking so dotty after I shave them?

This is a very inspirational thread, makes me want to really take care of myself. Just wanted to say that I have found Agnus Castus to improve pmt, you can get it in health food shops, I think evening primrose oil can help as well but you have to take quite a high dose. I still don't know how to avoid dotty legs after shaving and I am 48.

Thanks rick. I don't know if it is pmt because I don't get tearful or turn into a monster, but I get the bloating, the carb cravings, terrible insomnia and feel really down for 2 weeks out of 4. I will definitely try agnus castus.

What an amazing thread. So glad I found it!

Aramynta - 2 glasses of water I could manage. Thanks!

PaulineFowler - where could I buy Seche Vite from please? Sounds just what I'm after!

NewAverageBear - you may find that Starfloweroil/Blackcurrant oil capsules may benefit you more than Evening Primrose oil. It is richer in GLA, the hormone balancers. Will also help with atopic eczema too!

Seche vite is around £5 on ebay

Bear, I think it is worth a whirl, it really helps with sore boobs as well.
Going to do a few minutes of yoga now before the chocolate makes an appearance.

Not had any Easter eggs today...but I'm glad!

Although my son has had 6 or 7, no temptation for me!

Making an effort to eat breakfast in the mornings - my downfall is snacking on junk throughout the day because I'm hungry. I'm hoping that filling up on porridge will eradicate this!

Happy Easter all! I need to catch up on the latest posts but hope everyone is going well.

Haworthiia I had the same problem with BF, if I dieted my milk supply plummeted and I was absolutely starving all the time (BF gave me serious munchies). You could try the 30 day challenges, they take no more than about 5 mins to do and they start easy and get harder each day so you start to see the results. It's mainly strength and toning so no high impact stuff. It's a small thing but might help.

My weekend hasn't gone quite to plan, DD has been ill since Friday with her teeth (her back molars are coming in and she's in agony it's awful) so have struggled but tried to keep up with as much of my routine as poss.

In good news I have lost 3lbs this week and managed to resist the wine and chocolate weekend temptation. I also used my birthday money to treat myself to a couple of new outfits for the summer and I am really pleased with them. Went for a co-ord full skirt and top set and a jumpsuit. Way more daring than my usual safe choices. I have also decided to aim big and aim to try and wear a bikini on holiday - understanding I won't look like a Victoria's Secret model or anything - I want to be confident enough to be the best version of myself in it!

Checking in-

Consultant has prescribed new medication for my awful nerve pain which makes it very hard for me to walk for more than ten minutes.

It's called amitriptyline and was initially used as an antidepressant 100 years ago in large doses. somewhere along the line they found out if you take a tiny dose - 10mg, it can help with nerve pain. Great - except some patients double in size taking it and some lose weight. Apparently over 50% of patients stop taking it because of the weight gain. Fingers crossed eh?

I have been very good with moisturising and nails and my hair looks good today which always makes me happy. No easter eggs for me

Ordered a new dress from M&S ( I know!) as a reward for being so good with the choccy!

Happy Easter everyone.

MotherBeauty Of course you can!! I agree, two glasses of water a day is better than nought. Thought I would start small and work up once I get into the habit - I would only drink Pepsi and coffee before Also, love your nails. I do the same, Sunday is my day to take an hour, have a bath,, scrub raw and paint my nails!

I also like a PP's idea of filling the water glass every so often. I am also more likely to drink it when it's there!

Caramelslice How much of a difference did the surgery make to your confidence?

I have coveted a nose job since my teens when a bump started to form. I have thought long and hard about it and endlessly researched the procedure and really want to go ahead with it. It sounds ridiculous but it would lift a whole heap of insecurities I have had about my face over the years.

How did you finance it, if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks for the seche vote tip, I am proud wearer of lovely shiney nails today!

aramynta- amazing impact. I did a lot of research, went for several consultations, was confident in the surgeon. (Go for a surgeon who specialises only in the procedure you want and works a lot in the NHS - they will be super expertienced and super well qualified).
It's funny, I somehow didn't think I was 'allowed' to do it... But I went for a few consultations and something shifted. I just borrowed some money and did it. I'm happily paying it off monthly. I am so pleased I did it - it's not like I was a wreck before, I'm quite a confident person, but I feel so much more confident now. And more comfortable in my own skin. I sort of didn't realise how embarrassed I was about having overly large boobs or overly big ears until I got it fixed. I felt such relief. And free - like I can do what I want and change things that aren't working for me.
I didn't tell anyone but my husband and my best friend. Not because I was embarrassed, I just had no interest in other people's opinions on it once I had decided.
Maybe have a consultation - ask to see their before and after pics and google the surgeons name. See how you feel.

Just a transformation update- I ran both Sat and Sun, have done (basic) pedicure and wore full make up today (perhaps primer, highlighter, blusher, smoky eyes de trop for a 4th birthday party ).

I need to remember how awesome exercise makes me feel even though I hate doing it, and try to eat less crap! Will start weighing and measuring (me and my portions) tomorrow for MFP!

Well, 2 days of hotel living + easter chocs has set back my weight loss a bit, also a bit hormonal, so I will have to see how it is at the end of this week.

I bought a new top in the White Stuff sale that I am happy with and I tried out one of my new Revlon lip butters and was pleased with the look.

Have been having a think about what to do about my skin, I might try the Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion.

Hello everyone! Very happy family weekend but goodness, I look diabolical after wine, not enough sleep etc. We are away ths week so no point in trying to be sensible but I am doing SERIOUS no sugar, no carbs from Monday 4th. I may do 14 days with no alcohol as well. Eek!

Some very dreadful photos taken this weekend, urgh, urgh, urgh.

Heya guys
Fat frumpy 41 year old here with about 4 stone to lose and a lot of laziness to be replaced with great new habits!

Very inspiring thread! I have a week off work so great time to get started on Project Transformation!!

Got to find Fitbit charger and charge the blooming thing - get in at least 5k daily once done

Joining the gym tomorrow - aim to do the Zumba and yoga classes that I enjoy twice a week and use the power plate machine

Have booked in for a laser hair appt tomorrow - last went in Jan and missed Feb appt so very hairy faced at the moment!

Booking in for first ever shellac nails tomorrow!! I have nice hands but am rubbish with putting on nail varnish so never do!

Booking in for a chiropodist appt this week to sort my crusty dry feet!

Dying hair tonight to cover greys upswing nice and easy

Have arranged to meet friends throughout the week so will have nice hands at least to hide how fat I've gotten!

April will be teeth whitening month as my big treatment so will get something from Groupon and get that booked in

Hello,

Can I join? I always join the princes sing threads and never get very far.
But tbh I need it more than usual ATM.
Im eating really badly, not exercising, not doing very well with beauty stuff as we are living in a building site. Plus the house is a tip :/
Will have to be babysteps and probably sporadic, but I'll try...

Welcome new joiners

I didn't quite make it to low carbing today but tomorrow I am determined. I cannot fuck up any more.

I saw an acquaintance today while chatting to someone I knew- they gave me such a look up and down that I felt so crap, I know logically it's her problem but I need to regain my confidence to be able to say fuck her (in my head obviously, my etiquette book would frown upon it out loud!)

Morning everyone! Well its been a good bank holiday but
_--------------------------
That's me drawing a line. Its time to put the chocolate away! I'm still at my parents' but I've planned an entire week of low carb, sugar free meals and today I will order a shopping delivery to deliver tomorrow after I get home. Today I'm planning a walk into the town with my older 2 DC to paint pottery and on the way back I will have a mooch through the charity shops here (its in a very naice village and often there's good brands). Also hoping to get some peace to do my lumea and give my hair a proper blowdry while I've got someone to watch the baby. Diet is my main focus this week. Its 8 weeks until Whitsun week holiday and that could be over a Stone lost if I lose 2lb a week!

Still nothing good to report on the diet and exercise front. But last night I went out for dinner and cocktails with the girls fir a birthday, and I really made an effort. Were talking posh foundation, gorgeous eye make up, false lashes! I even bought a new outfit and had my nails done! It worked, I felt fab!

Drinking lots of water.
Steered clear of the Easter eggs.
Doing really well with my skincare routine.
Keeping up the weekly Elasticizer treatment on my hair.

Went for a long weekend to my mums and feel that i ate alot!! Fish and chips.. Chinese takeaway.. Pasta bake.. Roast dinner.. So although i didnt eat chocolate i definitely over did it!
Forgot my aveda damage reconstruction shampoo and conditioner so used Mums shampoo and conditioner and my hair felt like straw. Hair feels lovely again now im back and using the aveda.

Going to take my boys for a bike ride today for a bit of fresh air and exercise :)

starchaser I splashed out on a nice bikini from a lingerie shop for summer holiday last year. I groaned in the changing room at the sight of my wobbly, droopy bits. I complained about the lighting

The lovely young assistant kept saying. "Honestly. Don't worry. Everyone wears a bikini on the continent. They only wear one pieces in thier 90s. You look lovely."

She was right. Everyone was really relaxed. Women didn't mind showing their stretch marked bellies. It was great.

Hooray, have found my HG lipstick - MAC Faux (bday present as am usually more Maybelline than Mac). It's definitely 'my lips but better' and am tempted to bin all my others!!!

Next step is sorting out make up and beauty stuff kondo-style. Anything gathering dust or that doesn't really do anything will be binned/gifted.

That's the good, but ugh, I can't stop eating chocolate. I don't even like it (am more a crisp woman) but it's there, and I'm bored/fed up/etc. Oh well, tomorrow is a new day...

chilly I always bare the stomach flab on holiday, and damsen I need a night out like that!

My skin is still looking fairly rubbish.

Today I've bought the Vichy Aqualia Thermal serum and the Olay anti-wrinkle toner.

I've started with the serum and plan to use it morning and evening, Sali Hughes claims results within a couple of days, we shall see. I will wait a week before starting the toner.

Have been quite restrained on the food front today, so I suppose that is good