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?

First day low carbing done yesterday even though I'm away, I'm really pleased with myself as I really wanted to order pudding at both restaurants we went to but stayed strong!

The hotel has a big mirror right by the bath though so there is no escaping the hideousness of my situation at the moment, or motivation I guess!

I have been lurking, and have made a few steps so I feel I can actually join in now:

I went to see a personal trainer last week - he did the body analysis thing and I am 47% body fat and 2-3 stone over weight. Had my first session yesterday and whilst I can't walk today, I'm hoping that this will kick start me. I'm paying to see him once a week, he is giving me 1 free session (he's a friend) and I am going to do the c25k on my own alongside this.

I ordered the Phillips Lumea thingy and when it arrives I am going to tackle my body hair for good. I have an actual beard..... Nice!

I am cutting out bread and Diet Coke. It will kill me but I know that I feel a million times better when I do this.

When I get some money, I am getting my hair coloured and cut.

I am going to footner tonight, use my crest whitening strips and get my eyebrow threaded and dyed.

That's enough for now!

Oh!!!! And my girl crush is someone I used to work with..... She used to model for agent provocateur at uni, and is now a doctor. She is classy, beautiful and clever..... And I will now always ask myself what she would do before I act! (She Deffo doesn't drink pints which may be a starting point for me!)

twirly I have a girl crush on her just from your description. Would she eat a chocolate rabbit for breakfast like I am about to though?

On the look out for a good eye cream (late 30s skin). Before I splash out on REN eye shot thingy, can anyone recommend a decent budget option?

say I use Nivea Q10 eye cream which is about £10 but you can often get for £5 in Tesco.

I used to use horrifically expensive eye creams like Lancome roller, but the Nivea one is the best for my puffy dark under eyes - don't I sound a treat.

So, am confused. I am sure my huge tummy is not as squidgy, absolutely positive. I pay it quite a lot of attention you see, but I haven't lost any weight. It can't be due to exercise, as my disability means I hardly do any. Not time of month as over all that.

The only thing I can think of is that I am - sorry if tmi - constipated. Would that cause it? Or it's these blasted new painkillers.

Am still moisturising and went to dentist yesterday. God I hate that descaling thingy. I have to go to hygenist in 6 months. I think I will take a valium before I go!

Am keeping to around 1200 calories or just below and feeling good.Must book to get hair coloured and cut.

Keep going everyone.

I love Mrs Gloss group too, but have to keep leaving as I spend too much money being in it!!! Would like to find a clothes-based group. I have loads pinned and am tempted to just go for it and have a decent summer wardrobe.

On the look out for grey slim cut or girlfriend jeans if anyone has spotted any.

I've had a really good start to my new sugar free lifestyle! I've had zero sugar today, which considering how much I've had in the last week is a massive change. This morning I walked into town and had a rare hour without the kids, I popped to boots and bought a set of make up brushes, some cc cream and some nip/fab glycolic acid face pads in a bid to become a bit more glowy and a bit less knackered looking. I'm feeling really motivated for the next few days now, my shopping delivery arrived and the fridge is heaving with veg so I must have been feeling motivated when I ordered it! Tomorrow I'm going to batch cook some soup and also some roasted veg trays that I can just throw in the oven to go with meat/fish.

Evening all,

I had a facial on Monday, but my skin is still spotty and a bit sore, but I think this is mainly due to bad diet.
I had berries, coconut yogurt and muesli for breakfast, but had lots of sweets/chocolates throughout the day and a duck hoisin wrap (full of sugar), packet of crisps and tonight a very nasty premade curry.

I've ordered the body coach 15 recipe book.

I feel so bloated, congested, itchy and generally poo.
I've got loads of personal things going on, but I think bad food and lack of exercise isn't helping at all!

Having my shellac redone tomorrow.
I'm really keen to get to the gym, probably a little jog, but we will see...

chilly that's what I was thinking re the bikini. I am sure there will be ladies in worse shape than me in smaller bikinis (there always are) and so I should be brave.

I am doing well with my diet and exercise this week, although I worked late tonight so had to miss my workout. I actually feel a bit sad about that - I have started to enjoy them and because I challenge myself slightly more each day I can see the progress which keeps me motivated.

I have lost 4lbs (7lbs to go) and am hoping for another 1lb off when I get weighed tomorrow morning.

My legs are shaved and my skin routine is still going strong.

I have kept up with my plan to wash my hair less, which has done it good and has also forced me to experiment with new hair ideas. They aren't always a success but at least I am trying something different.

Tonight it's mani/pedi (self done) and maybe an eyebrow tweeze (something I haven't done for a VERY long time).

I still feel like my clothes are the let down at the moment but I am spent up so will need to play the long game for that one.

Sounds like everyone's doing well!

• had my facial hair lasered yesterday

• I've booked in for my crusty feet to be de-crusted on Monday!

-Booked in for a massage / Indian head on Sunday

• been to aldi and bought elec toothbrush for me and DH

And night cream for me- never ever put on specific night cream

• have seen some cute red Clarks shoes on sale for £22 and didn't get them but tempted to go in tomorrow and grab them - v comfy and look trendy enough too
• went to see a friend today who I've not see for over a year and mad effort with hair and make up and coordinated clothes etc and she noticed
• got a new charger for my Fitbit and charging it up right now

To do by end of the week-
-colour my hair and cover greys

• meal plans for next week- use body coach book for ideas
• drink more water

It's not easy but fed feel better

Thrown away remaining two chocolates from my opened Easter egg, I've still two unopened in the fridge... I've eaten the rest of the rice Krispy chocolate thingies, so at least they won't be a temptation tmr!
Double cleansed, flossed and mouthwashed.
Been reading a lot about body coach online tonight, so hoping that'll be good when the book arrives.

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter!

Just a little update from me... I ate quite well over the weekend (a Lindt egg, full roast dinner followed by cheesecake, simnel cake, hot cross buns, fish pie) but drew a line under it on Monday night and am back to healthy eating. I haven't put any weight on as a result.

Had my hair cut but haven't coloured it yet, might do that tonight.

Yesterday I did 23k steps(!). I also swam 1km. Have signed up for Aquafit next term, hoping that it won't be full of octogenarians but I can't do anything too high impact and I get bored of just swimming.

Unfortunately yesterday's swim has dried out my skin and ruined my nail varnish, so today's first job is moisturising and re-doing my nails.

Am going to sort out my spring work wardrobe today too. I have a navy jersey wrap dress from Boden which I love so I ordered a navy mosaic print one with a 20% off code plus the £20 voucher they sent for my birthday. That has just been dispatched. I also have a navy and yellow geometric print wrap dress from Boden again, and a navy dress from white stuff which has a cut out pattern in the jersey, almost like broiderie anglaise. Those four dresses are going to be the basis of my spring work wardrobe, with navy patent brogues or navy pumps. Add in some yellow for contrast - cardigan, scarf etc. I might have a look for a yellow statement necklace. If I've got it all planned out then getting dressed should be a no brainer.

Meant to add what I'm wearing today - skinny jeans, navy and white long sleeved Breton, yellow cardigan, navy pumps.

Definitely a navy and yellow theme in my wardrobe at the moment!

A belated thank you Caramelslice - I think once our house move is complete and we are a bit more settled I will book a consultation. I have a small list of surgeons who have very good reviews so will speak to them.

Pleased to see we are all doing well, especially with the chocolate (although I must admit, the Mini Eggs DH bought nearly destroyed me). I have been drinking 3 glasses of water a day and stuck to my diet. So far I have dropped 2.5 pounds over 2 weeks. Although I am yet to exercise I have done a lot of walking and running with the kids and been out seeing people! Also not drinking more than one fizzy drink a day

Next I will properly tackle exercise.

Keep going ladies

Have been shopping with DD today, which mainly involved New Look and Claire's Accessories, but I did pop to Superdrug and got a new nail file, cuticle sticks, cuticle oil and hand cream. Going to keep these in a cosmetics bag together so that they are handy for midweek touch ups. Went to Boots to look for their spring/summer shades of no7 gel effect nail varnish, they didn't have them in stock but have ordered 3 shades in for store delivery tomorrow. They were on 3 for 2. Also found a blue and yellow scarf in the White Stuff sale that will go with my navy dresses.

DD and I are now in a cafe sharing a slice of chocolate cake

Just a note to say I will be deregistering myself from MN for a couple of months as I HAVE to write my final dissertation and find MN sooooo distracting. I will continue the good work though and I will return and hope the thread is still here and going strong.

See you all at the end of May. Hopefully I will be at least a stone lighter, with perfectly soft hands and feet, manicured nails, perfect eyebrows and lovely hair and make up - just like all of you .

Will need to re-read to decide what my goals are.

Good luck littleleftie!

Have done my hands and nails tonight. Used a face scrub on the backs of my hands to get rid of the dry skin then massaged in loads of moisturiser. Used cuticle oil and cuticle sticks to push my cuticles back, then filed my nails so that are all the same tidy shape. Then wiped them over with nail varnish remover to get rid of the oil and painted them with base coat and two coats of gel effect nail varnish. Finished off with a touch of cuticle oil under each nail. Really impressed with how they look and much cheaper than the £20 I would have spent on getting them done professionally. Just need to make it part of the routine now.

Have created a spring workwear pinterest board, am off now to add to it.

Good luck littleleftie, see you soon!

I didn't not keep to plan.

But I have ordered a new Fitbit, redownloaded Mfp and I'm not going to be defeated.

I don't want to focus too much on weight as I get a bit weird, so in other news I bought some new pj bottoms to look nicer, and some new sunglasses.

I also bought some st tropez gradual tan, I've tried it on my inner arm and it's very tame but I'm ghostly white so I don't really know where to apply it, without having weird white bits. If I do my arms will my chest look too white, if I do my chest will my neck look too white, if I do my neck will I just look bizarre, it's all too much!

I think you'll need to do your whole body hairspray queen! I found that in-shower gradual tan that came out last year to be good for that reason!
I've had a great day today, no sugar for me again and have stuck to 1000 cals as well. Feeling very motivated. Hope you're all doing OK?

Heya
Loving the navy and yellow wardrobe Jemima :)

Big news was weighing myself on the paying scales today :0
I'm 14stone 4lbs !!!heaviest I've ever been :(
Mission transformation has to include weight loss as a priority !
Good stuff today-
-drank some lemon in hot water first thing

• I Got complimented on my hair by friend I met up with today

-Fitbit charged and worn all day-next bit is to hit daily steps target!! - just cleansed and put night cream on face and Vaseline on my crusty feet

• bought new Clarks red comfy cute shoes today, feel good just planning to wear them :)
• cooked and ate some lovely salmon and veg for dinner

So, after 3 days sugar free (yay!) I've lost 6lb. I know its mostly water but I feel great and hopefully that will help keep me on track over the weekend. I've had lots of complemets , people saying I look healthy, which I think is more down to using cc cream as it seems to lift my complexion a lot and I don't look so knackered and grey. I've found the sugar free diet difficult today though, at home with the children and the kitchen in easy reach, so I've snacked more than I did yesterday, (things like chicken pieces, nuts and carrot sticks). I always look to the weekend with slight apprehension as I know that dh likes to relax with crisps, and usually wine, and that's where my resolve goes.....how has everyone else been doing? What's everyone's plans for the weekend?

Well done on the weight loss thenewaveragebear1983!

Do you have a link to the shoes Minny? I love shoes...

Off to Cardiff on the train tomorrow with DD to see Hetty Feather. Will have time for a little bit of shopping too. Main problem will be boredom snacking on the train - what is it about trains that always make me hungry?

That's great newaverage well done!

I'm off to see the football today but it's a lunch time kick off which makes food awkward, well not for most people but I will be avoiding the pies etc so will have a bit of food before and after.

Haven't braved the tan yet, I'm chicken, maybe tomorrow. Need to do my highlights too as there isn't a lot left near my head.

Otherwise I'm keeping fairly on top of things.