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?

[Favouritethings]

Deforestation this morning
Mani and pedi
Going for a rare night out this evening so looking forward to go and do my make up soon!

[MalbecAndLindt]

So glad I have found this thread, it's given me the boost I've needed. I really do need to focus on myself more, and would like to get into some better habits (like drinking water).

Focus at the moment:
Drinking more water (done great yesterday)
Shave regularly
Floss every night
Get into a good skincare routine
Wear perfume daily
Exfoliate
Make a daily effort with make-up, even just basic BB cream/mascara/blusher etc around the house.
Look after nails

Yesterday, I treated myself to some Soap & Glory stuff which is lovely, few bits of everyday/work make-up that needed replacing (I use Urban Decay for 'nice' days outs and evenings, etc). Also eaten well the last days except for small Lindt bunny and few glasses of red last night....and tonight and drunk lots of water. Today, I finished work then had a bit of a pamper session to get ready for date night with DP. I've used my new S&G goodies as well. I've had a complete defuzz, deep conditioned may hair, exfoliated, moisturised all over, and going to do mani/pedi shortly. Also wearing a nice dress. Looking forward to getting all dressed up and going out tonight and eating lots of nice pasta and wine


I had my hair cut last month which I love but need to sort out a fringe trim. Happy with my wardrobe to be fair, lots of lovely clothes but will have a sort through and see if I can mix n match to pull any new outfits together. I've also bought a book on 5:2, I don't need to lose much, about half a stone but been wanting to do it for over a year! Want to do it now before we start TTC #1 in a few months.

I'll treat myself to an eyebrow wax next month (usually pluck but they've gone out of shape recently), and want to look at tooth whitening. Hoping to sleep better soon (just started Citalopram 10mg for panic attacks and haven't slept for 3 weeks as a side effect). Think that's about it for now.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

malbec I can recommend Paul McKenna 'I can make you sleep' to help you with your insomnia, if you have a kindle/ tablet you can down load the book and it has a code to access a hypnosis recording. It really helped me, I had a bout of terrible insomnia while pregnant and breastfeeding so I couldn't take nytol or anything and it really helped.

[bonnie1981]

oh I need this thread. Looked in the mirror this morning and was sad to see how old looking and fat I was.

I'm going to walk to the train station and get the train to work instead of driving.
Will schedule in eyebrow threading about once a month.
Will get myself some more makeup and new work clothes (might wait for payday)
Try to wear some jewellery to smarten my outfits up
Get my nails done every 3 weeks (acrylics because I'm a biter)
Try to eat healthier, cut down on chocolate and fast food
Use face mask regularly

[BeautifulMaudOHara]

Hello everyone! I've now got dark red nails so that's good. Everything else has gone to pit though, must start again on Monday.

[gininteacupsandleavesonthelawn]

I'd love to join too. I'm so low in energy, I look exhausted and crap... Trying to perk myself up with sugar is just resulting in spots and me being even fatter than I already was. I really need to lose some weigh, I've stopped taking any joy in shopping and I'm just hiding in shapeless clothes now.

I have so many of the basics- I have my nails shellac'd regularly, I have my eyebrows HD'd every month or so, I have a wonderful hairdresser who tries her best with my fine mousy hair, I have spent £££ on skincare and make up. I have nice shoes and a couple of lovely handbags. Yet I'm always in such a rush, I look crumpled/windswept/unkept my clothes are falling to bits, but can't bring myself to clothes shop, I've rubbed my make up off by lunchtime and I can't bear looking in the mirror. I'd love some support. If I'm honest I think I've become a little depressed.

[ProjectGainsborough]

gin. I know what you mean. Sometimes I catch myself in mirrors and think, who is that old, slightly wild-looking woman?

Is there anything you could do just for you to make yourself happy? I think when you feel a bit more like your needs are being met, the other stuff seems to fall into place more.

[HanHanHanHan]

Haven't read thread but I feel like a different person to who I was last year.

I joined slimming world and lost 6 stone. SW is a great plan and really made it easy to do.

Weight loss meant I wanted to clothes shop and again so now I have clothes I like.

Weight loss also triggered a new haircut and caring about make up again. I've just joined Mrs Gloss group on Facebook and am catching up on the latest styles.

Joined the gym last week. If you knew me last year you would never have believed I would go to the gym. Now I've lost weight,I want to get fit and strong.

Losing the weight triggered every other change that needed to happen.

I feel like me again.

[Karcheer]

Morning girls.
As I said... I'd be sporadic, but I had a big kick up the bum yesterday. I had to get a dress yesterday and realised I've gone up a dress size :(
So enough is enough!
I think a big list of changes is just too much at the moment so I'm going to slowly build up. This week I'm going to focus on diet and vitamins. I have no energy and feel so down, my skins bad etc, so I think food is a big thing here, I live on bad carbs and chocolate!

[gininteacupsandleavesonthelawn]

I've read the thread now and putting some into practise... I've washed my hair every day, taken my make up off every night, flossed my teeth. I tried on a dress this morning, 14 was too tight 😔 I've bought some self tan, I used to be an avid tanner but DP hates it, I've gone for something I hope will be super natural as compromise. I particularly like the 'what would X do?' trick... It's kept me from bingeing so far.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Hi everyone! Just caught up with all the posts over the weekend. I'm on day 13 sugar free today, starting to feel like its becomming normal, which considering I was a total chocoholic is very strange! I have tried a new shampoo, its called Palmers co-wash and its really left my (dry, over straightened, naturally curly) hair very soft- its alcohol free and doesn't lather which is odd but it seems to have left my hair very glossy and moisturised. I painted our front fences yesterday and didn't wear gloves and now my hands are stained brown in all the creases in my skin and round my nails- they look hideous! Tempted to root around In the garage for some white spirit as I had a long soak last night and it didn't help!! Any suggestions?

[JudyBlumeRocks]

maybe soaking/rubbing nails in lemon juice to get the stains out a bit thenewaverage? worth a try?

Very late reply but upthread was asked what cuticle remover I use - It's CND cuticle eraser. Huge bottle, lasts forever, is pretty hardcore (which I like).

I'm making some progress...
am wearing basic makeup
kept to calorie limit yesterday

But:
Footner still not really working. Just very scabby flaky feet. Hmm.
Am wearing trousers and jumper that both have DD's snot on them (working at home today). Not ideal.

'What would X do' stopped me eating more than 2 chocolate digestives last night!

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Judy that is your footner working, how many days since you did it? I find about 6-7 days is when it really gets going. Also, don't moisturise your feet at all,and soak them in hot water or have a hot bath. I love footner, my last one was much more effective, I followed the advice on here and soaked my feet before applying and also left it on for 2hours! Thanks for the tip about lemon juice, I'm going to try later

[Pisssssedofff]

Well I've stuffed my face with chocolate and not been near the gym for two weeks .... And lost lb 😳
I utterly despair of my body tbh it just makes no sense .... Eating good healthy food makes me fat 😩

[HairsprayQueen]

I've not posted in a while as I've had a little crisis of 'who am I? Who do I want to be?' (I'm nothing if not dramatic!)

I'm still struggling a bit tbh. I just feel so blah like I have nothing about me, no quality. And then obviously I feel miserable and sink.

I've been trying to channel 'I am enough' and hopefully I'm getting myself back together.

Anyway, I probably sound like a right dickhead but I have always felt I lack purpose and interests and sometimes it's just a bit crap.

[Pisssssedofff]

I think it's very easy to loose yourself in motherhood, you give your all, especially as they get older and stop giving those lovely baby powdered cuddles back you think fgs what's it all for. I'm told you get rewarded when they are around 30 and realise what you did for them. Hang in there

[NoCapes]

It's just took me 3 days to read through this whole thread and you lot are just what I need!
I am utterly vile at the moment, I have taken our bedroom mirror down because I just can't bare to look at myself anymore
I'm afraid my list is a lot more 'back to basics' than other people's as after having DC3 in Nov, and still not being completely recovered (still have another operation to go) I struggle to even muster up the energy to wash some days

So starting slowly I am going to -
Bath/shower every other day
Brush teeth every night (I do it in the mornings, but rarely at night)
Take make up off before bed
Drink much less tea (around 12 cups a day some days )
Drink more water
Fake tan once a week

I eventually want to do more but this is where I'm starting
I showered, tanned and brushed my teeth before bed last night and today I've only had 1 cup of tea and I've had 3 glasses of water
So feeling positive

[obrigada]

Marking my place so I don't lose this thread - will read back properly later. I am over 50 and have neglected myself for too many years to count, but now it's time for me.

I joined SW two weeks ago and so far have lost 6 and a half pounds, main goal is to keep with it.
I want to do a 2 year part time evening course in September (have wanted to do it for over 6 years) so in preparation for that I want to transform myself so that I feel confident and comfortable.
I need to learn how to style my hair rather than just wash and go.
I need to start wearing make up which involves watching tutorials on you tube.

Will add to this list later - or at least break it down into manageable steps.

[SayAGreatBigThankyou]

welcome to the new transformers and well done capes on today and obrigado on your weight loss.

I'm doing OK some days, but can't maintain EVERYTHING. So if I wear make up, straighten my hair, dress well, I can't exercise and eat well too (and vice versa). Maybe one day I will nail it all!!!

[Misssss]

Please can I join in? I've let myself go a little recently. I was looking at photos of me at uni (when I was so vain I'd skip lectures to go get my eyebrows done) and I'm aghast at the negative changes.

It's taken about a week to RTFT so I've started already. I'll write down everything to be accountable.

My biggie is lose weight - no pun intended! I'm the biggest I've ever been at the moment and it doesn't suit me. I've been on a low carb diet since Saturday, trying to stick to meat, eggs, a little cheese and fish. It's my fave diet, the rich food makes me feel like I'm not deprived and the weight drops off fairly quickly.

Because I was so big I've not bought any nice clothes for ages. I went and bought a few new outfits that I can put on and feel nice in. Also dug out the things I keep for best.

I've applied makeup daily and even false lashes. The Demi wispy ones are great, the really enhance but don't look like fans. I've been watching YouTube for tips. I've also invested in some new makeup.

Water - min of 2 litres a day.

Skincare - earlier in the thread someone linked to a superdrug night serum. I bought the whole range, it's amazing. Really like the day serum too. It's sorted my oily skin out.

[Ifonlyiweretaller]

Another lurker here...Really interesting thread, with some posts which I could have written myself! Diet and exercise is what I need to do - I'm low carbing (in theory anyway) but have had so many blips recently it's ridiculous!

I have started doing the 7 minute workout though. It's really knackering but even when I'm woken by my alarm and trying to talk myself out of doing it, i tell myself "it's seven bloody minutes. Surely you're worth spending seven minutes on" And bizarrely it works! Well has done for the last 4 mornings anyway.

And now I am going out for a brief but brisk walk rather than sitting on my bum reading any more MN threads!!

[NoCapes]

Thanks for the welcome ThankYou

I'm quite pleased with myself today, I've only had 4 cups of tea (I know that's still a lot but I could usually have that many by about 10am!) and I've drank about 10 glasses of water
I also had my eyebrows done for the first time since Christmas Eve (!!!) and I instantly look less tired

Fancying another brew now so I'm eating an apple and considering painting my toenails to distract myself
Oh I've just took my makeup off too

I'm like a new bloody woman already (ha!)

[Bluedolphin1971]

Hello is it too late for me to join, I really really need you ladies.

I currently have a little bit of a beauty routine, I go for a facial and hair laser removal every month, I get my hair coloured roughly every 6 weeks although it's been more like 10 weeks since I last got it done, and I wear make up nearly every day (although that's so I can use up thr stash that I have, I have wayyyyy too much).

Although I do visit the hairdressers in a regular basis, I don't "do" my hair myself. I need to get into a routine of blow drying it myself (I'm hopeless at doing my own hair) or if I let it dry naturally I need to straighten it. It's very very frizzy.

I also need to

Pay attention to my hands and nails
Pedicure
Lose 51lbs
Cut right back on my sugar intake
Drink more water
Start exercising again

I'm hoping this thread will give me the motivation to keep going. I have wonderful clothes, but they don't fit me. I currently live in 2 pairs of trousers and slouchy tee shirts.

I currently feel very very ugly and very unhappy with myself, so much so I cry myself to sleep most nights. My husband doesn't know how bad I feel about myself, he's night shift so I get away with crying.

So I hope it will be okay to join.

[flirtygirl]

Welcome all new ones. Its so hard to keep motivated but just reading about what you are all doing or planning is great.

Im trying to lose weight but life seems to shoot me down each time but ill keep trying, usually at this point i would have given up but im carrying on, thinking of all the women and the various goals makes me feel im not alone.

Im still doing my nails but only weekly not twice weekly like id hoped.

Im pleased with my skin korean beauty is great and i lurk on the kb threads to keep up to date, i look brighter even if i dont feel it.

I have to remember to brush my teeth at night, it strange how i forget even though i wash my face etc. I did use a whitening treatment so my teeth look nice but i dont want to get complacent, thats my enemy.

Still trying to increase my water just 1-3 glasses most days but only 1 cup decaf coffee.

Ive gone cold turkey on takeaways and chocolate, easter hols was hard as took kids mcdonalds twice, chinese once, subway and local burger place (crazy i know) but now 8 days no takeaways

and chocolate on 2 days out of the last ten and 1 bar or bag then not multiples (ive eaten 4 snickers in a row before)

Im not winning or losing but i am continuing and some of the new routines like drinking water, nails, defuzzing and face are beginning to stick.

Ive got to continue with diet and exercise, sort my hair and continue with sorting my feet.

Good luck everyone and please keep posting updates.

[Pisssssedofff]

Bluedolphin1971 - frizzy hair needs moisture, not more blow drying !