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?

It sneaks back in, not on

Oooh, can I join in too, please?

My resolutions...

• lose that last half stone of the baby weight (DD is now 3, so it's about time!)
• go for a run/do a fitness class most days
• in bed by 10pm each night with a good book
• drink more water
• cut back on wheat and dairy
• cleanse and moisturize properly EVERY night
• body brush and moisturize with self-tan daily
• weekly home blow-drys and mani-pedis

Oh, and thanks to AuldYow, will definitely be trying to uncross my alarmingly veiny legs!

Thanks for the advice NerdyBird. I'll keep my fingernails unpainted until dd can bathe herself, and just maintain nice healthy natural nails for now. My toenails will express my true nature .

I'm sitting here with castor oil all over my eyes -- is there a way to get it just on the lashes badass? I don't want to sprout bushy hairs all over my eyelids.

Bra intervention needs to be added to my list too newaverage. I've just finished bf 19 month old (cold turkey as of last week, hooray for body freedom!), and that plus the pregnancy before it have reduced my girls to a saggy shadow of their former glory. I have no idea what size I am, but clothes aren't going to look good until I get bras sorted.

I measured using the method described where you bend at 90 degrees, ended up with 30" around under the bust and 38" over the pathetic loose sacks of skin that used to be my breasts. That works out to a 30FF by my reckoning, but the three or so bras I've tried in that size, 30 F, 30FF and 30G just look really weird. The cups are absolutely huge, and the underwire part goes halfway round my back because the 30" around is so small. They fit good and snug around, with the bit at the middle sitting flat like it's supposed to, but the cups just look silly and sort of pull my boobs apart and flatten them around my body. I'm going to need a proper fitting by a real person, I think.

I drank a litre of water this afternoon and did 40 lunges. Feeling very virtuous so far.

Hi may I join you?

I have made a bit of start all ready but I feel like I've still got a way to go. I have finished having babies now (4dc-10,5,2,and 1) and I would like to get myself back to looking half way decent.

So far I've-

Lost 3 and half stone
Stayed on top of eyebrows tint and shaped
Nails shellac every two weeks
I'm eating a good diet

Next on list-

Lose the last 1.5 stone (back to prepregnancy weight)
Teeth whitening
Get some new clothes that don't come from h and m!!
Drink more water
Be more consistent with my skin care- do it every night instead of falling asleep with make up on!!

Marking place. You're all so far ahead of me I could cry. and old.

Can I join? Derxa don't worry I'm just starting too!
In fact I don't even know where to start... Drinking more water and early nights perhaps.
I will be using this thread as inspiration!

Joining in and will try to remember to keep posting ! Some fab ideas and I am pinching it! What's more, I am openly declaring that my imaginary mentor will be Jessica Alba

Ooh Jessica Alba is a good one she always looks so healthy.

I love Kate Moss but in this instance I'm guessing she is not going to be the best role model
Will have a think about who mine could be.

Hairspray I like the Lush Henna because it seems fairly foolproof but perhaps it depends on your colour. I use the brun and I have mid brown hair so it makes my hair darker and glossier and my greys become a light brown.

It is messy so I just cover the bathroom floor with something disposable before I start. I leave mine on for four hours, but I just do it at a time when I need to be home anyway and wrap my head in clingfilm and get on with work or whatever. Your hair will smell a bit for a couple of days after but someone would have to be up close to notice!

Marking my place so I don't lose this thread, it's exactly what I need!

I agree regarding the Oliver Bonas jewellery. I'm on such a tight budget but I bought some earrings and a necklace there last year and I have been really pleased with them as I think they make a significant difference to my look without blowing the budget.

I feel that at some point in my thirties (I'm now in my forties) I became invisible. I want to be noticed again (in a good way!). I'm wondering what are the things I could do that would make the most difference in this regard. Sorry to sound shallow but having come out of a 20 year relationship and been single for the last two years it would be nice to get some male attention whilst feeling good about how I look.

I've been through and favourited a few pairs of earrings on etsy to buy do I can throw away my not so classy ones. I'll buy a pair a month I think until I have a versatile collection.

Pavonia- I find from past endeavours that when I am looking after myself well (namely skin regime, eating well, defuzzing regularly and exercise) I do automatically walk a bit taller and become more radiant. Which really begs the question of why I let it slip so badly in between!

Lovely thread.
I need a huge kick up my huge arse.

Keep the ideas coming

Ooh Im up for this, but about to go to bed.

Will RTFT in the morning.

I'm going to join in and follow along with everyone on this thread if I may. I'm in a serious rut, my main issue is I work from home in scruffy joggers and baggy t shirts every day so when I do have to go out and look smarter, I'm completely lost as to what looks good. I lost 5 stone a few years ago but 3.5 is back on so I've got a wardrobe full of different size clothes. Because my weight is all over the place, I haven't really bought any nice clothes for a long time so I'm in a real style rut, just wearing the same few things over and over again. By the time something fits again, it's out of fashion!

Within the past couple of months I have started the whole Caroline Hirons inspired cleansing, acid toning routine and that's made a HUGE difference to my skin which I feel is making me look not too haggard. I'm enjoying researching and trying new skincare products.

I get gel nails done every couple of weeks which always makes me feel great and a bit more "polished" (pardon the pun) but I can only do 3 or 4 rounds then my natural nails are knackered and I have to take a break and try and build them up with strengtheners before going back to the nail place.

I need to get my eyebrows sorted but I have zero pain tolerance for threading (literally crying in pain), waxing not much better. What are the alternatives?

Every Monday I'm starting a diet but by midweek I'm all out of inspiration and ideas. Need to get my act together with a proper meal plan. Won't give up my wine though!! :)

I need to do something with my hair. The grey is really coming in so I need to either start doing a home box color on a regular basis or maybe get highlights done at the hairdressers but I don't fancy the cost of maintenance at the hairdressers. I've been growing my hair for the past year or so but I don't think the longer length is doing me any favours and I think I might get a good few inches chopped to make it more manageable. My hair is very thick but it's looking completely dull, flat and lifeless lately and it takes forever to blow dry. I was looking at box colors the other day and most of them seem to promise a lot of shine - is that true? I need somtihng to make it look a bit softer, bouncier, shinier....not much to ask is it?!!

Like everyone else has said, I just want to feel a bit more polished, groomed and put together. Love the idea of having a "girl crush" / "what what she do" type thinking.

Ooh, can I join in please!

Had my last baby 4mo ago and I turn 40 later this year. For a present I'd like a family photoshoot, so that's my target.

I want to:
Lose two stone (lost half already)
Get rid of the maternity clothes FOR EVER and try and build a capsule wardrobe. No point until the right goes though...
Get a real grown up haircut, rather than the scruffy student look I've had for the past few 15 years.

I like the idea of an imaginary mentor, but not sure who yet. Celebs my age are a bit too botoxed to inspire, hmm..

Would like to join in please

I'm in! I'm going through a lot of problems at the moment. I need to look after myself better. I haven't slept with mascara on since my teens, guess what, I think it's the third time this week. Not good.
Chatting with DD while she's having a bath is s good time. I managed to do my pedicure this week, but then she finished her bath and I never got around to apply nail polish. Doh.

I have kondoed my winter clothes, I am on bare minimum but I love them all dearly.
Got very nice shoes, I am a Chie Mihara addict, I use them every day though.
My problem is that everything is Black, grey or navy. Not a single colour in my wardrobe. But hey, summer is coming, I have got some colourful stuff.

I don't paint my nails, unless I am on holiday. I keep them short and buffed. But more care is needed, I must use more hand cream and do the dishes with gloves on!

I shave my legs.

I have my eyebrows and mustache threaded every other week. But I need homw made facials. So if any of you have got any good natural face masks recipes, I would be very grateful. I have dry skin and proned to spots.

My teeth are very white, all good there.
I have nice jewellery, but it didn't cost ££££. I love Monica Vinader for example. But I must remember to polish and clean it though.

I LOVE THIS THREAD!! Yesterday I had such a "bleurgh" moment when I realised how old, fat and frumpy I looked. I am 100% up for a transformation!

When I loved alone I was great at doing regular beauty nights. But I remarried last June and I've let it all go. :(

My goals are:

• find a great hairdresser and get a new style

• lose 2 stone, or maybe 2.5 if I don't look too haggard

• exercise every day

• bleach teeth

• look after skin

• sort our wardrobe

• regular mani/pedi

• get eyebrows done

I am SO IN! I'd like to be transformed by June 27 as that'll be our 1st anniversary.

I'm also getting a water softener as we moved to a new house/new town and the water is REALLY hard. I only worked out about a week ago that that's what has been destroying my hair. It's so crispy, crunchy, brittle, dull and weirdly sticky/stretchy when it's wet... Arghh.

My target is May half term as I'm on holiday with my and my sister's family. Nowhere exotic, but it's a target. I'd like to lose a lb a week - should be achievable.

My problem is I'm a yo-yo dieter - all or nothing. In the past six months I've gained over a stone. This is unprecedented for me and I'm 40 Jan next year and wanted this to be the year I get things sorted, not lose it forever.

I'm feeling low because I'm v limited in what I can wear and what I can wear feels tight. So I feel fat all the time. I can't/won't buy more, bugger clothes.

Still got flu, though. Feel awful. Mainlining carbs and milk, which I usually have a lot less of. I'll need to feel better before I start this.

I usually run about 25 miles a week so ok with doing that and fitting it in. Pilates should be easy to fit in too. Just need to step away from the iPad a bit more often.

I hope everyone has woken up feeling strong and positive.

Great thread and exactly what I need right now.

My goals are
Stay off wheat and stick to calorie limit every day
Do some exercise daily. Either walking or DVD. I have davinas new one which is good. Most sessions are about 10mins so I can easily fit something in.
Drink more water
Colour my greys
Get eyebrows done more regularly.
Get new glasses and contacts
Moisturise daily
Body brush daily
Get some new sleep wear and clothes for lounging around.
Go to bed at 10 with a book every night.
Stop wasting time on internet
Do flylady to transform my house as well as myself.

I do bits of all the above from time to time so it's not really radical. I just need to be consistent and keep it up.

Oh oh can I join?

Recently turned fifty and feeling rubbish and gained weight.

So trying to lose weight - started ages ago but finally lost a few pounds.
Saved up and got hair cut and coloured - this has been a disaster and the hairdresser dyed my hair bright blonde - I could tone it done but a bit scared to touch it again since its so fragile now! so that was a crap start! Saving to restore it and find another hairdresser.

Sort out fungally feet!
Keep nails in better condition
Considering botox - but a bit scared now after disaster hair.
More excercise
More mindful buying of clothes, only buying something if it is really needed and if it really suits me.

Things I have done in the past that i was really happy with:
Losing weight - i lost around 3 stones and have managed to keep most of it off.
Got my teeth straightened. Was not sure since i was forty when i had this done but it made the biggest difference to my face. Really glad i did it.
Teeth whitened but just a few shades. Could do with redoing now but was worth it when i did it.

I am a bit fed up about my bad start with my hair but hopefully I wll get used to it until I can change it.

Morning everyone! Its such a gorgeous day here my mantra for today is: summer bodies are made In the winter! So, despite feeling wretched with a horrible cold (and poorly children too) I'm starting as I mean to go on. Planned a few healthy meals for the next few days and done a shopping list, going to get out in the garden for an hour or so for some daylight, and when baby has his nap I'm going to do my toenails and pluck my eyebrows. Forward!

Hello everyone, welcome to all new comers

My goal for this week is...

MAKE A DENTIST APPOINTMENT

And then ask about whitening when I'm there. What's yours?

I might also go through my wardrobe and see what's there, I'm a bit faddy and wear the same 3/4 things which means half my wardrobe is completely redundant. I did de fuzz my legs and armpits yesterday and used body lotion and a face scrub so it's a start. I might make a nail appointment today too.