Full makeover/routine needed! Help!

[MaverickSnoopy]

Ok - not sure what I need. I feel shit. I'm early 30s, a size 18 with previously beautiful dark hair which is now greying and needs a cut. I live in once expensive clothes which are now very tired and over worn.I have minimal money and zero time. I am a mum of 3 who wakes up at 4:30am to start my day when baby wakes for a feed and then will only sleep in my arms. So I leg it to the bathroom where I spend 3 mins getting dressed and brushing teeth before feeding baby. Toddler is up at 7am and then 7yo and we mad dash getting ready for school. I am run ragged through the day and don't stop until 9pm. Sometimes I squeeze in a bath between dinner and children's bedtimes but normally at 9pm. I try and go to bed at 9:30pm! DH does more than his bit, even by MN standards. My skin is shit and I have bags under my eyes and no time to ever do my eyebrows - apart from when toddler and baby nap at the same time (incredibly rare) and that's probably about to stop as toddler is moving into proper bed at the weekend!

So this weekend I'm planning to dye the grey, do my eyebrows and try and do the MN haircut or some such. What else can I do that will make me feel better? What's quick and will make a difference? I need a capsule wardrobe but have limited funds. I'm am awkward shape - 18 in dresses which I mostly wear but struggle with trousers due to awful tummy and chunky thighs. I want to loose weight but am exhausted and atm only seem to get energy from food. Trying to eat protein, veg and less bread. No time to meal plan so struggle often as also on a budget. Certainly no time for exercise (although never sit down and always running around - alas that doesn't seem to help!) 😣

Help me MN!

It’s quite a tough time of year to buy clothes I think, too early for summer stuff bit late for much winter things. I wonder if some of your clothes would benefit from being dyed to refresh them and maybe mending/debobbling. Just for now and perhaps you can save a few pounds for some summer bits.

Lack of sleep will of course affect your skin and actually your weight. Try to drink more water, rub in some hand cream last thing in bed. Can you aim for a walk every day for fresh air?

Before clothes, try to get some decent underwear, maybe some ‘gripper knickers’ and a well fitted bra. Remember your posture, it’s really important.

I’ve cut my own hair before but do watch some videos, there are better ways than the ‘unicorn ponytail’ method.

Wallis has surprised me with some very flattering floaty tops, cheap in the sales, maybe take a look there.

Thank you. Good tips.

I struggle with walking - sciatica from 3 pregnancies where I also had pgp. Physio did not do much. Plus I'm combi feeding and expressing hourly to keep supply up. I do get into the garden daily and walk to and from school every day so about an hour of walking a day.

Will try better underwear - good idea! I do need that. And hand cream. I have a nice one on my bedside table that I look at daily but forget to use.

I'm reluctant to dye my clothes as they're mostly patterned - Joules, Sea Salt type stuff. However I am have mended small holes. My wardrobe is bulging full of nice things so nothing fits really. Aiming to loose weight. Lost weight during pregnancy and ironically put on a stone post birth. 😣

Thanks for the tip about hair. I cut mine when I was a student but it was much shorter then. I cut DHs now and DDs and have done my sisters in the past so I'm fairly confident although anxious about giving it a go with longer hair. I'd pay for a hair cut but I'm fussy. Had the same hairdresser for 15 years but she's given it up now and I'm reluctant to start again - everyone I used pre her got it wrong.