I need to look vaguely presentable by Friday - Help!

[CondeNasty]

I have struggled a lot since having my baby 10 months ago. I am feeling a bit better but look like absolute crap. I weight 12 stone 5 which is 1 lb heavier than after I gave birth, I also lost 1/2 a stone this last month. I have a saggy mum tum and look older than my 41 years. My skin is dull and grey and I have a few spots and blemishes. My nails are crap, hair frizzy and I am just generally rough looking. I've been mainlining strong tea and also having a glass or 2 of red on too many occasions so my teeth look awful as well.

I have an event all next weekend and as things stand I just want to cancel but that's not possible. I know I am not going to sort myself out completely in that time but I am sure I can look better.

I got my hair cut last week and have tonight coloured my 4 inches of grey roots and done a face mask.

The rest of my plan is
*Exercise and low carb diet with intermittent fasting (breastfeeding failed and I still feel like shit about it), plus drink loads of water.

*Stick to basic skincare I know doesn't break me out and use vitamin c and sheet mask nightly to help plump me up.
*Use exfoliating gloves in the shower and moisturise all over.

• Exfoliate hands and feet and do a deep moisturiser with those little cotton socks/gloves each night. *Do a simple manicure and pedicure. *Shape and tint brows. *Deep hair treatment and blow it out properly on Thursday evening ready for Friday. It always looks better the day after. *Practise simple fresh faced make up. *Use a good whitening toothpaste and cut out the red wine/limit myself to 2 teas a day.

Going to go shopping on Thursday and get a couple of new bras, some new Jean's and tops. Nothing fancy and luckily it is all quite casual. That's good as I am skint!

Any tips or things I am missing?

Oh, I also managed to snaffle a contact lenses appointment for tomorrow. I wore them before so hope I am still suitable and they have them in stock.

Can you get a scale and polish done at the dentist before then.

If you can stick to it, 4 days of this diet should shift 10lb.
jaduncan.com/2006/04/how-i-lost-stone-in-week.html?m=1

I doubt the Dentist will be able to fit me in but I am going to ring anyway and get my check up booked.

I shall have a look at the diet. Definitely feeling desperate now!

Get fitted for the bra in a decent place. Buy one pair of jeans and two tops. Look for this summer's colour/pattern. If you have time/cash buy a new foundation and lipstick.

Lvls eyelash lift and tint. Maybe a gradual tanner I don't but works for most. Get your colours done as so easy to wear something that just drains the life out of you. A good perfume that doesn't smell like old ladies. Some nice statement jewelry and a second on the dentist scale and polish. Says whilst in pj's on the sofa in need of all those things hahaha

@Howmanysleepstilchristmas; I have done this yet and it works, 12 pounds in a week, but Jesus it is one tough week OP!

*yet should be diet

Oral B whitening toothpaste is really good.

If they don’t have your contacts in, places like Vision direct do quick delivery.

For your nails, I wouldn't bother with varnish because it will just look shit within a day. A good time and a polishing block will make them nice and shiny. A CD cream, concelaer, pretty blush, lol gloss and mascara will work a treat.

Drink lots of water too...

Don't do that diet! It's so bad for you and it's so restrictive. Diets like that might give you a quick short term boost of weight loss, but you'll be losing water and muscle tone, not fat. The long term effects mean that you will more than likely put back whatever you lose plus more.

Focus on good nutrition to properly fuel your body ( if you put rubbish fuel into your car, it would conk out right?!) and get it to optimum performance. Think lots of fruit and veg, healthy protein and fats, lots of water. No, or very few refined carbs (white pasta, bread and rice) instead go for whole grain alternatives.
Trust me, your skin and hair will thank you for it!

A good primer and a high quality blender makes all the difference when applying Male up. Also consider colour corrector if you need it.

Thank you all for your advice. Lots of food for thought! Going to keep posting on here if that's OK. I feel I need something to help me focus on.

Have upped the water today and the more I drank the thirstier I felt. I think my body really needs it. Filled some.more bottles and have stuck them in the fridge for tomorrow.

Am going to file and buff my nails and just put a coat of strengthener on. They have got so dry and weak. I was glorious during pregnancy, great hair, great nails, great glow and it's all gone to pot since!

Am I bed at the earliest time for ages all oiled and moisturised and clean. I tried the polish setting on my toothbrush and my teeth feel very clean and look brighter. I even flossed!

Hope DD gives us peace tonight. Am going to switch off my phone and read my book instead. I will be a real grown up I will!

Actually there is one good thing about pregnancy that has lasted, apart from having my beautiful daughter of course! I had a horrid fungal big toenail and nothing would get rid of it. In pregnancy it just grew out and I have a normal nail now. So polished toes on show is possible again .

Use a bit of fake tan on your face to give yourself a bit of colour. Don't use too much or you'll have to also use it on your décolletage and arms to match it up.

These tooth whitening strips are good at removing stains on teeth. If you use them twice a day all week, your teeth will definitely look better by the weekend.

@curlyLJ Think lots of fruit and veg, healthy protein and fats, lots of water. No, or very few refined carbs (white pasta, bread and rice) instead go for whole grain alternatives.

That pretty much sums up the diet I posted! It’s not water and muscle loss, it’s fat, and it’s prescribed by the NHS for rapid loss pre surgery. I’ve done it before and unlike other diets, I didn’t regain the weight. It’s great for people like me who have better motivation when results are visible. It’s also a great kickstart to healthier living.

Use a all over moisturizer with added gradual tanner like Dove.
www.dove.com/uk/skin-care/self-tanner.html

Increase water intake

Reduce sugar & refined carbs

Increase fruit, veg, protein & whole grain carbs

A good perfume that doesn't smell like old ladies

Considering the current fashion among the young for pink mingers smelling like an old lady wearing a classic perfume is infinitely preferable.

I did that diet and lost half a stone and it kept off for a couple of years. It was tough but I felt ace being slimmer so quickly.

Try oil pulling with coconut oil every night to try to shift the stains on your teeth.