I've let myself go...

[whymewhyme]

Used to tan, do nails (normal polish) eye brows shaped regularly and I've out on a stone and a half since dd was born 4.5years ago!!!! I feel and look grose i just scrap hair back and im ready for the day i barely do skincare or make up anymore. I'm not depressed i just can't be bothered and I'm just always too busy.

How can i get myself back!!!

Can't offer any particular advice, but I'll hang out with you in case anyone else can!
I'm 50ish and a bit chubby. I have become lazy this year and stopped exercise and during lockdown, kind of cared much less about personal style.
I'd like to use the new year to get motivated to princess up a bit.

I could have written this. 5 years ago I ran a marathon. Now I'm almost 2 atone heavier and when I'm at home I can't even be bothered to get dressed. I really want to start 2021 with a new attitude after this sheister of a year

I'm going to hover about . I reckon give it time there will be a New Year New You Thread along soon ( Princessing)

LockDown hasn't got me really because I don't wear make-up at work or have anything on my nails .
I don't WFH so I haven't gone from work clothes to WFH clothes .
But I have put on weight ( combination of menopause, surgery and bad habits) over the years . I have to shift it for health reasons or it'll become a permenant feature .
I am growing my hair out grey , haven'y dyed it for maybe 18 months . I have it cut every 4-6 months but in the Nov lockdown it was getting too long , I got my DD to cut it .
So I have a slightly uneven but always tied back style . Colour looks ok because my grey streaks are full length not just my roots .

I'm starting with a list -
what can I do now
what takes a longer time span

"Now" would be:
I've had Christmas and Boxing Day . Don't fall into the habit of grazing on sweets till New Year . Get back to normal tomorrow . Then have a nice New Year and back to normal again.
I don;t drink alcohol or smoke . Increase water consumption.

My skincare has to be straightforward otherwise I won't do it .
Cleanse in the shower , moisturise

At night cleanse then a serum. I;ve bought an overnight retinol .

Handcream to counteract all the bloody handwashing and gels

Clothes - I make more effort to wear what's in my wardrobe instead of just reaching for the same old things . For work I travel in leggings+top and change when I get there .

One of my main rules for myself is I don't buy clothes to cheer myself up because when I wear them I'll be reminded just how shit I felt .
Same with sales - unless I'd pay full price , I don't want it .

Don't wear make-up unless you want to .
Though I find if my brows are tinted ( I use Revolution 3 Day dye) my face has a focus .
And earrings . My ears are never naked .

You need to get into a routine and make it part of your daily routine.

Start with one thing that makes you feel good. It might be doing skincare at night or in the morning, might be taking time to paint your nails once a week.

When rules allow, treat yourself to a nice haircut. A cut will make all the difference. Make sure the hairdresser knows you want something low maintenance so you can make it look good without too much fuss.

I personally think the key to getting your weight back on track is not overthinking it. Be kind to yourself, focus on fuelling your body with nutritious things that make you feel good. Lots of water, fresh fruits and veg, healthy fats like avocado nuts, cut back on processed and fried food. Doesn't need to be more complicated than that.

I could have written this. I’m unhappy with my body shape due to lack of exercise/ bad eating and so wear frumpy clothes. I do take care of my skin and wear little makeup as my skin is good but I’m rubbish with my hair, always scraped back! I need to get in the habit of washing/drying/straightening it at night as I like my bed too much to get out of it early enough. I need a wardrobe overhaul too.

I recently took a 10-week group self esteem course (online) and something that was introduced very early on was the importance of self-care.

We were encouraged to make some time for ourselves, once a week, to partake in some form of self-care.

So one day each week, I make sure to do this. Some of the things I have done during my self care time...

• Manicure/pedicure
• Relaxing bath with face mask.
• Relaxing bath with bath bomb, shaved legs, bikini, underarms and plucked eyebrows.
• Followed a make up tutorial before meeting a friend for a socially distanced walk.
• This week I gave myself a facial using some brand new Liz Earle products which were recommended to me on MN. I'd specifically asked for suggestions on skincare as my routine was basic/non-existent. Have now started to incorporate some of these products into a daily skincare routine.

I would suggest gradually reintroducing skincare, make up, hair styling etc rather than trying to do it all. It'll be too overwhelming.

I can also recommend Liz Earle products.
It’s not cheap but if you start with the basic set of cleanser (using the cloths), toner and moisturiser, you won’t go far wrong.
If you were to look for the Daily Routine set you get all 3 with an extra gift, and that’s a good way of trying new things.
They’ve got the Essentials Try Me sets, trial sized products, on now at £21.25.

Crazy expensive but I got a Dyson Airwrap just before Christmas. I love it! I think if your hair looks nice you feel good, and mine always looked rubbish before. For reference, I've got shoulder length, fine hair but lots of it. My hairdresser recommended Moroccan Light Oil (needs a 5p size blob on the ends) followed by Tigi Queen For a Day spray which I put on damp hair before I use it. I've only used it twice but my hair's never looked better.

Could you do your nails in front of the TV? I always think if your hands look nice you feel happy when you see them (which is a lot). Mine are really awful - I chew my nails. New year resolution coming up...

Same OP, I have put on a about 20lb from my pre pregnancy weight 2 years ago and have never shifted it. Have never updated much of my wardrobe as I've always been meaning to lose the weight and so consequently everything is either ill fitting or cheap. Never bother with eyebrows, hair, skin care anymore with lockdown not helping. Need a massive kick up the arse because it's not making me happy!

Exercise is the number one way to feel better about yourself - no amount of new clothes, beauty treatments etc can compensate.

I'm going to make an effort this year to start yoga again. It made me feel so good. There's a new free 30 day program starting on the 31st on yoga with Adriene.

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

This is going to be my motto for the year! 'My ears are never naked'.

@Livedandlearned

I'm going to make an effort this year to start yoga again. It made me feel so good. There's a new free 30 day program starting on the 31st on yoga with Adriene.

Great, I'll look out for that.

I felt the same way a few years back, when I went back to work after DS (rising 4 now) I swore I’d do at least one thing a month just for me - that translated into getting my nails done properly every 2 weeks and my eyebrows threaded once a month.

When lockdown hit I, like many others, put on more weight on top of the “baby weight” I’d failed to lose. With a bit of encouragement from DH I started Couch to 5k, which I originally did pre-kids back in 2013. I started back in May and now try to run 5k 3 times a week, though I don’t punish myself if I’m not feeling up to it or just can’t be arsed to go out in the cold - the only time I have to run is first thing in the morning, so usually go out at 6.15am!

Then my next step was to find a way of eating that worked for me. After a bit of reading I hit on intermittent fasting which is supposed to be particularly good for women, especially those approaching “that” stage in life! I’ve tried to follow 16:8 since early July, though I like myself days off here and there - I’ve been off the wagon for 4 days over Christmas but getting back on it tomorrow.

I’ve managed to shed the lockdown weight gain plus made significant inroads back towards my pre-pregnancy goal. I’ve lost just over a stone in total with about another half a stone to go.

As far as style goes, I’m a little in limbo. I’ve found myself gravitating towards a vintage style - think 40s/50s clothing - but don’t feel brave enough to go all in yet. I’ve spent time on Pinterest putting together examples of what I like and now I just need the budget to be able to kit my wardrobe out from the likes of House of Foxy and The Seamstress of Bloomsbury!

Lock down has ruined me.
I dont do any beauty, the bear minimum maintenance.
Rarely wear anything apart from a tracksuit.
I’m not working anymore as my freelance stuff has dried up.
I’ve put on 6kg
I dont look or feel myself, lost all my self confidence.
I’d love a 10 week course @PeachesBright

I was hoping to find something like the January Cure (for home organization) but haven’t found anything online like it.

You haven't "let yourself go " you have let your body be what it naturally is.

Thanks for all the great suggestions, i have ordered loreal true match foundation and fudge shampoo and conditioner aswell as vitamin c serum. Tonight I am going to give myself amanicure and tomorrow i am going to gutt my clothes and put outfits together. It's has snowed where i am and we went for a lovely walk and mentaly felt great after so i think i will make more of a effort to get out in the countryside.

Sounds great OP!! I second outdoors time and regular excersize will make you feel amazing (even if it's just a relaxed walk)

Arghhh new foundation arrived, loreal true match.very good reviews! Well i don't like it, it's gone into my fine lines and faded on my nose and chin and I've only had it on a hour!!

Bloody hell that's not a good start!