Slightly overweight caterpillar (Princessing for those too old to be a princess...) ...

[Karcheer]

dreams of being a butterfly...

In my 20s and 30s I knew who I was (City girl) had regular treatments and looked pretty good even if I do say so myself.

Since I turned 40 (im 47 now) i've lost my identify, and to be honest I just don't bother anymore. The last year (lockdowns) have caused me to be even worse.
If i look at myself I don't even recognise who I am...

I'm 100% fed up with myself.

Is there a princess thread at the moment?

If not anyone else want to join me on a Caterpillar to Butterfly journey?

So far i've booked in highlights and a trim, pedicure, manicure, waxing, facial, massage - all spread over the next 6 weeks.
I've a PT session booked for Wednesday.
I'm trying to keep (falling a bit) to Exante.

I've ordered 3 bras in various sizes as i've no clue what size I am anymore.

I need to sort out clothes, make up etc

Who is in on our journey of self discovery (haha!) ?

@nobiscuitplease

Another slightly overweight caterpillar here. Two kids and I have a stone to lose to get to pre-babies weight, I lose a pound and put two back on! Half my wardrobe doesn't fit and I don't want to buy it all again, but I feel rubbish and think if I looked better, I'd have more drive to lose the weight. Fashion has moved on so much and I haven't, I don't even know what is in at the moment. I'm 40 and feel like I've aged so much in the last few years. I looked young and slim at 35!

Need to: stop drinking as the four glasses of wine I have each week are landing straight on my stomach, eat healthier, get lots more exercise, wear make up again, try to dress in something that isn't loungewear, get more sleep.

This is very much me! Those last 5 years I’ve given up booze - two weeks in I’m hoping I’m healthier for it!

Like @JemimaMuddledUp a full scale operation is what's needed here Mid forties, on a peri rollercoaster, gained so much weight in the past 12 months, and generally let everything go.

My body is now in shock as after months of nothing but the absolute minimum, today I've conditioned my hair, spent hours a little time on essential deforestation, used some yummy Elemis body oil, given myself a lavender face mask, trimmed all ten nails, and exfoliated my feet.

That was the nice bit - why haven't I done anything nice for my body in forever?? Tomorrow is the attempt to control the constant eating...

Forgot to say instead of being annoyed by my dry and itchy skin today I actually made time to slather on some moisturise. Feet are shocking but a recent injury means I can’t bend - seriously thinking of booking a chiropodist appt

How are people tackling the bad diet thing?
I start the day well and end up eating chocolate and crisps by the bucket load!

Joining :

I have realised over previous threads that I'm not going to wake up 15 minutes earlier to apply a light make-up and blow dry my hair .
I rarely wear make-up and my work uniform is an unattractive but functional blue scrub set , mask, visor , gloves , apron and sensible shoes
My nails are short and clean, I occasionally buff them . But no polish .

I am waiting a while till I go to the hairdressers , let the queues go down a bit .
Growing out the grey , stepping away from the dye and using blue toned shampoo /conditioner once a week or so to brighten it

I do need to lose weight , mine is round my belly which isn't nice or healthy . I'm 54 and menopusal so it sits like a flabby apron.
Don't drink alcohol at all , so cannot blame that .
I need to crack on and remind myself I am Diabetes Waiting To Happen.
Just weighed myself so I have a figure to work on and a date (my next birthday ) about 7 weeks time so I'll see what progress I've made .
Can't even blame LockDown !

I don't need to buy any more clothes except replace my black leggings -some have small holes in them but still ok for now
In Summer I wear dresses , so much easier and cooler .

@Karcheer

How are people tackling the bad diet thing? I start the day well and end up eating chocolate and crisps by the bucket load!

I've been using MFP to count calories. I try to plan what I'm going to eat the night before so I know I've got a good balance throughout the day.

Tomorrow's plan is:

Breakfast: Overnight oats (oats, natural yoghurt, grated apple) with blueberries and a little bit of honey.

Lunch: Tuna salad (tinned tuna, watercress, rocket, tomato, cucumber, tomato, olives, roasted purple sprouting broccoli, drizzle of olive oil and balsamic). Yoghurt.

Dinner: Turkey fajitas (turkey breast, peppers, onions, spices, tortilla wrap, salad leaves, tomato, cucumber, avocado)

Drinks: Water, black coffee, herbal tea.

I find making sure I eat plenty of protein keeps me full for longer and then I don't snack. Although it is a challenge, especially working from home.

@Karcheer I’ve heard good things about boob or bust. Measured myself using it but haven’t got round to ordering new bras yet. Currently breastfeeding and sick of wearing the same nursing bras everyday so want to treat myself to a pretty non nursing one.

Any recommendations for a very subtle fake tan for pasty white skin?

Plan for this week is x3 runs (only 20mins each but feel much better doing it) weights class at home. Bit of makeup everyday and spend less time on cooking cleaning and general housework and more time on me. Starting with bath tonight.

My plan for the week is a mani/pedi tomorrow. Highlights and a trim on wednesday and Gym - Tuesday, Thurs and Sat.

I'd really like to do a at home facial and a body scrub (any recomendations?) this week too...

I also want to sort through my undies drawer - I have knickers and bras older than my sister in law

[quote jaffacakes16]@Karcheer I’ve heard good things about boob or bust. Measured myself using it but haven’t got round to ordering new bras yet. Currently breastfeeding and sick of wearing the same nursing bras everyday so want to treat myself to a pretty non nursing one.

Any recommendations for a very subtle fake tan for pasty white skin?[/quote]
The St Tropez watermelon gradual tan is really good.

This evening I have:

Filed and painted nails (with Seche Vite top coat so hopefully they'll last more than 5 minutes).
Plucked eyebrows.
Hot cloth cleanser, face mask, night cream.
Made overnight oats for breakfast and salad for lunch.
Laid out my outfit for tomorrow - first day in the office for 13 months.
Put everything else I need in the morning (moisturiser, make up, perfume, hair straighteners, hair styling products etc) out ready.

I did a bit of a Boots splurge and bought some primer and some make up fixing spray amongst other things. We have to wear a face mask when we aren't at our desks, so I'm hoping this will help stop the mask rubbing my make up off.

JemimaMuddledUp hope it all goes well tomorrow. You've had a great day.

I've had a weekend off the healthy eating so will start again tomorrow.

Have done my face routine, and painted my nails this evening.

What I have found is that doing all this every evening means its a lot easier to look presentable next day.

Very fat caterpillar here! Unlikely to get very close to butterfly status, but am 49 and would like to feel better about myself at 50 than I have for the last 25 years. Have purchased a rowing machine. Now need to put it together and get my fat arse on it.........

a body scrub

The only scrub I've liked is BodyShop Pink Grapefruit , it doesn't leave my skin feeling 'coated' or a nasty film in the bath.
But the ultimate scrub is Korean Italy Cloths , digustingly good
Best used after a 30 minutes hot plain water bath (I'm not a bath fan , less so a hot bath but I perservere for the skin shedding)

No idea about the home facial , I have just finished a tube of M&S Radience Peel which was fabulous . The expression 'Glass Like' springs to mind .
I'd do a double cleanse with a hot cloth cleanser , massaging well , getting the muslin cloth right up to the hairline and round my ears
Then a face mask to suit skin type , eyemasks (cucumber ) , relax
Splash off with cool water
Then the layers in order - serum, neck cream, eye cream , moisturiser (rather than just lobbing a scoop of cream at my face and rubbing in )

@Karcheer I’ve tackled my diet today by eating ice cream and Chinese food

I have slathered on some foot cream and body moisturiser though and added some serum under my usual moisturiser so it’s not all been bad!

Do Face Masks go off? I have an Elemis Lavender one which is definitely at least a few years old.

Please can I join? Overweight (too scared to get on the scales) 40 something. Not back in the office yet but I think i will get a shock when I have to wear anything other than leggings. Am trying to do one thing positive a day to be more butterfly like! Today’s one is early bed, I suffer from insomnia so permanently sleep deprived 😣

@JemimaMuddledUp good luck tomorrow. SOunds like youre well prepared :D

I'm in!

55 and need to lose a stone. I dropped 2 stone last year but regained it slowly since Christmas. Alcohol is my downfall. Once I start drinking I lose all sense about what I should be eating. So I need to be booze free and will set MFP to 1200 calories - my BMR is 1300 and I wfh from the sofa. I might try to go for a walk at lunchtime if I have time.

I had a shower (hate baths) tonight instead of waiting until the morning, as I think this new routine will suit me better. I applied a hair mask and then all over body cream when I got out. Applied toner and serum and will moisturise face in a bit and then try to get lots of sleep. Oh, will apply hoof cream just before bed too.

I am going to call the dentist tomorrow and brave a hygienist appt. I have fabulous new hair - major style change and usual blonde highlights, but need to get my eyebrows done. I have a voucher that's about three years old. Would it be naff to use that after so long?

Am I too late to join? 42 but feel like I've totally lost any sense of style. Used to be in the office full time wearing smart fitted suits, dresses, nice heels etc. Good hair and always made-up for work. The past year I've hardly worn any make-up, wear tracksuits, yoga trousers and fleeces nearly every day and my hair hasn't been touched by a hairdresser since January 2020. My weight was always pretty constant for the last 10 years or so, but this year I've gained 10lbs. My diet is terrible, way too much chocolate and biscuits. I know all this is bad but I can't seem to shake myself out of it. I tried Noom for a few months but its not helped me at all. I don't even know where to begin anymore but desperate to get my old self back.

It's awful isn't it @hemhem. I feel dressed up and slightly uncomfortable in jeans now, I have got so used to wearing trackies/joggers. I didn't even own a pair until Covid!

I do have to wear make up most days as have video calls with clients.

Can you start with one thing if it all seems overwhelming? So say tomorrow you will make a hair appointment and wear make up? Good luck everyone!!

It's never too late, the body is wonderful the way it can respond to treatments etc.

My best behaviour over lockdown has been forcing myself to get up at 7am every morning so I can do a 45 minute Les Mills Body Balance class every day before work. I never ever want to do it. I ache all over and am stiff when I wake up and I just want to stay in bed with a cup of tea. But I force myself and it has really paid off. About half way through I start enjoying it, and by the end I am smiling and happy and no longer stiff or ache.

I have never before in my life had such smooth toned upper arms. And even though I am 12 stone atm, it's 12 stone which is toned and shapely so somehow doesn't look so bad. I'm still going to try to get down to 11 in the next few months however at 51 it doesn't come off so easily anymore sadly.

@hemhem this is exactly how I feel. We can all do this together. Agree with @rothbury just build it up slowly... achieve one thing per day.
Im so excited to get a mani and pedi tomorrow feels like a real treat! - It will also mean I have to wear proper clothes and makeup!

Could I join too? I'm 33 and 2-3 stone heavier than I should be. I've lost all confidence, sense of style, and barely leave the house. I started getting my first greys a few years ago and they're rapidly spreading now.

I've booked a haircut and dye in for early June (first available date 😧) and will really try to start exercising and eating better. Want to be looking and feeling better by summer!

I'm in. In my 50's and feeling frumpy as $#%¥ lately. Time to get back the sexy.

I've been really good doing my makeup and skin care regime throughout lockdown but need to exercise more and lose weight, start taking better care of my fingernails (as in stop BITING them. I know. Disgusting). I've lived in Skechers and stretchy jeans for the last 13 months.

Tomorrow I will do yoga, take a 30-minute walk, shave my monkey legs and give myself a pedicure. Dressing up for dinner as it's our anniversary.