Anyone fancy joining my “getting back to myself after having a baby” thread?

[Shimmylikejoanholloway]

I had a baby nearly two years ago. My weight isn’t too bad although I could still lose some and tone up.

I’m more concerned with how I feel - it might be vanity but I don’t care, it’s making me feel low and invisible! So I’ve stArted doing a few things to make myself feel better:

Currently on the prowl for a half decent blonde box dye so I can maintain my hair even though I can’t afford highlights at the moment

Tried nail wraps - I’m not great at doing my own nails and can never seem to find the time to sit down and do them without DS needing me or something and they end up smudging. I love the wraps and am really impressed with how easy they are to apply and how good they look.

Invested in two face halos so I always take my
Make up off even when I’m knackered - they’re magic.

Face mask once a week and leave on face mask twice a week. Nothing fancy just slapping it on before the shower and before bed.

Got some multivitamins to take for a boost.

Been drinking more water daily

Trying to get out walking more. I take DS out in the pram in the morning but it’s tricky as he wants to walk everywhere at the moment so I try to let him roam the park for a bit or go out for a walk where he can stop every five minutes in the afternoon

I’ve signed up to a course in an area of interest online. It’s taking up time but I do it when he naps or is asleep at night and it’s really giving me a sense of purpose.

I’m going to try to low carb again…

Anyone else want to join?

Can I join in please? DD1 arrived in March 2020, gain 5 stone while pg () so trying to lose that along with trying to make myself look a bit more like me.

I had a hair cut last week but need to sort my wardrobe out too. Would love to have some company on the return to normality!

Yessss join me! I keep starting and stopping and thinking it’s not important but I’ve come to realise that feeling good mentally is hugely
Important and for me, feeling out together is a huge part of that.

Yes me! I've decided to give myself until May when I go back to work and DD is 1 tj get myself together. Here's my plan:

Mutu to sort out my diastasis recti. Go for a walk every evening when DH gets in from work. I have a 2yo so like you can't go out for proper walks in the day!

Signed up for Skin and Me to sort my rosacea out. Hoping in a couple of weeks to see a difference!

Overhauling my wardrobe completely. I've set myself a yearly budget and have already bought bags/coats etc. Just need to lose a bit more weight and I can start buying the fun stuff!

Sorting my teeth out. I've just had one removed and I'm saving up to have them whitened. Excited for this!

Regular hairdresser visits. I've found my perfect hairdresser so visiting him is now my three monthly treat!

Not style and beauty related but I've gone NC with my parents and another toxic family member on DH's side. This feels good and like I can start finding myself and my freedom! I've also started sorting the house out properly as well - painting and decorating!

Love the idea of the nail wraps, will look into those.

Love the thread :)

@Monsoon92 yay well done, you’re doing amazing already! I need to get on the exercise bandwagon - currently paying for a gym membership that I don’t use so will try and go swimming when DH is home at least twice a week for some me time.

Got a massage booked for Monday too, so that will be nice

Me too! Had a baby 8 months ago and have a loooong list of things but so far:

• skin and me - which has actually really helped my skin already - been on it for about six months (hi @Monsoon92!)

• doing Invisalign - not the easiest thing with a baby but hey ho

Planning to lose 6kg and planning to do a bit of exercise so I'm maybe 92% cellulite instead of the current 98%. Planning to not eat freezer to oven food all the time and make the effort to actually cook.

Trying to update/upgrade/streamline my wardrobe - Chuck the twenty pairs of cotton socks with holes in bought from primark ten years ago and replace with six pairs of wool socks from John Lewis etc; Chuck the lots of shirts from gap with three holes in the seams and replace with more expensive shirts with great 4th button placement etc. this is a long game!

Will go to the hairdresser one day (after two years 😳)

Nail wraps sound great @Shimmylikejoanholloway - I am literally unable to paint my nails inside the lines or wait for them to dry before doing something that will smudge them so sounds like a great solution!

Yay there’s a few of us! Excellent.
@Monsoon92 you’re doing brilliantly! I’ve had a cull of clothes recently I got rid of loads. I’m trying to buy quality brands and had got a few great bargains from vinted as I’m not too flush at the moment. Out of interest - how much does your 2 year old walk during the day? I always feel like DS is in the buggy too much (he’s just 22 months) but otherwise I never get things done like errands etc.

@Toddleberry bet you’ll feel like a new woman after that massage

@onedaysoonish I’m so impressed with the wraps. I got them from Lily and Fox and they look so good rather than wonky and smudged and bleeding into my fingers like usual. It also means I can do them around DS which makes it easier!

Joining! My baby is also nearly two and I think I can no longer get away with being a new mum/lockdown as an excuse for being dull and frumpy. Things I’ve started or decided to do recently:

Getting nails done regularly
Always a very healthy breakfast and lunch - then I can have the occasional unhealthy dinner
CPD - my professional association is really pushing courses and upskilling, so I’ve made an effort to make the most of my membership fee and actually do some of it

Watching with interest for other good ideas

I do think please-no.4 is 8 weeks.
Diastsis recti is an issue for me as is 2stone too lose.
What is a face halo?

• um ignore ‘think’ I don’t know how or why that ended up in my first sentence!!

My dc is also nearly 2 (birthday tomorrow!) and I just look and feel like shit.
I want to lose 1 and a half stone.

Are you me!!!!!
2 years in, 2 stone heavier than when I gave birth.

She walks quite a bit @Shimmylikejoanholloway, but she has to as we don't have a double pram :D We don't go on long walks or anything, just round a park or the shops in short bursts which seems to be okay. I end up carrying her if we do any longer, which is no fun for my back

Me please! I’ve had two babies 18 months apart during COVID and just cannot get back to myself. There are some things I think might make me feel better but just can’t see to find the time/energy to get them booked or done!

• Salon hair dye
• Gel nails
• Daily naps in pram so I can walk/fresh air
• Eating healthily (not binging on crap because I’m so sleep deprived)
• Bath/face mask on Sunday evenings
• Whiten my teeth
• Invest in ZO skin regime

Anyone have any motivation for how I actually get off my arse and do these things! I love the suggestions from everyone else and wish lots of good luck, energy and sleep!

Me please!! Eldest is 3 and youngest 5 months. Want to lose baby weight, eat more healthily, drink more water, sort out my skin and make more effort with hair/makeup/nails again. I've recently culled my wardrobe and bought a few new bits so that's one thing to check off the list.

I have a four month old and would like to try to get back in shape but like the idea of doing other things to look and feel good.

I try to walk every day and do 10,000 steps. I just signed up to mummyfit but realistically would only be able to go once a week. I do baby yoga but there isn't a huge amount of yoga involved with the babies. There is some and it's probably helping my strength.

I try to take a multivitamin or berocca but should do better with this especially as I am BFing.

I have a lot of beauty products I haven't opened from advent calendars etc (hence haven't bought one this year) so could pamper myself a bit with nice skincare, bath stuff, face masks... to use it up.

I would also like to paint my toe nails

@Yogaandcocoa you’re doing so well with a four month old! Much more than I was doing!

@partario join us! :) sounds like we all have similar goals so hopefully we can keep each other going

@Newmummyinlockdown two in 18 months, I salute you! I’ve found that not trying to do everything at once has helped. And finding quick fixes, the face halo for example is great as I wasn’t taking my make up off or cleaning my face when I was knackered and my skin was awful.

@Bluebleu this is the face halo:
www.lookfantastic.com/face-halo-the-modern-makeup-remover-original-3-pack/12528588.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000083936107&adtype=&product_id=12528588&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_fiLBhDOARIsAF4khR3Xh5qqv-q0x9h1471GE6Y_RE3BC3aVhFh5OesLyiVsRvNGN8tHJAgaAtpmEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

@Monsoon92 I think I need to get DS walking more he’s a proper squishy little adorable chunk haha. He’s been walking more recently but it means I have to go at his pace and not sure it counts as exercise for me

@CliffsofMohair welcome! I’ve got about a stone to lose and I swear it just won’t budge. Need to stop eating biscuits I suppose. And fallen into a BAD takeaway habit.

@SpangoDweller that’s exactly how I feel. I feel really scruffy and all my clothes are covered in bloody stains. Thanks DS!

@ThatNameAgainItsMrPlow aw hope they have a lovely birthday! I feel like it’s the wrong time of year to try and eat healthily but I’m going to try anyway!

Can I join please?
I have a 2 year old (June 2019) and whilst I’m not reallllly overweight, I’m carrying more than I feel comfortable with. I could do with losing a stone or 2, and think I would feel better about myself since just turning 30.

I work 4 compressed days (full time) and DH works shifts so I’ve been using the excuse of ‘no time’ to not do any exercise. I’ve joined the gym and have an induction tomorrow. I’m going to try to fit in 2 classes per week and eat better, rather than set a ridiculous goal like I usually do.

I’m also saving for a good quality clothing overhaul once I get down to a solid size 12. I just want to look… maintained… if that makes sense.

Anyway. Here’s to progress!

Me please! Have a three year old and 8 month old and really itching to get back to ‘me’ a bit more. Have wardrobe culled and bought a few new bits, plus trying to eat better rather than grazing allll day (trying a new app where I take a pic of everything I eat which actually really seems to be making a difference). Also invested in at home gel nail kit which I try and do once a week as getting out to get nails done just wasn’t happening. Really need to work on exercise!

Can I join please? I have a 4 year old and 1 year old and feel scruffy and frumpy all the time
I don’t have a huge amount of weight to lose but would like to shift half a stone (ideally by Christmas), I’m breastfeeding and feel like my body is hanging on to it!
I’ve bought a few new clothes so need to go through my wardrobe and get rid of a lot of old tatty things I wear over and over which look awful! If I don’t have them I can’t wear them is my thinking!
I do get my hair and eyebrows done regularly but I’m so fed up with my hair, it’s greying and a few weeks after getting my roots done I can see the grey again! I had it done yesterday and spoke to the hairdresser about changing it up so have booked in 5 weeks time to have balayage(?!) to help blend the greys in.
I really need to start some regular exercise, I’m going to aim for 2 YouTube videos a week as that should be achievable.
I need to stop eating crap in the evenings and drink much more water!

Found my people

DS is 10 months and I put on 3 stone with him, and was probably half a stone above my happy weight. I lost 1.5 stone almost instantly and have lost another stone slowly over the last 6 months. Would love to lose another 1.5 stone to take me down to my happy weight - currently just under 13 and would like to be 11.5. That would make me a small 12, and im probably a large 14 at the moment.

Got a hair appointment for December and have been having a facial/massage every couple of months for some baby free time.

I’m back at work so that’s making me look slightly more presentable. I highly recommend Vinted, I bought all my new work clothes from there and it’s really helped to feel more like myself.

I work four days so I manage to do long walks on my days off. I’ve signed up to FIIT through Sky so just need to start fitting in 25 min workout 2-3 times a week.

Aiming to lose 7-10lbs by Christmas, not just shove on leggings on my days off, make my skin brighter again & have clean and tidy hair every day!

Can I join? Had my DS in May 2020 and really feel like I’ve lost myself.
I don’t weigh myself but can tell that I’ve yo-yo’d based on clothes. I’ve had to have my gallbladder out last month, but now I’m slowly feeling like myself I’m committed to getting back to myself.
I need to invest in some good skincare and replace some clothes that are past it/not really flattering anymore.
I did start doing growwithjo exercises on YouTube but stopped this when recovering post op so I’m going to get back into a routine with that.
Also leaving my desk every lunch time to go for a brisk walk at work.
And I need a bloody good haircut because half of it is dead and it’s looking really lank

Hmmmmm is it OK if I join even though my "baby" is three ?

I think I still qualify as "getting back to myself" though, as I went through an unexpected bereavement (my mum), then 2 x babies, then redundancy. I've just got a new job after being off for a few years and my youngest has started preschool as he gets the free hours now, so I feel like the time is now.

I was just reading a thread where a woman had been having therapy and going to the gym every day. She said it had made her glow inside and out. I WANT TO GLOW

Thinking of taking a leaf out of her book, having some (cheap, online) therapy, or even just reading some books on it, to build up my confidence, self esteem, whatever. Also daily exercise at home. Yoga, spin bike, running or weights. Also working on diet, upping fruit, veg and water intake...also lowering wine and coffee intake. Also will take a vitamin more regularly.

I've been dying my hair blonde with a box dye. Like you op, I can't justify the expense of a salon at the moment. I think it looks OK actually. Not blocky or anything. I'm also going to use Olaplex a lot more and also grow out a not great haircut I just got.

I haven't bought clothes for ages and honestly, I've been living in jeans and mens jumpers for years . Sometimes mix it up with leggings or a hoodie. But, today, I've ordered some bits. Just from M&S and not especially fancy. But a bit more feminine, which is what I feel I'm lacking at the moment. I've ordered two dresses, some white leather trainers with a star on them and a jacket. Will see what they're like.

Yes yes everyone is welcome!

I love Vinted, aside from the travelling through the post aspect it’s more environmentally friendly and sustainable and I’ve had some great bargains. Which box dye do you use @MildRose?

I think some of my problem is I haven’t returned to work properly. I work for myself and work has really dropped off post lockdowns because my clients were small businesses and they don’t have any money. So I’ve lost that part of my identity and style.

I’m finding it quite hard to navigate a style that’s practical, flattering and affordable!

I sell a bit on Vinted, but never find anything to buy on there, sadly. I like Vestiaire, but mainly for browsing handbags I can't afford

I have been using Josh Wood. Think the shade is called blonde 9.0.

Like @MildRose my baby is 3 years old! .

I was back at work for 4 months before WFH came in so I’ve been living in leggings and jumpers pretty much since he was born. We’re also TTC #2 and I want to be in a good place before doing it all again!

I’ve found a skincare and makeup routine that works for me. Simple toner followed by Clinique 72 hr moisture surge moisturiser. Then on rare make up days I use Clinique primer and a liquid foundation from Amazon Phoera. It gives me a lovely healthy glow which is a nice change from my usual blotchy, pale skin!

I’m determined to start doing yoga on my breaks while WFH to tone up.

I desperately need new clothes but have no idea what to buy or where to get it . I have bought a new coat from M&S for the nursery run which makes me feel at least vaguely stylish!