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?

@MildRose One of the things that appealed was that it takes my routein down to cleanser, moisturiser and SPF in the morning and cleanser, treatment and moistuiser in the morning. Which I can do!

You fill in a questionnaire and then send them some photos of your skin. They then send you the perscription product. My skin felt really dry at first until I bought one of their recommended moisturisers (bioderma £10) and since then I've been pretty impressed. They recommend (but don't sell) moisturisers, cleansers and SPF's at different price points to compliment the treatment.

You need to pay a prescription cost plus the cost of the product each month. The first month is £3.50 (I think it was an offer) and then £20 per a month.

It feels quite 'self service', if that makes sense, but for £20 a month I'm happy with it at the moment. They give you the email address of a practioner to contact if you're having negative effects, but I haven't had to use that.

@Yogaandcocoa I do have a few audiobooks I could listen to... I'll give that a try.

@FreshFaceTime Thanks for the tips. I've got water bottles, I just need to utilise them. I had a morning to-do list in the kitchen for a while and first item was water for baby and water for me. I keep forgetting me (I think because water on an empty stomach makes me feel queasy but I should have it later with my porridge).

@bookish83 Something I missed off my list - pelvic floor exercises!!
If there are more trips to the toilet then at least that means more steps per day

@bookish83 my pelvic floor muscles aren't great right now and I do wee quite a bit but I've been drinking lots of water for ages now so think my body has got used to it. Definitely need to form a pelvic floor exercise habit so count me in for that goal!

@Shimmylikejoanholloway

I'll join!! Got halfway through reading your post and got to the box of hair dye & said yep that's me.

My hair is looking atrocious - normally it is dyed a shade of auburn but at the moment my hair has grown out so much, I can't even say my roots are showing - as it's practically half of my head. Doesn't help that my natural shade is practically black. Makes me look so pale and washed out it's awful.

I need to get my life together starting with my hair & when DD starts nursery I need to get back into the gym.

Thanks for this thread. Sorry to those of you who are dealing with loss.
My youngest turned two recently and as I'm not planning anymore kids, now seems like a good time to get back to being me,well, the new version of me.
I'm in my thirties but a combination of motherhood, pandemic and my apple shaped figure make me look quite a bit older I think. I do feel much more confident since I've had my second set of there's at least that.
So far I've invested in some clothes that are a bit more fashionable and don't emphasise my mum tum, get regular haircuts (have been changing up my style to stay modern 😂), do a weekly exercise class when time allows and am trying to get a bit more sleep.
I'd love to drink more water, less alcohol and stick with good habits as I find it hard in the winter. I'd also like to start slowly looking for a new job.

Can I join? I have an 18month old DS and I am fed up of being scruffy! Need to up my game health wise as well. Today's small wins - quickly did my eyebrows and put on mascara before leaving house. Insisted my DH now watches son while I shower as DS is causing havoc and stressing me out. Not great diet wise but did yoga with Adriene on YouTube.

So my "win" tonight is having a jacket potato for dinner instead of the pizza I was really tempted to order (as we don't have much in and I was really hungry)

Best I can do!

@becca3210 make up and yoga is definitely a win

I would love to join you all! DS has just turned 2 and DD is 6 weeks. Not planning on any big changes just yet but feeling very excited at the prospect of getting back to feeling like (a better version of) myself and this thread has already given me so many ideas - thank you! For now I’m just going to focus on drinking more water, eating healthier and taking my vitamins plus working out a budget for some much needed new clothes in the new year.

I’ve had a decent day today (other than the DC driving me potty!). I logged my food on MyFitnessPal and didn’t go over my calorie allowance, did a short core strengthening video and used exfoliating gloves and a nice body oil in the shower! I also wore some of my new clothes which felt nice!

Sounds like you had a good day @LBB2020

I am wondering whether to use MFP as I think I would be more conscious of all the crap I'm eating.

I am going out to meet some friends tomorrow so probably will be a bit more active and make more effort to look nice!

Sorry for abandoning the thread somewhat we have come down with the generic cold like Covid like lurgy in our household (apparently not Covid but having test nightmares so who knows) so all thoughts of getting a good routine have gone out of the window.

I currently have greasy hair and am wearing a stained hoody. Send help.

I was wondering, when I’m feeling better, if maybe I should start posting pics of healthy food I’m eating etc to sort of be held accountable but don’t know if that would just clog up the thread?

Morning all! So glad to see so many people joining

Had a massage last night, @Shimmylikejoanholloway you were right, feel like a new woman! And I got a full night sleep last night.

Trying to make an effort to have breakfast everyday this week, just shredded wheat and a banana, but it’s something and there’s fruit involved. Might risk jumping on the scales today, was 208lb last time I checked so fingers crossed that’s come down a bit.

Oh can I please join! This is a thread for me, I've had my 3 babies in the last 5 years, I weigh so much more than I did before kids and lived in an entirely different climate so none of my clothes are even suitable! For me i need to lose the weight and find some sort of style!

Doesn't the brain re-set during pregnancy? You won't be who you were ....

@mousepen - here you go!

@Tuirseach

Oh can I please join! This is a thread for me, I've had my 3 babies in the last 5 years, I weigh so much more than I did before kids and lived in an entirely different climate so none of my clothes are even suitable! For me i need to lose the weight and find some sort of style!

I hear you. And judging by your username name I feel you also 😂

@becca3210 I love yoga with Adriene!

Since finding this thread I've bought a few new clothes from Vinted..! I started a new job a month ago and bought a few basics from TK Maxx to get me started but you've all inspired me to put a bit more thought into what I'm wearing thank you

Yes post photos @Shimmylikejoanholloway

Sometimes it helps to share or simply have a "record" as strange as that sounds

Today was my first day back to work following my maternity leave! I WFH but did my hair, makeup and wore a dress which felt really nice! I’ve logged my food on MyFitnessPal again today and I’m just about to do another short core YouTube video before jumping in the shower. I weighed myself this morning and I’m heavier than I thought which was a bit crap but is the kick up the butt I need to motivate me hopefully!

Get well soon @Shimmylikejoanholloway
It's a relief to hear I'm not the only one who's put on a bit of weight after having my kids, so many mums I know irl are really slim. I don't think they hit the cake in quite the same way I do though
I've had a good day, bit of yoga this evening, bath and an early night.

Yes post photos @Shimmylikejoanholloway! It's great reading everyone's small wins too, well done everyone!

Have ordered some niacinamide stuff from The Inkey List to try and sort out my skin issues
and so far this week when I would reach for the biscuits I've replaced it with fruit and a glass of water (I know fruit is still sugar but I can only do so much )

to all those coping with bereavement on top of looking after small children x

Please can I join you all? DC2 is 6 weeks old and I’ve got 2 stone to lose. I’m 41 and know I will be the oldest mum wherever I go and boy do I feel old right now!

I need to stop eating so much rubbish- sweets, chocolate and crisps are my downfall. I’m aiming for 10-16k steps per day and will join a local postnatal fitness class when my c-section recovery is further along.

My main problem is that I have no clothes at all that fit. Maternity stuff is too loose now but my pre-pregnancy clothes are all for a slim 8-10 and not a size 12+ with a belly that hasn’t gone away. I also need clothes to be breastfeeding friendly which really limits things. I’ve decided I can get buy on a small capsule wardrobe for now (essentially a couple of tops, jeans, leggings, long jumpers, cardigan and a dress) and hopefully the weight will shift. I’m not really a leggings wearer but there’s very little else I can currently wear.

Given that it’s winter and I plan to do lots of walking, I think having a nice coat and boots are a priority. A stylish waterproof parka is my first purchase that I’d like to make.