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?

@partario I've never tried niacinamide

But I'd be genuinely pleased with myself if I reached for fruit instead of a biscuit or chocolate

Well done everyone. Reaching for fruit instead of bad stuff is really good. Going to have some fruit as part of breakfast

@Yogaandcocoa me either but I've read it's meant to be very good for lots of skin problems, I'm hoping it might help get rid of my chloasma and tone down a bit of redness theskincareedit.com/niacinamide

Haha, I did pat myself on the back a bit for being so virtuous! I tried to go full on sugar free a few weeks ago and I've never felt so miserable or tired so that didn't last long!

@Greytminds I have done similar with clothing. My son is nearly four and a half months but I also had a c section and found myself not comfortable in my maternity clothes or my pre pregnancy clothes. I bought some capped sleeve t shirts from Next (recommend on mumsnet as being flattering and good quality which they are), nursing vests and some normal vests from there to match the tees and wear for feeding out and about, a few pairs of leggings and some skinny jeans. I think all from Next. I also have a maternity jacket / cardigan I got from Gap that I love and I just bought the Seraphine shawl (with sleeves) which I really like although my coats do fit me now.

Haircut done, it helped more than I thought it would. @Greytminds I've been hammering chocolate bars and general rubbish....you are not alone! I'm 5 months post baby though so it really needs to stop.

I ate a banana today for tea. I feel virtuous even though I had a 2 course pub lunch.

I’ve done nothing apart from mainline coffee and antibiotics this week but I’m hoping to get back on it next week.
Hello to all new thread joiners you’re all inspiring me!

I second Next for that awkward post baby phase where maternity is too big but old stuff too small - I also got a pair of M&S magic jeans as the waistband was kind to my c section area and I felt pulled in and good in them.

I just feel like whatever I wear at the moment ends up looking frumpy. I don’t think I know what fashion is anymore!

@Shimmylikejoanholloway I feel the same - constantly frumpy. The big matronly breastfeeding boobs aren’t helping.

Eurghhhh after 2 really good days keeping to my calories on MyFitnessPal and doing a short exercise video, I fell off the wagon yesterday and went way over my calories and ate absolute rubbish! I have been making more effort with hair, makeup and clothes which has given me a boost.
I’m also breastfeeding my DS2 (he’s recently turned one) and I hate my boobs they make me look frumpy! Funny I was always very small chested and wished for bigger boobs, now I have them I don’t like it

@LBB2020 I always think you need those higher calorie days in between to keep your metabolism going

I know what you mean about the boobs. Mine were always big but now they are huge

Haha @Yogaandcocoa
I feel like mine make me look bigger than I am. I dread what they will be like once DS2 finally finishes with them!

@LBB2020 Same, I think mine make me look bigger overall and also make it hard to know what size I am in clothes 😬

Totally get the frumpy thing. I feel the same. Haven't worn jeans since giving birth 18 months ago as none fit but determined to find some as tired of leggings all the time.

@becca3210 I’ve only just started wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans, DS2 is 14 months (by the end of the day they are not comfortable ). I had been living in Spanx jeggings which although they were expensive I have definitely got my money’s worth out of them!

@LBB2020 I was literally looking at the Spanx leggings last night

Are they worth the money?

@Yogaandcocoa I don’t have the leggings but the jeans/jeggings have been great! They really smooth your tummy and I have literally lived in them for the past year so I’ve definitely had my money’s worth! ASOS have 20% off at the moment so you might get some discounted on there!

I'd love to join you all too please

I was 2 stone heavier than pre baby (3 months old) - have managed to shift 7lb on slimming world and would like to lose another 7 by christmas, ideally more! I have the exact same problem as @Greytminds where all my old pre pregnancy clothes are too small and maternity stuff is too lose. I'm so reluctant to spend money on clothes that (hopefully) wont fit me for long but at the same time I'm just starting to go out to baby groups/meeting other mums and I've got literally nothing to wear that doesnt make me feel like a bag lady. Gah!

We have got into a routine now where DH does DDs bath and gives her a bottle in the evening so I have some time to myself so my plan is either to do a short workout from YouTube or do my nails or a face mask. I had my hair coloured last month but I'm so crap at styling at that it still looks rubbish!

I read on here the other day that Next jeggings are pretty good so I was thinking of buying a pair to see me through a few months Also going to look out for some Ebay bargains in my current size I think.

The one thing I have been using that I love is St Tropez facial tan mist - it makes me look a lot healthier than the pale tired mum I really am

How’s it going for everyone? Has anyone tried the Spanx jeans? Wondering if they are worth the money

I’ve not tried them @Shimmylikejoanholloway but I’ve been eyeing them up too!

@Shimmylikejoanholloway not tried the Spanx ones, but they do look good! Hope you are feeling better?

Also like a PP fell off the wagon earlier in the week as baby DS has decided to no longer sleep in his bed, think there might be a tooth on the way! So have been eating alllll the sugar and caffeine to keep me going!

My niacinamide has arrived so going to start using that, fingers crossed it helps the pigmentation a bit! I've managed to paint my nails last night too which always makes me feel a bit more put together

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

@Shimmylikejoanholloway This thread has been in the back of my mind all week, constantly reminding me to make the right choices for me.
I’ve realised I need to focus on just increasing the good stuff (water, fresh produce, sleep) as I’m not too concerned what the scale says at the moment but I know those habits would help the numbers decrease, plus make me feel and look so much better.
One thing I have sorted recently is bras. After years of badly fitting bras I finally worked out my size and bought 4 new bras - amazing!

@Shimmylikejoanholloway I lived in the Spanx jeans/jeggings from about 4 months postpartum until now (I have this week finally fitted back into my pre-pregnancy jeans, DS2 is 14 months ). They really smoothed out my tummy and made me feel a lot more confident

Positives this week
Bought some D3 + K2 and started taking it. I’m hoping this will help with my tiredness

Negatives
Haven’t been to the gym or done any exercise
Put on 2.5lbs

I’m 5 weeks post c-section and joining this thread!
I gained 2 stone during pregnancy and after the initial weight loss I still have 1 stone that I’d like to lose to go back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I’m not breastfeeding so I worry that my womb will take too long to contract back to its previous size!

I will start walking for 30 min in the park near me, and in a few weeks I hope to start online barre or postnatal pilates classes. I will take my bike to the shop for a service (haven’t used it in almost a year, since I found out I was pregnant) and will start using it when I need to go out to our local area without the baby.

I don’t want to go on a diet per se, but am slowly weaning myself off the daily cake/pastry habit that I developed during pregnancy.

Grooming-wise things have been ok, I’m managing to shower most days (!), blow dry my hair (it helps that my baby loves the hairdryer noises) and keep up with skincare. I started using tretinoin again a few weeks ago, my skin is still peeling a bit but it’s not too bad and I am already seeing an improvement in skin texture. I developed dark spots under my eyes in late pregnancy but they seemed to have gone away on their own!

Late to the party but can I join? Had my second 6 months ago and while my weight is ok it feels like this baby changed my whole shape. I had my first 3 years ago and haven't bought any clothes since then... The last time I went shopping I was still going out to nightclubs. I have no idea what suits my new body and my new life!

My hair isn't too bad, I'm growing out my lockdown box dye but it looks ok, I'm reliably informed people pay good money for the ombre look . Skin is ok. I look tired, but I am, so there we go! I hate hate HATE my teeth. I've always had a slight snaggletooth that I never minded but a combination of age and pregnancy has really exacerbated it and I feel embarrassed of my smile nowadays. I looked into Invisalign but it's £4.5k!

I need to have a real clear out of my wardrobe but... No free time....

I am unexpectedly working from home today so the goal is to drink at least 2L water! No excuses as I'm sat next to the kitchen and can easily access the toilet (unlike at work when I'm stuck at my desk all day).