What positive changes/transform can I achieve in five weeks. Realistically

[NoMoreLimbo]

If you have five weeks for a long awaited holiday and want to look your best...........what can one actually realistically achieve? What would you do?

I am going away with my OH in five weeks. It should hopefully be warm and I will be needing to don the old swimsuit but am feeling like I look like Klive from Despicable me/have lived in cave the last couple of years.

Someone fabulous here suggested the human being diet to me, actually to manage inflammation (which it did really well) but when I'm strict with it I lose a LOT of weight in a way I can't on any other diet. It's not easy, but I lost half a stone very fast.

If you drink plenty of water, cut out/reduce caffeine, alcohol and sugar, exercise every day you will feel fantastic in 5 weeks.

Hair, toes, fingernails.
A facial maybe a week before you go?
Some fake tan?

I agree with @Palavah. I would also add in a skin care routine - exfoliate regularly, if you don't have one already, put a skin care routine together, couple of hair masks.

It may only be 5 weeks but the act of self care itself makes me feel a million dollars, even if there's not enough time for the full effect to be seen.

I'm also going on holiday in 5 weeks! I've seriously stepped up my gym routine, spinning or bodypump most days and walking to work. Smaller portions of food, protein and fibre rich, less crap basically. Very limited alcohol and lots of water. Haircut booked.

Nearer the time a pedicure and body scrub could he nice too.

Drink gallons of water.

Personally I cut out all sugar and carbs but up the protein and fat to not feel deprived.

Sort all hair - that you should and shouldn't have . Nice cut, wax / trim etc

Yes to exfoliating and moisturising all over.

Personally I find lifting weights / dynamic yoga makes a quick visible difference to muscle tone if I do 30 mins every day.

Try on all your holiday clothes and be honest about what is flattering and ditch anything that's too small / doesn't do you any favours.

Can you buy a couple of new bits? Invest time and money in the things you will wear most which will depend on what kind of holiday it is.

Oh wonderful advice all of you! Thanks so much. I am now making notes to google the human diet @Artichokeleaves .
@Palavah absolutely! I do not eat a lot of sweet stuff but think there is a lot of hidden sugar in my what I believe healthy diet 🤔
Fake tan yes is a must @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie now just to find the one that will take me from a pale earth worm to glowing.
Yes self care on its own is a great positive @dancingqueen345 and I will focus on that.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday ahead of you @gottaloveascamhun . I will make a note of the date and book in the pedi/mani and @FusionChefGeoff make sure I get a lot (!) of wax strips! 😂
I can get a couple of new dresses I think but thinking cheap and cheerful here. It is a romantic week away in the (I blimming hope) sunshine. Have done what you said about trying on. Not the whole existing summer wardrobe but a few bits and am ditching everything that does not make me feel look good!

Not sure if this will be to your taste or not, but I saw these dresses when browsing yesterday and thought one might be gorgeous for a warm but not hot, hot, hot holiday.

I actually have a city break in 4 weeks time so I might join you in this!

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie Thanks for the tip. Will have a look at those.

So tomorrow will mark the start of this! 😀

How are you getting on @NoMoreLimbo?

I think you should definitely aim for 10,000 steps a day, full body moisturiser every day, hair mask twice a week and make a really good packing list. A maxi dress, midi dress,jumpsuit, wide trousers, play suit, skirt/top combo and crop trousers - 7 different outfits for 7 days!
Maybe reward yourself with a little something for your holiday for every pound you lose?

@NotPennysBoat Well......I am trying very hard at least 😀
@Rina66 I like that packing list. Will copy it down. I get a fair few steps in every day but I think I need to do more.

I'm on the 2022 princessing thread and also the last one left it seems so I've been focussing on this alot this year but with December being my goal.

In five weeks you can achieve alot, it depends what you are after. Quick fixes are microblading, teeth whitening, spray tan, hair colour/cut/extensions, eyelash perm/extensions, spray tan/tanning drops, manicure and pedicure, waxing. Buyng nerw clothes and jewellery , and makeup too can help,

You didn't say about whether you wanted to lose weight or tone up for a beach body, but lots of water daily, multivitamin, good skincare routine, cut out sugar/alcohol/gluten and exercise/meditation.pilates can all help.

How are you all getting on?

I'm doing well with my spinning classes and free weights. Haven't weighed myself as I think I'm building muscle and losing fat by how I feel but scales depress me.

Sleep is all over the place. I need to sort that out.

Get yourself a dry body brush and a tube of Nivea Q10 body gel-cream (which is currently £6 at Boots if you've got an Advantage card). Dry brush whole body every 2 days, legs daily. Use the Nivea daily, straight after dry brushing. It absorbs very quickly so this isn't a time consuming process.

The gel really does help. It isn't a cure but it does seem to be firming me up!

• Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred
• Healthy diet and lots of water
• Book yourself in for a body exfoliation and spray tan (or DIY at home)
• Gel manicure and pedicure
• Good haircut (and possibly colour?)
• Brow and bikini wax
• Get yourself a decent swimsuit that you feel amazing in

Have fun and smile!

Get yourself started with Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. She also does a 7 day one but it's brutal 😆

Oh I am going to google that Jullian MIchale shred now @Sisisimone and @violetbunny

Must also get that cream you mention @RobertaFirmino

I do want to both loose weight AND tone up. I know I need to add more weigh bearing excercise for this but will have to make do with what I have at home as cannot afford to commit to a gym

@NoMoreLimbo There used to be videos of it on YouTube, not sure if there still are. She definitely has them all on her My Fitness app along with her other workout programmes (including a Beginner / low impact shred). You can sign up for a free 7 day trial. I do one of her workouts most days and have subscribed for about 3 years, it's worth having an exercise mat and some dumbbells but if you're just starting out you can use tins of beans etc until you get a feel for it.