Less Peri Bag Lady, more the best I can be

[ChocolateChocolateEverywhere]

@TabithaTittlemouse fingers crossed I've summoned you.

And anyone else feeling a bit meh after all that fabulous Easter chocolate.

I've sat down and made myself a list of things to do to make myself, bluntly and being very shallow, look better. I'm peri menopausal, carrying half a stone more than I'd like to and naturally predisposed to scruffy. I have no deadline, or target event, I'd just like to see some progress. I have a vision of a tickover state of basic maintenance where because I'm not overweight, baggy and saggy, with poorly fitting clothes and only ever 2/3 of an outfit, I can just throw on some lippy and waft out looking like the good version of me. Just got to get to a point where the basic maintenance is enough...

Here's my list. Please add yours, bring your ideas and be prepared for me to steal them.

Free/ included in current budget

•Drink more water. Set an initial target, hit it and gradually increase it.
•Eat less sugar, same process but in reverse.
•Commit to regular exercise, minimum 3x per week at the gym, aiming for 5, 10k steps per day average.
•Maintain feet through summer. File and moisturise. Nail varnish.
•Learn to do eyeliner
•Eat more salad. Prep in advance to make it easy

More expensive
•Identify treatments that have an impact and are affordable. Commit to them. Eg nails, brows.
•Look into new glasses
•Work out accessories. What do I have, what works with which outfits, what do I need? Prioritise which ones to buy

What have I missed out? Anyone up for joining me?

Following!

I’ll have to think about my list. Weight loss is definitely high up there. I want to be nicer to myself too.

I'm with you. Much the same description applies to me except I'm a good couple of stone overweight . I've already pretty much cut out chocolate - once I start in that I fall down the slippery slope - but have fallen into a WFH biscuit trap.
Some of my list to help myself feel better:

• eat more fruit
• get myself away from my desk and have a lunch break when WFH.
• exercise dvd at least 3x a week, including a good stretch.
• get hair cut more regularly. If I feel my hair looks ok I feel a lot better about myself.
• go through my clothes and plan some outfits so I don't have to change three times before I go out. Sort out what actually fits and doesn't look awful.

Oh I'd love to join you.

I need to lose a stone (at least) in weight and tone up greatly.

I'm going to be much more active and try to up my steps to 10 k a day and use our home gym at least 3 times a week.

I need to book highlights as they are growing out

Eat a fresh Mediterranean diet more as I heard that helps with menopause too

No biscuits at work

Drink more water and less coffee

Sort out brows

Start using light fake tan again as it makes me feel so much better about my body

We had a 2022 Princessing thread for this very thing, but I think I'm the only duckling left in that pond 😂

I started with the inside out, gave up alcohol and drank more water, vitamins and supplements and a solid skincare routine. Have been doing this since January so these are permanent changes.

I have also sorted my wardrobe and hae chosen outfits to buy, currently cash flowing purchases as I go along and waiting for the sales to get some more bits.

I have bought all new makeup, and had four new piercings (3 lobes and 1 daith) to hopefully achieve the curated effect by the end of the year.

Next on my list is microblading/powder brows, hair cut/colour/extensions, buy bits for my wardobe and save for Maria Tash earrings.

@psuedocream3 you're going to have to be the inspo round here! Do you think the inside out effort is showing any effect? (Feel free to lie, I need to hear it does, reality is way less important). I'm in awe of you being able to make long term changes.

@IvorCutler @Ponks @spagbog5 I'm so glad to have company. Sounds like weight loss, diet and exercise are a bit of a theme. Let's do it!

Ooh, I’d love to join @ChocolateChocolateEverywhere
I’ve been making gradual changes over the past year which have resulted in just over 5 stones lost (still got more to lose!!) and me generally taking better care of myself and my appearance.
I have 5 minutes each morning when I check in with myself and my goals, which has been hugely helpful.
At the moment I’m focused on my water intake, keeping up with my vitamins, and using retinol at night. My skin is drying out and flaking, which is most perturbing 😬

I am a few weeks into basically doing this sort of thing, and I think I’m starting to see the difference already. I’m swimming for 40
mins 4 x a week and gym for 90mins x 1 a week. Trying to make healthier choices but not beating myself up if I don’t. Getting to bed at a decent time. Making the effort to wear nice clothes and a bit of makeup!

I was on the Princess Thread Wagon but then fell off 😬
Trying to sort my Keratosis Pilaris I time for hols in July using Ameliorate Cream , plus Korean washcloth once a week and Japanese cloth in shower for back. Am getting smoother!

I'm a member of a wellbeing volunteer that has online lessons so will try to fit those in. Plus kettlebells and more walking. I need more core strength , we are going to Dominican Republic in Jan and do not want to be stuck in a Kayak or unable to do SUP.

Considering doing a pre diabetic/ Michael Mosely type diet ...I've a lot of weight to lose.

I didn't have a drink until 3pm today ...obviously more water is something I need to work on...

Vit D spray, more marmite and magnesium before bed.

Trying to think more positively.

I did get my colours done. I'm a Deep Winter it does help ,picked up some nice cashmere bits through Vinted etc in my colours.

Just be nice to myself....and drink more bloody water.

I wish I wasn't still in the position where I need to join ANOTHER weight loss thread but here I am 🫣

Nearly 30 years old. 1.5 stones overweight.
Binge eating junk when WFH - no idea how to stop for good as I'll have a solid week and then it all turns to chaos.

Hit and miss with exercise. I love walking but sometimes if it's been a bad week with toddler sleep then I'm just knackered and far too kind to myself with treats/relaxing aka doing nothing.

I want to ideally just be at a healthy weight and more able to throw on clothes in my wardrobe that are gorgeous but do not fit!

I think the things I have concentrated on first, the results are gradual rather than instant. Tret has made a big difference to my skin in that it glows, my marionette lines have softened and my skin is plumped, my skin is good enough to not need foundation and my pores have shrunk but 4 months is still early days for tret to have full effect. I started it mainly for getting rid of fine wrinkles, and although it has improved some it can take a good year to get full results.

I started viviscal and four months in I have new hair growth around my hairline which I didn't notice had been missing until it's grown back in, it's about an inch long in those places so I can see noticeable growth now, and my hair is slow growing and the tablets have sped up growth so at the moment I have a good inch or two of roots, but want to wait to go to the hairdressers to get it in optimum condition for cut/colour and tape extensions, which will be a big noticeable change.

I think once I book in for hair, brows, eyelash extensions, hair colour/extensions, nails etc, the 'quick fixes' it will all come together, but the long term care bits needed doing first iyswim?

Yes @pseudo did you get the tret on prescription?

I'm thinking of getting a home eyebrow dye if anyone has recommendations? Sometimes the ends of them disappear in photos!

Ooh can I join? Not peri yet but have turned 40 and want to head into the next decade feeling the best I can. Weight is fine but I’m flabby and a toddler/work mean I look permanently knackered and grey. I’d love recommendations for the vitamins and facial massage.

My list:
more water, less coffee
healthy snacks
Daily pilates
Daily facial massage
Dry brushing
Vitamins
Gradual tan for legs
more regular fringe trim/haircuts/colour

I started updating my wardrobe last year and it’s been great so now I need to keep going with it:
get clothes/accessories adjusted so they all fit perfectly and are in good condition (cobbler, seamstress etc)
Sell/donate stuff that’s not right or doesn’t make me feel great
Buy only stuff that’s exactly what I want(just right not good enough), or which fills gaps I’ve identified in my wardrobe, and that goes with stuff I already own.
Plan outfits the night before and note/photograph good combinations

I'm similar to you @ChocolateChocolateEverywhere. I'm late 40s, have been eating crap all winter, have half a stone to lose and nearly all my clothes are too tight.

This week though I've focused on what I need to do, wishful thinking and continuing to scoff Easter chocolate having (not surprisingly) not improved things on their own! This week I've started to:

• not eat between meals and if I do, just an orange, an apple or a banana;
• drink more water;
• run 3x a week (I do normally do this anyway, but I'm doing a half marathon next month, so I absolutely need to train properly);
• toning exercises on non-run days for core, bum, thighs;
• walk on non-run days while listening to podcast;
• no more than one glass of wine and only at weekends;
• salad for one meal a day;
• swap desserts for banana and plain yogurt or options hot chocolate.

I already use good products, have a monthly facial, take vitamins and supplements and my clothes are fine - I just need to fit in the damn things!

@zafferana a half marathon 😳 kudos to you and yes, training is probably recommended!

My chocolate consumption (clue is in the name) might have reduced slightly but it's hard to tell without the aid of a microscope. Water consumption not great but I've got some limes in now to slice and freeze and add with mint and maybe that's what I need?

Was always going to be a poor week for exercise but next week looks better.

My toenails need to have the old varnish taken off and be redone. A job for tonight and then at least I've achieved something!

I'm in. Feeling very motivated today after I've had an eye treatment done. Nails were last week.

Need to lose a stone and start exercise.

Drink more water.

Eat less crap.

Restart skincare

I've recently nailed an everyday groomed swishy hairstyle for the first time in my life. I'm so happy for myself.

Wardrobe needs a trim. I'm about 75% to the point where everything brings me joy. I have discovered that I have to buy 5 things and 1 thing will make it. It's expensive but I feel like I'm going to a boutique when I go my wardrobe. Highly recommend but it I'm 3 years in.

Did I say lose weight and eat better?

I will join you please. I’m a stone overweight and have really lost my mojo over the last couple of years.
I think peri menopause is starting but just a bit. Dry eyes, headaches, etc. The worst thing is low mood though. I used to feel shit just before my period but now I could cry all the time, don’t want to do anything, feel a regular creeping anxiety, etc. I’m trying to work out if I’m actually depressed or need to see a doctor. I don’t want to go on tablets. I can’t seem to pull myself together.
Anyway, I want to try:

• losing that weight (I’m doing little rewards along the way for every few pounds lost)


• exercise more, especially yoga


• stay off my phone!!


• mindfullness (I’m reading a book about it by Ruby Wax)

When I lose the stone I think I’ll book myself facial as a big reward.

Ooh and vitamins and Berocca

Can I join please?

46, have been a carer for parents for last 18 months but now job hunting. What with that and Covid, plus perimenopause I have completely lost my mojo!

Need to lose several stone but given age and thyroid issues have finally accepted it's going to take forever and making small changes. I've been seeing a wellbeing advisor since January who has fancy scales and have seen positive changes although I haven't lost much weight at all (reduced visceral fat, increased muscle:fat ratio, improved hydration), so that's helping me stay focused.

Started HRT last week which I hope will improve my skin, hair & nails as well as everything else.

Trying to maintain a skincare routine including hyaluronic acid in the morning and retinol in the evening.

More walking, and as someone who basically dislikes exercise I've found the Lilly Sabri workouts on YouTube pretty good.

It's DDs 18th in September and my birthday the following week so we're having a long weekend away to celebrate. I want to look a hell of a lot better in photos of that than I did I the photos with her at her prom last year, when I basically looked like a glammed up potato in a frock and wig!

Hopefully I'll be working by then and able to splash out on having my hair, brows and nails done and some new outfits.

Can I join you all? I'm losing weight thanks to the fabulous low carb bootcamp and I am well overdue for a makeover / restyle. I'm well over the meno, late 50s but probably look mid 40s if I may say so <humblebrag> and I want to keep it that way.. I've let my hair grow out over COVID times, it's well past my shoulders for the first time ever and I love it. So I will:

Keep up with the low carbing, definitely suits my hideously slow metabolism
Keep up the exercise and add in additional yoga classes, need to work on toning thighs and hips as I'm such a pear
Define a thorough skin care routine.. more SPF needed for summer
Set aside some time to do a wardrobe makeover, I'll throw everything onto the bed and only the pieces I love will go back in
Evaluate the hair and makeup situation

I'm due a trim and am thinking of booking in a session at a salon in London as a treat in a few weeks, maybe the Aveda salon. I colour it myself with a temporary gel (Christophe Robin) and although it's a messy process and I dread having to do it every couple of weeks it's very effective and I only want to use natural products.. I'm channeling my inner french girl (I can just hear my DD rolling her eyes!) and looking forward to wearing jeans and blazer combos with a red lip and nonchalant attitude!

I've been very productive this week-

Highlights booked for Monday

Pilates booked for Wednesday

Fridge full of healthy food

We've eaten really well all week and I already feel better for it and I only had one biscuit at work all week!!

Long may it continue !

Welcome to those new to the thread! Please do keep coming back and reporting on progress - it's so encouraging.

Well done @spagbog5, you've done much better than me. I weighed 1.5lbs more this week than last, which was not in the plan, and my waist measurement is up as well. Probably shouldn't have listened to the requests at home last week to make bread, I was always going to eat too much of it!

I've done the first of this week's 3 classes. Can't make 5 but 3 is better than the 1 last week. That's 2 Body Pump and 1 pilates so I'll walk a bit funny all week 😁.

@Nuffaluff the mood change was one of the main reasons I started HRT. It hasn't fixed it but it's reduced it, now I just have a few days in a cycle of a sense of impending doom alternating with panic. It's weird, because I do know it's not "real" but that's not actually much help. So cutting down the number of days when I feel like that is a big win.

@averywittyusername I'm impressed by the low carbing! I don't think I could manage it at all. It's great it's working so well for you, that really helps with the motivation. I used to do 16:8 IF but I just can't make it fit in with my life anymore, so I'm back to old fashioned calorie reduction.

I'm starving now, but there's plumbers working in the kitchen so the only available option is chocolate. Holding strong right now, can't promise it will last...

I can't make low carb or intermittent fasting fit either, plus it really affected my mood.

My most successful diet years ago was the Rosemary Conley diet, low fat, limited carbs and there was a list of free foods...think it was essentially low GI.

I'm here to report on my skin! Ameliorate is working wonders, it is working slower on the pigmentation but definitely much better. I just need to keep the habit up. The Korean washcloth is also amazing but very effective so only using once a week. The Japanese salux wash cloth is great in the morning shower with soap instead of a scrub net thing. All in all am very smooth which has made we want to get my legs and thighs much smaller.

..

I've got a day off and am going to do some self care! I've got a lovely body scrub and lotion (Caudalie) which has sat unused for ages so I'm planning on digging into it. I also intend to order the Korean washcloth and investigate Ameliorate.

I'm in need of this hair trim as fringe is in my eyes.. wondering whether to do it myself and plan for a proper cut in a few weeks, or book it in as a treat. I cannot find any local hair stylist who seems to get what I want and I cannot bring myself to spend £80 for what seems to me a 5 minute trim followed by 40 minutes of unnecessary blow drying.. so might look for a London salon & make it a day out!

Low carb works for me but it's not for the faint hearted. I never evangalise about it but it suits my sluggish metabolism and I've lost a few pounds. I'm going to switch over to more of a relaxed version when I've lost another 2 kilos as I don't intend to cut out bread for the rest of my life, but I want to maintain by consuming 'mindfully'.

I’ve done a week of Pilates and only missed a day (last night when I fell asleep with DS). Feel like I’m standing up straighter already. Today was abs and glutes focused so I’ll suffer tomorrow I think.

Fringe trimmed and hair coloured with a temporary vegetable wash yesterday.

As soon as I start exercising I feel way more motivated to eat healthily too.

@OrangeCinnamonCroissant yay for the smoothness! I use one of the long Japanese washcloths so that I can wash my own back and it's brilliant. I did have the Korean Italy cloths but I found after a while using the long one all over that they didn't achieve anything so I must be shifting little bits every day.