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?

And... tried to start a new para in the style of a different editor and hit go by accident. Brain runs on HRT these days, I think, and sometimes stutters.

@LeeMiller well done - that's an amazing run on the Pilates. I've done two of my three classes this week, and looks like I can do four of the maximum five next week so surely I will be lean and toned by next next Sunday? It can't really take longer than that? Disappointment looms, I think.

I am doing a bit better on the sugar consumption - not loads, but a bit, and I've made myself a proper lunch for today and tomorrow (homemade soup) so that I won't pick all afternoon instead and might be able to walk away from the toast and jam.

@averywittyusername how did the self-care day go? I've done a whole weekend a couple of times, when DH and DD went away without me - spent lots of time walking, got in healthy food and scheduled mini treatments I could do myself, lit scented candles etc. I felt amazing at the end of it. London salon hair styling sounds very exciting - that's a proper glamorous day out.

My nails have fallen apart now - I had a gel manicure for a recent holiday and I ALWAYS convince myself that something this time will be different and it won't destroy my nails. Always does it though. I'm hitting them hard with oils to nourish the regrowth and speed it up, and keeping them short to discourage flaking and breaking, and will just have to wait a few months for them to grow out healthy again. At which point I'll succumb to the lure of the shiny gel nails and start the whole cycle again. I never learn.

Hi all. I'm recovering from a nasty virus that had me laid up for the first half of the week.

However have lost 2lb so that's kickstarted me. Appetite is returning so had a lovely healthy pre made chicken salad for lunch. I've done almost 9000 steps already with football practice still looming.

I've got some podcasts lined up and I've ordered The 5am club. My and a friend are going to read this together and try and adapt our routines where we can. Even if I do it 2-3 times a week I'll be happy.

Back on the skincare wagon, waiting for results.

Also booked a course so let's see how the menopausal brain does there.

Lots of healthy stuff and small but fancy treats bought today.

Hope everyone is kicking ass today.

I lost 2lbs too I didn't try very hard it's only because I'm far too fat anyway

I think the Salux washcloth is great.

Been trying to up my steps and do bits of yoga. I get terribly inflamed PMS time all my body aches.

I need a work from home job so fed up of commuting.

Weight loss somewhat stalled but I'm not wavering! I stepped right outside of my comfort zone and bought some new makeup over the weekend and it's making me look & feel great. I also bought some soap & glory "sexy mother pucker fill seeker" and it's revitalised my lips! Wow. And tonight I met up with a personal trainer and did a body scan.. turns out that I'm fairly muscular and most of my fat is on my legs 😂😂 going to work on this, it just means when I lose a few kilos my jeans will fit better! Can't wait..

@OrangeCinnamonCroissant the more movement / exercise you do, the more your body will thank you. Hope you can manage to fit more in, it's so tough when you're busy and commutes don't help.

A week today until my next and final sesh with the wellbeing mentor...meeting a friend for dinner tonight but will stick to a nice salad and a G & T.

My regular workout attempts haven't been massively successful but I did 15000 steps around London on Saturday, and will be probably be doing even more on Friday.

I'm 2 weeks into HRT and the difference already to my sleep and joints is bloody miraculous!

Thank you @averywittyusername I'll just keep plodding on ..small habits and all that.

Great to hear about the HRT @MintyCedricRidesAgain !

I've been a bit absent, it's good to see you're doing better than me! @averywittyusername I love the sound of that screening - I'm a data geek and would lose my mind over that level of info! @declutteringmymind how are you doing post virus? I hope you're feeling better now?

I've found my weight is sneaking up and my measurements (I measure hips and belly) are not going down and it's most off putting.

I've got some wins; I'm generally doing well with skincare, I bought a new foundation which is brilliant and I'm dithering over a NARS The Multiple to add glow and colour. Still need to sit down with You tube and some eyeliner and attempt to sort myself out. For the last 2 weeks I've done 3 exercise classes out of a possible 5.

I'm trying a different approach on the list this week. I'm doing a daily to do list with small tasks eg a glass of water in the morning, one in the afternoon, one in the evening as separate items. Also list tasks for no sweet snacks in the morning, none between 12 and 4, none between dinner. Any exercise goes on the list as well. Might give me more of a focus. I'm also thinking of trying to fit in 1-2 30 minute runs a week in case part of the weight gain is due to lack of cardio burning off calories. I do wonder whether HRT changes aren't a factor as well, due to shortages in supply I've been changed from one brand of gel to another to patches within two months.

Now off to take advantage of DH watching football by doing some nail care and sorting out tatty toenails. Face mask tonight. I will be ready to take on Monday!

Coming back again, even if I'm just taking to myself, accountability is good.

The new to do list system worked well this week. I think I need really straightforward rules with no wriggle room and this gives me that.

This week I've drink all the water, gone to all 5 😳 exercise classes, done 10k steps a day, mostly delivered on the snacking and 100% blame DH for delivering my favourite treat mid afternoon one day for the fail. I've sorted out my feet and toenails, put oil on my fingernails daily. I made myself a healthy soup for lunchtime and homemade granola to have with Greek yogurt and fruit for desserts.

After all that my nails still need a few more weeks to be even halfway recovered, but a sneaky initial weigh in has me 3/4lb down so I'll call the week a success and keep going on this track.

I hope everyone is progressing well, do come and let me know if you feel like it.

That’s very impressive @ChocolateChocolateEverywhere Do you feel better for it all?

DS has been poorly so I’ve slipped a bit this week but I’ve still been doing the Pilates most days even if it’s a short class. I’ve been keeping a list of my workouts and that’s been quite motiviating.

We’ve finally finished off the Easter chocolate so I’m going to look at some recipes for inspiration and make a list of healthy snacks before I head to the supermarket today.

I'm inspired to look after my nails! Just rubbing in some almond oil. My diet is going really well, albeit slowly, and I haven't done my wardrobe review yet but i want to try on everything I own and make strategic decisions. I'm finally getting into the routine of exercising and I find if I do a class or something energetic at night I can delay having a glass of wine, and usually stop at 1 as I'm falling asleep afterwards 😅

I've never worn lipstick on an everyday basis but I'm thinking I need to start! It really makes a difference for a polished look.

Best things anyone can do are:
Lose weight
do weigh training to tone up
drink loads of water
cut back massively on sugar, alcohol, caffeine and refined carbs.

A friend who cut back on all these looks ten years younger. Her skin glows. Mine doesn't. I haven't cut back...

@ChocolateChocolateEverywhere I have exact same problem as you with my nails, but this time as soon as they were removed I started using Sally Hansen colour therapy rose oil everytime I wash my hands, on the skin around and behind my nails as well as the.nail it's self. I completely cover my nails in vaseline before bed and with in a week they're so much better. I'm now just trying not to be pulled back by the lure of lovely glossy nails!

OP - have you thought about good skincare to incorporate into your routine?

The main things are a high strength SPF everyday, whether it's raining or sunny - and a retinol product at night. You can add more fancy stuff if you but that's the basics.

Retinol will improve your skin over time, by increasing cellular turnover (which slows down as we age) and increasing collagen production (which also slows down as we age). There are lots of over the counter retinol products, however you could also go down the route of a strong prescription strength version, which will give good results if used consistently.

If you are in the UK you could try Dermatica or Skin & Me, they are subscription services where you sign up and then send you a tretinoin (a very strong version of retinol) formula every month or so.

Hi everyone! @LeeMiller well done for keeping going with the pilates when you've got a poorly child! That sounds to me like the perfect excuse for a week off. I think I'm feeling better, although I ache constantly. 2lbs off this morning (official weigh in) since last week, a bit of cm loss too and I'm all about the data so that works for me. Now I need to work out how I can repeat last week's success.

@averywittyusername I like your strategy for wine reduction! I'm mostly a morning exerciser; I need to do it before I've woken up enough to think of an excuse. I'm lazy is the bottom line. And I don't really like exercise, I just don't like the consequences of not exercising either... I'm with you on the lipstick. I keep trying but I've never found the right one and it's an expensive hobby looking for it. I see people with a bright lipstick that lights up and lifts their whole face, and that's what I want, but I've not found it yet.

@Shakeupandwakeup full respect to anyone who can live like that! I drink very little alcohol, and I don't have much caffeine (only in chocolate) but I make up for those omissions in sugar and white carbs. Do you think you will, or have you rejected that path?

@Runforwine thank you for the tip! I'm going to search out that Sally Hansen oil now. Mine are still grotty and it's been a month.

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you have a good back holiday weekend that doesn't wreck any hard won progress! Do check in now and again and tell us about it.

@ChocolateChocolateEverywhere
This is the one I use www.boots.com/sally-hansen-colour-therapy-cuticle-oil-10230073 I normally buy it from www.beautyforafiver.com but they seem to be out of stock at the minute but worth checking if they get it back in it's So much cheaper than anywhere else and I've alway been really please with everything I've bought from them.