Help! Need fast tips and advice

[turrrniiipz]

I have been through a period of depression and anxiety after a pretty difficult time last year and feel like I've really let myself go.

Lapsed in skincare, huge roots, overgrown eyebrows, stopped taking acne medication, eating a lot of junk, fast food, no exercise. Just not had the energy or the will. Then Christmas and comfort eating, then january blues.

I've put about 1.5 stone on, my face is greasy and full of acne, I feel and look bloated and feel unhealthy and crap.

I have decided today that this can't continue or I will never start to fully recover.

I have some family events in March and April that I'd really like to be looking and feeling better for. I work full time, go to college on evenings and have a disabled child so I do have my hands full, but I do have a supportive husband and family.

Any tips for easy personal care, at home exercise, very low calorie food I can prepare quickly without complicated receipts and a shit ton of ingredients... not asking much am I

(I have just picked up my acne prescription, my hair and eyebrows booked in for late feb so they are fresh for March).

Recipes *

Ive recently discovered the 'Cook' range of healthy low calories microwave pots for one. They do do offer of thee meals for £10 too. A bit of a cheat for food, but if you're really busy a few nights a week and need healthy food fast - these are perfect. Low calorie and chock full of veg etc.

Watching this thread too for beauty tips as I've fallen by the wayside with this too!

For a filling quick lunch I will sometimes have half a can of salmon/tuna, chopped cucumber, half an avocado, some feta and half a bag of microwave rice.

I find two boiled eggs and a piece of toast good for a low cal quick lunch too.

Or just a bog standard simple soup can - tomato or parsnip etc. Not very filling though!

Take collagen supplements and b vitamins and use a collagen serum.

Personally I'd get my eyebrows done sooner to give you a boost (and also in case you don't like them) then a tidy up closer to the time.

Drink more water. Honestly why is it so hard? It shouldn't be, but it is. (Well for me anyway.) But it makes a massive difference to skin, general well-being and helps with over eating.

You've definitely got time to make a decent impact! Good luck

Thanks so much!

First, try and adopt a positive mind set, rather than one that views the changes as punishing. Eg, how much veg can you add to meals, what processed crap can you swap for whole foods (this doesn’t have to be very low calorie stuff, egg raw nuts and avocados are amazing for you) - how much activity can you squeeze in, even if you don’t have time for ‘proper’ exercise, can you add into your day just by taking the stairs/getting off bus a stop or two early? Every little bit counts. Water is easy, tidy your brows, get a body brushing/body lotion and skin care routine going, mani/pedi at home (doesn’t have to be elaborate, personally I love short manicured nails).

Thank you

Use light tanning lotion (I now have a spray tan at home every couple of weeks). Eyebrow shape you can get done in SuperDrug for a fiver (£13 if you want to dye which I recommend), trim and blow dry at the hairdresser.

Buy a water bottle and set an alarm to refill every few hours. Get some nice fruit/lemon to flavour it.

Thank you!

I have had a slimfast milkshake , and Greek yoghurt with fruit for breakfast

Now a salad and whole wheat pasta for dinner

I've got a day off today so I'm going to have a peaceful afternoon bath while the house na empty and have a bit of a grooming session, give myself a manicure and pedicure, face mask etc and try not to snack until tea time!

Feeling much more positive today