Six weeks to total revamp?

[CharlieHadAPigeon]

i am the frumpy mum in the school playground.

Fat. Pasty. Frumpy clothes. Older than average (had children late). Crunchy hair. Shy. You know the one.

Now the school holidays are starting I’m wondering if I could go back in the autumn completely transformed. And finally fit in.

Any ideas for my Sandy from Grease transformation?

Little update from me (I'm the 51 year old, menopausal and bloated one) I don't have the school run any more as DS19, 18, 17 and 14 are either not there or don't require drop offs/pick ups anymore 😞 but I am starting a new job in 6 weeks!

Anywayyyyyy. I bought the book The Full Diet by Dr Saira Hameed and it's the only nutrition book I've bought that is understandable and easy to read, and makes sense! I've always tried to 'eat clean' in the past but always failed miserably, this book explains everything really well. So since Sunday I've eaten clean, full fat, no processed stuff, cakes, crisps, biscuits etc. I don't usually eat until 12 when I've had a salad with chicken and avocado with a bit of full fat mayo, full fat greek yog with berries in the afternoon, then whatever everyone else has in the evening minus the potatoes/pasta whatever. So last night was sticky beef mince with green beans (fam had rice, I didn't).

I did give up alcohol about 4 weeks ago as the hangovers are crap now so that's probably helped but I'm not hungry and have lost 2.5 pounds since Monday! My tummy isn't as bloated and I've only been to Pilates once this week. I know it's only been a few days but I'm actually, dare I say, enjoying it?

Ooo and I'm also body brushing in the morning pre shower, it really makes your skin softer!

As someone who has never used this before, could you recommend a starting point / product please?

I’ve had a few days being unwell and have missed so much. Everyone’s getting on so well! I will catch up properly on all the news later.

I did day 1 of my Boots tooth whitening kit. Then three days off for illness. I’ll get back on track with it tomorrow. I’m also booked in to have my brows microbladed next week.

Some fab ideas here!

I started something similar earlier this year. The things that have made the most difference to how I feel/ look are:

-keto and intermittent fasting (I've lost 4 stone doing that)
-e45 shower cream (so you don't lose moisture in the shower)
-Cerave body moisturiser
-Tret via Dermalogica
-a weekly wash and blow dry at my local salon (my hair is a bit unruly). 🙂

Hope you’re feeling better now @CharlieHadAPigeon
We’re home from our week away. Happy to get back into some sort of routine and eat something a bit healthier!

As someone who has never used this before, could you recommend a starting point / product please?
@Bey
i would suggest start off on a very low dose of tret and let your skin get used it. Use sparingly and only a couple of times a week. Make sure you use sun cream in the day time.
There’s a FAQ page on the link I used that is quite helpful.
Results aren’t instant so it is a time investment but you wil get results if you stick with it.

Thanks so much for the advice, I'll check that. FAQs page out.

Well I bough some eyebrow products and the difference they've made to my brows are quite noticeable. Only took minutes to use too, I'm normally quite lazy with my brows but I'm going to keep this up now.

If anyone's interested I got the REFY set it's on offer at the moment. Not sure if it's better than other similar products on the high street but I like it.

@CharlieHadAPigeon I hope that you are feeling better?

@user50and wow! That sounds great! I’m going to look at that book!

@Bey what products did you buy?

Today I purchased a new foundation, new nail polish and whitening toothpaste.

My skin is looking good, I think I’ve found what works best for my skin.

I’m not doing great with much else though!
I’m going to the Pt twice a week but want to do another session on my own but haven’t yet!

Today I went for a long walk but it’s the first for a few days because of the weather (although I got a fancy new rain coat today).

My water intake and vitamin concordance has been quite dire.

I think I’ll do a hair mask and face mask tonight and paint my toenails.

I bought the Refy brow collection, there is a gel, pomade and a pencil. It's currently on offer. Not sure how much other similar products are, probably cheaper, but I've not tried others and I really liked how this one got my brows looking.

What foundation did you get? I'm desperate for a new one but don't know how to match my shade. I've been wearing the same one for years and years. I have no make up department type stores near me to go and try on shades.

Today I've painted my toenails and ordered a new mascara.
Really want to sort my eyebrows but no idea where to start. I've seen people's recommendations for Refy but don't know any to spend too much if I don't have. Clue where to start.
Any tips on a good place to start/tutorials to watch? My eyebrows are a bit sparse/fair so need something on them to enhance them.

I just watched YouTube tutorials honestly I think you could get similar from Superdrug probably far cheaper than refy

Do you want a dye? Or a pencil or brow pomade ?

Revolution do a 3 Day Dye that you paint in, let it dry then peel off the excess . It does stain the skin too which if you have very fair/fine brows you need to be careful of .

I use Eyelure dye in brown rather than black very simple to use and good results but obviously only dyes what haur is there after it washes off the skin.
I have a Nyx Brow Pencil in Ash Brown which is a slightly charcol/brown. Loads of colots

Really love these tips. I'm going to try and join in too!

Me too! I'm about to hit a 'big' birthday and I'd love to feel a bit more 'put together'!

@Bey I stick to no 7 foundation for that exact reason! I know my shade and I know it suits me.

Oh dear…water intake and diet pitiful over the last few days. Went out last night and had 3 drinks and feel headachy and dehydrated this morning. I’ve slapped on a ton of moisturiser and have a big bottle of water so that should help.

Put olaplex on my hair a few nights ago and left it overnight, was expecting to wake up all swishy and glam but I wouldn’t say it was much different from any other hair mask. Any recommendations for a hair mask that actually works will be greatly received.

I have new eyebrows! I had my micro blading appointment yesterday. They look a bit severe at the moment but will fade over the next six weeks ahead of the ‘finishing’ appointment.

I can’t get them wet for 17 days (hair washing could be interesting!) and am not supposed to do exercise either so no couch to 5k for a couple of weeks.

I want to get mine micro bladed too. How much was it, if you don't mind me asking? The place I've looked at is £395 which I'm reluctant to spend right now since I've just ordered a new bathroom I have to pay for. But I'm thinking it could be my reward for when I've lost some more weight.

Morning, back on the wagon as of yesterday! Did a body pump class and ate a lot more sensibly, trying hard to
drink more water but I really struggle as I just don’t feel thirsty. I have an appointment to get my eyebrows tinted and waxed tomorrow and booked another gym class for Friday

It was £210.

Straight back on it after your holiday @LBB2020 - I bet you’re glowing from the exercise!

Thanks @CharlieHadAPigeon

@CharlieHadAPigeon I would love to try micro blading but I’m a wimp! How often do you have to have them done? I’m guessing that they fade so if you have awful luck then they’ll eventually fade?

My revamp isn’t going well as I’m unwell. Sticking to water and vitamins but fainted at the gym which was embarrassing. I’ve done a lovely face mask but I’m home alone all week so don’t want to get in the bath in case I can’t get out!

@Arewehumanorarewecupboards I hope you’re ok and feeling better soon.
Another day where I’ve eaten much better and I actually went to the gym again today after work! I did actually drink a bit more water today and will have a peppermint tea or ginger tea before bed too.
I need to start doing regular face masks and body scrubs etc