If you had three months to be your best physical self..

[YetAnotherusernamechange7890]

..what would you do?
I’ve handed my notice in and will be starting a new role in 12/13 weeks. Ive been in current role 11 years. Exclusively work from home. Had three babies in that time, looking pretty different from when I started. Gained weight, bit of style funk, skin care down the priorities list.hair is ok, long and thick but been like this forever. I’m a bit knackered and a bit dull.

feeling a pep in my step re the change ahead, but will be going to an office (not in the UK) 3-4 times a year. All fine with that but the thought of face to face work interaction is making me want to present my best self from day 1.

What achievable things can I do consistently to feel more shiny and presentable and less like a tired mum. A 12 week glow up if you will… help! Supplements, lotions potions any other things polished looking ladies do- I’m here for it.

Also any work travel tips welcome

I second people who say you need to do one thing at a time and not go overboard to begin with and give up on everything. I had a long sabbatical last year to work on myself and things I loved were.

Therapy (may not be applicable to you OP but I had a lot going on and found it really helpful)
Going for a walk every day, and I've carried this on while back at work.
Cooking a lovely meal from scratch a few times a week.
Yoga and Pilates, I have done both of these but not both at once, I think Yoga is the one to start with because you just feel so damm well stretched and relaxed after.

@SquirrelsAssemble I would love to have 3 months to prepare exclusively! Sadly unless I get put on gardening leave I’ll be working by usual job until the swop over.. but still, I can do many of the things listed here absolutely.

Everyone makes great points re layering the change. Starting small but actually I can do much of it, I just have been in a rut/used the excuse of the kids.

I’ve been researching small group ladies weights classes, seems like there are some options. Nerve wracking to start though isn’t it!! so much change in the air.

Thank you all for the suggestions and encouragement

Laser hair removal on any facial hair, so much cheaper than you think .
loads of spinach, and go low carb.
gym often with weights.
great cut and colour.
nice gel manicure.
yoga.

current skin care is a cleansing balm and decent moisturiser. I don’t know anything about retinol or actives. Is retinol the place to start? I’m 38 so I need to up my game here. I keep seeing ‘skin and me’ adverts.. any good?

If you're happy with your current cleanser and moisturiser, stick with them and introduce a vitamin c serum (makes you glowy). I really like this Sali Hughes vitamin c serum, and you can usually find it on offer somewhere for about £12. I started using it a couple of months ago and my skin looks way better, one tube has lasted me 3 months so far. More knowledgeable people than me will be along to advise on tret/retinol!

Thanks @MotherWol, this feels like a great place to start re skin care

Drink more water, go v low carb, commit to a decent skincare routine and take up some sort of exercise, a type that you enjoy

Oops! @YetAnotherusernamechange7890 I was obviously projecting my dreams of 12 weeks gardening leave on to you!

Ah well! Enjoy the three months where hopefully the pressure is slightly off and still use lash serum 😂 all the best in your new job!

Congratulations on your new role. I’m on a similar journey, with a three month countdown starting at the end of January. My list so far:
couch to 5k
make up lesson
find some stylish work shoes I can walk in (I’ve been working in jandals/ flipflops for several years)
Good luck with you transformation goals.
I'll be cheering you on!

I have a similar problem though not quite as much time to prepare. I'm doing intermittent fasting, I've had a little tweakment top up (Botox which I have done semi regularly anyway and which tbh nothing else touches in terms of making me look less dead), I'm having my hair cut and coloured, (again semi regular) and my nails done which I probably do once a quarter as a rule.
I've got a little 5 day capsule wardrobe together of things that don't totally make me look like a 6 man tent. So a couple of pair of straight trousers, slimmer fit knitted jumpers and shirts to go underneath (to add a bit of interest with the collar) and loafers. That will be my basic work uniform until I have a waist again and I won't have to think about it or panic about what to wear.
Good luck OP, I'm sure you'll do amazingly!

That's my plan anyway!

Also I've started taking a liquid collagen supplement. Hair and nails never been stronger, 3 months in.

Wfh, I think it helps to make yourself a schedule with healthy habits built in. 8.50 - ten min walk round the block to wake you up before work.

20 min walk or yoga vid at lunchtime. Set times to have water or herbal tea etc. Stretch a few times a day. Not massive things but little tweaks that stop you from just slouching all day.

Making your desk space nice with a lamp and plant. Planning your lunches for the week ahead of time so they're healthy rather than an impulsive cheese sandwich with crisps.

Exercise. Weights and running.

Excellent responses with so many wonderful and simple ideas!

This

Running outside not on a treadmill.

@Yellowtulip14 agree! lots of really achievable things that I have just not been doing but gives me hope that I can feel that bit better.

@ClinicalProf a sounds good. What are you thinking re shoes? I’m drawing a blank!

@piscofrisco 6 man tent made me laugh.. and I hear you! I’m channeling solid scout tent for 12 currently.. but not for long. The knit with a crisp white collar shirt underneath, wide leg pants and expensive looking jewellery (!) was a style I noticed when I went to interview.

Some really excellent suggestions here. I would also get my eyebrows shaped - really nicely eyebrows will shape your face perfectly. I would also go to a big makeup store often as they will give free tutorials you just need to purchase a It’s great to find the products that really suit your skin and get advice to gain the confidence to apply them

Facial, Botox, hair colour in salon, no booze, lots of fresh air/walking

Pick up some basics for a capsule wardrobe while the sales are still on.

Mindfulness and relaxation to get you in the zone for your new job

daily walks

Hi OP,

Retinol is great because over time it increases collagen production and cellular turnover in the skin (both of which decline as we age). But can cause irritation so tread carefully. It will improve your skin with consistent use over time.

Skin & Me and Dermatica are two subscription services that offer tretinoin (a prescription strength retinol) in the UK. I buy mine from an online pharmacy as I'm not in the UK.

I would recommend starting some sort of retinol - you can get over the counter ones from several different brands in Boots etc. they do basically the same thing as tretinoin, but are much weaker and so the changes aren't as significant. Also definitely start using an SPF daily.

However, with tretinoin it is fairly strong stuff, and can cause irritation and peeling for the first while, so I'm not sure that would all have cleared within 3 months. It sort of depends on your skin - some people get minimal irritation, some people get it worse.

If you wanted to go down the subscription route you pay a monthly fee and they send it out to you, then you could ask to start on the lowest strength and build up slowly. If you're interested have a look at the many many threads on here about it.

Could I ask which collagen you take? I'm looking for a supplement but there are so many out there!

@stcrispinsday absolute collagen. Only really as a friend sent me a code for an offer on the subscription. It blends well into juice however-it's a gel rather than a powder one.

@YetAnotherusernamechange7890 Shoes are by far my biggest challenge. I’m thinking of some chunky loafers, like these:
https://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/showstomper/241760
or less chunky, more classic like these:
https://www.scarosso.com/en/women/shoes/loafers/harper-black-black---calf-HARPERLOAFBLACALF.html
A pair of Mary Janes like these:
https://www.flylondonshop.co.uk/womens/all-shoes/cody877fly
and a pair of work trainers. I like these Italian ones but haven’t tried them on:
https://nerogiardini.it/en/collection/women/footwear-women/platform-sneakers/art-i308421d-100-womens-leather-sneakers-nero.html

@ClinicalProf , other than the second link those are all hideous