Have you ever ‘transformed’ your look?

[Hoppitybobbins]

I’m interested in hearing from anyone who has gone through a beauty and/or fitness transformation in a relatively short period of time.

what did you do, how did you do it, why and what were the results?

I’m in my second year of my transformation. I’m middle aged and started to get grey, flabby and frumpy. I hated it.

the measures I have taken are:

I cut my hair off and got it into condition after lots of cheap dark hair dye and straightening. It looked fucking awful and made things worse for a good twelve months. I looked soooo frumpy and I just saw my mum in the mirror when I looked in it! But I have been patient and have since dyed it bright blonde and got a Brazilian blow dry which was incredible. I’m still growing it but by summer it should look hot.

I started to do more yoga and weights. I have shifted about 4lbs but I intend to do more to get down to about 8st 7. I have a very slight frame and do not carry weight well at all. The muscle I’m building is changing my posture. I lost 2 inches from my waist and have got nice toned arms.

I have stared getting fillers. Am going in for round three soon. Very subtle, no repeating in the same place and it’s over a year since last treatment. This time I am having them in hollow cheeks to fill out my face, which is starting to look skeletal in older age. Last time a year ago I had nasalobial folds done and the filler is still working its magic.

I had a big varicose vein removed in leg. So glad I did. Did it on insurance now I can wear shorts.

I started using retinol and other serums. Really good results. Very affordable too. Highly recommend.

I bought a laser hair remover after getting too many blisters from waxing. Fantastic. Hardly need to do any hair removal now. It cost £280.

Best of all, got myself on HRT. Lifesaver. Still not sleeping, but look years younger and can exercise without dying afterwards

Thats me. I recently separated from my H so have a new lease of life. I have not seen any of my mutual friends since I was in midst of shocking hair crisis and when I was flabbier. I am looking forward to turning up at a planned summer event looking different.

I just need to buy some trendy clothes nearer time that are cooler than my usual ‘mum look’. Then a fake tan to go with my blonde and longer hair…

it’s so exciting but it requires such patience. Many of my network would not have seen me since my split as have kept a low profile. I’m hoping it will have a positive impact as there is onr person in particular I want to notice.

I feel as if for the first time in my life I’m starting to look how I actually feel inside.

Any other stories??

A year of hard work to build excellent habits into your lifestyle, and spend the rest of your life looking and feeling fabulous!!

it sounds like your investment in yourself is really paying off!
I lost half my body weight in a year (via surgery) and went from size 28/30 to a 12/14, which for my height and age (early 50s) feels perfect.
Ive kind of struggled to find my style clothes wise, but seek to just about be there -thank god for Vinted!

Because of my weight loss, especially due to the age I did it, I have a LOT of loose skin, but I don’t really care about the body skin because it’s better than how it used to be when it was smooth and filled with fat, but I’ve spent a lot of money on decent underwear, especially bras, otherwise I look like an 8 year old boy😂.

I’ve recently had some fillers on my very deep naso labial folds-if anyone has noticed they’ve been too polite to mention it, but it’s enough for me to see and feel the difference and feel a bit better about myself

your post really resonates with me! Same story and I’m looking at Carine Roitfeld’s style too. Do you mind me asking where you shop to get that older “rock chick” vibe?

@kublacant absolutely Carine Roitfeld , see also Freja Beha Erichsen and Emmanuelle Alt

I normally look on pinterest then decide what I need to increase my wardrobe, eg most recent stuff was biker style boots and a black satin bomber. When I have an idea I just stick it in google and see what comes up in shops. Next is good for biker style jeans/skinny combats, TKMaxx for random things, got a lovely drapey v neck black t-shirt there.

OP, I came back because yesterday I got my first ever botox injections! Done by the dentist, who divides her practice these days pretty evenly between dentistry and 'facial aesthestics'. Sign o' the times. Anyway, she described it as 3 areas (above brows, between brows and crow's feet) and I counted 15 or 16 injections. £300. I'm unlikely to see anything for about a week (I took photos before I went) and I return in 3 weeks to assess.

I feel rather proud of myself, oddly! Like I decided I was worth the money and went for it. I mean it might not do anything, but at least I got off the fence.

Anyway, am also very impressed by your exercise routine, and I very much need to step up mine, which has fallen off a bit with house renovations and various domestic stuff. But I will get back on this weekend!

@BigSkies2022 Well done for being decisive and going for it. I know what you mean, I flirted with the idea for ages and there was a part of me that feels a bit guilty for doing all of this. But I banish those thoughts or at least try to.

I hope your Botox delivers, am sure it will. I am just pleased I got the fillers done because it’s done now and, like you, I don’t have to weigh it up anymore.

so, yes, money has been spent on hair and face. The wardrobe is coming on and now I’m fighting the guilts over spending too much on vinted! To be fair I have bought two pairs of shoes (not on vinted) and jeans and so I guess my total clothes bill in last six months must be up to £350. It’s nothing really, but I’m so conditioned not to spend money on myself that I struggle.

the exercise is a bit of a killer, it takes up time. This is why I set timescales, so my current regime is 50 days. I have a daily tick sheet so I can see there’s an end to it and this keeps me motivated. After the holiday I will reassess and probably reduce the amount I’m doing to three times a week. But it’s just so nice having dropped to size 8 and being able to tuck tops into my jeans because I have a waist. It’s the one thing you can’t buy - you have to earn - so I am hard on myself and make myself do it.

hope you find the motivation!!

Hi again OP. Hope you're doing well. Just a line to say that I am happy with my botox! I went back at three weeks, and she gave me a top up of another seven injections between the brows and a further three weeks on I am rather smoother and fresher looking, but thankfully still mobile and normal looking!

I've also been to a dermatologist to get my scaly patches removed, and will start on prescribed 0.05% tretinoin and a scar reduction gel treatment soon. We'll see where we land at the end of the summer (and what is left in the guilt-free skin rejuvenation budget).

On the exercise front - am managing more walking, and weights and ballet workouts. My immediate motivation is feeling in good nick on holiday in France in about 4 weeks.

Really enjoyed reading this thread and hearing about everyone's transformations, it's very inspiring!

3 years ago (aged 59) I found out I had high BP. As I hate doctors I decided to try and tackle it by eating more healthily.

I cut out UPF, and cut right back on carbs and sweet foods. I try and eat at least 8 portions of fruit, veg, salad and pulses a day. Every meal is largely plant based with small amounts of protein mostly dairy or eggs but with small portions of lean beef or fish 2/3 times a week.

within 4 months my BP was back in the normal range and I had lost about 7kg without calorie counting. After 8 months I had lost 16 kg and had gone from a BMI of 29 to 22. I dropped from a size 14/16 to an 8. My skin also improved.

im not obsessive. I have the occasional chocolate or biscuit or bag of crisps. I still have wine or cocktails. If I eat out I eat what I fancy, just very small portions. I am the queen of having my leftovers boxed to enjoy another day.

i was resigned to menopausal weight gain but instead I'm fitter, healthier and slimmer than I was in my forties. I have a lovely new wardrobe of things I love not things I bought because they covered the rolls of fat. And I wear them all. No more saving things for best. I love getting dressed now.

@Hoppitybobbins I would love to hear how it’s going. How was your big reveal?

I am so tempted by a tummy tuck. Was it painful? Did it take ages to recover? Was it horrendously expensive? How did you choose where to have it done?

It wasn't too painful but having had 3 c-sections I'd say it wasn't too different to that. Take the painkillers as and when you need them and it'll be fine. By day 5 I wasn't needing them so much, mainly if I was moving about a lot or at night.

It was expensive....£12k! I had liposuction too, and a repair to a torn muscle under my belly button (caused during pregnancy). I took out a loan with a company specialising in medical procedures. Worked out a much better interest rate than through my own bank.

I probably didn't put as much research into to who I went with as I should have done. I googled a few places, looked at reviews. One company I enquired to didn't even bother to get back to me. The people I went with phoned me as soon as I pressed 'send' on the online enquiry form! First appointment booked within 5 minutes! No regrets.

Recovery was pretty quick which I definitely put down to being fit and active for several years beforehand. I was doing 5km walks within 3 weeks and back running 6 weeks and 1 day after (slowly!!).

Long time no post! So the big reveal weekend is almost here and the final stages of the transformation are on track and I’m feeling so good that I’m positively fizzing with sexual energy.

just got back from holiday so the tan is in place. Felt terrific strutting around the pool area in my new bikinis showing off waist and toned limbs. Hair was still a struggle but keratin treatment just before I went helped loads and kept it under control. It also prevented further damage on bleached ends from chlorine and sun.

Some of my deeply researched outfits worked well in the evenings and I felt good in them. They are nothing fancy, I just took time and effort finding stuff that suited me. For instance, a halter neck top makes a huge difference on me covering up aging sun damage on my chest and elongating my short torso. That’s been a bit of a discovery. Vest tops look horrible on me.

so, two years of:

yoga
running
weights
walking
alcohol avoidance
healthy eating
hair care
skin care
early nights
long baths
water
fillers
wardrobe management
HRT

has all culminated in a transformation that has see me take YEARS off my look. I cannot tell you how many people have said to me that I am ‘glowing’. An old flame texted me last week and said ‘seriously you look fantastic’.

I only press this home because I’m 51 and had no idea as to the possibilities of looking and feeling so good at this age. I saw a picture of me last year in July 2023. I looked so dated, tired and frumpy. Not anymore.

If I get five fun years out of my transformation that I would not have got due to lack of confidence or energy etc, then I’d say that’s been worth every bit of sacrifice and effort.

The people I’m seeing at the event would not have seen me for a year, since frumpy pic was taken. Most of my transformation has happened in that time. I am a different person and I can’t wait to make an impression. I have a few scores to settle with some of the group and I’ll take great pleasure in striding into the event with newfound confidence. Many of them dismissed me and wrote me off as a plain Jane and marginalised me. Including my ExH. They are gonna get a shock when I look like I’ve just stepped off the plane from California looking ten years younger. Do not underestimate Hoppitybobbins!!

Although having said all that I am beginning to feel like leaving it all behind me now and looking forwards and not back. I am beginning to forget about them and all the slights over the years. The new me is ready to move on at last!

xxxx

@BigSkies2022 So pleased you’re pleased with your Botox. I love how the fillers have structured my face. I do go to a very reputable place and the specialist knows not to just overfill cheeks etc so no one can tell I’ve got anything done.

Someone said to me the other day ‘you’re doing good though as you don’t have Botox do you?’ Meaning it as a compliment to say I was aging well. I said ‘nooo dont have Botox’ which wasn’t a lie technically as I have fillers!! I’m not telling anyone haha. 😛

Great thread! 👏

Btw, Sexual energy reference kinda relates to old flame paying me compliments. It is having an effect and I’m loving it. 😻 more so because just a few months ago I honestly thought I’d never feel attraction for anyone again after splitting with H. Can certify that is not the case!!!

So happy for yiu @Hoppitybobbins ! You’ve done the work so enjoy the rewards! Hope your big reveal goes how you want it to - go get em!

@dontdropthefuckingquiche you look incredible.

Oooh! Great thread!!!

im 54 and was alway just “slightly” chubby. Well, I went hard out with exercise and diet for the month of may and have lost 9kgs now! I honestly didn’t think I needed to, but wow, what a difference! I love and suit being slim!

fake gradual tan, teeth whitening, brows done on the regular. Yoga and now Pilates.

helps the kids are older and don’t need me (or my money) as much these days!

plus! I love clothes, buying, selling, hunting down what I love. I dress really well, every day.

But really just here for the big reveal :)

I’m agog. I can’t wait for the pics

Well since this thread has been brought back.

Since I posted earlier in the year, I've gone back to my natural brunette colour. Everyone has said it looks really nice. It also looks less harsh and makes me look younger. Win win. Bonus is I don't have to worry about roots and my grey hair is less noticeable.

Of all people, my happily married male boss was the first to notice and say how nice it looked (I do envy his wife having a husband that actually notices things why couldn't I have had one like that?!).

Following with interest 😀

Following for the big reveal! I've started the exercise regime now need to tackle the diet....

Joining a lovely gym provided me with PTs and classes I really enjoy- yoga, weights, Zumba etc. There are lots of extras too such as sauna, pool and hot tubs plus a spa with treatments on tap and I can honestly say I feel better than I have since I was in my 30s- thirty odd years ago.
This has encouraged me to a better diet with lots of fruit and veg and cutting down on alcohol. I've also gone on HRT.
I look and feel better than I have for years and this has encouraged me to tweak my look by changing my hair style and colour and wear clothes that suit my new shape as previously I was wearing elasticated waists just to feel comfortable.
The effects have been noticeable. No more achy joints and my mood is so much better!