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??

so great to hear that you are still going @Hoppitybobbins . You’ve worked incredibly hard! I really want a reveal pic although obviously I have no idea what you looked like before 😂

Just want to manage expectations in that ‘the big reveal’ is for my friends that i have not seen in a year at an actual event rather than me actually putting up ‘tada’ pics!

sorry if I gave false impression. I think things got lost in translation as the thread devolved. I would do before and after pics but I’m very worried that I’d be recognised as have given out quite a lot of info.

Loving reading all these positive posts. So mine wasn’t so much of a transformation over a short period of time. It’s been over a couple of years. I’m 55 now and was feeling frumpy. For the first time in my life, i’m embracing being only 5ft, wearing flats when i want as opposed to always heels, i’m loving wearing gazelles, flatform sandals, chunky boots etc. i’ve also found a lovely local lady that alters clothes, so i can finally buy midi dresses/skirts etc that i didn’t used to as they were always too long.
My hair is in a bob which i have coloured to disguise the grey but i’m finally succeeding in growing my fringe out (nearly there, probs another couple of inches) and once thats done i’m going to attempt to grow the length.
I’ve also recently started having botox to get rid of my frown line and the side of my mouth which made me look sad all of the time. I’ve started using retinol serum and moisturisers and this seems to be making my skin look better. Ive also started having dermaplaning monthly as the medication i’m on (hormone tablets as i had breast cancer in 2017) seems to make me hairier 😱.

all in all i’m feeling better for looking after myself.

Love this thread. Really inspirational and I'm about to start a similar "project".

I took off my glasses, pulled out my hairpin, and finally let my beautiful tresses loose! It was like I became a different person.

Oh this is so Plain Jane from Neighbours circa mid-late 80s 😂

@Hoppitybobbins
Really inspiring post.

I’m on a bit of a glow up for a holiday in August - you’ve given me lots of inspiration.
The big take home for me is no alcohol. I do really well with diet, exercise, skincare routines Tues-Friday then usually drink wine on Sat/Sunday and feel dreadful the following day and undo all the good work - eat anything I can put in my mouth, don’t exercise, lounge around feeling grumpy. It’s just not worth it anymore.

It is a hard habit to break. I have been reducing alcohol intake since 2012 gradually. I can now take it or leave it. So, I would be happy going to a club sober. But I’d have to like the music to not be bored. I don’t drink at home or on my own and don’t have a social life ATM so no opportunity really. Also my bestie is tee total, which helps.

Is that’s all it has taken then you’re obviously gorgeous already!!

What serums do you use? I need to step up my skin care game.
Also well done, sounds like some fab commitment.

I started yoga years ago and I’ve got very defined calves. Just started to lift weights so I can see similar on my arms. I’m very slim and struggle to keep weight on so I’ve recently started to take protein in my smoothie. Also added Kefir and some supplements to my diet.
Im slowly changing my wardrobe. Partly because we’ve moved to rural Scotland from big town living in England. All my light wash jeans are gone. I only wear black or very dark blue, almost black jeans. Otherwise it’s skirts or dresses. I am also growing out my hair again. I got to 40 and thought I should go from very long to shoulder length. I hate it! So one year on it’s growing out.

Ok ladies I’m going to be brave and put a link up to before and after pics via a link that I will break after a set amount of time. Watch this space.

Place marking.

Here is the link. I hope it works okay. Head is chopped off, but I did have long dark hair (box died - horrible) and now i have bleached bob, which i love.

Also face changed from fillers and lack of wobbly chin.

docs.google.com/document/d/1uqVTHpo_wXg2071X3--ZZQzwmnjMaVaHPjITkPjTxPc/edit

I've just tried to see before and afters but it just said request sent.

I'm on a transformation journey, tacking my weight, skincare has always been good and starting exercise.
The guilt though! The guilt I'm spending time/money on myself and not on something more important.

try this one: I think it will also put the preview but that should disappear when i break the link.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uqVTHpo_wXg2071X3--ZZQzwmnjMaVaHPjITkPjTxPc/edit?usp=sharing

Don't give into the guilt! If you are giving up or reducing alcohol, for instance, as part of a new regime then you'll have loads more time and money to dedicate to this. As well as energy. I did feel the same, especially during the wardrobe refresh, which i didn't enjoy and felt was a lot of expenditure for a few key looks, but i just tried to put that aside knowing there would be an end to it. Now I have some things to wear I am over that guilt as it made me realise how much I had let things slip.

I've never been a huge drinker but have slowly reduced and not drinking any now. You're right about the extra money not drinking though. I'm trying to remind myself how it felt that my mum never valued herself enough to put any time, money or effort into herself. She'd wear clothes for years and other than brushing her hair and being clean she did nothing. Even as a young teen I hated that she cared so little about herself. I have daughters so really want them to grow up knowing self care is important and worthy of time/money/effort.

@Hoppitybobbins ypu look incredible!!

am glad the link worked. thank you for the compliment.

i resonate with your story - my own mum had MH issues and i have come to realise how much i wanted a happy parent. just to see her joyful would be amazing.

I get that too. My mum was always sad, still is, never found any joy in her life other than having children although I'm a huge disappointment to her. It's not going to change now as she has dementia but I'm determined not to live the half life she lived.

I'd love to look as good as your before picture - the after is incredible!

You looked great before, OP, but the after is very impressive!

Loving all of these - thanks all.

For me, changes so far over the past 4 years are:

1. Going ashy blonde a few years back, and now growing my hair out - suits my colouring much more.
2. Overhauling my make-up - softer more flattering shades as my skin and colouring changes as I get older (I am 45).
3. Taking proper care of my nails - gel pedicures, keeping nails trimmed, nice manicures for fancy occasions.
4. Proper sort out of my wardrobe - inspired by the 'winning in the pursuit of elegance' thread, I took stock of what I had, donated/sold stuff which wasn't working, and (slowly) bought clothes in the styles I actually wanted which suited me.
5. Skincare routine - I've always been ok with this for a while, but have now properly got in a good moisturiser, sunscreen, hyaluronic acid, and retinols.
6. Exercise - regular weightlifting, yoga, some swimming and martial arts.
7. Tracking my eating - not specific calorie counting but making me aware of how much I was mindless snacking / eating my emotions. Now I'm aware of what my protein / carb / etc intake is and, crucially, that my snacking and sugar intake before really did nothing helpful. Such a cliche but for me, eating loads of protein and veg with some full-fat dairy really makes me feel good, also keeping hydrated.
8. Nearly entirely stopping drinking - never at home and only extremely rarely when I'm out.
9. Alongside this I've also sorted out the house (and my love life) - having all the parts of my life as I want them to be.

So this feels like stage one - I look good (better), know what suits me, and am fitter than I was at 40. Next up are the bigger physical transformations which I want to take on in the next year:

1. Actual targeted exercise regime - what I've been doing so far has been good for fitness (strength, flexibility, cardio) and for making me enjoy exercise again, but now I want to get toned, properly strong, and shift weight.
2. Despite all of the above, I am still 2-3 stone heavier than I want to be. Possibly go on Mounjaro for a few months to just bootstrap this weight loss. I feel ready for this because I'm already aware of what my eating looks like, and how much, and what, I need to consume for strength and energy; and have my exercise already in place alongside this.
3. Dental work - a lot that needs doing, which might involve some actual surgery (argh). The final piece of the puzzle!!!
4. Then maybe a few years down the line, some fillers/Botox/other small surgeries if I feel I need them - really not averse to getting this stuff done but I want to take it carefully.

I think what I've learned most (and what this thread exemplifies) is that you can transform how you look and your fitness, but it does take work, time, and money.

I think this holistic approach is the right one where improvements are made gradually across the board. You certainly have a great plan there @lookathatbookcase . No stone unturned!

What a bloody brilliant thread. I’ve just started my transformation (43, feeling fat and frumpy) so downloaded the turtle app and it’s been life changing. Lost 3lb in 2 weeks but it’s just changing my mindset towards food and diet culture. Lots to lose but I feel in control for the first time in decades of over eating. I’m walking loads, drinking loads of water, nails done regularly and when I’ve lost more weight I’ll update my wardrobe because I don’t want to buy any more size 22 clothes. Lots of face cream as well!
I look younger than I am (always told this) but I feel like I’ve let myself down by being a fat frump, so on a mission to look at least 39 again… just anywhere in my 30s really 🥴🥴😂😂