Anyone interested in a glow-up support thread for tips and accountability?

[MrsWhites]

Is anyone interested in a glow up support thread? I thought it might be nice to have somewhere to keep me accountable, share tips and things to avoid etc.

Glow up can be for any reason, summer, anti-aging, wedding etc?

I’m just about to turn 42, always looked young but in the past few years I have noticed age creeping up on me. I need to lose a bit of weight, need to improve tone and texture of my arms and legs. My face is dull and suffers with open pores so lots to work on for me 😂

Would love to hear from anyone else looking to work on their appearance too 👋

I would love to join! Feel like I’ve completely let myself go since having my second and trying to start carving out some time for me again and take care of myself! Would love to hear what you’re planning to do, I’ve started bothering with my skincare again and it’s made such a difference already!

I'll join you. I was on a similar thread last year and it was good. I lost 1.5 stone and was feeling better in myself but lost my dad in October and struggled. Put weight on and stopped strength training. Feel like I've got the energy and motivation coming back now..

I'm 43 this year. Have been using invisible braces and only got 12weeks left, so will whiten my teeth when I'm done.

Painted my nails last night. Want to get back into the habit of using gradual tanner, it made a big difference last year.

Am off to the gym tonight to do some strength and weight training. Plus I aim for a minimum of 8000 steps a day, so usually do a 30-45 minute walk before work.

Looking forward to joining

Hi @Covingcrisis, lovely to have some company!

So far I have started a skincare routine - literally used to use a bit of face wash and some baby wipes - I’m now double cleansing, using hyaluronic acid serum and a salicylic serum to clear blocked pores. I noticed for the first time today that my makeup up went on much smoother so I do think this is working.

I’m going to start watching what I eat from today, I’ve been snacking way too much and eating rubbish!

I bought a walking pad a few weeks ago but I must admit I haven’t been using it enough though!

I guess I had a glow up. Went on weight loss injections and lost well over 6 stone, about a year or so ago now.

i drink 3 litres of water a day
eat a clean and healthy diet.
minimal alcohol
take collagen and creatine daily
work out 5-6 days a week, a mix of cardio and strength
ensure my hair is always coloured and styled, no grey roots, visit the hair dresser every 5-6 weeks
moisturise all over daily
apply numerous serums and potions to my face, retinol, nad + etc
have my teeth cleaned at the dentist 3 times a year
got all new clothes in current styles I like,

sounds a lot when I write it down, and it was all steps I added, but so worth it, now it’s just routine.

I really need to up my water intake for sure. I don’t drink alcohol and I did try collagen but it gave me tummy issues.
I have my hair coloured every 4 weeks as I’m very grey unfortunately but I’m guilty of just throwing it up in a clamp or a ponytail all the time.
I’ve been trying to be more mindful of the clothes I choose, I’m trying to put together a more capsule wardrobe of classic things rather than fast fashion.

I’d love to join you! I have absolutely no “routine” and to be honest I hate the way I look, I look lumpy and tired and old. Some things I have been doing:

body brushing with those Korean mitten cloths ;
using a little half moon facial brush to try to help with lymph drainage
doing facial exercises to help revive my weak nerves after Bell’s palsy (I actually do this on my dog walk as I walk in a very deserted park so I stroll around doing oooh/arrr/grrr/nurrrr faces to myself

i had really noticeable hair loss over the last few years and I have very diligently taken iron, vit d, b12 and collagen every single day and it’s definitely helping, it feels soft and looks shiny again.

one thing that’s really really helping me feel better is those ankway mushrooms, I can highly recommend them.

I’m always on a diet but never really get anywhere and I exercise a lot, but my weight is the same as always. So I think I just need to focus on actually feeling nice now

Yes please. This year has kicked my ass.

I'm 46, and feel like I aged a LOT the last 4 years. I put on about 15kg and haven't found an exercise regimen that works for my older, achier, unfit (and now anaemic) self.

The aim for the last few years had been to get back to my 'old self', but at this stage, I'd take feeling put together, and not a hobo wearing awful clothes because I don't want to admit that this is the size I am now.

There’s A couple of things I would really like recommendations for- one is a lymphatic draining/facial release workout - if I search for this it just floods my algorithm with hundreds of them, and ditto teeth whitening strips -(I just clicked on an ad for Gleam strips but I fear that will mean all my feeds are full of them again) - so if anyone has any recommendations for either of these I’d be happy.

Me please. I feel sluggish and frumpy

From head to toe:
My hair is better after I had a shark hairdryer for Christmas, so that’s one thing. I just need to remember to get it cut and coloured regularly
My face feels like it’s sagging, would collagen help please? I also need some help with make up, maybe a consultation somewhere
Teeth could do with some whitening strips, but overall, they’re not too bad
I could definitely do with losing a few inches, I think cutting down my wine habit would help. I am trying to move more too.
i want to get back into the habit of using my IPL gadget, so I have to shave less!
Overall, I’ve been taking Mg and vit D, thinking of trying the Nutrition Geeks menopause bundle.
And I’ve recently been investing in some new clothes and underwear after years of hardly buying anything.
I’m just trying to value myself more (not just appearance)

I will join you if I may as I started my own glow up this month and I find it helps to have people to discuss these things with!

I'm about the same age as you @op and I feel like my age is starting to show especially around my eyes!

I've started taking collagen, biotin, turmeric, vit d. I may go for creatine as well.

Like you @Covingcrisis I have two children, youngest is 4, and I still have some ab separation so I'm trying to work on that as of a few days ago. I lost a lot of weight last year (half a stone - a lot for me) but have put a lot of it back on. I said I would cut down on the sugary stuff now that Easter is out of the way and I want to try to eat more fruit and veg / salads. I also want to address my saggy mum tum and have a separate thread about that. I bought a microneedle for it and some firming cream in case that helps. I'm trying to tone up all over as well so I look better. Arms especially for summer!

When I was younger I used to exfoliate and moisturise top to toe and now I need it I don't do it. I want to get back into body brushing or exfoliating, moisturising my body and keeping up with the dry skin on my feet etc. My skincare routine is ok, it amazing, but I cleanse and moisturise morning and night and use an eye cream.

Any eye cream recommendations, send them my way please!

I have some family parties and weddings in June and July so I have 2 months before the first one which feels like an ok amount of time.

I have braces which are due to come off in the next month or so and then I'll try teeth whitening. @VenusStarr how are you finding your braces? I'm sorry for the loss of your father last year. I think I know you from some of the TTC threads perhaps but I could be wrong. I was Alice-something.

Never heard of anyway mushrooms @thenewaveragebear1983 will have to look those up!

@WorriedMillie You've reminded me I need some kind of hair tool. I love a salon blow dry and I'm tempted by the Shark...

Ooh yes please! I need this thread!

I had cancer 2024 and the last 2 years have kicked my arse. My medication means I’ve put on 3 stone and my hair fell out but not completely, so I looked like a scarecrow!

I have extensions and colour my hair every 6 weeks. Have lash extensions (those buggers thinned too) and have started getting my nails done with builder every 3 weeks.

Ive just bought the shark pro facial machine, and also microneedle with salmon sperm at home every 2 weeks as well.

need to concentrate on water intake, and am now on mounjourno so weight is slowly shifting. What skin care does everyone recommend? I’m using Noom currently through my Botox lady but it’s SO expensive and I’m not convinced theres not better products out there.

Ah I’ve found my people. Can I join? This has been on my mind for a while now. I’m looking old haggard and tired. Face regime is just a splash of water, hair dressers every 4 - 5 months so look a mess. And I’ve put on weight so I know nothing for spring / summer in my wardrobe will fit. I can’t afford a whole new wardrobe and no time to get one. I hate shopping anyhow. But mostly, I feel rubbish.

I start new things to look after myself, but then can’t maintain them. I’ve bought some facial stuff which is coming in the post. I’m the process of buying a couple of new clothing items. Today I will drink loads of water and refrain from the biscuits. Onwards and upwards

I'd like to join please! I made some big changes last year and lost 4.5 stone on Mounjaro, so now I'm at a healthy weight and maintaining it I really want to focus on the rest!

My skincare routine is good. I've got a basic routine that I stick to and I have found it makes a difference. I do a weekly "everything shower" which includes a face mask and also body exfoliation and body lotion afterwards so if I don't bother the rest of the week I'm at least exfoliating weekly.

My feet need some attention now that the weather is warming up. I have a foot file and urea cream so need to get back to using them and book a gel pedicure in. I don't get my nails done but do have gel polish on my toes in the warmer months as it lasts six weeks or so.

Teeth could do with whitening, I've got a hygienist appointment booked in for next week.

I need to be more consistent with water and vitamins.

Diet is OK. I've been focusing on eating primarily whole foods, reducing UPFs and generally trying to clean up my diet without having to calorie count. I aim to have 80% of my meals as healthy ones which leaves room for treats and the odd meal out.

I need to tone up now I've lost the weight and I'm also in need of some new clothes for summer, particularly some lightweight trousers and summer dresses..

Anyone looking for a footfile, I have this one from Amazon and it's great. It's just a glass file and cost about £6 but works really well on dry skin

https://amzn.eu/d/03JABDDl

I need to make sure I'm moisturising after

The "everything" shower is a good idea @GameOfJones I used to do that on a Sunday and have got out of the habit but mighr try going back to it.

Absolutely all of this. I’ve given up hating my weight/body and denying myself clothes and nice make up because of this.
why wait to be thin again?
so I am giving up alcohol cos it makes me feel crap
Having my hair coloured and making the effort to style it
Getting rid of clothes I feel bad in
getting my brows done

over time I’m going to add twice weekly yoga, getting outside every day, increased water and improved skincare but I’m not sure whether to try all at once or add gradually - any tips from folks who have been there?

I think it depends on you but I started last week and I'm trying to do it all at once even if it takes me time to set something up eg if takes you time to find a yoga studio but I don't see why you couldn't try to get outside, drink more water and look into better skincare all at once.

It helps me to plan things in lists of things I need to do daily.

Yes I can probably plan in things every day. I feel like giving myself a whole new lifestyle might work better for me.

I just try and do something every day. Yoga is the thing I really should do, I always intend to but I just don’t get round to it/make myself.

I’m tired tonight after my 2nd day at my new job, I’ve done nothing not even walked the dog and had a ready meal for dinner 🤦‍♀️ I just had a soak in the bath and now, inspired by this thread, I am going to file my feet 👣

you could always get a footner peel from Amazon, they are marvellous for stripping the winter skin off your feet?

Second day at a new job, a bath sounds just the thing!

Never tried footer. I'll have a look. The foot file works okay. I might just need to do it more regularly and / or moisturise afterwards.

@Chocolatecoffeecup they are really good, there are cheaper ones available but I do think the footner brand is the best, I soak my feet then add the footner then put old socks over the top and leave it on for as long as I can. You need a clear 10 days after application where you won’t need to show your bare feet because genuinely, they will be hideous while they peel. But they will be beautiful afterwards!

I’m in! SM of 2 DC and completely let myself go.

Somehow you've sold me. I'll give it a go! Is it painful or uncomfortable? Does the skin just peel off?

How has everyone's day been? I'm finding myself eating bits of Easter chocolate just because it's there and habit. I'm not even enjoying it.

I did do some abs exercises for my diastasis recti before I got in the bath so I've done them 2 days in a row which is a start!

Heey!! Can I join?
I turn 38 at the end of this month. My first and only child turns 2 tomorrow.
I need to get my spark back. I'm fit and healthy but I want to look more "put together" instead of having an immaculately well turned out child whilst I look I haven't even brushed my hair (even though believe it or not, I have brushed my hair) 😂.

I'd love to get back into weight lifting to be strong as well as fit too!

I just feel so old. Does having teeth cleaned at the dentist make much of a difference? Don’t think mine are dirty lol just yellowing and coffee stained