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’ve been to the gym this morning and drunk plenty of water today.

My hair desperately needs a cut and colour but I’m going on holiday early July so I’m hanging on till June for that. My hair is thick and curly and I wear it up a lot so I can get away with it.

I just did my abs exercises and I can feel a difference already after about two weeks of doing them every day.

I plan to do a cardio workout tomorrow maybe just half an hour as it's my first in a while.

I hadn't even heard of double cleansing before I read it above 🤦‍♀️

Yesterday I did a lunchtime walk and an evening swim, and then had a scrubby shower and moisturised after, blow dried my hair etc. I have a meeting this morning which I'm now feeling more ready for.

For me a double cleanse (when I do it) involves using a cleansing balm to remove my make up and then a wash or scrub in the shower.

I've just done a half hour work out and I'm really enjoying getting back to into exercise properly.

I need to take a shower now so might use one of my new scrubs and firming cream after!

If anyone can recommend a good firming moisturiser or something that works on stretch marks (tummy post pregnancy) let me know! My youngest DC is 4 so I'm not exactly post partum!

I would love to join if that’s ok!
I’m feeling pretty down on myself at the moment and definitely could do with a “glow up”.
I have been trying and failing to lose weight for the past year or so, it’s creeping up and I’m so miserable about it that I need to do something!
I’m going to start with making myself a rule that once I’ve finished dinner that’s it, kitchen closed! (I’m terrible for snacking once the kids are in bed).
I need to actually drink some water rather than a few cups of coffee a day (awful I know!).
Need to start doing some exercise, I’ve completely lost motivation and need to just do it and make it a habit/part of my routine.
I think that’s a good start point for now! I am good with my skincare/haircare routine so that’s something!

I've had a false start. I have not invested anything in myself beyond the usual bog standard minimum.

Usually, I would write it off, unfollow the thread, and tell myself I'll come back to it when I have more time/am more organised/have a clear plan/am in a better headspace etc, etc [delete as appropriate].

However, this time, I've decided to be consistent checking in on the thread and doing what I can. It's always going to be better than I managed before.

I have got an online order for some tweezers to tidy up the brows so it's a something and I made myself a nutritious breakfast yesterday for work this morning. That will prevent the 11am sugar binge, hopefully.

@HooseMidden that's a pretty decent start and similar to mine. All the small things will add up i'm banking on it. Hopefully those small things become habit too leading to big changes. Celebrate the win x

I have just started using this app to track my water intake. You can add other people to it to encourage each other along maybe or keep use their progress to help push you to keep going. If anyone already uses it or decides to use it I am happy to add you or for you to add me just send me a message and we can exchange log in names etc im finding it helpful to monitor how Im doing with my water badly apparently

Hey! I would love to join this, sounds great 👍

I’m so tired today! My foods been really good however. Tuesday is my office day and it’s always my rest day from exercise/running, so I tried to really keep the cals low and have ended up on 1200 which is a good chunk below my target.

tomorrow I am wfh, I am going to continue with my loose fast800/ Mediterranean diet plan, drink lots of water, and try to fast til my lunchtime. I do want a run tomorrow though and/or a workout with my weights; dinner will be something from the freezer with lots of added veg, and lunch will be chicken salad

@thenewaveragebear1983 Well done on eating well.

My food wasn't great but wasn't the worst either and I did do a cardio workout and I'm feeling really good for getting back into exercise.

Tomorrow is my office day so I won't do much exercise and tend to eat more! I need to knock that in the head obviously...

Oh, I also scrubbed in the shower and moisturised, inspired by this thread, and I've washed my hair.

I also have clean bedding in which has nothing to do with this thread except I might get a better night's sleep!

Was a gorgeous day here today so went for a riverside walk after dropping kids to school which was gorgeous. Came home then and had an everything shower(hate that phrase but can't think of what else to call it). Pilates then this evening so I'm ready for bed now!! Water intake was dire as usual 😭
Have a day away tomorrow (oldest son has a disability and he is in respite) so am going to a show and going to look around the shops and try on some clothes.

I had a calorie deficit lots of fruit and vegetables and some exercise so a couple of positive things!
had a really hard day at work so not much self care, Just a quick face moisturiser and hopefully get a decent sleep. Aim for the gym tomorrow.

This thread is so helpful! I’ve been doing weights, not snaking, doing skincare. Still not drinking enough water though!

Hope you have an amazing day today :-)

I’ve managed to stay off this alcohol and move more. Got hair cut and colour booked in this week.
but the skin around my lips looks awful. Loads of fine lines and redness. Is there anything you can do to improve lip definition beyond make up? Or is it a case of when it’s gone it’s gone? I’m not against micro needling or peels but I won’t be doing Botox!

I’m so happy that so many of us are seeing the benefit of this thread.

I’ve not done enough exercise or drink enough water this week but checking in here every day has meant I have kept up my skincare, put a bit of tan on, styled my hair after washing it instead of just rough drying it and eat more sensibly (although the temptation for chocolate has been strong this afternoon 😂).

Let’s keep it up - any progress is progress right!

I bought some eye cream to add to my very simple skincare regime but it made my eyes water , I only used it once , my sweaty little eyelids must've been washing it into my eyes .
I gave it to DD who likes this product and bought a new one . So far so good .

My eyes are so sensitive, I am yet to find an eye cream that doesn’t make them sore.
I’ve actually got a big red patch on one eyelid at the moment, I think it might be from the salicylic acid I have been using on my nose - I’ll have to be more precise when I apply it in future!

Not the greatest start to the week but I've managed to get out for a walk both yesterday and today.
Need to sort out my diet and drink some water!

I’ve just ordered a micro needling kit it’s a manual one it was only £20 when do I use it? How often?

Had a lovely day out today. Went to see The Shawshank Redemption play which was great.

Had a look around the shops but really it just highlighted to me how lost I am when it comes to fashion 😭 I'm completely stuck in a rut of skinny jeans/leggings, I don't think I saw another person today with that style, everything is wide leg now. I have no idea where to even start. Those of you on top of the fashion side of things, any tips? I see John Lewis personal shoppers mentioned all the time but I'm in Ireland so we don't have that here. I know people will say if you're comfortable with skinny jeans/leggings then stay wearing them but it honestly feels so dated/ageing when I look at what others are wearing.

@Ihaveaskedyouthrice I am learning to move away from fashion and work with my body shape and colours with a nod to what's currently in vogue, animal print/ military/ floral etc. I am trying to build a more longer lasting wardrobe.

So for wide leg jeans, these look terrible on me. I'm a short hourglass so I would choose a high rise flare shape or bootcut so that there is some width on the jeans shaping but only what works with my shape. My athletic shaped DD looks fab in billowing wide legs or barrel shaped. I'm an Autumn so I would only choose dark navy shade so, I end up with a 70s clothing vibe that I'm starting to lean into. Winters look fab in black.

My style advice would be figure out your body shape, Pinterest is fab for clothing examples for shape. Same to figure out colours. Once you know that light wash straight legs or black boyfriends or navy bootcuts will look great, it'll be easier to flick through the racks and find what works.

**disclaimer, I'm not remotely fashionable. Hopefully someone more qualified will have better guidance.

@Ihaveaskedyouthrice I love your username 💜