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 am 0.8kg from my goal weight as of today. I have lost 7kg in approx 3 months. End of Jan I was normal bmi but towards the top end so I set 60KG as my goal - saying I’d be happy with 61-62kg as my clothes look so much nicer on at this weight and I feel more energetic at this weight.

I have taken longer than the app suggested. I increased my walking to 8000-10000 most days with a 30 min - 1hour walk at lunch.

I’ve used Noom and logged everything by weight for the first 60 days. I weigh in daily as this works for me. The scales do go up by half a kg some morning ms but I watch the trend not the number. I have found I rarely snack, I know sugar makes me crash badly an hour later (and crave more food), a dark chocolate square (12.5g max) (over 80%) stops my sugar cravings. The app is clunky at food logging, my fitness pal is better. But I do think it has worked very well (for me).

The first month was tough, I was very hungry and I actually used it as a bit of a distraction. I’d log my meal ingredients for the day to take my mind off being hungry as an example. But I was determined that it would work. I do fast from 6pm most nights until 1pm the next day - I find that pretty easy now. That helps me stick to 1200 a day. I sometimes go over and I eat breakfast on a weekend - in the hope my body doesn’t get used to it (but skip lunch or have a very light salad).

At my age and in peri I wanted to get to a good place. I’ll stop paying for the app once my membership expires but resume on my scale app for daily log ins and my fitness pal for food logging if I need to. I was worried I’d struggle to get back down to this weight (I’ve had a tough few years tbh). But I am pleased with myself.

3 months later I rarely get food noise now. I see food as fuel now not a treat. And I read Chris Von Tullekans UPF book and now struggle to eat UPF as I think it looks and tastes really grim. I see a supermarket cake, look at the ingredients, and think that’s gross I don’t want it. Instead I’d opt for berries and yoghurt or my child’s home made cake but a small serving with a lovely drink on a nice plate. I wouldn’t just eat it. I try and savour it. It’s odd. I don’t eat leftovers unless I’m hungry. It has worked better than I thought it would.

Yerba mate each day - it’s a caffeinated drink and it’s meant to help with weight loss - I drink it in the AM instead of a milky coffee. I intend to keep doing this.

I try and sit outside in the sun with my drink several mornings a week.

Im now at 60.8kg and know this is the weight where if I drop much more I look great clothed but not so great naked 🤣. I knew I would likely stop at between 59-62kg depending on how I look in the mirror. I have twins so my stomach can look a bit too crepey if I go lower than 60ish any suggestions would be appreciated. My thought is resume weights. As I can’t afford surgery.

Also has anyone tried MovesMethod on YouTube? The 7 minute morning routine is fabulous. Once memorised it takes no more than 5 mins. After a week of doing it daily I felt less achey and more flexible. So I intend to continue this daily going forward. I recommend it!

I need to dye my eyebrows (so light).

I would love a capsule wardrobe - but I find this type of thing really hard.

I’ve just found hard skin on my foot - that needs fixing!

I bought a nice moisturiser so will use that on my face each day.

I will use fake tan on my legs as I ran earlier this week in shorts and my legs could do with a bit of colour!

I love reading all your suggestions. Have a great Thursday everyone!

Also I don’t feel like I’m missing out on food. It’s definitely shifted something mentally.
I have a specific nice cup for my Yerba mate drink. Another for my coffee. Both cheap - supermarket £3-4 mugs but chosen because I thought they looked special and felt nice in my hands.

I use loose teas and make it a bit of a ritual.

Like I said it’s odd but it’s worked for me.

Good morning. How is it Thursday already?

I’ve not done much glowing up this week, but I do have plans this weekend for a little bit of it. I am getting paid tomorrow so I am going to order the gleam starter pack for my teeth. Mine are so yellow I think I will notice results with any whitener to be honest but that one seems to have good reviews so I’ve gone for that one.

it’s that tricky time of year where it’s not summer (it’s bloody freezing) but it’s not winter and I need my mid season clothes. The wardrobe is heaving under both and I am between sizes still as I’ve not lost any weight in ages despite my efforts. I am going to try on and tackle everything Marie Kondo style, and get the rest onto vinted. I also really want some nice quality t shirts with mid length sleeves. I have historically always worn vest tops but as I’m getting older and fatter I dislike my arms so I tend to wear T-shirts now. Tops have always been my nemesis as I never seem to get a good fit and there’s always something wrong with the length, colour, neckline, etc. I bought some beautiful ones from Uniqlo but because of the sludgy grey/green colour they show every single spot and have permanent grease spots on them now. 😢

i’d also like to bring out the natural curl in my hair if anyone has suggestions for that?

My mornings are good - yoga, skincare, decent breakfast. Then the day slumps into kitkats, doomscrolling and not bothering to wash my face.

Going to aim for good food choices and 20mins exercise today. Clothes are a disaster area as nothing fits- ordered some bigger jeans (new look adelae) to get out of the leggings rut. I'm also going to measure my belly and set a target 😅

I recommend the Finch app as a to-do list and Purition protein powder (clean, good flavours).

Bit of a random one but has anyone reverted back to using soap for showering/bathing/washing instead of shower gels or body wash? Ive recently started this and finding I feel a lot fresher (thanks perimenopause) and my skin is not as dry or itching. I still use a wash for my face still looking for the perfect face soap for my awful very dry face no matter what skin care I use on it.

Yes I use soap and then sometimes a nice smelling body wash to finish off! I tried it last month and liked it. Soap does dry out my skin

I’ve tried to find a balance between classic and within reach of fashion - I started by following a few over 40’s women on Instagram (even if you aren’t in this age bracket, I find them the best as they don’t tend to follow every fashion whim quite as much as younger instagrammers).

Get some ideas and then go and try stuff on, I’ve got a few pairs of wide leg jeans and trousers but I like straight leg which aren’t so far from skinny - try an ankle grazer length, I think they are flattering and nice for this time of year.

I’ve also just bought some carrot leg joggers from M&S for casual days - they sound scary but they are basically tapered casual trousers.

Another tip is to pick a loose colour scheme and stick to it - you get more wear out of plain neutral clothes than patterns and bright colours for example.

I recently shifted from skinnies to wide leg jeans as they do look and feel so dated to me now. I'm not one to follow fashion to the letter but the skinny jeans got me. I just ordered a few online and liked some M&S ones. For outfits try YouTube or Instagram, search for outfits depending on your age and style. There is guidance on building a capsule wardrobe.

Do stick with the skinnies if you like them and feel comfortable!

I do like bar soap and they're good for cleaning make up brushes!

So far this week I have cut down a bit on the sugary snacks, not massively, but I feel like I'm going in the right direction.

Exercise, I went for a run on the weekend, half an hour of cardio on Tuesday, walked up the hill from work on Wednesday (2 miles but uphill) and 2 hours of martial arts this evening. It was my first run and cardio session in a while so I'm happy with that.

I've also been trying to do abs exercises daily to help my diastasis recti and some arm toning exercises as well.

I'm fairly happy with my exercise progress but need to work on the sugary snacks.

I also dyed my greys and did some hair removal and I've been scrubbing and buttering myself every other shower.

I’m returning to the thread after a bit of a blip. I was calorie counting to lose the random half stone I’ve gained since Christmas but have been on and off ill and now waiting for an operation, taking drugs that are making me swell up like a fattening turkey. So, weight loss out the window and will be laid up for a few weeks after, but I have a big event in mid July and I want to be in better shape by then so I’m starting back on it.

I’m stocked up with sheet masks and eye patches for my recovery period, plus I do have a good array of quality skincare. That I’m too lazy to use most of the time. What do people think about at home teeth whitening, worth doing? I’d been looking at some Botox but can’t do anything major for the next little while now. Any other thoughts on how I can improve myself while largely sedentary welcome!

Still doing weights at home - and remembering that I actually enjoy it. This thread is massively helping me avoid snacks, but not wine 🤣. Next week!

@Allisnotlost1 I hope you're ok. That's frustrating but your health must come first.
Nice skincare and skincare will hopefully still make you feel better and even eating well might make you feel better even if you don't see the instant weight loss?

@Sandysandytoes I've been doing some weights at home too and enjoying it but my weights are super light. There a proper "ladies" set of 1, 1.5 and 2 kg. I might get some more. I'm the opposite to you in that I could take or leave the wine but I'm struggling to cut out the sugary snacks fully.

I weighed myself this morning and I weigh 1.4 lb less than I did a week ago. I know that's a small amount and could just be water or anything but I'm encouraged by thay. If I could lose 1lb a week for the next two months that would be ideal.

@thenewaveragebear1983 after washing your hair, do not come it, but squeeze out the excess water then get some curl creme, the boots one in the pink tub is super cheap but effective, and scrunch it into your hair to bring out your curls. I do it with my hair upside down. You could also use some gel over the top for definition and then scrunch that out when your hair is dry.

Can I join?

I’ve lost 6 stone in the last year and am almost a healthy weight. I always thought I was a bit alternative but turns out I was insecure about my weight and I didn’t prefer bright colours and crazy prints, I think I wore them because I thought people were staring at me. Or maybe I’m just older and my preference has changed? I have found myself drawn very much to the classical jeans/shirt/jumper combo with decent shoes. Now it’s coming up to summer I’ve bought 4pairs of 100% cotton/linen trousers, lace trimmed T-shirts, and 4 plain/striped cotton dresses in basic like cream/lavender/sage/navy/white/pink. Some classic toe posts sandals. A pair of heeled sandals. Some gorgeous loafers. Hoping that instead of having 50 outfits I barely ever wear, I can reduce it down to an easily manageable, rotational by season type thing.

i do have some favourite dresses from the past that I’d love them get altered to fit me in the future. Although im shying away from prints overall I do still love my tea length spring floral print dresses and the colour pallet really suits me. I think it would be perfect to get them alerted for more formal events like weddings, christenings, formal nights .

To add, I’ve got another stone to lose. I’ve also got to do sorting with my hair as it’s an Annmarie abomination and the weight loss has destroyed it. I will also perennially need some surgery to remove extra skin as I’m a bit like a deflated balloon!

If you are in ireland definitely go to Dunnes. They have great up to date clothes which dont cost the earth. My advice would be to try on all their wider jeans and find a pair you are comfortable with. Xx

Morning!
My scales have been stuck for weeks and I was getting really disheartened. But this week I’ve definitely not been snacking as much and have made some positive food choices and although it’s not my official weigh day today, the scales seems to be moving again. Not been able to exercise this week as I’ve trapped a nerve near my shoulder blade and its agony! Easing off now thankfully but still there.
im the same re not being sure what to wear now I’ve lost weight. It’s going to be nice weather for the next few weeks and I have no summer clothes as none of them fitted anymore. So I legged it up to Tesco and grabbed some basic vest tops and a pair of loose floaty trousers to make a start on a summer wardrobe.
One thing I do need to get back into is teeth whitening. I had some trays made years ago and I usually just buy the Phillips Zoom gel online. Need to sort that because it does work if I stick to it.
I needed new glasses which I picked up yesterday. They’re a bit out of my comfort zone and quite chunky But I feel really good in them, dare I say a bit cool and quirky!

@Chocolatecoffeecup ooh thank you, I will try this! It always looks good when it’s damp but then dries a frizzy mess and I end up having to straighten it!

I’m buying gleam strips today as I got paid, that’s my payday treat to myself. Plus I needed new running trainers. Other than that I’m having a no spend, wear my wardrobe, use my stash, put things on vinted kind of month in May!

i have 1 month exactly until we go away for May holiday and i am really considering doing a bit of a reset food wise, did whole30 a few times and i felt and looked great on it and had so much energy. My friend is doing Zoe nutrition and is also having great results but I think it’s quite expensive unless you pay upfront for a full year which I don’t really want to do.

glow up plans this weekend- scrunch my hair, sort my wardrobe, run today, bootcamp and a walk tomorrow, not drinking tonight (but might tomorrow). It’s so lovely having a bit of sun for a vitamin d boost, I feel so much better and then by default I look so much brighter because I’m outdoors in the fresh air more.

@Chocolatecoffeecup Thank you. It’s a gynae op so I know after I’ve recovered the things that currently make it difficult to exercise will be resolved. I eat pretty well but work from home and got into the habit of snacking, going out in the evenings and then eating late. It catches up as you get older doesn’t it?!

Well done on the weight loss, water or not it keeps you motivated.

Once you've scrunched the curl creme into it, and gel on top of you want it, don't touch it until it's dry. That's why makes curly hair frizzy.

The weather is glorious ☀️

I bought one of those curling wands (Tymo Curlgo) that takes a section of hair into the curling barrel , twirls it and smooths it .
My hair is quite fine and has a natural wave but I'm hoping this will give me more structured waves rather than Worzel Gummidge waves .

Need to buy some hairspray , I don't want to use something first or it'll get on the wand . But I haven't used hairspray since I was about 14 !

I'd love to join, could definitely use some motivation.

I've struggled with gastritis and other chronic health issues for years. I'd like to try and stick to the following.

More water, I am winning with this one but frequently forget to drink.

Remembering supplements vitamin B complex, biotin for hair loss, Km-66, ground flax seed for omegas and Ancient and Brave marine collagen.

Anti inflammatory diet. Smoothies with berries, more fish (I don't eat meat) less sugar, green leafy veg and salad, green tea etc. Cutting out dairy as intolerant and just don't learn!

Coming off HRT after 7 years, this is challenging am weaning off eek!

Simple Skin care, Double cleanse, tret, Alpha Arbutin, good simple moisturiser, sunblock red light therapy.

Exercise, has been tricky due to plantar facsiitis so indoor treadmill walking plus weights on a vibration board.

Well being/Mindfulness Currently trying 8d music and am doing a breathing and meditation class

I made my first Buddha bowl yesterday it was very pretty. 😀

Following!