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 realised I only made an effort when I was with my ex, body scrubbed, waxed, nails, hair perfectly done. I looked great, and was really happy inside so i wanted to look fab on the outside. After we split last year, I hardly ever look in the mirror. My skin is scaley, nails not done, body never brushed, body hair growth, big roots, teeth looking tired/need a hygienist - its like I dont bother as no one ever sees me, and im also happy being invisible. I was/am in a low level depression. My roots are now massive and my hairdresser is always having a go saying I need to do things for myself, not when I had an occasion. My waxing lady said she never sees me anymore. I have money but tell myself i cant justify a cost if 'no one sees me'. That said Im going to book something in this week on the back of this thread. Baby steps!!

Do it for yourself, not others. Feeling you look good can have a positive effect.

I make an effort every day, I do my hair, some light make up, moisturise all over, spray some perfume and wear lovely clothes, I’m fairly sure I’m permanently over dressed, but it makes me feel great. I don’t do it for anyone else. I do it for me.

ao do it for you, start today.

@Eeshai don’t think that’s unusual though, and good that you have spotted that you do that. I definitely stop ‘caring’ for myself when I’m feeling low, and it’s a self perpetuating thing because when you then feel you don’t look nice, you stop wanting to care for yourself even more.

this thread is really helping me as I am feeling motivated to just do a little bit and then I feel so much better

I am really enjoying reading the whole thread. I am also working on chucking out the body hatred. Rather than beating myself up and viewing food as bad, I'm working on 'How would I feel if I ate more nourishing food and took some exercise today?' Yesterday went well. We had a lovely home made superfood soup, with ginger, garlic and coriander. Bought some gorgeous fresh produce at a local farm. I gave up alcohol a couple of years ago, but increasing water intake has had a positive effect.

This year I have given my wardrobe a complete over haul this year. I have a very eclectic fashion sense and a love of vintage clothing. This means that I don't always feel very put together. I have decluttered and donated a lot this year. I've worked on putting together more tailored and classic items, lovely fitted cotton shirts, merino jumpers, etc. I have still kept some of my treasured vintage items, particularly jackets and blouses, but it is out with the synthetic and poor quality reproduction items.

I can understand that mindset but you would probably find that if you do those things now it will give you a lift. I always feel better about myself if I feel I look nice or I've taken some time to do something for myself.

I've hit that peri switch where early nights to bed are the absolute best. Sunny sunday mornings are so blissful, so much nicer than a drunk late Saturday night used to be. Had a decent early workout at the gym then had the steam room to myself where they had cranked up the menthol, it felt like my brain was being cleansed and I loved it. Now, I'm scrubbed and oiled top to toe and have mastered the bouncy blow dry. A bit of 50spf skin tint and light makeup, perfume. Also managed some tooth whitening whilst doing a home pedicure, trialling some new floral nail stickers.

Eyebrows dyed
Ordered some vitamins (I already have Biotin for nails/skin/hair ) needed a new bag of them and some other things .
No collagen as it's bovine . I read it's The Big Thing though .

@70isaLimitNotaTarget i got some vegan collagen from H&B, i managed about a week as they made me feel sick.

My gleam teeth whitening strips seem to be working! I’m pleasantly surprised!

@Sandysandytoes oh good, I have ordered mine and I am hoping I get good results too!

I managed to stick with going for a walk every day last week and also managed a YouTube workout. I ordered some bits to do my nails (cuticle oil, polish etc) and bought a new perfume with a Christmas voucher I had.
This week I need to continue with the walking/exercise and start to focus on my diet and snacking! I also want to yo go through my wardrobe and see what summer clothes I have that still fit me and that I still like!

@LBB2020 well done on the walking. The weather helps with that doesn't it ☀️

Haven't managed any "glowing" in the last few days but am enjoying reading the posts. Have had a few disturbed nights sleep for a variety of reasons and it's massively impacting my energy levels(how the hell I managed when my kids were babies I have no idea!!)

hope you get a better night's sleep tonight @Ihaveaskedyouthrice or at least try to relax if you can

@Ihaveaskedyouthrice bad sleep is the one thing that throws all good intentions out of the window for me. Take it easy, try to get some small wins in: (drink lots of water, get some sun on your skin, stick a sheet mask on whilst relaxing etc.)

@Ihaveaskedyouthrice

Lack of sleep is a nightmare isn't it? I find it really upsets my good routines.

I have still been concentrating on good nutrition. It has been a bit of a stressful week, so I haven't been able to get going with the exercise plan. I am starting from point zero there, but am determined. I have lost 4 lb and am feeling the benefit of more protein.

My red light therapy mask has arrived, so I am looking forward to muddling my way through the instructions. I have also been trying some facial yoga, which has made me laugh more than anything. They say that laughter is good for the soul. 😁

I'm working on maximising my mornings at the moment. I've never been a morning person so this is a huge undertaking for me. I wfh and I tend to wake naturally around 7am but doomscroll in bed until the last minute to start work.

Over the last month I have been romanticising my evenings to move away from hours in front of the TV to some painting, reading, podcasts, walk the dog, bake, beauty treatments. This has been fantastic and despite being a former TV addict, I hardly miss it and my mental health has massively improved, especially listening to music. I now go to bed before 10 and wake around 6.30am. This gives me enough to go to the gym before work, shockingly, it has been such a life hack. I get my exercise out of the way first thing instead of trying to fit the gym in later in the day, the endorphins are great when I start work and my brain is more effective. I enjoy my breakfast more knowing I've already worked it off. I can put makeup on knowing that I won't sweat it off later.

I’m not doing too bad this week. Skincare every morning and evening, body moisturised every evening. I’ve been to the gym for cardio twice and done 2 PT weight training sessions. My workload is greater at the end of the week, so I’ve got all my planned weekly exercise in now. Feeling good!

Try Levi’s 318 wide leg. They’re amazing

Completely agree @LumionaMoonsplash If I haven't exercised before 8am, it's not going to happen so I try and do 20mins of yoga, weights or a run before then.

Not sure if New Look Adalae wide legs have been mentioned but they're great jeans.

Sorted facial hair and nails yesterday as had a rare office day. My easiest game changer has been drinking water as soon as I wake up- I had no idea I got so thirsty overnight!

my week hasn’t been especially glowy but I’ve been doing a few little bits.
Wearing nicer clothes even when wfh (not just living in leggings and dog walking clothes)
stuck a few bits on vinted and going to do a few more which will give me a bit of budget for some holiday bits. I also have a £45 next voucher which I would like to use for a high waisted bikini
my gleam strips have arrived, I am going to use one today - my starting colour was between 10 and 11, and even darker in the gaps which is horrible but at least I have lots of room to improve!
I’ve been ok with my food but I’m trying to eat the contents of my freezer stash so not calorie counting this week, and my weight is bobbing around a bit.
I’ve been making protein shakes with frozen fruit and fibre powder and chia for breakfasts.
I’m racing this weekend so no heavy exercise although I would like a gentle run today just to turn my legs

on the downside my mood has been crap, I was really tearful and tired yesterday, and my skin has broken out in some really sore deep spots along my chin which isn’t nice.

tonight we have dc football (last game of the season) then I am going to have a bath, do a facemask and wear my gleam strips!

I've been feeling like I want to watch less tv before bed as I feel like I'm watching for the sake of it. If there's something I want to watch then that's one thing but often I'm just putting something on to wind down and I'm not even enjoy. I've been enjoying doing some exercises most evenings (abs) and that feels like a better way to spend some of the evening.

I did a step workout this morning and feel good for it. I had in mind I needed to do some mid-week cardio (on top of my short weekend run) and didn't have much time and didn't feel like I had the energy but I got the step out and enjoyed it. It's the first time I've got the step out this year and I did it in the garden just about 20 mins before I had a quick shower and took the dc to school.

I had a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch as I'm short on time and after a few nutritious salads this week I just didn't feel great after eating it!

@thenewaveragebear1983 Sorry you're feeling down! I feel a bit that way this week as I'm very hormonal (PMDD which is like PMT on acid) . A nice bath and pamper sounds lovely

I’ve very much neglected this thread this week, I’ve been super busy with my work.

I’ve felt like my skin has gone a bit backwards this week, feels more greasy than glowy, probably the hot weather so maybe I need to keep powering through. Pores are definitely getting a bit less noticeable though.

i’ve lost 3lbs in the past week and a half just from sensible eating instead of snacking all the time. Want to keep this up on the run up to my summer holiday.

That said, does anyone have any recommendations for anywhere that sells bikinis that aren’t made of dental floss? I don’t want to spend too much but everywhere cheap they seem to be very flimsy and cut to go up your bum! 🙈

My week is going ok, I’ve been out for a walk most days and also did a workout video today. Diet hasn’t been great to be honest but I’m going to sit down over the weekend and try to work out a simple meal plan for the next week.
I ordered some of those pore pads and collagen face masks I keep seeing all over instagram! Planning a pamper evening over the weekend to try them out!