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What changes made the biggest difference to your overall appearance?

137 replies

AtLeastInHeavenICanSkate · 31/05/2026 16:19

Inspired by some other threads (NC alert) I’ve decided the time is ripe for an overhaul/glow up. My plan is to make significant changes over a period of time and do a new one each month whilst keeping the old changes- nothing revolutionary but needed and I hope to get long term benefits/results.

at the moment my diet is pretty crap-which will be my next focus - the first was a new hairdo (which is a change and growing on me!), then multi vitamins, then 2L of water each day then a form of exercise each week.

In the short term before as I’m making bigger adjustments I’m hoping to get some advice on what are the likely to be the most significant gains to look like me but better.
I don’t like the feel of acrylics and currently don’t wear any make up.

OP posts:
TiredMagpie · Yesterday 00:15

I do weights at home 3 x a week using Caroline Girwan videos on YouTube. I have previously worked out at a gym, though, and had a few sessions with a PT to make sure I understood the proper form for each exercise (although there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube, too).

Lampzade · Yesterday 02:33

Keeping weight down
Weight training - A must in my opinion
Walking daily - a gamechanger - very underrated

ABitFreakedOutNow · Yesterday 06:46

LondonPapa · 31/05/2026 16:41

You should eat your vitamins. A multivitamin is okay to start with but really, you should be eating enough healthy unprocessed foods along with exercising frequently to ensure your vitamins and minerals are perfect.

Further the 2 litres of water per day is a myth, the body gets roughly 20% through food alone. Further all drinks count ([herbal] tea, water, juice etc.).

The biggest change will only happen after lots of work. A new haircut won’t be enough. Exercise, eat healthy, breathe through the nose, avoid UPFs, be outside. By winter, you’ll have some change that will be positive.

I don’t take vitamins either.

I once went to a nutritionist and i was told that i should take a multivitamin for 3 months whilst my body adjusted or recovered from massive changes but after that i should be getting what i need from good food.

It’s a multi billion dollar industry that scams us out of our cash, and is no better than the beauty industry telling us our flaws.

Kinfluencer · Yesterday 06:48

Gave up alcohol over 10 years ago
Its soooo aging
No not even a thimble at Christmas 😂

YourKonstantine · Yesterday 08:42

Allseeingallknowing · 01/06/2026 15:11

I would be happy at 10.5 stone!

I’m sure some people would, I wasn’t.

Trumptontown · Yesterday 09:12

WhenTheDustSettles · 01/06/2026 23:51

Those of you talking about weights, do you go to the gym, do this at home or a mix? I wouldn't know where to start.

@EverythingGolden Just edited as I saw your post!

Edited

Gym, with a PT. Cannot recommend a good PT highly enough if you can afford it!

SpiralSister · Yesterday 09:30

Trumptontown · Yesterday 09:12

Gym, with a PT. Cannot recommend a good PT highly enough if you can afford it!

The gym I go to runs strength classes - so a small group get to share a PT. It’s brilliant - makes it much more affordable and you get group support too.

Candleabra · Yesterday 09:34

Kinfluencer · Yesterday 06:48

Gave up alcohol over 10 years ago
Its soooo aging
No not even a thimble at Christmas 😂

Me too. Agree this is hugely beneficial and really helps to keep weight down too.

WhenTheDustSettles · Yesterday 13:12

Lampzade · Yesterday 02:33

Keeping weight down
Weight training - A must in my opinion
Walking daily - a gamechanger - very underrated

Keeping weight down won't have made a difference though, just maintained what your weight is.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · Yesterday 18:09

WhenTheDustSettles · Yesterday 13:12

Keeping weight down won't have made a difference though, just maintained what your weight is.

Well isn’t that the same thing? Just another way of saying it.

WhenTheDustSettles · Yesterday 19:46

AppleDumplingWithCustard · Yesterday 18:09

Well isn’t that the same thing? Just another way of saying it.

Not really, I read it as something making a difference, which is what the question from the OP was. If you are already a healthy weight and you keep it down, it doesn't make any difference. Maybe I am just weird.

2021x · Today 00:30

Good for you @AtLeastInHeavenICanSkate

I found a good place to start was to actually track what I ate without judgement for a week, or even for a day. Then rather than trying to cut anything out I added more protein or what ever I was lacking- I think I started with Vit C because we can’t store it?

The other thing was to know I would fail/fall off the wagon with what ever behaviour I was trying to change. Give myself a hug and then start again. It’s the falling off and picking yourself up again that actually builds the self esteem required to get the changes to stick..

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