What changes made the biggest difference to your overall appearance?

[AtLeastInHeavenICanSkate]

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.

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).

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

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.

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

I’m sure some people would, I wasn’t.

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.

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

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.

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.

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..

Love this thread!
Earlier this year I felt bloated and after a particularly indulgent Christmas I couldn’t fit into most of my clothes. I went back to slimming world in March (having done it shortly after mat leave a decade ago) because I needed the accountability. So far I’ve lost just under 1 1/2 stone and not only has it mostly affected my stomach and face but it’s taught me to format my dinners and snacks better. Normally I’d graze (evenings were worst) but I’ve never eaten so much fruit and veg and feel good for it. Seems obvious when I type it out 😂

another one for spf and ensuring I properly cleanse (balm or cream with flannel as opposed to micellar water or wipe). It’s made my complexion look a lot brighter.

I tried a PT. I couldn't walk for days after the session. I felt like a silly fat old woman, it was awful.
I'm starting from zero.

That’s honestly normal, I promise it gets easier. You also need to feed back to the PT about how you feel, both in the session and afterwards! 💐

I could barely grasp the steering wheel after my first session! It rapidly gets better, promise.

My biggest change was getting braces as a teenager! It's funny how people start treating you much better, and looking you in the eye instead of at your teeth in fascinated horror, just because your teeth look more normal when they're straight. That partly fed into becoming more confident, as you carry yourself better and come across differently to others when you're happier with yourself.

My job (very active, manual, and excellent for unintentional strength training) means that I struggle to keep any fat on, but I am surprisingly muscular and strong. It also means that I drink more water.

More recently, I am undergoing treatment for rosacea. I am naturally very pale, with very obvious rosacea.

I would like tidier hair. I suspect that the only way to do this would be to shave it all off and wear a wig. My natural hair is, erm, wild, and tends to run amok, screaming that it can't be tamed...

thats so normal, it took me about 5 days to stop aching after my first session! It’s gets easier very quickly though, it’s so worth sticking with.

if it was something your trainer did that made you feel silly or fat then try a different one. I was 21 stone when I started this, my PT makes me feel amazing and like I can conquer the world!

Nothing (nothing!) improves your appearance as much as weight loss.

Unless you’re underweight, then it doesn’t 😉

I didn't like him really. I need a woman I think who understands I'm starting from zero.

Losing fat from your face looks appalling , especially if you are older.

Ah 100% get that - I’ve always chosen female PTs! It can be really life changing when you find the right person 😊x

Yep

I prefer a woman, but I have worked with a young man who was a bit tougher but also a hoot. I think it’s a matter of finding the right person who gets where you are now and where you want to be. A bit of supportive challenge is healthy I think, once you have established the basics. It should always feel like they are on your side!