How to feel happy and look gorgeous

[BeepBoopBeeeeep]

Recently I’ve been feeling overweight, tired, saggy, unkempt and fed up. I’m ready to make some changes and would love any suggestions of things people have done that have improved their happiness, appearance and well being.

Anything really. Supplements? Good habits / routines? Beauty products? Other purchases? Food and drink? Treatments?
There’s so much out there so it’s hard to know where to begin!

My two so far would be

• no alcohol in two weeks and my sleep is better and I feel more cheery
• Doing jigsaws or knitting quietens my mind

@whyohwhyohwhyohwhyohwhyohwhy i know, I was just confused by the responses like I was being a complete idiot, hence why I quoted the op because I wasn’t inappropriate in my response.

Take up Couch to 5K
It's bloody awful at the beginning, but afterwards it's fantastic

I have to say that this is true IME. I’ve gone from a 18 to size 8-10 in the last few years and the difference it has made is incredible. It’s an awful thing to say about myself but when I was much bigger and would get my hair done or buy a new piece of clothing, part of my brain would be saying ‘what’s the point?’ and I’d feel ridiculous.That part of my brain is silent now. It’s not been good for my bank balance though. I buy way more clothes now because I look good in them and I’ve added in various beauty treatments and stuff too.

Anyway I have the holy trinity of things that make me feel more put together: hair done every 8 weeks, lashes done every 2-3 weeks, nails done every 4 weeks. Those things do a lot of the heavy lifting.

I whiten my teeth every few months, spent some time finding out what makeup actually suits my skin now and ended up discovering that CC cream works far better for me than most foundations.

I also exercise a lot. It makes me feel so much better about myself. And allows me more leeway to eat cake and my fancy coffees, which are a nice boost too!

Love these!!!

SPF
Leave the house every day for a short walk. Without fail. Even if the weather is shit.

Laugh a lot.
Don’t do things because you ‘ought to’
Have hobbies that involve young people.
Avoid people who only talk about their ailments.
If you are lucky enough to be with a good man, have lots of sex.

Thanks for all the advice! Wish I could be a size 8 but Mounjaro made me poorly so no more of that!

At least 7 hours sleep
No caffeine in the afternoon then lots of water or herbal tea
Prioritise protein, fruit, veg - I take no supplements but have a very balanced diet
Minimal wardrobe with only things you love and that fit - I am a size 10 and spent years as an unhappy size 14. Getting dressed now is easy.
Exercise daily - even just a walk
Spend time with friends that get you and listen to you, bin off everyone else
Eyebrows tinted, mascara, as a minimum
Regular haircuts
Wear perfume every day
Alcohol only very occasionally - find a lovely soft drink ie sparkling elderflower as a replacement
Watch favourite series / films / comedy / do crosswords

Or just lose weight

My shortlist is:

Hair - wash and blowdry at home, cut and colour every 3 months

Skin - spf and easy skincare routine daily

Teeth - regular check ups with the hygenist

Nails - keep them neat and tidy, occassionally I get them done professionally

Wardrobe - get rid of old tatty clothes that don’t fit anymore, stick to colours that suit me. In the last few years I have invested in better quality items, and I also built up a work wardrobe that means I feel good, and don’t stress about what to wear.

Off thread, but I love your username. I used to watch Crossroads avidly as a teenager, mainly to put off doing my homework.
Glenda always carried a bright yellow handbag. And her dad ( Arthur) was the victim of a hit and run as he walked home, the worse for wear, after a bowling club awards evening. In true Crossroads cliched fashion, he was walking along saying “ best night of my life “ when he was knocked down. Any character in a film or TV programme who says that is for the chopper.

Well, it’s entirely depend on your height. I’m 5 foot two and I just lost two stone. I’m now a size 8 (bit loose). I don’t look gaunt or sick. I look and feel great 🙌

Strength training! I love feeling stronger and more toned

Always wear perfume and earrings (just a small pair of studs makes me feel more put together)

As Helen Mirren said " tell more people to fuck off" 😂

Making sure I have things to look forward to:
a gig / coffee or evening out with a friend / theatre / a craft workshop etc

Trying to get away for a few days every couple of months at least - a change of scenery does wonders

Yes to perfume every day- I’d add a good lipstick to that too

Spending on boots and coats, as we spend so much time in them in the UK

Making sure the house is clean, tidy and comfortable so it’s a nice place to come home to

I’ve just started going to sound baths and find them beautifully relaxing

It’s SO BORING but eating minimal food, and what you eat should be high value - high protein, high fibre or something you love as a treat. You feel healthy, clear minded and light and after a week of it look better and feel better, after a month are noticeably better looking and more flexible, and after a few months feel younger, brighter and look better which cheers you up. Extra weight is so bad for your mental health because of the mental and physical energy and effort involved in dealing with every extra pound.

After that - sleep as much as you can and make time for yourself every week.

Wonderful advice. I do need to lose some weight.

Excellent thread. I have been feeling similar to you @BeepBoopBeeeeepand I need to sort it out rather than wallowing in it, as I have been for far too long. I had my hair cut this week which is a start but I still feel gross and unhealthy. I could do with dropping a few pounds for sure but I want to prioritise feeling better physically and I hope that will have a knock on impact.

One thing that actually made me feel much happier and look better was giving up caring about what weight I was. It was like putting down a massive pointless to-do list. Fantastic, and it improved my diet so I feel healthier. Then taking up aerial - I'm really bad at it but I go to a lovely studio, mix of ages/ body types/ skill levels, everyone really friendly, and there's a real motivation to keep going and get different tricks. Doing aerial also makes me go to the gym to try and get stronger, which I'm sure is good for me (I'm not a natural gym bunny). Also doing something creative was key for me

Buy clothes that fit and which you love - not the size you’d like to be but haven’t quite achieved or baggy clothes because you don’t want to stand out. And stop giving a fuck about what other people think - follow your own style and hold your head high. Happy people always look more attractive than grumpy ones.

I agree. I understand some women are naturally smaller and this size might be right for them, but at a certain age being very thin often just doesn’t do good things for your appearance.

I took up reformer Pilates in January as a bit of a “new year” thing, and actually lived it. I have gone at least once a week, mainly twice a week, since. I’m still a size 12, but I am strong and toned, and have a great collection of cute grippy socks! The studio I go to only has six beds, so the tuition is very focussed, and the other women (it’s only women) are really supportive.

Other than that I prioritise hair and eyebrows as salon treatments, do my own nails a few times a week with regular polish, and always wear red lipstick.

It's hard when you don't succeed with WLI's, and it feels like everyone else is!

I've accepted that for the time being, and have focused on improving sleep (magnesium) and consistency of little habits (taking meds and vitamins first thing, regularly exercising, drinking enough liquids in the day).

It's always a work in progress, OP.

Being less stressed is probably the number one appearance enhancer. I have a colleague who had some months off for a health problem recently- nothing terrible, more routine surgeries- and she looks great on her return, 5 to 10 years younger from being rested and less stressed.

I agree on finding a weight that suits you. Im 5 foot 2 but when my bmi goes lower than 23/24 I look gaunt. I have a slim face already and have a big frame/muscly for a short person. For me a size 10 top and 12 bottom is much better.