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Original poster

High Maintenance on a low budget, Anyone going to join me?

333 replies

starbear · 18/01/2009 10:23

I'm fed up of being out of shape, scruffy Mummy. From this week I'm going to watch less Telly get more exercise in and start looking groomed. Any scruffy bugger want to join me. I plan to be a Diva by summer.
I'm sitting here in a Fleece, green 'Tu' Sainsbury's old t-shirt, men's Gap jeans and brown flat trainer type thing, eyebrows need doing and hair needs cutting. Time to change. Anyone want to join a support group?

OP posts:
Ivykaty44 · 18/01/2009 10:30

Groomed

Nails DIY, file shotish and gloss with clear varnish, very understated

Legs, and bikini line - a pot of hair remover, underarms every other day with a razor in the shower

Toe nails again file file so nice and smooth and that includes the hard skin - then cream at night and paint toe nails a pretty colour.

Take wardrobe and put all your outfits together - i.e. trousers and tops on hangers and hang together in the wardrobe. That way you dont have to think when half asleep. get ride of any clothing you havn't worn for over 18 months (apart from going out classic clothes) that makes more room and more hangers

Those are my tips for now.

Original poster
starbear · 18/01/2009 10:38

Ivykaty44 Thank you. I wear a uniform at work so I can concentrate on clothes for the weekend. I'll follow your tips this week and get my act together.

OP posts:
Mooseheart · 18/01/2009 10:42

Can you build a walk into your daily routine? I find 45 mins of brisk walking a day is great for staying in shape - and free too!

BumpermightsuetheSindie · 18/01/2009 10:44

I'm with you. I defo need to lose weight and get a haircut and get glowing skin but have no money. Have emailed a load of salons to see if any of them have students needing models for cheap or free hair cuts.

Must go running, it's free, tolerable and the quickest way for me to lose weight, just need to find the time between work and a toddler.

Original poster
starbear · 18/01/2009 10:48

BumpermightsuetheSindie Are we going to form a support group? A bit like the FLY Good housekeeping thread But tidy up our selves Must go and do some housework now catch up later

OP posts:
ihatethecold · 18/01/2009 10:51

why dont you try your local college, they usually provide cheaper beauty and haircuts etc.

runnyhabbit · 18/01/2009 10:59

Can I join too

Have plenty of good intentions, but can't seem to get my act together.

Would second being a student guinea pig, but if you don't have any joy, maybe find a mobile hairdresser - they are a lot cheaper, and great to fit around childcare.

BumpermightsuetheSindie · 18/01/2009 11:00

We shoudl starbear!

I hatethecold, I used to go to the college and I have nothing against it execept they take so long! And you still have to pay, but sometimes salons offer free hair cuts and the trainees are just that little bit more experienced. If I can't find anyone though I might have to resort to the college.

Ivykaty44 · 18/01/2009 11:15

My hairdresser does a wet cut for half the price of a cut and blow dry - suits me as I like to dry it myself anyhow.

Go to boots for a number 7 make over, get foundation that suits your skin tone and eye shadow and liner + a lipstick.

throw all your make up away that is over 12 months old, it is "nasty" to keep to long as will spread germs.

Put together a seperate wash bag for the gym with a little shampoo, body lotion and shower gel inside, add a couple of items of make up and a comb and brush.

Make the gym or a run before work part of your natural habit like breathing. Every other day is good, If you are shot of time then use weights when you walk on the tread mill to save time Therefore doing weights and cardio at the same time, or do wieghts and gym bike at the same time.

No gym membership then run before the dc are out of bed, 30 mins before breakfast or 30 mins in the early eve will get everything moving for a while after.

GrapeJelly · 18/01/2009 13:37

Some good tips here, especially from Ivykaty. I'll add one- a cup of hot water and fresh lemon each morning and plenty of fresh water through the day. Cheap and works if you can remember to keep it up!

PavlovtheCat · 18/01/2009 13:44

A good tinted moisturiser in your bag, a splodge through the day, and a little lipgloss - cheap and quick way to keep your face fresh looking without spending money/time on putting on make-up.

Also moisturiser for your hands, they will look and feel young for longer.

Everytime you do something that requires a small amount of exercise, make a touch more effort. For example run up stairs not walk. If you lift baby/toddler/young child up concentrate on the muscles you use - DD loves sitting on my legs and me lifting her up and down, so I aim to this 20 times and hold my stomach in when I do it! Park your car a little further away from shops when on your own, carry the bags to car (if you do not have too many). This will all help keep you toned without going to the gym!

I am awful at it, so i will join you. I have just recently started to make more effort with how I look. I wear my jewelry more, spend some time on my hair more often. Try to wear a skirt/dress at least once a week now.

OsmosisBanana · 18/01/2009 13:45

Tesco have got quite a lot of 'home gym' equipment on sale atm.... Get a stepper (about £20 I think), bung in front of tv, do 20 mins. TV and exercise! Yay!

They also have pedometers for about £3, good to see how little / much movement you actually get. It's all about raising your basal metabolic rate. If you are an unactive person it actually can have an inverse relationship to your BMR if you start doing rigorous exercise as the slump afterwards negates any good effects, so start with little and often. As a previous poster said, doing some brisk walking everyday is a good way to get your BMR up, then start incororating proper exercise.

Sorry to go on, have just been revising this topic for an exam on Tues!

Ivykaty44 · 18/01/2009 13:50

Can I just say - never ever apply make up or brush your hair in public. Allow the mystry of looking good to stay in the bathroom - either public loo or home bathroom

Really good deals on Gym membership under £25 per month

cheap membership to national chains

GrapeJelly · 18/01/2009 14:04

Can anyone suggest how to find which colours suit you if you can't afford to go to Colour Me Beautiful? Wearing the right clothes can make a big difference in how you look/ feel about yourself.

Ivykaty44 · 18/01/2009 14:08

Use sales online topick up some sports gear going cheap

70% sale - who cares it's last season

GentleOtter · 18/01/2009 14:11

Can I join too ? I have drifted into the realms of Frumpsville but have decided to have a week of loads more fruit and vegetables and four pints of water a day. Have made soup.

Cheap exfoliator - sugar and any oil. Rub it into the skin before your bath/shower.

Ivykaty44 · 18/01/2009 14:14

Use a digital camera and take pictures of yourself wearing different coloured tops, download them on the pc and look to see which colour or colours look good.

I know that soft pink and greys are very kind to my colouring Whereas light blue makes me look ill.

nontoxic · 18/01/2009 14:18

Re. The colours: the first thing is to decide whether you have warm or cool colouring. If your skin's tone is pinky/blue that's cool, if yellowy/peach that's warm.

There are books by the likes of Colour Me Beautiful to help with the finer details, but the best thing is a consultation. I plotted and got one for my birthday.

Another indicator is whether you suit gold or silver - gold being the warm tone.

TheRealMrsJohnSimm · 18/01/2009 15:38

Grapejelly - I would say that just trying on different colours in shops will give you a good idea without having a Colour Me Beautiful session. I have never had a "colour" session but have found which colours I can/can't wear through trial and error. I have pinky/blue tone skin and I cannot wear anything dusky pink, yellow, mustard tones, oranges or orangey-reds. I can wear grey if its a warm/rich grey but otherwise its a no-no. Colours which look fab are navy, brown, deep red, bright pink, vibrant purple (but not too dark - too goth). Also, I would try doing this without make up on - that way you know its working with your natural rather than enhanced skin tone.

You will see an instant difference in the appearance of your skin if you wear the right or wrong colour. Wrong colours will drain the colour from your face/make you look ill! The right colours will give your skin a real glow.

nontoxic · 18/01/2009 17:28

TRMJS - that's uncanny! My best colours are navy, deep red, bright pink, and I also have 'cool' colouring. It obviously can be sorted out by trial and error, but I hate shopping and could'nt be bothered myself.

You're right about wearing no make up for trying colours.

(another of my best colours is a bright aqua blue might be worth a try?)

BobtheWoodmouse · 18/01/2009 18:09

Grapejelly

Look for the book 'Colour me Confident' (maybe color) it's pretty good for diy colour analysis.

GrapeJelly · 18/01/2009 19:51

Thanks for the colour tips, everyone. I find some colours obviously suit me (Blue, light green, brown) and some make me look haggard (black, orange, dark purple) but there are some that I'm just not sure of- some shades of pinks, darker greens and lilacs. I think I'm a spring as I've got blue eyes, honey coloured hair and quite light skin but I also think that grey suits me though it's not supposed to suit spring types.

Would like to step away from the safe blues and turquoises and try something a little different and daring without looking like a deranged old bag!

Original poster
starbear · 18/01/2009 20:08

GrapeJelly I went to Debenhams and had an appointment with a personal shopper who pick the clothes. As it's not an expensive store I got load of stuff for £300.00 including a coat. Best money I've ever spent on clothes all suit me and worn for years (until Ds was born) I could do it any again. This is it, I have got to plan and plan time to look after myself. Book it in advance and let the washing go to hell and let DH look after the lad

OP posts:
Original poster
starbear · 18/01/2009 20:15

Ivykaty44 Good points. I've reduced my hours at work to start at 9am instead of 8am. have be lazy for the last three weeks but I'm going to get up at the old time of 6am do some exercise then shower get the lad up etc.. Prepare the night before should do it. Sit ups before Ds gets up Monday and going running tomorrow when DH gets in.
To everyone else.WHAT are you going to do tomorrow to change

OP posts:
janeite · 18/01/2009 20:20

Last weekend I spent an hour sorting out some of my clothes into outfits so that I had six or seven outfits all hung up and ready. I only needed five for work but it meant I had an element of choice, rather than having to wear it because that's what I'd decided for Monday and it made my mornings much, much easier. As soon as I drag myself off here I will go up and do the same for this week.

I will then go for a bath and actually use my lovely Origins face scrub, instead of what I usually do which is look at it and think "oh I should use that at some point".