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

[starbear]

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?

lumpsdumps I read the news & I remembered you work for Principles, Hope everything worksout.
I have been very good on the exercise front circuits on Sunday, gym mid week and cycling lessons but I've got to really work on my diet. I think it's got to be the Scardale diet as nothing else is working. I've also got to read the thread re sugar craving I love cakes, biscuits etc and really can't live with out tea and 1/2 sugar.
Well I better get back on track.

My tip would be to go to a large Boots or Debenhams where they sell Benefit make-up. I am lazy and not really into make-up but I find this range really useful to use as it is a little different and has some innovative solutions. I use the Lemon Aid every day on my eye lids and since DS born a fortnight ago, have been using Dr Feelgood as is sooo easy to use without any foundation or anything just to look a bit more perked up. Then I just use mascara and feel happy to leave the house. When was working also used High Beam most days and a plain eye shadow. Have a chat to a consultant and see what they suggest for you.

My sisters went to Colour Me Beaut - I have read the book they bought! Was useful, but agree, it's expensive otherwise.

I am trying to get the energy to turn on the Wii fit so that I can get some exercise while DS naps.

Agree that Benefit products are good I use lemonaid everyday (whether I'm wearing eyeshadow or not), and Dr Feelgood is good too. I also use their Dandelion blusher.

Wow, am all out of puff as just did the Davina "superfit" workout from the Super Body Workout DVD. I sucked at it, but I did it!

When do you all find the time to do exercise? I've been on my feet all day and didn't have time to exercise, now it's the last thing I feel like doing

Katsing I don't do a lot and I have a lovely Mum and DH. So it goes like this.

Monday Should go running with a running club (they do walk & run for us softies) when DH gets in but, find excuses not to I'm too tired (lazy) after being with Ds all day

Wednesday I take my kit into work with me and leave Mum & DH to handover. Do weights & machines.

Saturday I go off early 8.50am & leave DH in bed and DS watching Telly until dad gets up which is about 1 hour of TV to be honest

Sunday DH goes to church with DS and I book a cycling lesson to learn how to cycle safely in London. This has been very recent.

I was going to do sit-up in the morning before work but it's too yukky at 6am so it has dropped off my list.

Sooooo I have not lots an oz

Ops! forgot to proof read I do Circuits on Saturday Then DH gives me the boy we go swimming & DH goes to the gym.
He is a PE teacher so He's very supportive, to be fair I'm very supportive of him too.
This has only happened since I started this thread.
What are everyone's plans this weekend?
Well for me it's the following list.

Friday take Ds to my sister's. He will be staying until Sunday. We plan a grown up weekend. Friday Night Girl's charity quiz night. Hmmm! need to plan now what to wear!

Saturday Circuits Shopping for stockings & things (what I don't know) Plan to wear a Monsoon dress for our evening out to the Opera

Starbear "Stockings and things..." sounds fun I couldn't tell you the last time I wore stockings, too much of a faff for me.

As for my weekend, grown up night on Friday as it was DP's birthday this week. Sat I'll be home alone with DS & Sunday meting another couple with a DD the same age as our DS. My friend & me are trying to get our DPs to bond so they can do stuff together with the DC to give us a break.

Yes it is a faff and I'm not sure the suspenders fit around my tummy anymore
I'll go and check now!

I find the time to exercise through sheer determination! It also helps that I only go to work 2 days per week. Currently my plan is:

Monday - nothing planned.
Tuesday - yoga class in my lunchbreak or pilates DVD at home in evening.
Weds - gym in morning (DD in creche).
Thurs - As of tonight Thursday is Davina night!
Friday - nothing planned.
Saturday - gym in morning unless we have stuff planned.
Sunday - early morning swim.
Plus I don't use the car during the week, so there's a fair amount of walking to and from places. And I might possibly put in a couple of pilates sessions during DD's naps if I am feeling keen?

Starbear, did they fit? I hope so otherwise that means another trip to the shops. Someone on another thread posted a link to a website that does suspenders with 6 strap thingies. Sound better than the typical ones with 4, mine always used to pull down round my hips and my stocings ended up round my knees. Dead sexy
Jammy, I'm tired just thinking about your schedule!

Am considering breaking out the Wii Fit again next week - haven't used since was about 7 mths preg. Anyone else use this to keep in shape? When preg enjoyed using the balance games as helped with posture, but wasn't able to do too much else.

Hope you're having a good night out Starbear - and that the suspenders fit!

Haven't been so stylish today. Took DD swimming this morning. She hates the showers though and she's too little to leave while I have one, so still got that chlorine feel about me, and while I used spray in conditioner, hair's a bit rough feeling (and hence looking). And only had time to moisturise afterwards so no make up either. But hey, have only been playing with duplo and tidying the kitchen (oh and doing pilates while she napped) this afternoon so what's the problem? And am going to the gym in the morning (to get my programme intensified as it is getting easy [scared]) and then doing DIY/gardening (ie getting sweaty and messy) so will shower or bathe properly and do a spot of beautifying after that.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Hi everyone. No the suspenders didn't fit! Got tights instead. Have fallen off the wagon and will need post-it note all over the house in future a week before going out We got to the opera running from the car nearly didn't get let in! No little drink before sitting down all my fault.
I painted my nails too late so only had half an hour to get ready (I didn't even have DS to look after!)

Things I should have done day before

1. Plucked eyebrows (didn't do it on the day)
2. shaved legs (got away with it but would have been better if I had)
3. Prepared handbag in the morning (no running around for stuff) 4 Prepared make-up bag so ready (couldn't find the right lipstick some where in another handbag! Couldn't find lipstick brush any way)

I've given my self 5/10 and 'Must do better'

The dress was lovely, shoes good for running and we had a great night any way. Too many gin and tonics after

Going to do the garden now then pick up DS from sis.

Shame about the suspenders, Starbear. Hope you had a good night all the same, despite being a bit rushed?

Shame on me, I am wearing trainers and jeans to work (actually it's nice that it's pretty relaxed here so I can get away with it!). But my foot still hurts and trainers are the only semi-comfortable footwear at the moment, and they look just so very WRONG with smart trousers or a skirt! But I am wearing a nice top and necklace and a little make up so I don't look a total scruff

Hello, i've been absent for a while and just been catching up. I love this thread as, please take no offence, it makes me realise we all have our imperfections and are good at planning to do things that then don't always seem to happen.

Good on you those of you that have made them happen though!

I'm wearing a necklace too Jammy, it makes me feel dressed up. Makes up for being 38wks pg and massive (everyone says so). Oh, and still at work.

I am noting the pilates dvds with interest as this is something I'm hoping to do once I've had this baby and got into a routine. Theres a class on a Weds with creche for baby and DS should be at nursery on that day. But maybe a dvd would be useful in case getting to a class proves too much effort (would need to take public transport).

Did yoga last night. Tried to go swimming at the weekend but one pool had a gala on and the other local one had run out of chlorine how stupid is that! So we found ourselves out at 9am on Sunday with nothing else to do, and we hadn't taken coats so not like we could go for a walk or anything instead (it is a 5 mile drive to the pool).

Hello Jumbs come and go as you like. Saturday mornings at the gym and swimming has really worked out for us. Shame that your pool was closed. My circuits class was cancelled too this week. never mind it's just a good habit to get into.

Hello all
So far this week I've done sweet FA
Oh, I lie, I managed to remove the skanky chipped nail varnish from my toes!
Yesterday I even took DS swimming without bothering to shave my legs or pits
I don't know why I did the blushing thingy, I wasn't even remotely bothered, although I did notice one of the other mums having a sly look at my bikini region, lol!
I've not mamaged to get back to pilates either, other commitments have plotted against me.
I might wear a necklace today

Hi Nezzi. If it makes you feel any better I haven't shaved my pits in months, heck might even be years by now. And I'm not at all about it. I do try to keep my legs under control, at least in summer or for swimming, and I do think they look better for it, so that is one thing I am trying to do more regularly. But I have no plans to start shaving underarms, or bikini line, or start wearing nail polish, or lippy, or blow drying my hair (let alone straightening it) or possibly other things that many women just do and take for granted that all women do. And I make no apologies

Thanks Jammy, that does help.
Why are we (women) so obsessed with removing our hair?

Not doing too well this week but plan to get back on track next week. I like looking good just for me but its the weight that's getting me down so need to address that next week.
Had a really lazy week but I've just goging to lok at it as a little holiday instead.

Saying all that last night. Today I have shaved my legs (DH's birthday) and plucking my eyebrows in a mo.

Yay Starbear!
I shaved my legs last night

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been absent for so long, life took over for a while and I've fallen off the wagon badly in terms of the exercise and eating better.
Last night I did my nails, today I've done an overhaul of my skincare and makeup. I will be better.

At last! I have finally had my hair cut

Cyteen That's my plan for next week have left it for ages because I want it to be longer. I now really hate the sensible short mummy cut. It's beyond a joke now I've just washed it put Nicky Clark's Mousse & Finishing serum and it now look the same as it did when I got up.
Going to phone my aunt in Spain to say we are coming over in July.
I'm going to ask her if they have such a thing as a personal shopper in Corte Ingles
So I can come back looking all groomed European! She lives in a tiny hamlet outside La Coruna so it really isn't a hip and happening place but I'm going to cross my fingers. Might look at the website before I go and collect ideas.