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?

Can highly recommend Principles jeans, as that is my place of work. Not just saying it either because I'm paid by them, but because I wear them out of work and they wash and wash and wash and yet have not faded or shrunk. What fit have you gone for?

That's very nice of you starbear, but I started quite a long way behind. I am working hard at my "grooming" in the hope that it will inspire general pride in myself and make me feel inclined to do the exercise and dieting I need to lose the LARGE amount of excess weight I currently carry. So far it seems to be working

lumpsdumps 70's Flare. I really didn't have time to try them all as the lovely shop assistant chatted for so long with my Ds re the toboggan we bought and snow. We had to then get to his swimming lesson!
Jammy It's a good start and we will get there together!
Speak later

The 70's flare are fab, I think they are the best pair that we have in at the moment. I am going to get a pair as they are a great fit for me. Well its a day off for me today and I think my wii fit is calling me, am also going to have a pamper and keep fit day today. So am going to do a half hour workout and then have a lovely long hot shower with all my lovely smellies and am going to try out a DIY facial thing that Emilia Fox uses.Will report back if I think it's any good.

Enjoy the smellies. Now I'm on the hunt for wedgie shoes and a nice top to go with the jeans.
Today:- gym re programme, massage that cost the earth (should have spent the money on shoes instead!)
Grim weather this afternoon, no snow just cold.
Off to a Quiz tonight with Fish and Chips. So good eating plan will have to wait until tomorrow.
Made a barrel of Pumpkin & Chickpea soup & Coq au Vin yesterday so we have some health food during the weekend.
Not going to restart my 5p plan until Monday.
What do you have planned for the weekend that will keep you on track ladies?

My plans for the weekend? Gym induction Sat morning at 10am. And if DH will get up with DD, an early swim on Sunday. And drinking lots of water, keeping up my now-established skincare routine, polishing shoes, and mending some clothes I hope!

Jammy, how did the Gym induction go?
Got to Gym on time but didn't do as well as last week, not sure why. Any way must plug on. Washed my hair with a 2-1 shampoo after swimming with Ds. No time to style or dry my hair as DH was waiting for us! So my hair is untidy and static now! Need a solution to this lack of time at the gym.
Going for a walk in a mo with Ds might do some window shopping.
Tonight cream all over and sort out make-up bag.
Sunday
Nell's DVD and throw away 5 pieces of clothes I never ever wear. You know the bits when you open a draw you never ever decide to wear.
Lumpy I suppose your working. Any recommend tops to go with the jeans?
I'm being nagged a again by Ds must go......

It was good thanks starbear. I was impressed that the gym bloke didn't treat me like I was stupid but actually listened to my goals and preferences, and took account of what other exercise I (am planning to) do when he wrote the programme. So I have warm up exercises and then a circuit training type programme to follow - 4 sets of exercises and a short "sprint" on the cross trainer, then rest and repeat. I plan to book DD into the creche so I can give it try on Thursday.

If you don't get a chance for decent conditioning after a swim could you try a leave in conditioner? Not as good as the "real" thing but better than nothing.

What size are you Starbear and what kind of top are you looking for? Casual or a dressy top?

Jeans for fat bums-any recommendations,especially stretchy ones.

lumpsdumps Thank you sweetheart. Size 14 and in my trade they call it smart but casual.You could get a bonus for this.
jardy I started another thread re jeans and the results were
M&S with Elastane £12
Principles £45 ish Elastane 70's flares(I can't remember £, but no more)
Other recommend jeans were French Connection and New Look Hula jeans. Gap were a waste of time for me.
Jammy Thanks for the tip. I'll use up this bottle then buy something else but not 2 in 1. Glad they were nice at the gym. Now we've got to turn into hard nuts and get there hell or high water. My DS was a nightmare for a year which meant I've put on an inch around my waste as I've drank tea and eaten biscuits. That is a thing of the past now!!No really I'm giving it a good go. [smile

starbear - I would be to be a size 14. Not sure that I have ever been a size 14

Starbear, I could have so much fun dressing you in store! Have just looked on your profile and now have a fair idea of your colouring. So here are my suggestions going on what I would dress you in, if there is anything there you like or don't like let me know.

www.principles.co.uk/fcp/product/-/GEOMETRIC/Pink-Ovoid-Front-Top/9174

this with the following over the top

www.principles.co.uk/fcp/product/-/GEOMETRIC/Silver-Basic-Cami/930

www.principles.co.uk/fcp/product/-/GEOMETRIC/Pink-Cashmere-Mix-Cardi-With-Placket/9579

Jammy I hope I haven't been insensitive?
But size doesn't matter, it looking the best we can at this moment, this time (oh! I sound all Obama-ist Te! He !) and not letting life pass us by, while we keep say to ourselves 'We'll do that when we've lost some weight' Lets do it now and we might lose weight along the way, which might be a bonus.
If a bit of spit and polish will do that so it's time we got on with it and buy those jeans & lipstick.

This would also look great with the jeans

www.principles.co.uk/fcp/product/-/NEO/Ochre-Rouched-Sleeve-Knitted-Top/9675

I personally love this, but it might not be to your taste

www.principles.co.uk/fcp/product/-/NEO/Neo-Stripe-Top/9572

lumps The 1st is the same colour as my skin in winter. The second I like. I'll try them both when I get a chance.

lumps What you plan for tomorrow?

Hope you don't mind me popping in to your thread, have been lurking and just wanted to say there are some fab ideas and really supportive posts on here - MN at its best

So far:
Filed and painted my nails with clear varnish - check
Booked hair appointment - check (although I think need to look at some online hairstyles otherwise it'll just be the same again)
Done 1.5 hr of exercise - check
Epilated legs - check

What next?

(haven't read all posts) Resolved to look after my scruffy hair better and today tried for first time some Boots 'Essentials' - Serum, Wax and Non-Aerosol Hold Spray (all priced less than £2, one was only 72p) Washed it and styled it, even after swimming and sledging in a wooly hat my hair looks 10 x tidier than usual.

Heated Hi, well I know your house smells nice.
&JiminyCricket Welcome. It's like a Goodhousekeeping Fly thread for the body.
Plan various grooming chores/pampering items and see if you've done all you said you would by the end of the day or week. No other rules it's your to own. No need to read the whole thread unless you want to.
Going to bed now for my beauty sleep ha ha!

My hairbrush has gone AWOL!!!!!!! I've had to comb my hair through (post swim!! ) with a little wide toothed comb that belongs to DD Hope it turns up before work tomorrow. But the upside is that I did go for a swim - 30 lengths And I remembered to take body lotion with me, and despite the lack of hairbrush I have combed it all through and now it's dry I've applied a little frizz-ease serum so it don't look too bad.

That was good I'm not even dressed yet! Yep i hate that too when been swimming and lots your brush the only thing to do is run home!

I didn't plan to take the brush with me to pool, I can manage the 15 min walk with hair just "fingered through" (and I have a hat on anyway) but I can't find it anywhere at home. What am I to do???

Hello ladies Think I might join you if that's okay - am a natural scruffbag and would like to make a little more effort. DS has just woken up so will be back later to elaborate

Hello Cyteen (is that an OK abbreviation of your name?). Natural scruffbag here too. Trying hard this year though to look a bit more stylish and together