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?

I swear by Hemp hand cream from teh Body Shop (assuming they still do it, been ages since I bought some). I have a tube of that in the bathroom, some Lush hand lotion by the bed, and some Vaseline stuff at work. The Lush and Vaseline ones were gifts, and they're OK, but I wouldn't buy them again.

30 mins in the gym this morning. And plenty of walking during the day. But I broke a fingernail and bit it off rather than find the nail clippers or scissors and do it neatly

Isitjustme2 I seem to be constantly waxing and bleaching my upper lip Meanwhile the hair on my head falls out in scads...bloody postnatal hormones.

Exercise: I've found that taking 10 minutes in the morning to do some warm up stretches really helps me get through a day of lugging my monster baby around the house. Looking after DCs is a hard workout so we may as well treat it as such! Have also got buns of steel from all the squat-lifting and one enormous bicep from carrying him on my left all the time

Glad it's not just me with the manky hands, well, not glad but you know what I mean. At least we're all visibly hygienic! I now have hand cream salted about the house - Neutrogena in the bathroom and Lush stuff downstairs - but think I do need a more hardcore one for overnight so will look into those recommended

Isitjustme2 Hi and welcome to the virtual spa. The advantages are 1) you really can walk around naked 2) your therapist is lovely 4)you can have all the treatments you want without fill-in a form
Okay, went swimming via sainsburys and brought better shampoo. Shaved legs Swam Blow dried hair and all over cream. Home now eating satsumas.
JeanieG Good start well done!
Jammy Nooo! but my nails still have hard skin around the edges where I bite them.
I'm going to file them a little every day and put cream on see if that works!

Just done half hour of pilates while DD is napping Has helped eased post-gym stiffness from yesterday

Now if only she'll stay asleep long enough for me to do some laundry, empty the bin, and prepare a casserole for tea I'll be a very happy bunny.

OH! I just loved Ds's afternoon naps gone now. Cycling went well now need to get my own bike!

Well I've done ok today, did a major eyebrow pluck and I went out with mascara and blusher on. Did my Wiifit aswell!

The thing I'm most pleased about though is that I've spent 2 hours this evening clearing through my warbrobe. I've thrown out several things including 6 pairs of shoes that I know I'll never wear again. I can actually see my clothes!! Now to lose 10lbs so that they all look as they should (I need to lose far more than 10lbs but that much will be a start and will mean the clothes I have fit me properly)

Sounds good Alibaba. I ought to do that with my wardrobe, but am scared I'll end up with nothing left! Actually I did do that last year, so it's not too bad in there. But I think I will try and audit my underwear and tops today/tomorrow as we're going shopping on Sunday, so it would be a good time to have an idea of what I need.

DH has said we will buy a bike for me this weekend. That should improve the look of my legs. Poor sleep last night as DS came into our bed. Hope this stops soon as I'm feeling knackered.
I had planned to go shopping yesterday while Ds was in Nursery! All gone to put. Legs still very smooth from so much cream and care.

I am still in my pyjamas but DS is too so it's kind of okay. Going to get dressed in a minute though and tidy myself up, also do stretches.

Nothing like a wardrobe audit - I chucked out loads of old tat after DS was born. Just need to replace it all now, I've only got about four things I can wear.

Oh, also got some Aveeno yesterday and it's already made a huge difference Thanks for the recommendation!

Circuits today. I am terrible for being on some Latin/foreign time zone sometimes. Circuits starts at 9.15am why did I think it starts at 9.30am when I've been going for weeks. Why,oh, why do I leave things to the last minute. Promise next week I'll do better.
Jammy I lost my hairbrush today. I knew when I read your post I would do the same!
It was free so no big deal.
DH brought me a bike today Yippee! Now to actually use it. I think DH will push me out the door as he has now spent the money.
Right:- Tonight DH is watching rugby
nails
throw out old clothes
make up two weekend outfits. (Down to bra and jewellery)
Sunday, While boys are out Nell's DVD & weekly food plan.
How are you all doing?

Hi there starbear, sounds like a positive weekend for you.
I was at the gym this morning, then in bath back at home I used a body scrub thing, and shaved my legs, and plenty of body lotion afterwards I took DD to a party this afternoon and DH told me I was definitely closer to yummy mummy than slummy mummy Actually last night he even noticed that I was wearing make up and told me I was looking nice If I can remember hands and nails before I go to bed I'll be very pleased. Shopping tomorrow and I am determined to get some new bras and a nice jumper, and some duplicates of moisturiser and possibly make up to keep in my gym/swim bag as it's a right faff transferring things in and out of it.

you need to simplify, one pair of black jeans, plus one black top. black eye liner

Thanks kalo12 I agree with that tip. Saw a girl out today Brown top, brown trousers, brown ugg type boots(but more stylish as they had a heels) Cream scarf, she looked fab!
Jammy it does seem you are right on course to be a yummy mummy. Are you enjoying it?

OMG do I need to join!!!

Overweight, tired clothes, mousey roots growing out of blonde highlights, hair in need of cut - no money for hair at all....

But DH gave me a beauty salon voucher for Xmas and I had my eyebrows waxed last week, and I am busy with a series of facials over 3 weeks. My skin really looks better except when it has been soaked overnight in wine

I need to exercise but i start work at 7, finish at 6.15 (childminding) and I am studying part time. Where do I fit it in?????

Numberfour Welcome. Are you working full-time? What can DH do to help you (or anyone for that matter. Keep posting and a routine may become apparent to you
Love and kisses must go out with DS to feed ducks

In Debenhams today I saw Clarins had a promotion on - speak to their consultant and get 3 free samples So I did, and she gave me 3 samples to fit in with my needs. (I got night cream, eye gel, and toner.) I saw the same deal in Boots too, and thought about talking to their woman and getting another 3 free samples but decided that was a bit cheeky!

Starbear, yes i work full time from home as a childminder and DH works full time running his own show from quite near to where we live.

Went out today for a bit on my own and walked up 3 flights of stairs for the first time in years and years. Nearly COLLAPSED at the top. I definitely need to exercise starting this week.

Jammy, thanks for the tip re clarins. Silly you for thinking you'd be cheeky in asking boots for help. You could have seen it as a Second Opinion for you and Good Experience for the shop assistant

Hi number four, nice to "meet" you. It is hard finding the time isn't it. But you will if you want to, I'm sure. Yes I was kicking myself later for not speaking to the Boots woman as well. Ah well, my own fault.

I didn't go for my swim today as I was feeling "coldy" in the head, but did some Pilates instead (with a DVD) so not too bad.

morning all

off for a meeting with my work today so am fully brushed up - nails filed, make up on, decent clothes on (and no baby sick as yet, although give it time).

Hello am back again after a week in work. Have now got a week off and have been busy sorting out all of my old clothes, so now have a reasonably empty wardrobe. Have got rid of all the clothes I haven't worn for about 5 years.

This week my goals are:

Get my hair coloured
do my nails, both fingers and toes
general body maintenance
wii fit

Hi, lumps!

I have decided to go for a "run" tonight. Well, it will be more of a wobbly walk, but go I will!

Hi all, I'm a bit late but can I join too?

I'm currently on maternity leave with my PFB who is almost 6 months old.
I need to join the manky hand brigade, lots of rough bits around my nails (hangnails?) and very dry & old manish!
Size & weight I'm ok with but could do with post-natal (am I still classed as post-natal?) tone up. I've found a Pilates class that I could go to in the evenings but it will require some serious effort; a bus journey each way in the evenings when DP gets in from work. Unfortunately, my DP has just bought me a fab new laptop for my birthday so all chances of exercise (or chores) during the day when PFB is asleep have gone out of the window
Food & drink; had cereal, ham toastie & a 6 day old yoghurt today Must increase the water intake as I've only had 1 glass.
Clothes wise I think I'm doing ok, my winter coat is ugly as can be but I don't care, I hate being cold.
As for my hair, a whole new thread there, lol!

numberfour, did you get your run? How did it go?

I've done better than normal on the hand care today, and I've agreed to go to yoga in my lunch break tomorrow!

Hi Numberfour and Nezzi

Jammy - you are doing so well on the exercise! Which pilates DVD do you use? I've got the Darcy Bussell one which I used to use before I had DS but it is very slow and there is a lot of faffing around in between exercises which doesn't make it easy to fit in while DS is having a nap!

I didn't do any exercise over the weekend, but I did a deep conditioning on my hair and then went out for the day on Saturday with DH and DS feeling very glam in a jersey wrap dress with heels AND a co-ordinating scarf

Not doing so well today, have done Wiifit but slipped on the handcream and my nails are looking a bit of a state.