Have you ever reinvented yourself?

[oldwomanwholivedinashoe]

I was watching one of those make over programmes on Tv adn wondered if anyone had ever managed to reinvent themselves all by them selves. Something i desperately need now - I want to stop feeling (and looking mumsy).
Anyone losty weight, completely revamped their wardrobe, had surgery, got a drastic new hair cut and colour?
just wondered?!

Yup, all of the above, apart from surgery. I had to take in a photo to work, and I only had an old one (6 stone heavier, crap clothes, crap (grey) hair). The boss looked at it and asked who the hell it was? Thrilled, moi?

So what was your motivation and how did you stay on track and do it? Ive never met anyone in RL who has done this.

Well. tbh, even though I weighed 16 1/2 stone, I kidded myself that I was OK, until I slipped up and caught sight of myself nekkid in the mirror - OMG - I cried and cried (What was looking back at me was truly awful - old, miserable-looking saggy, fat woman). This was my low point in weight terms. I decided that my desire to lose weight outweighed any desire to eat food that made me fat. I decided that I would get nude in front of the mirror every week until I was happy with my shape. Tough, cruel, but it works, and quick! I lost 6 stone pdq, and having done that, suddenly decided to sort the hair and the clothes (easier when you are slim) and also make-up - I treated myself to an expensive box of goodies from Estee Lauder (cheaper than chocs )

A friend who I have only known in recent years showed me some old pics of herself. I couldn't believe it was her! The woman I know is slim, toned, bronzed and extremely fit and active. She goes to the gym/swims/jogs daily and always dresses really well and has great hair

The woman in the pictures she showed me looked very plain, overweight, frumpy and not at all interested in fashion. And the pics were only about five years old, if that.

I'm not sure what prompted her, but she started off by swimming, lost weight which encouraged her to try the gym. She lost even more weight and became interested in clothes etc. and has never looked back.

Interestingly, her DH had an affair not long after she re-invented herself. She threw him out and is now happily married to a lovely man and she's having the time of her life.

I'd love to do what she's done but I just haven't got the motivation.

no Im a bit lacking in motivation too madmental but i htink what shy says is right - you get to the point where your motivation to lose weight is bigger than your motivation to eat!
to be honest im not that over weight but im just so far from the sexy little thing i was 5 yrs ago that im ashamed when i see people who i haven't seen for a while and i can see the look of disbelief coming over them.
When is it too late to lose the flab and gain control agin? I seriously havent bothered about my hair and clothes since before i was pregnant. im 36 now - thats young isnt it? Why do i feel like my mother!?!

You sound like me. I'm not hugely overweight, but I'm not particularly toned, and I always look tired and anything but sexy. When I do try to make an effort I feel silly because I haven't got the confidence to be sexy anymore.

I saw someone in the supermarket a little while back who I haven't seen since school. She was always quite plain and overweight, but when I saw her this time, she looked fantastic! I was in jogging bottoms and my husband's baggy sweatshirt - not a good look. I really did feel ashamed to be seen.

I feel like I've turned into my mother too...especially when I look in the mirror.

I don't think it's ever too late to lose the flab, is it? And 36 is young! I think my problem is that now I have so much to change it all seems rather unattainable, so I don't bother. I'm going to try and start with the little things, like always moisturising, drinking more water, shaping my nails, and then maybe the rest would follow?

Good luck

Yes me.

When I was 19/20 I was a size 16/18, plain and just well, non descriptive.
I managed to get down to a 10/12 and yes the rest has followed, I'm now 33 and look much better than I ever did then.

After losing the weight, I started getting my hair done regularly (gone from long curly brown/grey to shoulder length straight and blonde).

I had laser eye surgery to ditch the THICK glasses.

I had implants after the boobs collapsed after having ds, so I decided I might as well get them bigger.

I regularly have botox and this week im going for some photorejuvination.

Oh and I regularly whiten my teeth at home with the stuff you get from the dentist.

I go out walking regularly to keep in shape (I hate any other exercise) and dare I say it, in a lot better shape than a lot of the younger girls in my college course (not including the totally gorgeous ones lol).
I've bagged myself a total babe and wonderful kind man into the bargain.

To be fair on the botox and photorejuvination, I do have bad genes and spent the best part of 30 years partying before I had ds, so just trying to undo some of the damage!!

no but desperately need to!

Just realised the picture in my profile is me with brown hair, I do experiment back and forward but keep it mostly blonde

I am really going to try from now on and start with the little things as you say madmental - nails, using proper shampoo! drinking more water, moisturising body and face. Wish me luck!! xx

I was 5 stone heavier when I got married had brown straight hair . I am now a size 8-10 with curly blonde hair..I never excercised now I love it!! I too recently showed some new friends an old pic of me and they couldn't pick me out from the crowd. I never tell anyone though as I am embarrased I was ever that fat!! It took determination and hard work and every day I fight the fat demons but on the whole it is worth it..good luck!!

I haven't had as drastic a change as some here, but I lost 2 stone and started dressing my age again. I got bigger after having my DC and started dressing in really mumsy, too old for me clothes as I didn't like my body. I went to WW lost the weight and now have started shopping in trendy stores again, and even bought myself some skinny jeans.

I am so much happier and feel like me again

Mine was never a weight thing as i was always thin but i was never interested in how i looked or what i wore. I was very outdoorsy and spent most of my time dangling from the end of a rope. I had to jack in the climbing etc when i got pregnant and basically didnt do anything for tree years. Since the birth of my last child a year ago ive had my boobs done got a whole new (much sexier/smarter) wardrobe, sorted out my hair and whitened my teeth. Im not in as good a shape as i was then ( ihad a six pack!!) but rather then being like a flat stick insect i now have some curves which i love, thugh i would like them to be more toned . but then when are we ever happy.

my bf did it the year she turned 40. she lost 5 stone (lighterlife), had a brace to straighten her teeth and then had them whitened, had laser eye surgery.
the rest just fell into place with a shopping trip!

My partner hates me telling this story, but! Over the years the weight had gone up, I would buy endless clothes and still feel crap. He never comments on how I look and then just after another over excessive christmas he said, I think you might have eaten enough chocolate. I was so shocked and realised how brave it was of him to risk saying this I decided to do something about it. I started eating breakfast, doing exercise DVD's and eating better in general and changed my lifestyle rather than go on a diet. I lost several stone and have kept it off, felt better, looked better and could dress better.
When you go to hairdressers dress as who you want to be, mumsy clothes give you mumsy cut! Try on those clothes you don't think are you, you might surprise yourself. Empty your wardrobe of the clothes that make you feel bad or don't fit. Walk tall, confidence always makes you look better.
Good luck

Oh my god thats so true - I go to the hairdressers looking mumsy so they give me mumsy cut. I cant believe I didnt twig that before. im not think but feel really stupid for not putting this together now!