Preparing for 2025 glow up!

[snowlady4]

Hope this is a suitable place to post this..do move it if not.
I know we've not even had our indulgent christmas and new year yet.. but I'm so looking forward to a 2025 reset!
My main goal (as usual,) will be to lose a bit of weight.
But, beyond that, I really want to take control of making myself feel good.
Weight loss is part of it for me..
But I also just want to have better nutrition and develop some better habits for skincare and fashion etc
I'd also like to do some small things that will improve how I feel overall.. read more, make more time for hobbies, cut back on alcohol and processed crap, meditate/pray more, clear out the house a bit, be better financially...
Loads of things to focus on really.
For now, I'm not going to get worried about the weight loss.. that can wait until new year, but I am going to really increase my water and fruit/veg intake. I go through phases where I'm brilliant at this- and I really do notice it makes me feel better- I think it's all about developing habits and keeping them!
Anybody feel like joinging me on my quest to be feeling fab next year?

I'm planning on being sensible, building up to
more restrictions - I find if I do everything at once I give up quicker!

From tomorrow no alcohol and increasing fruit & veg, reducing biscuit, cakes etc ..... not removing completely, just decreasing.

When I see results I'm hoping it will help my willpower for more changes.

I need to up the exercise too .... need to build strength at my age I've been told rather than solely cardio?

I was determined to start a no alcohol streak today but as I'm still at my mam's house and I find it a bit stressful, I'm aiming to start tomorrow instead (plus I fancy a whisky or 2 in watching The Traitors!).
I've just ordered some crest whitening strips from amazon USA though so I'm excited for them to arrive.
My plan for tomorrow is no alcohol and do a low carb food shop. Baby steps!!

I'm better at baby steps too ... and it will take me a while to get fully organised...... but...

Some I can start tomorrow ..back to work day .. getting up half an hour earlier than I did in 2024!

Half an hour to myself in the morning, getting ready, having a coffee before waking kids up! Bliss!

I’ll join too 😊 I need to get about 2 stone off. I had been doing slimming world and managed to shift a stone and half but probably put at least half a stone back on.
generally I am just lazy and make poor choices. Examples are coming home late and just making toast, hardly any fruit or veg all day 🤣 also need to drink more water, I’m terrible (again laziness) for not drinking enough.

I know what you mean about the water thing. I don't drink any..terrible, I know🫣 The plan is to buy a 2 litre water bottle from home bargains and fill it up every morning and then every time I go in the kitchen I'll have a big swig. Hopefully in a month or so I'll manage to get through the whole 2 litres by the end of the day🤞

I’d like to join too please!

need to lose about a stone- plan on reducing processed carbs and some intermittent fasting
also doing dry jan and plan to extend this further to generally reduce alcohol intake

Exercise - regular runs and also focus on strength and flexibility this year.

A bit more focus on hobbies in an evening rather than tv.

Lastly teeth whitening and skin/hair care.

I've started the glow up fairly well.. managed to stick to my calories and macros today ... and ... completed Day 1 of dry January!!
And had a bit of self care - bath with bubbles and used some nice new moisturiser and body lotion.
Hope everyone on the Glow Up had a good day!

I'd like to join please!
I'm 45, 9 stone 7 but would like to lose a couple of pounds - plus sort out my hair, nails, clothes & make up!
I need to do more exercise and drink more water too.
My diet is too bad (normally - the festive period has brought MANY treats!) but definitely could be better. I think less red meat and less upf would help.
Love the sound of a glow up in 2025!

Joining in 😀

I hopped on the scales yesterday to discover the 1 stone I needed to lose has become 1.5 stone. I'm also just feeling very blah about my appearance in general, skin, hair, wardrobe etc all could be better. I work full time and have a 3 year old so time is limited but I'm determined to improve how I feel about myself this year.

Keeping to realistic goals is going to be key for me I think - I have form for deciding I will workout daily, never eat carbs ever etc and I never stick to it!

This time around I've booked myself into 2 gym classes a week (body pump) as I know I enjoy it and it doesn't feel like 'too much'. I'm going to take DD to the farm shop on the weekend to pick out some nice colourful vegetables and do a meal plan of healthy but yummy meals that are full of colour! No lettuce and plain chicken ever again 🤣

I’d love to know which meals you chose. When I try and do healthy eating I get so stuck on what to eat and end up with lettuce and chicken normally and then get bored. Any inspiration will be welcome!

I'll join you 😊

I was trying for a baby / had lots of miscarriages and ivf and lost myself for a good few years. After our last transfer in October (which failed), we decided to move on. I had a breakdown in March last year, started therapy and antidepressants and focused more on my physical health. I started walking a minimum of 8000 steps a day (today is day 256). I feel so much better for it. I'm a gym member too and regularly do classes but got an induction at the gym tomorrow which I'm hoping will kick-start me into stepping out of my comfort zone.

My goals for this year are:

Continue 8000 steps minimum (usually a 35-40 minute walk daily) while listening to a podcast
Zumba twice a week
Weights twice a week
Wear earrings again
Do my nails weekly (bought myself some new ones and a new storage tin)
Use my face massager at least once a week
Focus on daily skin care
Collagen daily
Vitamin D and omega 3 daily
Regular hair treatment
Build up courage for a professional eye lash lift and tint (have done my own before)

I would really like to lose weight and tone up. I'm pretty happy with my exercise levels but my weight has crept up over the years (thanks to steroid use to try to maintain pregnancies), so would like to feel healthier in myself by eating well. But I feel overwhelmed with the amount I need to lose. So think I'll start with 7lbs and see how that goes. Part of this is prepping in advance as I'm terrible for getting to meal time and not knowing what to have. If anyone has any high protein meal ideas, let me know!

Best wishes everyone ❤️

My go to is usually the Hairy Dieters cookbooks to be honest! They've stood the test of time (I got them all in charity shops) and I find them great for 'real' dinners lightened up and I can swap sides around if want to go lower carb/more veg.

Today I made Moroccan chicken (chicken breast coated in harissa paste and some spices) with some wholewheat couscous that had roasted veg tossed in (they use peppers, onion and courgette but you can use whatever!). Tomorrow I'm planning on doing their Caribbean chicken curry, its got potatoes and pumpkin (il swap for butternut!) in so side carbs aren't needed although DH and DD will have white rice (I'm avoiding!). I also love their saffron fish stew. I like just feeling that I'm eating real meals rather than dieting. They do lots of fakeaways and puddings, and theirs a veggie book too.

https://www.hairybikers.com/recipes?dish-type=hairy-dieters

I hope you've all had a good day.

I've just got back from an evening circuits class and I've got a gym induction tomorrow. I need to plan some healthy meals so I'll take a look at the hairy bikers recipes!

I've also ordered some protein to add to my morning porridge. I want to focus on building muscle and getting stronger so need to up my protein intake.

@MadameBeauregarde @tittifer22
Its the maintaining that's difficult isn't it. I'm a calorie counter.. but I find once the thrill of seeing the numbers on the scale has gone, I lose interest. I REALLY want to maintain this time- within about a 5lb range anyway.
Realised I still have subscription to weight loss resources (which Ive been paying for!) So started tracking on their again today.
Not a perfect day but within my calories so happy enough with that.
I'd like to do a nice hair mask at the weekend or next week- I'm conscious I don't want the glow up to be ALL about weight!

I'm no expert but I do remember hearing or reading (or possibly seen on tik tok,..) that a big guzzle of water a few times a day is better than sipping- apparently better for cell regeneration!
My diet recommends a glass of water before all meals too.

Even better then😊 I know if I sip it, it'll take me forever to get through even one glass so I'd rather just down it. Once I get used to it, it's fine, it's just getting into the habit.

Protein is important to build muscle and useful in a fat loss journey.
I've been going to the gym for a few months and have a PT once a week which has been brilliant! He works me really hard with weights and I've got calorie and macro goals (140g protein per day)
Upping protein to this level keeps you full and not craving and I've lost 7kg so far 😀
Christmas was challenging but I'm back on it now.
Treating myself to some "Glow Up" new clothes next week !

Absolutely. Do you use a water tracker of any sort. Unnecessary but helps some people. I find I drink more if I use those cups with a straw type lid too.

140kgs of protein! My goal is only 50g!.. but I don't go to the gym. Thats brilliant you're doing so well on it.
I'm trying to increase my fibre. I really struggle unless I have fibre bars (that are expensive and not overly tasty!) My goal is 24g. The bars are 10g each

That's amazing well done!! Do you incorporate protein at every meal?

I've been thinking about booking some PT sessions (probably once a week) for at least a couple of months so I can establish a good routine and understanding. Do you mind me asking how much the sessions are? I'm in the South East so they might be expensive but I feel like I need to get out of the mindset of scrimping on my health and wellbeing and see it as a long-term investment.

I hope you get some lovely glow up clothes😊

I’d love to join you all. I am in desperate need of a glow-up. I put half a stone on in December so the first thing is to stop eating so much crap and lose it again. I really need to sort my clothes out and smarten myself up. I took early retirement a few years ago and have become quite scruffy.

@Hawkerslife I do one session a week at about £42 each depending on how many you buy at a time. It's expensive but I think it's worth it! It's kept me going to the gym 3 times a week, kept me on the protein / calorie targets and I have failed diets sooo many times before.
But I feel accountable and I wouldn't have achieved the weights/ reps at the gym or the weight loss without the input from a PT.
I do eat protein in every meal, I snack on lean meats if I'm hungry and have a protein bar for a snack with a cuppa rather than reaching for the biscuits!
I'm so excited at the prospect of target weight / dress size and getting stronger and toned. And for the first time in literally decades I might actually do it! 😀

I asked the PT during my induction today and she said her sessions are £40ph. I think I'm going to book a few sessions to get me going and give me some structure. Like you say, I need that accountability.

I really hope you hit your goals and more☺️