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?

@Hawkerslife thanks so much! Hope you do well too!

I’ve made an impulsive decision to book a holiday for may so I’m in!!! 😅
I just want to feel good in a bikini!

i have a set walking route to achieve 10k daily steps, I have chronic illness though so some days I’ll instead do yoga or whatever I can.

im treating myself to a new water bottle and some glass Tupperware to meal prep!

we got this!

Would you mind if I join you all? I am a few months into my glow up!

I began after the school October break with around 30kg to lose and have lost just over 10kg up to Christmas. I plan to weigh myself again tomorrow and continue, although I have been mindful over Christmas so not expecting a big gain but definitely feel ready for routine again.

So far I have followed 16/8 intermittent fasting, upped my water intake, cut my caffeine consumption, drastically reduced UPF’s, ensured I have two good meals a day plus one snack. I now exercise a minimum of five times a week, a mixture of gym cardio, weights and walking. I have a PT session once a fortnight (£35), invested in new skincare, go for monthly facials, 8 weekly cut and colour appointments and 3 monthly vitamin B12 injections.

I feel better within myself already but have a long way to go.

It’s been really heartening reading everyone’s backgrounds and reasons for doing this, so thanks for sharing!

I’m going to be trying the fast 800 diet to lose weight. Similar to a lot of people, I find it hard to sustain weight loss so I’m hoping this will help. Has anyone tried it before?

Also, incase this is helpful for anyone, I would recommend the following easy meals:

• emthenutrionist recipes on Instagram, particularly preppable breakfast bagels and sandwich fillings

• zoe recipes from Tim spector (there is a book, and app etc but the Instagram also has some free recipes!) the free podcast is also really helpful if your interested in learning more about nutrition

• mob kitchen

i haven’t made any recipes but the batch lady also has a cookbook on healthy eating recipes that can be made ahead and could be good for when your making food for families so just thought I’d share this too!

Stepped on the scales and gained 0.9kg over the festive season. Back to the gym this morning then time to de-Christmas the house and meal plan for the coming week.

Well I made a start - I threw yesterday’s clothes straight in the bin. Old bobbly tee shirt, old faded black cardi and holey knickers. The trousers are bobbly too but I kept them as a lot of my clothes are tight at the moment. Today I am going to cut and paint my toenails and rub loads of cream in them. My skin is so dry.

Mind if I join? :)

I've not started yet as I'm going to start when I go back to work on Monday! Inhale some more chocolate and food until then 😅

I need to lose about 2 stone to get to a suitable weight for my 5 ft 2 height. I'm a bit restricted with how active I can be so I've decided to start swimming 3 times a week. I'm also going to go back on the slim fast diet as that worked well for me in the past! I'm excited to get started but I have the start of a stinking cold on the way which may make things tricky 🫠

I’ve started! On day 2 of 75Soft (1 workout a day, 1500-1600 calories plus 10k steps.)

Am 40 this year and need to drop 2 stone minimum so I fit into my clothes and feel loads better. I just love food and reading on the sofa but I can’t go on like this into my 40s…

good luck everyone.

@snowlady4 no, I don't use a tracker of any kind but it's something I'll think about. I like to keep things as simple as possible tbh which is why I like the idea of keeping a 2 litre a bottle in the fridge and then once it's gone, I know how much I've drank.

Im another one aiming to up my protein to hopefully maintain as much muscle as possible while dropping a few pounds. I'm hoping to shoot for 100g minimum and I'm also planning on starting lifting weights again on Monday. I've been going through Caroline Girvan's workouts on YouTube to find the ones I like the look of, so I'm hoping to do 2 upper and 2 lower a week.

@StreathamLocal2023 Fast 800 is great if this style suits you - ie hardcore and lose the first chunk fast, kickstarting the new you. I did it with three friends - I lost 22lbs and they each lost 24lbs and 23lbs in 12 weeks, which is the max length of time MM recommends. I found it very motivating

And then I moved to Intermittent fasting which helped me lose the rest and is my way of eating for life

Doh, I've gone the wrong way weight wise!! Was 9 stone 7, now 9 stone 9!!! Definitely over indulgence over the last 2 weeks!

Working on it though as well as other stuff including hair cut booked for Friday and shopping for new clothes!

Hi @gettinghealthy I hope all is well with you. I'm actually doing pretty well, although its sad, I feel a sense of relief to not be in that uncertainty and constant anxiety anymore. This year is time for me 🙂

My gym has upgraded and has an egym now. I had my induction before Christmas and been using the machines regularly and have already improved my strength. My main areas to focus on are my chest strength and my core. I want to improve my metabolism which hopefully lose weight will help this. My flexibility and my cardio are actually under my actual age! So I'm chuffed with that.

Food wise, I've started tracking on my fitbit and am making healthier choices. Had chicken, avocado and salad wholemeal pitta for lunch yesterday and this morning poached eggs, bacon medallions, tomatoes and mushrooms. Just focusing on making small changes and hope I see some changes. If I try to be too extreme and radical, I won't stick to it.

Planning a snowy walk later. Has anyone else got snow? X

@VenusStarr no snow here but it’s freezing cold ❄️.

I went to the gym this morning and and know I will definitely feel it tomorrow, but I’m glad I went.
Now home to do organise a food shop and meal plan.

Tomorrow is my start day - just need to find some batteries for the scales!! 😩
Planning on10k steps
16/8 and calories counting in my eating window - the first week will hard after all the Christmas treats!!

I did indulge in a hair mask as hair looking a bit dull.
Glow up has started with tiny steps!

Going to look into the fast 800
diet but I’m guessing it will be too hardcore for me. Just don’t know where to start with a diet. Think I need a couple of healthy breakfasts and lunches to alternate between to start with. So porridge as one? Eggs on toast as another? Lunches - chicken salad and ? Any suggestions?

Just did my first spinning class in a long time, such hard work but bloody amazing exercise. Feeling good for it now. There are a few 6.15am classes a week at my gym and I need to try and do a couple of them a week I think as it fits with family life. Then I can do yoga in the evenings.

I've lost a pound and am back to last year's starting point of 11 stone 2.2 lbs so ready to stick to the diet this time.

I've had a haircut and found my night/day cream

Have been doing arm weights and some gentle walking with my bad knee strapped up :)

Finding this thread so motivating!
I've had a reasonable first few days.. just plain old calorie counting here.. but FEEL so much better when I eat more fruit/veg.. and drink water.
I hate driving in the ice, which is giving me another good reason to walk to work this week too!

Day 5! How's everyone doing?
I've been 100% on the calorie counting and macros, dry January still intact, but haven't managed much glow up yet.. did buy some new perfume, but all my other January targets are still words on a list... hoping this week I can crack on with some more.

Morning all,
I'm so impressed with the changes you guys are making already.

I've been working all weekend, so juggling kids & work hasn't left much time..... but what I have done ...

Im loving my early morning starts & an hour quiet time to myself in the morning. This weekend I've just been catching up on house jobs but when kids are back to school I plan to use it more for 'glow up' time.

like a previous poster I've been shedding clothes .... if I wear someting & notice it's holey, bobbly or just awful on me it goes in the bin instead of the wash at night!

I'm surprised at how many of my clothes are holey.... I'm going to save/ set a budget for some clothes shopping .... first shop after I've lost a stone

Morning all. Set my alarm to go for a walk before work but it was so dark and still snowing! Will go out at lunchtime instead. I'm booked onto a body blast class later as well.
Started the day with porridge, a few dried apricots and seeds. Was very nice.

I was reading up on macronutrients yesterday. I'm inputting on my fitbit and I was a bit high on my fats and lower on carbs, so that's one to watch.

Please could I join too? This is so motivating to read.

I need to lose a good 2.5 - 3 stone and this is the year to do it. Also have so many clothes that are hokey or too worn that need to go. I’m going to get rid of a lot each time I lose a stone. And wait to then buy myself some much better quality clothes and shoes (my shoes are dire); will need to save. I also really want to look after my hair. It’s thinned so much - I think chronic stress and poor diet for 20 years but I’d love to grow it long this year.

I started on New Year’s Day. I’m doing no processed sugar and treats and no processed foods. I weighed 12 stone 2lbs and today I checked and I’m 11 stone 13lbs. I’m going to keep going with this for as long as it takes.

@Sunflowers098 thats a great start.. it's only day 5, no pressure to do it all at once!
I'm also calorie counting but not going super low.. around 1500calories to aim to lose a pound a week. Trying for slow and steady so I can hopefully maintain for longer than 2 weeks!

I am still in shock that I was up at 5.30am for a 6.30 am class today. First time in about a year. And I feel great for it, Home for a protein breakfast of eggs & chicken, quick shower then WAH from 7.45am. Dishwasher emptied before class, so it's ready to load throughout the day while all 5 of us are at home today (DH WAH, school starts tomorrow). Washing on as I work, there are several loads to do. Home workout planned for lunchtime, HiT class booked for tonight and then I want to be in bed by 9.30.

Treating myself to new earrings this month as I want to start wearing earrings more. Brought nail oil and hand cream to use every day. Booked gel nails in. Booking hair colour in and then a keratin blow dry next month. First time having this.

@Roundrobinup - that sounds great - Congrats!

And I love the idea of having some gorgeous little steps forward as part of our glow up, like you're buying new earrings! What other treats do people have planned as they glow up??

I'm pretty chuffed to be back to my pre Christmas weight, and 17lbs down on beginning of Jan last year. And am finding this thread deeply inspiring

My main eating goal now is to Have Power over Food: I practised it at Christmas - it was a bit hit and miss but definite progress! Most of my life I've let food have power over me, and been a yoyo dieter with choc/icecream phases......Now I am clear I will have power over food and I am looking forward to how much calmer and happier this will enable me to be.

My cholesterol is a bit high post menopause so I'm keen to get that down with very healthy eating in an 8 hour window most days, and although I am now back at my target weight and have a healthy BMI, I think it would help to lose another 7lbs in the next 3 months.

Increasing exercise gently is going well, with adding 10 mins of dance a day in - around the kitchen! I have an autoimmune disease so need to build up slowly from my base of 8-10,000 steps a day. A few strength and balance exercises will come back in later in the month, and I'm hoping to rejoin the gym in March