Frump to Fab - Onwards and Upwards

fairy_lights

Hi everyone :hello:
I've been lurking for a while and have decided to join in!
I'm 27 and for most of my teens and early 20's I was overweight. Not massively so, but enough that it seriously knocked my confidence and even years after losing weight I still think I'm a lot bigger than I am.
I was looking back through some old photos today and realised that I was never as hideous as I thought I was, I just lacked confidence and it really shows. Contrary to what my name might suggest I am not a super girly-girl and don't spend a lot of time on myself, and really I need to make more of myself. I don't want to look back at photos in a few years and realise I spent the whole of my 20's hiding away and hating my appearance.

I'd like to lose a few pounds so I am cutting out chocolate and sweets. I've got a major sweet tooth and need to cut down on sugar, if I have one square of chocolate I end up eating the whole bar! So I've gone cold turkey and haven't had any chocolate for two weeks, surprisingly it's been easier than I expected although walking past the sweets and chocolate section in the supermarket is agonising!

I'm going to have a wardrobe clear out and get rid of all the dowdy clothes and buy some nice colourful new stuff. A lot of my makeup is getting old too so might get a few new bits.

Lots of other things I've read in this thread that I might try too

maman

Welcome fairylights. So pleased you decided to stop lurking and join in. Giving up the sugary treats is a great start to losing a few pounds and :Ton going cold turkey.
alec, eyebrow waxing is generally a fairly cheap treatment (£6-8 round here) and well worth it IMO.

Rummer wrote: »

The brow treatment I have chosen is not just a standard wax, this time I have gone for an HD brow treatment. No idea if it will be worth the extra money however it was on offer and will hopefully make me look fabulous

I am chewing over getting some kind of gel/shellac/?? manicure done to add that little bit of finesse however the ongoing costs would be prohibitive and would probably leave my nails in a mess. Maybe I should just stick to tidy with clear varnish.

What is HD brow treatment rummer?


As you know, I'm a huge fan of shellac nails. Removing them can be harsh but as it only needs doing every 2-3 weeks then it's probably no more harsh than very regular painting and removing at home. And you can still pamper your cuticles with oil with the shellac on. To have perfectly painted nails every single day is worth it for me, especially as I tend to talk with my hands! Let me know what you decide.

Rummer

maman wrote: »

What is HD brow treatment rummer?


As you know, I'm a huge fan of shellac nails. Removing them can be harsh but as it only needs doing every 2-3 weeks then it's probably no more harsh than very regular painting and removing at home. And you can still pamper your cuticles with oil with the shellac on. To have perfectly painted nails every single day is worth it for me, especially as I tend to talk with my hands! Let me know what you decide.

Not really sure but I saw this link and read the experiences of a few bloggers and have decided to give it a go!

There is a salon nearby that does Shellac for £12 but I would imagine that does not include removal?

Floss

Rummer wrote: »

....
There is a salon nearby that does Shellac for £12 but I would imagine that does not include removal?

Sorry, but that sounds too cheap - I pay £20 a fortnight, including removal, for authentic CND shellac. It may be non-genuine shellac, or more probably gel, removal of which is harsher for your nails. My salon charge £5 for removal if you aren't a regular or haven't had your shellac done there.

In fact my boy-beautician told me he's had a few visitors to Blackpool in and prices vary widely from £35 + £5 removal in Coventry, to £45 + £10 removal in Slough.

Rummer

That was an introductory offer, however I have looked at a few salons round here and the most expensive has been £20. I am going past a recommended salon tomorrow so I might pop in and see what they charge.

sweaty_betty

I've heard good things about shellac, but also been told that as my nails are so soft (even the best varnish chips/peels off within 24 hours) it is probably not worth me doing it (& I'm too lazy to keep getting them done )

Tonight I've stuck to my meal planner and made curry - surprisingly tasty. I'm knackered after a full day so I'm going to work from home and go to the gym/pool tomorrow lunchtime (if it's a choice between work or gym I know where I'll be!)

LL sounds like you really need to take it easy - can you take a whole week off to fully recharge?

System

Rummer have you tried threading for your brows? Superdrug do it for about a fiver (I think) and they always make a good job of mine. Just a thought.

sweetcheeks33

I get my nails done every 3 weeks and it costs me £20. It is either gellish or IBD dependant on colours I choose as my nail tech stocks both. If done properly and gently the removal should no damage nails. Certainly nothing a good soaking in cuticle oil wouldn't solve. I don't pay for removal as I get another design straight back on. I used to bite my nails very badly and on the last year my nails are great and it's been through getting my nails done- I'm always getting them cut down now.
As others have said I would beware of too cheap.

LL I truly hope you are being gentle with yourself and just pottering around at home. You have been through so much in the last year or so that it finally takes it toil. As you are, listen to your body and be gentle with yourself. You give so much to others, I can only imagine what you are like as a friend with the kindness you show us all on this thread.

I agree a pants and sock drawer cull is therapeutic and a regular requirement

Has anyone ever heard of a vega test? I was considering it too look at food intolerance and vit & mineral status..

have a workman coming to house tomorrow so it was a clean the house once I got home from work today- although OH had started by the time I got in. Once I was finished he ordered take away for dinner as a treat. Don't eat take away often and not Chinese so was delicious. However healthy eating and weightless is at a plateau ...well by the fact I'm not doing anything and hoping it magically falls off!!

I have spin class tomorrow night which will make me feel better, also I will call and book hair cut & highlights tomorrow. I get my eyebrows done tomorrow at lunchtime. Also have my last medical microdermabrasion next week. Also I bought a voucher for 3 hours of treatment for £24... I choose 1 hour facial. 1 hour massage & 1 hour Indian head massage.... Love a wee groupon, hope they are good

Anyway lovely ladies time for zzzz

Night

tru

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Morning :hello:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]LL You have so much on your plate. Please take care xx[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Hello fairy lights :hello:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I'm having a pre-holiday holiday I decided I don't want to relax when I get there, I want to arrive already relaxed I rushed around the house yesterday, tidying and cleaning. Then tried to design a crocheted snake – it's getting there slowly. I usually get frustrated when it doesn't go to plan, I have to keep reminding myself that it's OK to keep getting it wrong, part of the point of this week is to come up with something new and keep practising, then make it properly while I'm away.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I have lovely soft feet and neat toenails, just need to choose a nail varnish now.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Clothes for the next couple of days will be baggy, stretchy trousers and t-shirts. I have lots of mini exercise sessions planned.[/FONT]

sweetcheeks33

Good thinking tru we had a weeks holiday and there was so much running about before it I had to take the day off immediately before has I had caught the sniffles.... You need to be relaxed before you go. I will be more conscious of this the next time... Enjoy your holidays