Re-doing my apearance & taking care of me

[elizabeth26]

I am feeling very unattractive lately and I'm doing something about it. I am also on a pretty tight budget, I only have a couple hundred dollars left over every month. I want to feel more 'put together' in my dressing and I want to lose some weight and tone up. I am a naturally thin girl but I've put on 20 pounds since high school, I'm about to turn 25 and I just broke up with my boyfriend (my choice, but I still feel like crap) I would like any advice on how to stay motivated and what to expect realistically. I know I am capable of looking and feeling better. Also I know looks are not everything, but I think this change would make me feel alot better about myself and going back to dating, if I can even go there right now. I am an outgoing girl, I love having a good time with friends and doing new things but I'm feeling pretty crappy about my appearance and it's putting a damper on my outlook lately.

[thatone]

well there are so many different ways women can dress versus just a few for men, as a man i can't really tell you what i think unless you tell us how you dress now.

 

find some pics of other people that dress like you do and post them, if you don't want to post pics of yourself.

[SpiralOut]

You know what, I've been doing exactly this all year (since my bad breakup) and it really does help to update the appearance and so on. I'm not sure if looking better is what helps so much as the fact that you are doing something nice for yourself. It feels so good to know that I spend each day taking good care of myself (even though my budget is tight). It reminds me that I deserve to be treated well.

 

In terms of what to expect realistically, I would say don't expect too much too soon. It is a long process, but if you do a little bit each day then you will feel better about yourself as time goes on. If you keep it up, then one day you will wake up and realize "wow I can't believe how different I am from earlier this year."

 

I find that the best motivation is to focus on how good it feels each time you do something for yourself. Getting a haircut is a good place to start. For working out, it really helps to have a friend as a work-out buddy so you've got someone to get mad at you if you try to skip your workouts, lol.

[tman666]

There's a lot you can do at home (in the way of exercise) if you're looking to lose fat. While having access to a gym is great, since you only have table scraps at the end of the month, you might want to look into setting up an "at home" exercise routine for yourself. Sprints, long walks, push ups, bodyweight squats, etc. are great and simple ways to torch fat and stay healthy.

 

As far as diet goes, my experience and opinion is that you can eat healthier for less money that it costs for crappy food (fast food, processed/prepackaged items at the grocery store, etc.). Yes, buying bulk raw foods does require more prep work and planning, but you can end up saving money and eating much more healthfully as well.

 

There are some good resources out there: JCDFitness.com, Rosstraining.com, Leighpeele.com, etc. Check out the forums or "questions" sections on each of those sites and chime in with questions.

[elizabeth26]

You know what, I've been doing exactly this all year (since my bad breakup) and it really does help to update the appearance and so on. I'm not sure if looking better is what helps so much as the fact that you are doing something nice for yourself. It feels so good to know that I spend each day taking good care of myself (even though my budget is tight). It reminds me that I deserve to be treated well.

 

In terms of what to expect realistically, I would say don't expect too much too soon. It is a long process, but if you do a little bit each day then you will feel better about yourself as time goes on. If you keep it up, then one day you will wake up and realize "wow I can't believe how different I am from earlier this year."

 

I find that the best motivation is to focus on how good it feels each time you do something for yourself. Getting a haircut is a good place to start. For working out, it really helps to have a friend as a work-out buddy so you've got someone to get mad at you if you try to skip your workouts, lol.

Thanks! It's good to hear from someone in the same situation, I'm feeling better seeing the results, but I know I need to enlist a workout buddy!

[elizabeth26]

There's a lot you can do at home (in the way of exercise) if you're looking to lose fat. While having access to a gym is great, since you only have table scraps at the end of the month, you might want to look into setting up an "at home" exercise routine for yourself. Sprints, long walks, push ups, bodyweight squats, etc. are great and simple ways to torch fat and stay healthy.

 

As far as diet goes, my experience and opinion is that you can eat healthier for less money that it costs for crappy food (fast food, processed/prepackaged items at the grocery store, etc.). Yes, buying bulk raw foods does require more prep work and planning, but you can end up saving money and eating much more healthfully as well.

 

There are some good resources out there: JCDFitness.com, Rosstraining.com, Leighpeele.com, etc. Check out the forums or "questions" sections on each of those sites and chime in with questions.

Thanks! Good stuff, I actually am a chef sthe diet part is pretty easy, but the excersize is where I'm pretty clueless, my friend told me to use barbells and it really kicked my ass, which I guess means it's working! Lol.

[Leegh]

Whenever I want to lose a few pounds, I walk; as walking is my preferred method of exercise. Speaking for myself, it's easier for me to walk around my apt. complex, than to get to get in my car, and drive to a gym, etc. In addition, there is a great new book called "The Beauty Detox Solution" by Kimberly Snyder. Her website is www.KimberlySnyder.net.

[tman666]

Thanks! Good stuff, I actually am a chef sthe diet part is pretty easy, but the excersize is where I'm pretty clueless, my friend told me to use barbells and it really kicked my ass, which I guess means it's working! Lol.

 

A chef huh? Man, how lucky is the guy that gets to be your future boyfriend??

 

But yes, generally the more something kicks your ass, the better (in general).

[e.clipse]

from what i have seen, when women decide to improve themselves immediately following a breakup, all it is is just a coping mechanism that usually fades away into nothingness pretty quickly.

 

if you want to improve the way you look, you need to be sure that it is a long-term goal that you want to achieve regardless of external factors.

 

that said, considering you don't have much money left over at the end of the month, i suggest you buy simple material you can work out with at home, e.g.: a jump rope, weights, an exercise ball, and maybe some exercise DVDs. if anything, i would put more money towards creating meals that are healthier for you, which shouldn't be much of an issue for you, considering your culinary experience.

 

also, i suggest you improve your physique before your wardrobe simply because, once you lost the weight, your new clothes won't fit you well, anyway. besides, as a young adult, i believe it a smarter move to shop well, meaning that you should aim for the big brands you cannot afford. instead, think chic and search for nice, classic garments that can be pair with multiple things, thus giving you more for your money.

 

for example, buying a few nice skirts, blouses, and accessories at affordable prices is the equivalent of a Coach purse. sure, Coach bags are fascinating, but why do you want to be lame and tote one bag around with you all the time, because it's the only one you can afford? i see many young women our age do this, and i find it absurd.

 

i think the sequence to "looking better" should be: get healthy by eating better --> get in shape by exercising (and eating better) --> redo your look and turn yourself into a living doll.

 

tee hee.

[elizabeth26]

Good advice! I lost 10 pounds, mostly by dieting, I haven't been able to afford a gym membership and all I've been able to do is jog around where I live. I am feeling better for sure. I have more 'appearance goals' and I want to feel like I look great, not 'ok', great.