Six weeks to overhaul my 45 year old self

[pocketandsweet]

I have six weeks until I am likely to be in a social circumstance where I will encounter an ex boyfriend after 20 years. In brief he was ( and probably still is) a total jerk. For years I would have feared seeing him again but now I just want to cause him as much pain as possible by looking fabulous.

So I am looking for any advice. Although I'm looking to look great I am not interested in any crash dieting type scenarios. I am probably 20 pounds heavier ( a pound a year!)but I have already started alternating Couch to 10k with Shred. I have a pretty decent diet ( but probably too much coffee and maybe white carbs/sugar). I thought I would try body brushing and regular moisturising. I've started with fish oil supplements too. Has anyone tried Proskins? Are they worth a go? Ideas gratefully received .

[MelanieCheeks]

Why are you in the least concerned about what he will think?

[TerraNotSoFirma]

I get it. I would feel the same.

[TerraNotSoFirma]

Not tried proskins (not heard of them) but would recommend plenty of sleep, loads of water and get your eyebrows shaped and tinted a few days beforehand.

[cannotfuckingbelievethis]

Thinking rationally - you shouldn't give a shit what he thinks.

Thinking realistically - of course you're going to give a shit and will want to make him think "f*ck, she looks great !"

How long you been doing the shred and have you seen any results ? Don't know how you would feel about the suggestion but the 5;2 diet is working great for a lot of people on MN, you should have a look at the threads.

How is your skin and what is your make up routine like ? Maybe get into Boots or another department store for a make over or to revamp your make up?

[cannotfuckingbelievethis]

Also forgot, spray tan, makes everyone look better and about 7lbs lighter...

[pocketandsweet]

Because he made me deeply unhappy at one point in my life. I realise that I allowed that to happen , realised it and eventually made some better choices. To look my best would make me feel better in a purely shallow way. I'm not looking for his validation and even if I saw him right now solved out in my jogging bottoms I would still be proud of myself.

[iheartshoes]

I would as well and have a similar situation coming up. Heaps and heaps of water and try to cut out anything with sugar from your diet not only will this help you lose a few pounds will give you beautiful glowing skin . Try herbal teas rather than normal tea or coffee ? And moisturise moisturise moisturise.

[pocketandsweet]

Slobbed out that should read rather than solved.

[iheartshoes]

Ooh also shellac manicure, I always feel more "polished" and confident with nice nails

[Scarletohello]

Get a good facial and a spray tan. Deep conditioner for your hair and a blow dry. And take a deep breath, smile and remember how fabulous u r!!

[Scarletohello]

Also do u have a cute toy boy you can take on your arm? ( only joking... Sort of)

[GertrudeMorel]

I was recently in a similar situation OP.

Mutual friends 40th. I knew my ex-boyfriend, my HUGE passionate love affair from the age of 18 to 23 would be there. I was, despite being there with my gorgeous & wonderful husband, really anxious about seeing him.

It was massively important that I looked totally fabulous.

I would thoroughly recommend the 5:2 regime. It's so easy and feels really healthy to me. I do it, not for weight loss (although I did lose weight), but because I read how good it is for you which shows in your skin, hair etc.

[OpheliaBumps]

Watching with interest, I have a school reunion coming up in a couple of months, and while I don't have the same jerk ex situation, I do still want to look at my best, rather than the knackered mum of 2 preschoolers that I am

[Ruralninja]

mild glycolic acid facial skincare for a brighter complexion, eyelash tinting. eyebrow shape, sunbed (depending on skintone), no booze, fresh juice you make yourself!

[Scarletohello]

A few years ago I did low carb diet. Lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks! It really works, especially if u have excess weight on your tummy...

[SuperiorCat]

I get what MelanieCheeks says about why would you care.....but I would feel exactly the same

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress...and your fabulousness when you see him.

I would add cut out wheat the week before the do to minimise bloating, get a professional blow dry the day of the event and work on your posture so you stand tall - this, like drinking lots of water, takes years off you.

[PaleHousewifeOfCumbriaCounty]

Water, cut the sugar, low carb meals, religiously clean and moisturise your skin, and get brows done.

It's a load of crap but I totally get you and I would totally so the same!

[Marylou2]

Good luck with all of this. I bet you'll look fab! Hope he's now got a beer belly and receding hairline.x.

[pocketandsweet]

Lots of good suggestions. thanks everyone . Funny you should say marylou2 I'm sure he will have a beer belly, no hair ( he was receding at 25) and probably be very wrinkly from too much sun. My husband ( who would laugh at the idea of being a toyboy ) is pretty handsome, svelte AND blessed with luxuriant hair so Mr. Ex-Boyfriend will probably be pretty pissed off about that. Not to be too mean :)
I'm going to try limiting myself to 2 coffees a day and I have a giant pitcher of water and lemons in the fridge. I will try reducing my carbs and when I get the kids to bed will do a bit if research on 5:2. If it stays warm it will be much easier to lay off the carbs and sugar I think. ruralninja (great name btw) can you recommend a particular mild glycolic peel product?

[MelanieCheeks]

I love the 5:2 approach, but the results aren't quick, so maybe not what you're looking for right now.

[SuperiorCat]

Sounds like your ex is going to be set back on his heels with the glamour of the pair of you

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Tooth brightening like Pearl Drops or Blanxx? Start now because they take a while to work

Cleanser like Eve Lom or Liz Earle with the hot-cloth cleanser (there are other brands available but these are the 'original' ones).
Really goo to cleanse and gently exfoliate.

And YY to the tan (get an all over spray)

[Scarletohello]

Lovin this thread, u r going to look so good... I went to a school reunion a few years ago and was really worried about what I looked like. Needn't have done as most of the women looked really glamorous but the men looked... Knackered. Beer bellies, lost their hair, really looked their age. And people say men age better than women...! Ha ha

[FreakishUpperBodyStrength]

Riveted to this thread. The imaginary scenario of me, preened and dazzling, bumping into exes at imaginary parties fuels the majority of my workouts I eagerly await a full report of the evening. Quite right SuperiorCat, your ex will be blown away by your glamour and beauty!! Most of the suggestions here are spot on. I think cutting out sugar and carbs is important for good skin. Carbs make my face puffy. I recently read that eating loads of veggies with carotenoids in gives an irresistible golden glow that's even more attractive than a tan so eat PILES of carrots, spinach, apricots and all the colorful ones or blend them in a juice. I think Colgate's new ultra whitening toothpaste makes a dramatic difference and is affordable, especially good mixed with a bit of bicarbonate of soda. L'oreal's youthcode BB cream is wonderful and dewy. I don't know what your hair is like but I've just had a few light highlights put in around my face and I think it brightens it up. Also hurrah that you've started on fish oils, they're fab for everything.

[PoshPaula]

I too realise the shallowness of this and I would feel (and have felt) exactly the same way as you do.

Look really happy (as I think you are!). That will be the best thing you can do for your looks as well.