Summer Solstice Sensation

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Just painted the coving in the lounge ready for Tuesday when my plumber is going to paint the walls for me as a favour. Absolutely done for now - going to have a rest in a minute. Need to wash down walls to remove plaster dust and gunge - will do that tomorrow. Will skip the bike today - just a few stretches. Back and neck giving me gyp now.

Hi Carmen - well done on the pedi - your'e right - it's time to get slathering and get those tootsies ready for pretty summer sandals.

Can never understand people who let their heels get cracked hard skin - apart from being so unsightly it must be very sore, especially in hot weather.

I can't manage the cotton socks at night, just too hot - still getting night sweats I'm afraid. Vaseline, or better still, cheapo generic petroleum jelly, is really good for extra dry skin - feet, knees, elbows. A bit messy so I slather it on whilst watching TV and it has time to sink in before bedtime so it doesn't muck up my sheets.

Hi Maman - Glad you're leg is ok - kept meaning to ask you. Can understand your fears about any nasty cells remaining - I have the odd wobble about my carcinoma scar. It itches from time to time but I think that happens with scar tissue sometimes. It's been 4.1/2 years now
since my op and as far as I can tell everything is ok. I think you just have to keep an eye on things. Have you got a follow up appt to check things are ok.

You sound like you are making good progress with the decorating and decluttering. You've been so busy it's hardly surprising that fabness has taken a back seat, however, (at least for me) I think prettifying our surroundings is also part of the fab journey so yes, you are still doing well.

:T on maintaining your weight with all your out and abouting. It can be very difficult when you eat out fairly regularly - it can be hard to control what's happening foodwise.

Your day out in London sounds truly fab. I am aiming for one myself - later this year when I feel better. I am also considering a short break when OH goes on his break. My sister and I are considering Paris by Eurostar if we can get our act together - poss Sept. Nothing booked or decided yet. I don't know Paris very well but she is an old hand so would be a great guide. We're very close and giggle like schoolgirls at times.

Thought I'd pass this little gem on - don't know if it's true but I'm giving it a try. A report this week said that if you get at least 6 hours sleep a night it helps with weight loss as well as general health and well being.

Apparently, anything less is not good for you (unless you are Churchill or Thatcher who allegedly got by on about 4 hours). 7 to 8 hours is the optimum by all account. Any more is too much.

The report said that not enough sleep makes the appetite go into overdrive. I know I'm always extra hungry when overtired so going to give this a go. So no more late night computer sessions - have started posting earlier in the day. Again according to this report electronic devices TVs, computers etc should not be used late at night because it disrupts sleep. So, it's a good book then ......

Anyway time for my nap.

Todays treatment - deep cleansing face mask and a good slathering. Have neglected myself a bit and my skin feels like an old crocodile's:rotfl:.

Bye for now.

maman

LL, I'm amazed you even consider EXTRA exercise after lugging the wheelchair and the painting. You're an inspiration with what you manage to fit in:T I must admit that while I can paint, lately DH does most of it and I act in an advisory capacity:o I'm not surprised you end up with an aching back and neck. Seems like light at the end of the tunnel with your sitting room. I'm sure it will look great very soon.

Thanks for telling me about the possible itchiness of scar tissue. If you can feel like that after years then I shouldn't be worrying after just two months. I had my immediate follow-up appointment after a month and the consultant was happy. I have another with the Specialist Nurse to teach me how to check my skin/lymph nodes etc but that's not until July although I have a lot of leaflets to read if I want to know earlier.

I'm sure there is some truth in the weight gain/lack of sleep theory. I've put on all my weight in the past ten years and that has coincided with poor sleep habits as a result of hormones and stress in my old job.

Great idea about going to Paris with your sister, you really must make a definite plan as soon as you know when DH's break is organised. Eurostar is so easy and Paris is delightful. So much to see and do but super if you do nothing but stroll around and eat and drink!!

:wave: to Carmen, Bron and all lurkers (there must be loads of you judging by our post count). This is a lovely thread, where I feel I'm with good friends.

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Well - not the best of days - my body has rebelled again. My neck and shoulder have completely seized and it's very painful. Just had a long soak in the bath - helped a bit.

Physio proper starts Tuesday (first session was just an assessment). He's going to treat the problem areas with ultra sound. I've had this in the past and it was very successful so hopefully he can sort me out. I'm neither use nor ornament at the moment:rotfl:

Just about managed to wash and style my hair although I too am desperately in need of a good haircut. A short crop maybe?

Your'e right about stress Maman, long term stress can be a contributory factor in weight gain - especially around the midriff, leading to what the medics call the apple shape.

Apparently, stress produces a hormone called cortisol which, when not dispersed properly, converts to abdominal fat. As a rough guide, current medical advice suggests that a woman's waist measurement should be no more than 36". After that all sorts of nasties are in store - diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

About your scar Maman, my surgeon recommended daily massage with Bio Oil, keeps the scar tissue soft and can help stop any puckering.

Off to cook dinner, roast pork and all the trimmings.

maman

:wave:

So many coincidences today LL,

I did roast pork for dinner tonight. First time I've done pork since starting SW. The will-power needed to resist the crackling was phenomenal and I have to confess to chewing on a tiny bit.

My back/neck seized up yesterday/today. It's something that's happened before and advice from my doctor is to take strong pain killers and ibuprofen while waiting for it to go away. Feeling much better today. Good luck with your physio appointment.

Took a leaf from your book and pampered myself a bit today. Not HM remedies I'm afraid but fairly MSE as most of the products were birthday gifts from DDs last month. I had a face pack, deep conditioner on my hair and big slather in body lotion. While my hair still needs a cut (will phone for an appointment tomorrow) it looks so much better now it's smooth and shiny. Hoping to have my nails done tomorrow (my £5 Chinese cheapie).

DD1 brought me lovely flowers for Mothers' Day. She only lives a mile away so I see her fairly often but it was good to see her today. Also a lovely card with very caring message. Had long chat with DD2 on the phone and she sent me flowers too. She lives 30 miles away and doesn't drive so only visits when SIL brings her. She's actually my step-daughter but I've brought her up since she was 9 years old (now 41). We don't visit them too often as she's got DH's ex living with her:( this past two years. It's complicated.....

Off to measure my waist.....:rotfl:

Carmen

Good morning everyone, I hope all the mum's had a nice day yesterday?

LL, so sorry to hear you are suffering again with your neck and shoulder, I know how pain can make one feel miserable (I have a very low pain threshold) I hope your physio tomorrow will start to get you back to 'normal' soon?
Interesting about the midriff bulge, appears I lead a very stressful life :eek::rotfl:
You have mentioned a short crop haircut before, maybe now is the time to go for it? It will always grow back if you don't like it!
You have a busy day tomorrow with the decorating and physio, good luck.

Maman, you also have problems with your neck/back, strange how the three of us have similar problems in these area's, maybe it's an age thing?
I hope you feel better soon.
A few years ago after quite a few sessions with a physio for the above problems, the physio wanted me to have an x-ray because she could not understand why my neck area was not responding to the treatment. I saw a Dr in the intrim who said I did not need an x-ray, he prescribed paracetamol, ibuprofen and sleeping tablets :eek: He said my neck area was as tight as a banjo wire and I needed to relax, a few days of meds and rest and I was back to 'normal' I sometimes find I am clenching my teeth very tightly especially if I am concerned about something, I then do some facial exercises which help, although no a pretty site :rotfl:

I'm not sure what to cook today, think I might try one of Nigel Slaters recipe's, I love to watch him cook, makes it look so easy and interesting. He made a beetroot and seed cake which looked tasty
:drool:

Paris sounds lovely LL, you really should go for it:)

Happy Monday to you all.

Carmen xx

PS. My weight has stayed the same, need to step this up a gear only three months to the big 60 :eek:

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Well - managed to struggle round Aldi and B&Q. Felt like a 90 year old with my aches and pains. :rotfl: Probably looked like one too.

Anyway got it all done - lots of fruit, veg, salads and healthy stuff for me, cakes and goodies for OH & DS2. Luckily don't really have a sweet tooth. So far not craving cheese/butter just yet, although went all Mediterranean this morning for breakfast - toasted ciabatta drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and a lovely hazlenut coffee that DS2 bought me for Christmas. All I needed was a sundenched balcony to go with it.
One of my favourite summer treats is breakfast al fresco in my back garden, listening to the birds nice and early before the rest of the house is up and about.

Didn't do too well with the old WW yesterday, couldn't sleep and had to raid the fridge at 2-00am. Can't sleep if I'm hungry.:o Wasn't too naughty - had a tuna sandwich - could have been worse - could've been the choc covered flapjacks that DS2 bought me for Mother's Day.

I do that with the teeth clenching - I also find sometimes that my shoulders are right up by my ears - no wonder I get neck pain.

I think a lot of back/neck/shoulder pain is linked to posture. I do try to remember - it's just that when I'm in the middle of an episode I find it difficult to stand up nice and straight. I could perhaps get a job as an extra next time they do a remake of "Planet of the Apes":rotfl:

That beetroot and seed cake sounds interesting, quite healthy too as cakes go. I like Nigel Slater's recipes - a bit quirky and usually quite easy.

Just been checking my diary and next week looks relatively free - no hospital appts etc for OH so I'm going to see if I can book my hair.

A lovely friend also gave me one of those Groupon voucher thingies for some salon treatments - might see if I can sort those out. Time for some pampering me thinks.

Other than that not much else. Going to sort out the decorating materials for tomorrow, fill in a few holes where the old pictures used to be.

Have started looking at some art websites for some new prints and posters - something cheap and cheerful. The living room has been various shades of pale yellow for about the past 10 years now but this time I'm going for a sort of Old English/Creamy White so thought I'd add colour with some vibrant art works, cushions, throws, flowers and of course, my new trendy vases:rotfl:

Time to sort out the dinner - something with chicken, got a load of peppers that need using up and bought some spinach. Should be interesting.

MrsWoolfe

Hello all!

I've been following this thread with interest for a while now and thought it was about time I came out of lurkdom and said hello!

Firstly well done to all of you for sticking with it! you've certainly inspired me to make some changes for the better and I am starting to feel the benefits- not perfect still have off days but far better than I was before so thank-you!

I've been coasting along for a couple of years now- well if I'm honest probably 3 1/2:o was pretty ill with kidney issues for a while which knocked me for six and too about 18mths to really get to grips with, then my dad was suddenly taken ill, all happened in a blur tbh and losing him so young (he was 53 and up until he showed signs of what we thought was a mini-stroke had been very fit and healthy- put me to shame with his walks and healthy eating!) turned my world upside down. Suddenly I was desperately trying to keep my Mum and little brother going deal with all the crazy family nonsense which seems to come during hard times and trying to find a job as I'd been made redundant during that time too...

Anyway, we are out the other side now, but what gave me the kick up the bum to realise how little care I'd been taking of myself was a sharp shock in Nov when I went into hypertensive crisis- no warning, no symptoms, was at the nurse for something minor- she checked my blood pressure and all hell broke loose! so I've been trying to do better and take care of me- unfortunately not well enough as in Jan I was also diagnosed with diabetes...I'm only 28 !!!!!!!!!

BUT since then, I've managed to lose 22lbs and weirdly for the first time I'm not doing the dreaded "D" word!

I chose to learn as much as I could about GI and Glyciemic (sp?) Loads, now plan my meals to include snacks to help my blood sugar stay regular and eat lots and lots of pulses once you start trying to make what you eat good for your body the D word goes out the window. For me it isn't about keeping calories down now it's about making sure I'm managing the symptoms using what I eat, with the nice side effect that the weight is comeing off too! The Doc has still put me straight on meds because of family history and my own med history but at least I feel like I'm doing something about it!

Some of the weight, I'm sure is down to the meds but if it all adds up to me feeling better and stronger then I'm not complaining!

managed to finally make myself get back on the ex bike yesterday, so did 10mins of steps (doing equiv of 10 flights of stairs) 5 miles on the bike and strength work...felt almost virtuous last night lol! also on a fab front did a foot soak and little pedi pretty tootsies!

Sorry for the long ramble ladies, and thanks again!!

MrsWoolfe

maman

:wave:Welcome Mrs Woolfe. You've obviously had a really hard time in recent years but good to hear that you're in control of your life now! Many congratulations on starting the exercise and on your weightloss (well on the way to 2 stone:T). I'm so glad you like the thread, LL had to fight hard to get it going and not be merged. It's good to know there are like-minded people out there to chat with. I think it helps a lot.;)

MrsWoolfe

Thanks Maman!

I'm certainly glad it didn't get merged, I think it has really helped me to focus on what I'm trying to do.

I'm doing a similar sort of thing with my DH- he's had a tough time recently with work and recently admitted how awful he's been feeling - he's been loosing a lot of weight which he really can't afford to lose (he's currently at least 2 stone underweight for his height) tired all the time, headaches, no energy, grumpy- which just isn't like him normally he's a chilled out happy person.

So we pick one positive thing a day well two really- one thing to improve our work lives and one for us.

So far so good- I think making DH watch supersize Vs Superskinny may have got the message across that I wasn't just being silly about his weight! lol

Hope everyone is having a good day!
MrsWoolfe

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Hello Mrs Wolfe and welcome to our little fab world. It's cosy here, we are all friendly and very supportive. I'm glad you've come out of lurkdom:rotfl:

I was very moved by your post - you've obviously had a very tough time of late. :T on sorting yourself out though and on the weight loss too. That has taken real commitment and dedication. It's good that you are feeling the benefits - it's a long hard rocky road sometimes but I do geniunely believe the payoff is worth it in the end. Good that your GP is on the case too. A good GP is worth their weight in gold.

Is your DH seeking medical help too - we know what men are like about visiting the Docs. I used to nag and plead with my OH. I had a friend once (well ex boyfriend sort of) whose weight plummeted and he turned out to have diabetes too. Skinny minnies can be diabetic too - not just little plumpies.

Anyway just continue looking after each other - I love the idea of finding two positive things each day.

Went to the physio and had a good pummelling:rotfl: then popped to Asda for the rest of my big shop - can't always get everything I need from Aldi.

Well I'm so pleased with the painting in the livingroom - it's called stone white - looks really nice and bright. My lovely plumber and his mate did a great job - amazing what a couple of bacon butties, some choc brioches and endless cups of tea can do:rotfl: Bless 'em.

I think the celing needs one more go and then we're done. Carer took OH bowling today whilst the men were here.

Just had a nice nap, off to clean up a bit downstairs now. Cheaty Indian curries for OH & DS2 and a salad for me.

Have been a bit naughty today, had a lasagne at ASDA and a bacon buttie with the lads, so need to pull back a bit now.

Hope you are all having a good day.