Summer Solstice Sensation

top_drawer_2

hello,

I would like to join you too - but I want to regenerate my life in a slightly different way too though and would love some input. As well as caring for myself better I would like to make some friends. I am so lonely sometimes and this really gets me down and then I stuff myself with food I'm not even hungry for and cant be bothered to care for myself.

I don't really know where to start here. I bought the Psychologies magazine this month and they had a little book in which I have been trying to complete and all I am finding is that I dont have a clue as to what I want out of my life. I know I need to get involved/join stuff to come into contact with people but am not sure what and it seems everything I give a go doesnt work out - either becasue the group collapses/no-one else attends/there are distinct groups or no-one is interested in anything further.

Today I will try to use my epilator (I cant get "used too" the pain) and do my nails.

TD

lessonlearned

Slept for a whole 8 hours - must have been my new "Goldilocks" duvet, 13.5 tog too hot, 4.5 too cold, 10.5 - just right. Feel much better and didn't even have to resort to my herbal tablets.

Hi Top Drawer and welcome.

Sorry to hear you are having a bit of a thin time of it.

Lord knows I'm no shrink but yes I think that our physical health, our appearance and looks and our actual happiness levels are very much intertwined with our emotional health. I really don't think you can seperate them out, also as women we need to factor in the dreaded hormone effect.

Top-drawer I've no wish to pry into anything private, but how old are you - you sound younger than me, but then so are a lot of people!! What do you actually like doing.

My thoughts are you should just be yourself and do what you enjoy, if its curling up with a good book or DVD then so what, you don't have to have hundreds of friends and acquaintances to be happy.

You say that you need to get involved/join stuff - this is ok if you are a joiner. If you are the solitary type then it's not for you. You shouldn't and mustn't mould yourself into something you are not just to fit in with other people. "You can't fit a square peg into a round hole". Only join things/clubs etc that you are personally interested in otherwise you will only make yourself miserable.

My DS2 (aged 24) is very solitary, very quirky. He does his own thing - music, photography and is perfectly happy. He goes out once in a blue moon, enjoys it when he does but is quite content to potter about "ploughing his own furrow".

With regard to you what you want to do with your life are we talking career or relationships here. Whilst you obviously feel the need to take stock of what you want from life, my advice is try not to be too analytical and introverted - go with the flow a little.

With regard to the epilator - ooh no. I'm not into pain - if you don't like it don't do it is my motto. Try something else, waxing, sugaring is kinder than waxing, or even just use a cream.

Week one complete - time for a stock take

Weight 12st 7 (prev 12st 8)

Bust 42 (43)
Waist 35.5 (36)
Hips 41 (41)
Thighs 21.75 (22)
Calves 14 (14.25)

Well - it's a start.

Just have to remember the old fable about the Tortoise and the Hare.
After all 1lb per week equates to 52lb (3.71stones) over the year.
My goal of 2 stones in six months is about do able.

More to the point, I feel better. More positive and determined than ever.

My most sincere thanks to you all for your kind support, help, advice, tips and encouragement and yes - even the kicks up the backside when I needed them.

Exercise today - 4kms bike (2 x 2kms)
10 minutes yoga, 10 minutes Swiss Ball and weights

Beauty Treatment - Paint my nails whilst watching the Apprentice

Chris or Stella - who's your money on.

whitewing

I'm pleased with this thread as it has prompted me to go and find some vitamin pills that were lurking at the back of the cupboard so I have started to take them today and will try to ensure I do it regularly.

I shall also book in to see the dentist as I got a texted reminder last week and I am still on maternity exemption. And as soon as I can find the bicarb I shall give that a go.

I'm also going to start drinking bovril as a hot drink. I'd forgotten all about it but was reading the Sunday Times Style section today and Dermot O'Leary says he loves it. My DH wants me to cut down on coffee. I have stopped taking sugar in my drinks.

I really love this thread now as it's making lifestyle changes seem much more achievable.

Carmen

Hi all,
Hugs for Cave, wishing your dad a speedy recovery.
Welcome Topdrawer, I also went through a phase when I did not know which direction to take. I did set myself some goals before I turned a certain age (downhill sking was one of then) trouble was I was to busy working and looking after the family,and I was the only one that wanted to hurtle down a mountain...lol, I know one is never too old but now broken bones come easier :eek:
Anyway, don't be like me try to think about somthing you have always wanted to do and look at the possibilites of achieving it! It does not have to be expensive.
I think if you are brave enough to use an epilator you can take on anything
Eight hours sleep LL sounds like heaven, are the herbal tablets any good?
Well done on your weight loss, I will post mine tomorrow. I may be
So please tell me what you do with a swiss ball? I think I may have a look in Freecycle for a treadmill for bad weather days.
I may be the older twin LL but you are definately the slimmer one...lol.
Carmen x

maman

Well done on those lost inches LL:T ,what an excellent start.

I'm struggling with my eating plan at the moment as Christmas festivities seem designed to sabotage!! I've worked out that I've been to 7 'nibbles' parties in 11 days plus various proper meals out. I'm trying to make healthy choices but it's not easy when faced with samosas and pork pies etc:) But I'm determined to stay on track and meat is marinating 'as we speak' for tomorrow's stir-fry.

top_drawer, do post again. I don't want to be nosey but without knowing whether you work or whatever it's hard to give advice. I know that when I was so busy working, almost all my friends and social life came from my colleagues. If you have some spare time then it's a lot more possible to widen the circle. I do know what you mean about classes/groups that fold. Don't take it personally! Both OH and myself have tried to improve our French but classes folded. Oh well, at least I know vin rouge s'il vous plait!:rotfl:

lessonlearned

Hi Whitewing - well done with the Vitamins. That's what this thread is all about - just simple little changes that will hopefully all add up to the fitter, more fab you. Forget this no pain, no gain malarky, easy does it.

Maman - thanks. Yes, those "nibble" parties are the worst, a proper meal out is much easier and far more satisfying. No matter how many nibbles I eat I'm still hungry and end up calling at the chippy on the way home. Someone told me the best thing to do at these nibbles dos is to avoid anything wrapped in pastry. If that's all that's on the table .....

Carmen - A Swiss Ball (gym ball) is designed to help improve balance and stability and to help strengthen the core muscles. The ring of muscles around your middle.

I use mine to sit and balance on whilst I exercise with hand weights, so that is basically any exercises designed for arms, neck, shoulders etc that you would do whilst standing up.

If you do them whilst sat on the ball your body has to work twice as hard to keep you stable and balanced whilst you exercise. Just remember to watch your posture, tummy in, back straight, shoulders relaxed and not hunched up, feet flat on the floor.

It's a very efficient way to exercise because you work two lots of muscle groups at the same time - two for the price of one - bargain.

You can even just sit on it, watching TV - those core muscles are still working to keep you balanced and upright even if you aren't actually exercising.

Whilst sitting there use your hips to move the ball from side to side, back to front etc, rotate your hips to do figures of eight, gently bounce the ball up and down whilst still sitting on it.

If you are really good you can use it to do press-ups, tricep bends and all sorts. (I'm not that good).

Carmen

The swiss ball sounds like fun LL, I must get myself one, hope it can hold my weight :eek: If you hear of a smallish earthquake down south, that will be mine exploding...LOL. I have always made fun of my size so maybe that is something else I must address?
With back and neck problems I would never be able to do press ups bending etc, but the sitting and bouncing with bean cans sounds great.

Weight loss -2kgs.
I will get the tape measure out!

No bread or crisps for a whole week, amazing. Although I like them both, bread does make me feel bloated and crisps are bad for my blood pressure! Everything in moderation is my new mantra.

Whitewing, may I ask what vitamins you take, are they for post pregnancy?
I really do not like bovril As children my father insisted we drink it because 'it was good for us' I was the only sibling that hated it.

Maman, vin rouge s'il vous plait sounds good to me :rotfl:

Carmen x

lessonlearned

Yep, you know you are going to get them.

Slept badly, so much for Goldilocks ha!, woke up with the headache from hell and the carers failed to turn up, so all my carefully made plans for a big food shop and a few last minute presents flew out of the window.

Felt far too fragile to do much, just bending down sent the little men with hammers in my head into a frenzy, so I've had a relatively easy day.

Did some long overdue sorting out of paperwork, cleaned out the out of date medicines etc from medicine box and did an audit of my make up and toiletries.

Will treat myself to some mascara, a new lippy, and some summer glow that Bronnie mentioned. I used to use the Olay one and I'd forgotten just how good they are at giving a touch of colour. Thanks for the reminder Bronnie.

Are you a basket case? I am. I just love baskets and have them all over the house hiding all sorts of clutter (ooops I mean essentials).

Anyway, my latest one contains duplicates of the things I (need to) use several times a day, hand lotion, a small pot of vaseline, lip balm, emery board, E45 cream, Ibruprofen gel. I am keeping it downstairs so that instead of thinking "ooh my face my feels tight I need some moisturiser" and then promptly forgetting all about it because it has to wait until I get the chance to go upstairs, I will have exactly what I need there and then. Simples, why didn't I think of it before.

What would you put in your basket?

Carmen, sorry forgot yesterday - I take Natrasleep tablets, they don't always work - it depends on how stressed and anxious I am.
I think that they are all much of a muchness, the active ingredient you need to look for is Valerian. I sometimes use a lavender pillow spray, the last one I used was a present, lovely, but a bit pricey. I am going to make my own but I need to buy some of those spray bottles first - if Superdrug still do them.

Well done on the weight loss. Cracking start.

If anyone is interested just watched a programme called the Young Ones on BBC 1 2.45, also tomorrow and Wednesday. It's all about how mental attitudes can affect how we age. Very interesting. I think it's been on before.

Todays Exercise - 4kms bike, the usual yoga and Swiss Ball - still 10 mins

Beauty Treatment - Cuticle soak - they are a bit dry this weather
Simply warm some oil - almond is best but any veg/olive oil will do,
pour into a small bowl and soak tips of fingers for about 20 minutes. When you are done rub remaining oil into hands, elbows, knees and heels. Job done

whitewing

vitamins - well, I was good at taking the pregnancy ones religiously but haven't taken anything since until yesterday. They are just own brand cheapish multivitamins from Boots.

I shall try the cuticle soak tonight when my work is done, so thanks for that LL.

Glad

For anyone trying to lose weight, change their diet, find help on fasion and buying clothes on a budget, beauty advice, we already have the following threads on MSE

Slimming World support

Low-carb diets support thread

The General Diet & Emotional Support Thread

Couch to 5k Running - Part Three

Weight Watchers Support Thread

Cambridge Diet part II

Cheap gyms deals discussion

The Great 'Home Exercise' Hunt

I wanna lose weight

Murphys No More Pies Club, Part 6. The Pie Dodgers Strike Back.

MSE Exercise and Fitness chat 5

Fashion moneysaving thread - Dressed up or Down - Everyone Welcome!! (Part 4)

Charity shop tips for newbie?

hair removal (merged)

all of the above are established support threads on MSE

there are also other threads on makeup and beauty

it would be better to join in these threads rather than have individual blog/diary threads for seperate members

and you have said that MrsTine did get back to you to say 'she was doubtful about resurrecting Fab to Frump thread and you needed to ask abuse about it'

so would be best to wait for their reply before starting another thread