Summer Solstice Sensation

maman

Hello Lessonlearned and other lurkers:) I did email abuse and complained that there was no good reason for closing the thread (either of them). When you think that people are allowed to post 'What shall I have for dinner?' on some boards, it seemed completely OTT. They have unlocked the thread until after Christmas when they'll look again. I'd just like an explanation because (while I'm certainly not a troublemaker) I have found that any adverse comments of the actions of board guides brings instant criticism and a closing of ranks on the more cliquey threads.

Just noticed that your diary is on that huge Diet thread, will catch up!!

whitewing

I didn't know that they could unlock threads.

I hope they will let this one stay.

If we can use it over Christmas it will help me anyway.

Lovely job!

lessonlearned

Hi everyone - it's good to be back again.

Thanks Maman that was very kind of you. I do hope they let us keep this thread.

Anyway, Hope you all have a Very Happy Sparkly "Fab" Christmas. Relax and enjoy everything - in moderation.

Then onwards and upwards in the New Year.

Will try and post sometime after Monday.

cave_2

Yay, it's back!

Thanks to everyone for your kind words regarding my Dad - he was out of hospital that night, and seems to be ok.

I can see the moderator's point about not having a 'blog' thread (maybe you should start a blog if this gets closed down again), but it does have it's own unique feel, especially as home beauty recipies are getting posted and tried (and reviewed?).

Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas in health and happiness

C xx

whitewing

Happy Christmas to all of you!

I started the day with a glass of water and a vitamin pill and I think that's as healthy as it's going to get.

lessonlearned

Hi everyone

Hope you are all having a lovely Christmas.

Just to let you know I think my Frump to Fab quest is beginning to show some results.

Spent Christmas Day at my sister's house, big family gathering. Hadn't mentioned the Fab to Frump thing to any of them. However, they all commented that I either looked well, or much better. (Gawd I must have looked truly terrible before, if that's the case).

Progress Report

Weight - Sorry chickened out, couldn't face the scales (next week)

Bust 41 (started at 43)
Waist 35 (36)
Hips 41 (41)
Thighs 21 (22)
Calves 14.25 (14.75)

Have been doing the oil cleanse for a week now and my skin is feeling so much better. No longer sore or itchy, I even wore some makeup yesterday for the first time in ages which I couldn't do before because my skin was so dry and blotchy.

No exercise yesterday - well it was Christmas day.
Exercise today - just 2kms on the bike and some physio stretches

No real beauty treatments today, just trying to work on my hands, really dry and itchy. Did the oil and sugar scrub which helped a bit.

I usually find Vaseline Intensive care works well but even that doesn't seem to be having much of an effect. It must be the cold weather.

Can anyone suggest anything.

maman

Glad you're enjoying Christmas LL, hope everyone else is too.

How lovely to hear that you got compliments from your family, something must be working. I was at a party last week and my nephew commented that he thought I'd lost weight (tactful young man said he wasn't sure he should mention it:)). I was delighted, so good to have compliments!

I don't weigh at home. I think I might get obsessive if I did. Obviously now I'm weighed at SW weekly, but tend to judge how I'm doing day to day by looseness of clothes. OH keeps nagging me to go out and buy some new stuff but I want to lose more. He says he dreads me looking like Victoria Beckham, but that's a long way off:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I've been pretty good keeping up the healthy eating plan over the holiday. Perhaps a little too much alcohol but loads of lean meat, salad, pickles and vegetables and not a chocolate or mince pie has passed my lips:D (easy for me as I don't have a sweet tooth). In fact, it's been easier than the lead up to Christmas when I was eating out a lot and had less control.

Sorry, can't advise on the hand treatments. I expect you do wear gloves for housework? and use cream routinely (not just when hand feeling rough)? That's usually enough for me.

I need more exercise. Must fit in a walk PDQ, roll on spring!

lessonlearned

Could some kind person give me a computer lesson - it's all part of the new me, embracing new stuff and learning new things. I"ll tell you about my master plan for all of that in a few days.

Anyway could you please show me how you do the quoty thing, that is I've noticed that when you want to refer to something someone has said you can quote them. Thanks in advance.

You sound as if you are well on track Maman, you're doing very well at resisting the worst stuff - mince pies and the like. Your comment about being mistaken for Victoria Beckham made me smile - I could be mistaken for 2 Victoria Beckhams!!

It occurred to me that as this thread has appeared both as the Fab to Frump as well as the Summer Solstice, not forgetting the brief stint at the general diet support thread, any new lurkers are likely to be a tad confused. So forgive me for being boring and repetitive but I thought I'd do a quick recap.

Story so far - myself and some regular posters have decided to take ourselves in hand. Yes to lose some weight maybe, but that is only a part of the game plan.

For me and for quite a few others I think, it's also about changing our mindset, smartening up, improving not only looks but also health and fitness. I also want to reintroduce some fun back into my life, to take up new hobbies and interests and to revisit some of the things that used to give me so much pleasure when I was younger.

To do all of this is going to take some time so I've set myself a six months target (to tie in with a significant birthday - ok I'll own up - 60)
But, here's the thing, you don't need to be pushing 60 to join in with us, everyone is welcome aboard the Sensational Express.

I am limited in both time and money so for me it's all about small, sustainable changes. Diets don't work for me (well they do it's just that I put it all back on again - a classic yo-yo dieter). So for me the d word is a no no. Just sensible eating from now on.

Also each day a homemade beauty treatment.

So far I've made the following tweaks to my lifestyle and I think I'm starting to reap some rewards.

Exercise and beauty treatments most days.
Started taking a multi-vitamin pill and a Starflower pill.
Daily dose of glucosomain for my joints.
Dropped cakes, biscuits (OK I still have the odd Kitkat) and switched to yogurts, fruit, nuts and seeds etc for snacks
Generally reduced wheat intake, bread, cereals, pasta etc
Reduced portion sizes slightly
Keep rubber gloves by the sink so I use them
Keep a basket of toiletries, handcream lip balm, moisturiser etc downstairs so that I use them throughout the day as needed
Switched to organic milk - I know it costs a bit more - but I prefer the taste
Reduced sugar in tea & coffee to half a teaspoon
Started wearing perfume every day
Switched to the oil cleansing method

I've managed to make these small changes with very little real effort and absolutely no extra expense whatsoever. Its early days but I feel much better already.

Anyway, off to ride my exercise bike and then do some yoga.
Today's treatment - a mini manicure and nail paint.

PS My hands are a bit better, used some hidrocortisone cream in the end. Although there's no rash, I think it's an allergy to Bold washing powder tablets. The tablets must have got damaged because when I unwrap them they crumble up and powder goes everywhere. Will use rubber gloves when handling in future.

Carmen

Well it's all over for another year!
Why can't I leave the goodies alone at Christmas time?
Taking into account the nuts and chocolate I ate over the last two days, my scales show my weight as staying the same :j I had bread yesterday (first in two weeks) gosh did I feel sluggish at bedtime:(
Today has been a good day so on the right track again.

My skin also gets very dry in the winter, I just use loads of cream but I am going to try the OCM it has got to be cheaper and more effective.

LL, there is a quote button at the bottom of the post, just click it and away you go. If you only want to quote part of a post like this

Anyway could you please show me how you do the quoty thing, that is I've noticed that when you want to refer to something someone has said you can quote them. Thanks in advance.

then you need to copy and paste, do you know how to do that?

Carmen x

whitewing

I asked for nuts instead of chocolate this year (some family members just have to give foodie items no matter how much we try and politely request them not to, but I think we're finally coming to acceptable compromises).

I have also recently given up sugar in my tea and coffee (most of the time).

Unpacked the Xmas presents and made a drawer in the kitchen for DH's treats (some sweeties). I don't use that drawer so I'm hoping that I forget they're there. Once I get used to not having so much sweet stuff the cravings will go.

I've also pulled out one of our big lidded picnic jugs and put some water in it. I'm going to try drinking a glass of water for every cuppa - or glass of alcohol - I have. I think that will pay off.

We have decided to ask mum in law if she will make DD some beautiful clothes for her birthday. I will automatically try and smarten myself up if DD is wearing pretty dresses.