Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

Carmen

Good afternoon one and all,

Pod, how did the gig go, well I hope?

LL, so sorry you are struggling, I cannot even begin to imagine the emotions you are going through. I'm sure what ever you and the family decide will be the right one :grouphug:

Lolly, hope you are feeling better today? Nothing wrong with having a duvet day Good that you also pampered yourself as well. What is a Silky mitt, is it just for the legs?

BBL....

maman

:wave:

Thanks everyone for good wishes yesterday. We had a lovely day although we did absolutely nothing!!! The original plan was to go out for the day but after a full day with DD&DGD on Friday we decided we didn't really feel like getting up early, driving for miles and eating out for 2nd day running. So that's on hold for another day. We pottered about doing normal stuff at home, had a HM curry and of course the champers!! I reasoned that if we'd enjoyed each other's company for 31 years then we could do it for one more day without the need for entertainment!:rotfl:Actually, we've been very lucky to have celebrated in some fantastic venues as until recently we always holidayed in August so I'm hardly deprived.

I can't begin to understand how you are feeling LL and I have no experience to offer but if it helps you to articulate your thoughts on here then I, for one, am more than happy to listen. Do you think that the way you're feeling is exacerbated by the carers' holidays lately? Have you any nice plans for next week when you have some time to yourself?

On the fab front, I have been very good with the virtual walking club. That's real walking but a virtual club;) I did almost an hour yesterday and the same today. My target is 30 mins a day but I do more when I can to allow for days off. While not painful, I can feel the effects in my thighs and calves so it must be doing some good. I've been very lucky with the weightloss in that there's not too much flabby skin as a result. None on my stomach:T and just a little on my inner arms and thighs. The walking is hopefully going to address the latter. I suppose I'll have to do some weightlifting to sort out my arms?? Any ideas?

P.S. Back soon, a silly person in the next street seems to be burning tyres on their barbecue!!!! and I've got washing out......

podperson

Hi all, goodness lots to catch up on

Welcome Lolly - what a wonderful thing you're doing taking on your new DS2 and your duvet pampering sound great fun

Maman - hope you had a lovely anniversary, I wouldn't worry about weight loss if you have loads of events coming up - if you're fairly healthy the rest of time it tends to balance out anyway.

Tru - am finding your beauty routine impressive already I must try harder lol. I'm not really a big fan of the meat and 2 veg kind of meals (well I'm veggie anyway but you know what I mean!) I generally prefer say pasta with veggies, jacket pot with topping, chilli, stir fry - I also tend to make a really big portion and freeze some, then can either take some to work for lunch or leave in the freezer for when I can't be bothered cooking.

Carmen - yay on the weight loss :T as LL says losing it slower is often better as then it will stay off.

LL - Loved your music table story, sorry you're feeling down about OH - it can't be easy and I have so much admiration for you for what you're doing and how you stay so positive and focused throughout it. Hope the new assessment will help x

Lizzie - I've found the abs bit on the shred workout quite good - you might be best with a mix of cardio to shift the fat and ab exercises to tone the muscles underneath. It's a hard area to shift from - it's always been my problem area as well


Has been a totally manic week, the gigs seemed to go really well - had some nice comments from people afterwards and it was so much fun, was really buzzing after them Had a really quiet weekend to recover, we and OH had some time together last night as he's barely seen me all week Haven't done much exercise or beautifying - going to have get myself back in gear this week! Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

maman

All is safely gathered in!!! I had all the bedding out from visitors so really didn't want it to get all smoky.

Glad the gigs went well podperson, you won't know what to do with yourself this week. I expect you'll be glad to get your city back when festival ends.

I'm also super-impressed with tru's acheivements. As for the 'what next?' question. There are lots of food targets you could set. It could be the obvious 5+ fruit and veg, or eating healthily within a certain budget or cutting down/out processed food. I find a food diary a great help when I'm trying to make sure I'm sticking with SW plus I always do meal planning alongside my shopping lists.

Other targets that I need alongside trying to look fab are ways of exercising my mind. I've done years of really serious studying so I'm not doing that. I might start a class in the autumn if I can find one locally to suit. I make a point of reading a proper newspaper every day but when it comes to reading anything else I so easily slip into nothing but flicking through the odd magazine. I read loads on holiday (mostly chick lit) but I've never perfected reading at home. I'm mulling that over.

Picked some blackberries this morning so my hands need a bit of TLC today.

I need to go and think about our dinner but just wanted to ask a question. I'm happy with my day-to-day cleansing in so far as it takes off my make up but I have some large , grubby-looking (to my mind) pores on my nose and chin. I know I can cover them up with make-up but is there any way of deep-cleaning them?

Enjoy the rest of the day all.:A

lolly101

Hey Everyone,

I'm feeling a lot better today, thanks. My mum's had the kids for the afternoon so I've made some progress on my essay, will be glad when it's finally done!

LL, that might be it, I did spend quite a while writing that post as I was distracted. I might start writing it in word if I'm planning on writing a long post.
Sorry to hear about your struggles with OH's care, fingers crossed that his Care Manager can come up with something.

Hi Lizzie, thanks for the kind words. I'm trying the same thing, getting on with the exercise (and now pampering too!) and worrying about the food later. Only problem with that is I'm quite lazy, so struggle to get round to exercising! Not doing too badly lately though so must try and keep it up!

Carmen, the Silky mits are amazing!!! It's kind of like very fine sandpaper which you lightly rub in small circles over the skin, it removes hair and exfoliates at the same time - your legs end up really smooth and soft.
They do a few types, one for legs (although I have used it on my arms before without any trouble), one for your face, and one for really dry skin like on heels, elbows or calluses. Here's a link to one... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silkymit-Hard-Skin-CALLUSES-Pack/dp/B0015S9N1S/ref=pd_sim_beauty_1

I get mine from Savers or Wilko's for about £1.50, I think they may also do them in Tescos. You get three in a pack and can use them a few times each.

Hi Podperson, thanks for the warm welcome

I've been reading a bit more of the thread but think it may take quite a while to get through it all! So far, I've resolved to wear perfume everyday - wear it most days anyway, so not too difficult

Did the mirror thing... not great. I look fat, frumpy, dull and tired!
I had slim bootcut jeans on, which were OK but not an amazing fit, a red bandeau top, which wasn't ironed so was a little creased - not good, and a little white crochet shrug type thing - not bad.
My hair was immaculate but boring - always have it tied up and hairsprayed to within an inch of its life as it's quite uncontrollable, lol.
My face looked tired and pale, even though I was wearing foundation and blusher!
My skin isn't bad, but it doesn't look very well looked after - one of the main things I should focus on.
My eyes look so tired it's ridiculous, I always look tired even when I'm not, but they do look worse than usual. Not sure I can do much about that though, I've tried all kinds of creams and things, but (unless anyone has any ideas?) sleep is probably the only thing that will really help - and that's not an option at the moment!

Must buy some rubber gloves for washing the pots. What other things do you all do regularly now that you didn't before you started?

Plans for tonight are - more ped egging (didn't want to do too much yesterday as I thought my feet might get sore?), paint my toe nails - they look so strange and different without nail varnish! Then try and get a bath so I can get some exfoliating done.

Molly41

Good Evening x
Again my apologies for not posting regularly but am reading and following everybody's progress.

I have been away with my family for five days to Centre Parks. Whilst there I was treated to a reflexology treatment and a facial/ massage. Unfortunately the facial has precipitated a breakout of spots on my chin which is unusual as it's my normal products. Anyway im sure it will clear but the witch is due this week or next so may be hormones.

Prior to going away I took a real downer in my mood again and have gone back on antidepressants. They worked brilliantly last time and have had a noticeable impact already although my anxiety levels are high still. My eating went to pot too so that had the effect of some weight loss but Im looking scraggy around my face as it was too much, too quickly. Im now eating much more so hopefully my face will fill out again. I am also determined to cut down on my caffeine. I became addicted to diet coke last christmas as I was drinking it on medical advice to raise my intracranial pressure. I actually hate the taste but feel I need to drink it now. I do think it leaves me edgy though so have brought some fruit teas to try instead.

We went out for a trundle with the dogs tonight and I noticed that the oak trees have acorns and the chestnut trees have conkers. It made me think that autumn is just waiting around the corner and we will soon be approaching the winter solstice. Time ticks on.

Sorry if I have rambled on. I am getting back to caring for my appearance again after a week or two of living in my PJ's. I love using my products as they smell divine and this in itself lifts my mood.

Sending good wishes to you all and my thoughts are with you x

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Well didn't get the hedges done. DS1 made an impromptu visit, so had a nice time sitting and chatting with him instead - the hedge could wait. He's coming back to Derby shortly to live - not actually with us - house-sharing with a mate. It will be lovely to see him more often.

Re the muffin tops/mid-riff bulges/spare tyres - exercise is the only answer. Losing weight helps of course but it's muscle toning that's required. I do a sort of semi-sit-up, lying flat on the floor, hands behind head and then raising upper body say about 10 inches so that you feel the abs work. A full sit up is too much for me - it hurts my back. Start with 10 reps, say twice a day. Build up to 25 reps x 4 times a day.

It is really effective , fairly gentle and shouldn't strain your back. To pull in your tummy - lie on your back, feet flat and knees bent, do a small cuirl, lifting your bottom, just an inch off the floor, whilst at the same time tilting your pelvis upwards. At the same time press your spine into the floor. Do this one very slowly, hold for 5 seconds and release. I do this to a count of 15, 5 to raise the pelvis, 5 to hold and 5 to release. Again start with 10x 2 and build up 25 x 4. Alternate them with the ab crunches.

They sound worse than they are, but they are not painful. My physio gave me those, they strengthen the core muscle groups, and should help with backache.

The big plus is at the same time you lose inches around your middle section.

Back in a mo .........

Buffythedebtslayer

Hello

thank you for the welcome back, the party was good fun in the end. I am very unhappy about my appearance tho lol but I guess that is why I am here!

THanks again,

Buffy xx

lessonlearned

Re upper arms, resistance training is needed here. A set of hand weights is best, but a can of baked beans in each hand will do for a start. Bicep curls, tricep curls, overhead raises, side to side waist whittlers are also good.

If you can, sit on a Swiss ball (large gym ball). Do any arm exercises whilst sat on the ball. The act of balancing on the ball whilst exercising your arms also strengthens the core muscles at the same time. Very efficient, two for the price of one.

A set of hand weights and a Swiss ball should cost about £10, Argos is probably the cheapest, although ASDA sometimes have them on offer.

You can even just sit on ball watching TV or reading. The act of maintaining your balance will still work the core muscles even if you are not actually exercising.

Also - a note re the ped egg. Using it every day will remove too much skin too quickly. It will make your feet sore and encourage hard skin to form (your body's way of protecting your feet would be to produce more hard skin to compensate for the loss of the top layer).

Your best bet is to nourish the skin by generous moisturising. Use a good rich cream, I find vaseline is the bes although admittedly a bit messy. You don't need to buy specialist foot creams. E45, acqeous creams and urea creams all work well and don't cost much.

A great MSE tip is if you have bought a moisturiser that doesn't suit your face, it will probably be perfectly ok to use up on feet, knees and elbows.

Be patient - it will take a few days of daily moisturising to work. You can help things along by slapping on the moisturiser, leave for a few minutes and then putting socks on.

Anyway off to bed now, G'night all x

lessonlearned

Thought for the day.

A balanced diet does not mean a chocolate muffin in each hand.:rotfl::rotfl: