London Socialite Sees The Light

Erme

I've done that with just healthy snacks and not dieting and a little exercise LG

I love houmous (which you can make at home), bananas, etc

Great snacks and just keeping an eye on the calories of things. Also saver chocolate mouse (about 80cals) for chocolate cravings and saver yoghurts

Get in there...you so can do this!!!

LondonGirl252

Thanks! I will get there I hope!


I have been running again this week and next week I have a free gym pass to use up.


Money going well so far, given its the first month in YNAB I'm not being too hard on myself then next month I can review my spending this month and pick out areas to improve, I honestly thought beforehand nothing could beat my spreadsheet but this software is just fantastic.


My bf had a knee op on Tuesday so I am working from home this week to help him out, it's so nice to spend more time together and not to have to commute, nice and chilled!


It's my birthday on Sunday so we are heading to Mum and Dads for a quiet weekend


LG

LondonGirl252

Hi team!


Hope you all had good weekends, mine was lovely felt very loved and spoilt after my birthday.


I'm setting myself a new MSE and fitness challenge combined.


Since cancelling my gym membership I have found myself going back online and considering joining another one but I REALLY don't wanna spend at least £50 a month on this.


This morning I used my free pass at the local (to work) budget gym, which was fine nothing special it's £30 a month plus £30 joining fee. But this one doesn't have a lot of the benefits my other one did like providing towels and having a permanent locker etc so I found it hard on the tube with my enormous bag full of packed lunch, work stuff, clothes, toiletries....


Then I looked on this site at the budget gym section and got loads more ideas on ways to work out without the membership, so I'm gonna list them all here and try them out....


Other free passes at different gyms (theres about 8-10 different gyms near my office all offering free trials)
Sweaty Betty free classes in store
Sweaty Betty free classes online videos
Outdoor running (home from work, weekends etc)
Pineapple Dance Classes £4 for a day membership £6-£7 for each class
British Military fitness free trial
Pay as you Gym passes


That's the start, I'll add to it as I think of other ways....

LondonGirl252

Hi all,


What a nice sunny day in London it is!


I've done well on the fitness front, used 2 free gym passes and avoided joining up after! I have been using my step machine at home (I stick on a TV programme on 4OD usually related to weight loss and it motivates me to keep going!) and I have a Pilates DVD from Amazon (bought with bday money) which I am going to break the seal on tonight! This morning I walked to work 6.67 miles! Was a lovely walk and my legs felt it afterwards!


I am finishing the month with money in the bank which is just fabulous and I'm really happy and owe it all to YNAB! My trial runs out tomorrow so I'll be purchasing it, I think it has already paid for itself anyway!


I almost managed to save £100 towards my USA trip in August but then I managed to ruin a tyre on my car and was subsequently reminded that my brake fluid was due a service so then I was £129 down.


In addition I realised the flight prices for my friends hen and wedding in Germany were on the up so I had to book two sets of hotels and flights.


It has meant I'll be slower nailing that final £900 on my credit card but I reckon £300 a month for the next 3 months should do it. Actually I better log online now and check when the 0% interest runs out!


Somehow I need to also save up for spending money for USA trip and pay my bf back for my flights which were £600. Luckily he won't mind when I pay him back as he got paid out £6k this month for an accident he had.


Otherwise things are ticking along nicely, I am doing well at taking food to work everyday and batch cooking a freezing.


LG

mark55man

Its nice when you begin to get on top - its like coming up for air - you know you might go under for a bit but the good bits get longer and longer until finally you're not in the water any more

I'm doing well on the fitness front following a talking to by the Dr - started rowing again on the concept 2 indoor rowing machine (using mixture of puregym free pass when on the road, and a subsidised one when at base office).


Have lost 5kg since I started 2 months ago and did a hard 10K today and nailed it although I had to HTFU at about 8K and not wimp out. If I'm not careful all my new muscles will outweigh the fat loss

My long term plan is to do a marathon on the rowing machine (last one I did was 3:30 or so) maybe in 2016 but definitely in 2017. Will definitely need some bubble wrap/cushions for that

LondonGirl252

Definitely I feel like it's all finally coming together!


Wow well done on the weight loss and fitness regime, I'm impressed! Good luck for the marathon aim, keep it up and you'll smash it im sure!


I still struggle with my foot when I have tried to run so I am finally following the physio's advice with the pilates, I plan to use this and the stepper to get my ankle and hip muscles stronger for running which "should" help my foot. We shall see!


Took a dress back today that I bought at the weekend - my work wardrobe was looking worn. So that's £44 back in the coffers which will pretty much fund my purchase of YNAB now my trial has run out.


Payday tomorrow but I am still on May's budget, I am pleased with myself this month, there are a few areas I think I can cut back on but I'll review on Monday when the month is over and post my thoughts!


LG

allybee101

I somehow missed that your diary was up and running again LG, good to see you again!
Love your determination to get things done. I will have to give YNAB a second try - I also gave up on it first time I tried it. I need to get my spending under control.
I paid off my CC yesterday - the one I use for big spends like car services etc. Now focussing on my balance transfer CC which has about £1k on it. It's so liberating getting things under control isn't it?

LondonGirl252

Hi Allybee! I am indeed back up and running, glad you can re-join me!


Yeah do give it a second go, my first trial I didn't make the most of but now I am properly converted!

LondonGirl252

I am FUMING at Next!


About a year ago I placed an online order for a couple of things, very low value, they arrived and when they did I realised that in buying these things Next had opened a credit account in my names with £500 credit available to me!


I was mad at the time and remember calling immediately to complain and get it closed.


Last night I get an email saying they're sending me a catalogue and unless I cancel within x amount of days I'll be charged £3.75. !!!!!!. Called today and cancelled that.


I also had a letter from them which is a credit statement for my account with them with a charge on for a book of £3.75!!! I was livid! So they never closed this account and sure enough on my credit report I have £500 of credit available to me with them! Not great when bf and I are looking at mortgages soon!


In addition the last few things I have bought for work from the stores all of them have come apart at the seams within a few wears.


So I have submitted a complaint this morning and cancelled the account for which I have requested written confirmation.


I am so mad they treat their customers in this way. I did some research last night and apparently lots of people are having the same problem, even my colleague said the same thing happened to her.


Anyway hopefully that's all done now and I'll check it's off my credit report.


I also noticed that my Tesco credit card which I have a 0% bal tfr on until November has a limit of £4k but the balance is currently £700 so I have written to them this morning and requested that they reduce my credit limit down to £1k.


Payday today, but still living on May's budget until Tuesday so that's £50 for the weekend to supply Sunday lunch for 7 on Sunday, I'm gonna get imaginative!


Hope you all have nice weekends planned x

rockm87

I had this with Very, I must have called, written and emailed about a dozen times for them to reduce my credit allowance. They gave me £3000 to 'spend', I've only ever used my credit allowance once (£100 worth of stuff) and that's it, but they keep creeping up my credit allowance..!!

Stupid companies, just dont care!